DRIGGS, Idaho — Teton Valley’s new wine bar, Maison, curates a boutique selection of limited varieties and a living room atmosphere in which to enjoy them.
Anyone who has driven east on Ski Hill road this month can’t help but notice the vibe bubbling from the garden at Maison. The new wine bar — offering wine, prosecco and non-alcoholic options on tap, along with an eclectic selection of beer and wine available for sale or for table service — has quickly established itself as a go-to spot.
Sloane Hartwell was among many out with friends last Friday at Maison enjoying the late afternoon sunny weather. “It’s great to have another option and not have to stand in line anywhere,” she told Buckrail while sitting out front on the lawn.
Hartwell lives around the corner and works for Forage. “And, the selection is awesome. I am stoked.”
That’s exactly what the proprietor, Jimmy Fraser, was going for. Fraser moved to Teton Valley three years ago after a long stint in Jackson. The 39-year-old has worked for Fine Dining, helped get Basecamp in Wilson started as well as Bodega in Teton Village, and most recently was a manager for the liquor store Eleanor’s. There’s no doubt Fraser has bottle-know-how under his belt.
“I wanted something where I could have low overhead,” Fraser said over the phone while chopping his food prep for the evening. Open Wednesday through Sunday from 3 p.m. on, Fraser isn’t committing to too much too quickly. His menu rotates with what’s fresh and available at the Driggs Farmers Market – though pizza night is becoming a staple at Maison and one of the reasons all of the outdoor tables were claimed on Friday.
“It’s a pressure-free space – if you want to have a beer, you can, if you don’t, there are other options on the menu, andgood options like the Phony Negroni, which is really popular. And we have some great non-alcoholic beers as well,” Fraser added.
Save the sugar intake for dessert: Early Bird Bakes has a rotating cast of delights like olive oil chocolate cake and strawberry rhubarb pie.
“And we just got a new ice cream maker to meet our demand,” Fraser said enthusiastically as he began explaining how Maison will operate now that temps are expected to get cooler.
“We’re planning on having prepared meals and being the spot that when you come off the hill, you have an après drink and maybe some of our caramelized shallot dip, and then grab a bagged salad, a bottle and a baguette and head home.”
“This is just a relaxed atmosphere where you can hang,” the owner reinforced.
The boutique wine and beer selection will delight any gastronome looking for a fun shopping experience. There’s a room off of the library seating area filled with coolers and bottle options not being carried elsewhere, as well as a dining room table with plenty of artisan chocolate to pair.
Fraser and his wife committed to the idea of Maison in March and Fraser put his notice in at Eleanor’s and began renovating the old rental property on May 1.
“I just went all in, 14 hours a day, seven days a week, getting done what needed to get done,” he said
Fraser got it done: the front porch welcomes diners, a living room provides a casual seating area, a retail room, and in the back a wine bar sits in front of a new commercial kitchen space, all with windows looking out on the many corners of the garden.
This is Fraser’s first time as an autonomous businessman, and when asked how that new title job sits with him, he said,”Good times, and I am very happy with the decision.”
Maison is located at 85 E. Little Avenue, and is open from 3 p.m. until close (which may vary), Wednesday through Sunday.
