CINCINNATI, Ohio — Serial entrepreneur Orlando Chapman has made a name for himself in the world of fashion and nightlife, hosting events through his promotion business RIL Entertainment.

For his next venture, he said he wanted to think outside the box. 

What You Need To Know

  • Something To Wine About is a new self-service wine bar located in downtown Cincinnati
  • Orlando Chapman owns STWA and said his goal was to bring wine lovers together in a sophicated way
  • National Retailers Association data showed that 16% of operators reported that they planned to integrate artificial intelligence into their business in 2024 

“I was thinking about my retirement plan," Chapman said. "I always knew I wanted to open my own spot, but I just didn't want a bar or a club."

Chapman is now the owner of Something to Wine About, which recently opened in downtown Cincinnati. He said his vision was quite simple; he wanted to bring wine lovers together in a sophisticated way. The venue also provides a platform to spotlight minority-owned winemakers from across the region.  

“I saw that in downtown Cincinnati, this could be something vibrant and forward,” Chapman said. 

The big draw in the over 3,500-square-foot space are the self-serving wine machines. Customers can purchase either a reloadable or temporary card, swipe it, and choose from three different pour selections. There's also a menu filled with bar bites and more available. 

The average WineStation 4-Tap Dispensing System retails for about $2,500 or more. Chapman said that’s money well spent as he’s been able to crack down on labor costs and maximize his profit. 

"If you open a bottle of wine, it might have a two to three day of shelf life. In these machines, you get 60 days," Chapman said. 

According to the National Retailers Association’s 2024 Restaurant Technology Landscape Report, 16% of operators reported that they planned to integrate artificial intelligence into their business. 

“If you're not using some form of technology, you're going to be left behind. You just have to decide how much of it to use and how much of it is going to be customer-facing. It really depends on the segment you're in,” Ohio Restaurant & Hospitality Alliance President/CEO John Barker said. 

Barker said that profit margins are tight, which led to many restaurants and bar closures across the state last year. He said utilizing more technology might not be a bad option for businesses looking to increase their staying power. 

“Anything you can do to improve those profit margins and take care of the customers the way you want to take care of them is something that restaurants, bars, and breweries are looking at,” Barker said.    

Something To Wine About is actually located on the same block Chapman grew up on. He also dedicated the sleek space to his mom, who passed away in February 2022.

“We called her 'Fast Black,'" he said. "That’s my mom, Sandra Chapman.” 

She is a big part of the reason he’s now giving people something to "wine" about.

"Her saying was ‘you're my favorite horse, even if you will never win another race.’ That was my encouragement. You know a mother’s love is different,” Chapman said.   

NRA data also showed that there's a wide age gap when it comes to consumers thoughts on restaurants implementing technology. 64% of Gen Z and 66% of millennial adults said that using technology creates a more positive dining experience. Only 19% of baby boomers said that new restaurant technology would be positive. 

Something to Wine About offers memberships and wine club exclusives.