Corvina Wine Co. in West Allis has unveiled a mobile wine bar. Called La Piccola Corvina, or The Little Corvina, the mobile wine bar is a vintage Italian Piaggio Ape manufactured in the 1970s.
“It’s the first of its kind in Wisconsin and we are excited to share it with everyone,” Corvina co-owner Frank LaSusa said. “It’s been a passion project of ours and we are just happy to finally unveil it.”
LaSusa and his brother, Joe, got the inspiration for a mobile wine bar after seeing the vehicles during a visit to Italy.
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“In Italy, the vehicles are intended on cornering the small streets there. They just buzz around,” Frank LaSusa said. “This particular vehicle was imported from Italy.”
Frank LaSusa’s wife, Roxanne, had a vision for a design specific to Corvina.
The vehicle arrived in February and was turned over to Mike Juneau’s Brookfield Buick GMC, which fabricated it into a mobile wine bar. Corvina unveiled the vehicle to customers earlier this month. It’s currently on display on Corvina’s patio.
“We have the ability to dispense wine, beer and craft cocktails,” LaSusa said. “It’s really unique. We are really looking forward to sharing it.”
The mobile wine bar will be available exclusively for private events.
The LaSusas operate a wine bar and retail wine shop at the corner of West Lincoln Avenue and South 61st Street in West Allis. The building initially housed a deli and grocery store owned by the brothers’ great-grandfather, Francesco LaSusa, that operated through the late 1970s.
Corvina, which opened for business in 2011, offers a variety of wine styles and profiles from around the world. The selection includes more than 50 wines by the glass, bottle and wine flights. Corvina also offers craft cocktails and beers, as well as a food menu that features cheese and charcuterie and other tapas-style options. To reserve the mobile wine bar, go to the website or call 414-546-3407.
