Karin Torres opened Corkscrew Wines Brooklyn 5 years ago in homage to her parents, particularly her father, who originally taught her about wine and retail and fueled her dream of opening her own wine boutique.
From national to local media, her business has gained press and attention for the range and depth of the shop’s wine offerings and small curated selection of wine accessories. But Karin has also gained attention because of her philosophy around the wines she selects and sells at her shop (family and women-produced vintners, farmers using sustainable methods + a large selection of quality wines available at $25 and under at the store) as well as her care and commitment to our greater Fort Greene and Clinton Hill community (“we are strongly committed to our community and to customer service”). Corkscrew offers weekly wine tastings and wine discounts in the neighborhood.
Since Corkscrew has opened, Karin has been an active Myrtle Avenue merchant, participating in many BID-sponsored initiatives, including: mentoring and offering work experience to a local teen for 7-weeks during a summer teen work program; offering space at Corkscrew monthly for produce pick-up for the local Farm Fresh Box CSA (community supported agriculture initiative); offering discounts weekly to neighborhood senior citizens and holding special senior-focused wine tasting events; donated a dollar from the purchase of select bottle of wine to T.E.A.L. Month organizers for ovarian cancer research. Karin participates in Black Artstory Month every February, where businesses make available a portion of their store walls or windows to artists to hang artwork during Black History Month.
As Karin says: I am a neighbor. I am a mother. It only makes sense and feels right that I run a business with community and wanting to be a good neighbor at its core. I have to model for my little boy what I say I believe in and what’s important.
Stay up to date with Corkscrew wines on Karin’s very active Facebook page or sign up for their email list at the bottom from their website, www.corkscrewbrooklyn.com.
