Bonterra Dining &
Wine Room
About us
Fresh. Local. Delicious. Bonterra Dining & Wine Room offers an extraordinary culinary experience in a historic church in the Dilworth neighborhood of Charlotte. Led by restaurateur John “JD” Duncan, Bonterra has been a staple in the Queen City for almost 20 years. Executive Chef Blake Hartwick brings a new take on Southern Cuisine and the love of fresh local flavors to the menu, which changes regularly and features seasonal favorites and local ingredients when possible. Bonterra is the perfect spot for special occasions, as well as everyday dining in the main dining room, choir loft, bar, and patio. Bonterra is best known for its amazing 200 wines-by-the-glass and another 200+ reserve wines from its private wine cellar. With that many wine offerings, everyone can try something different from around the world. The experienced staff at Bonterra can pair wines with food and find the perfect wine to match your palate.
Our Team
John “JD” Duncan, Owner
A native South Carolinian, John “JD” Duncan has been surrounded by food and hospitality his whole life and has spent his career with renowned restaurant groups like Houstons in Nashville and Buckhead Life Group in Atlanta, honing his skills performing in all aspects of the restaurant business from the front of the house to developing cocktails. A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley, he took over an old church with his dad, Jack, which would become Bonterra in 1999. Today, the restaurant is still proud to be on the cutting edge of Charlotte’s culinary scene and providing an elevated dining experience to both regular guests and visitors to the Queen City, alike.
Melanie Tritten, Special Events
Coordinator, Controller
Melanie Tritten serves as the Special Events Coordinator and Controller for Bonterra Dining & Wine Room. She hails from Rochester, New York. Melanie studied SUNY Cobleskill for Restaurant Management & SUNY Buffalo for Hospitality Administration. She moved to Charlotte in 1997 and joined the Bonterra family in 2002.
History
Dating back to the late 1800s, Bonterra’s home has a spiritual and storied history. Originally built and named the Atherton Methodist Church, it was the first permanent prayer structure in the area for residents’ use. In 1914, the building’s original wooden façade was given the brick facelift it maintains today and was re-christened the Dilworth Methodist Episcopal Church South. It was later occupied by the First Church of Nazareth (1926-1973) and the Greater Providence Baptist Church (1973-1987).
Wines
Years ago, Bonterra developed an exclusive system for storing and preserving the wines at the restaurant, leading to the largest by the glass wine program in the country with more than 200 options at any one time. The combination of a specialized pair of reach-in coolers—one for white, the other for red—with a temperature-preserving air circulator and techniques learned from winemakers in Napa, have resulted in this unparalleled selection.
Wine menuAwards
Chaîne des Rôtisseurs
The Chaîne des Rôtisseurs is the world’s oldest international gastronomic society, founded in Paris in 1248. It is devoted to preserving the camaraderie and pleasures of the table and to promoting excellence in all areas of the hospitality arts. Each year the society sponsors young chef and sommelier competitions that attract contestants from throughout the world, while the Chaîne Foundation provides scholarships for students in these fields. Chaîne is based on the traditions and practices of the old French royal guild of meat roasters. Revived in 1950, society has professional and amateur members in more than 90 countries worldwide. In the United States, there are nearly 130 bailliages (chapters), each offering a variety of culinary activities to suit the interests of local members.
DiRoNA
For 20 years, DiRoNA has defined what it means to be distinguished in the dining community by recognizing the best of the best. Those who seek out the ultimate dining experiences know to start their search with DiRoNA.
Restaurants that earn the DiRoNA Achievement of Distinction in Dining include all cuisines across the United States, Canada, and Mexico in three distinct categories: Timeless Traditional, Creative Contemporary, and Legendary Landmark. These categories represent a wide variety of dining experiences, from “white tablecloth, white glove” service to casual, down-home dining. What distinguishes them all is a commitment to quality—the hallmark of our member restaurants.
Wine Spectator Award of Excellence
Wine Spectator’s Restaurant Wine List Awards recognize restaurants whose wine lists offer interesting selections, are cuisine appropriate, and appeal to a wide range of wine lovers. To qualify for an award, the list must present complete and accurate information, including vintages and appellations for all selections and wines by the glass. Complete producer names and correct spellings are mandatory, while the overall presentation and appearance of the list is also taken into consideration. The Award of Excellence is given for lists that offer a well-chosen selection of quality producers, along with a thematic match to the menu in both price and style. Typically, these lists offer at least 100 selections.
OpenTable.com
Bonterra Dining & Wine Room
Charlotte, NC
Reservations
Join us today for the most memorable dining experience.
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