Cuvée Ray Wine Bar & Restaurant up for sale

Cuvée Ray Wine Bar & Restaurant in Rehoboth Beach closed for renovations in October. Now, it’s closed for good.

In a Facebook post Jan. 22, Cuvée Ray owner Ray Kurz said he had not been able to find a viable path forward for the restaurant.

“We have decided that the sale of Cuvée Ray is an option we need to consider, and we will be moving forward in that regard,” wrote Kurz, who could not be reached for further comment.

When Kurz announced the restaurant was closing for the season, he said it was, “to see how we can best provide the exceptional wine and dining experience we dreamed of when opening. We thank you for a great start to the Cuvée Ray story and look forward to seeing you next year.” This message is still posted on the restaurant’s Rehoboth Avenue front door.

In an email March 10, Kurz expanded on the closure. He said the restaurant had received good reviews and critical acclaim, but the financial model needed work.

Kurz said his focus was always the wine, so he made a decision to focus on his passion. To that end, he said, he will be launching Cuvée Ray Consulting and Tasting, which will focus on helping restaurants increase wine sales through improvements to wine programs and by helping restaurants train staff about the wines they offer.

“Cuvée Ray Consulting and Tasting will also conduct private wine tastings and wine dinners for groups of individuals or organizations or clubs,” said Kurz.

According to a sale brochure found on the website of commercial realtor DSM Commercial, the restaurant, which underwent a significant renovation in 2018, is being sold for $350,000. It’s described as turn-key and found in a premier location along bustling Rehoboth Avenue. 

The business, at 236 Rehoboth Ave., is in the old Pig and Fish space. It opened in July 2018. In May 2019, Cuvée Ray opened its Rosé Garden. The 3,000-square-foot building was previously also home to former restaurants Astral Plane and Sydney’s.