Cork Cellars has new owners

Cork Cellars recently changed hands, and new owners Tom Buck and his wife, Jeannie Gilgenberg-Buck, couldn't be happier with their new business and new town.

Regulars will notice a revamped menu and rearrangement of furniture. The first Saturday of each month features live music, and the set-up is conducive to open and friendly interaction. The light-fare menu serves lunch and dinner, with seasonal specials.

"Soups, stews, and bread bowls are coming for fall," said Jeannie, who does the cooking.

The regular menu consists of appetizers, flatbreads, paninis and salads, any of which can be paired with wine tasting or enjoyed with a glass of wine.

Jeannie is a television editor, and one of her shows is Top Chef. She began paying close attention to what the contestants were doing, learning about flavors and texture and dreaming of doing it herself "one day." The couple also owns a bar in Los Angeles, so they have experience with taking care of customers.

Tom was born and raised in New York, on Long Island. He joined the Marines and finished his enlistment at Camp Pendleton. He stayed in California and met Jeannie at a dog park in Los Angeles. She is from Chicago and had been working in L.A. for a few years. As with many people seeking a quieter life, they looked north.

A search of several months brought them eventually to Central Oregon. They were looking for a peaceful mountain town to settle in with their three dogs and had a vague hankering to open a wine and tapas bar. Jeannie's best friend lives in Bend, so they "saved the best for last," she said. Upon discovering that Cork Cellars was for sale, that hankering suddenly became a reality and a win-win for the seller and new owners.

Cork Cellars is located at the corner of Cascade Avenue and Pine Street in Sisters.