When you walk into Deep Red Wine Merchant in Avondale, “horror” isn’t really the first feeling that comes to mind. In fact, quite the opposite: floor-to-ceiling windows let natural light pour into an intimate yet airy space, where owner Dave Thompson or one of several friendly associates welcome you inside from behind the shop’s counter. 

Joy and anticipation at the promise of an interesting glass of wine from their small, ever-changing list? Definitely. A hair-raising sense of dread? Not unless cool people and great wine creep you out.

But the devil’s in the details: In addition to loving wine, Thompson has an intense love of horror movies – a quality that can be observed in the name of the shop (“Deep Red” is a 1975 horror film from Italian director Dario Argento), some of the interior design elements, and the wall of movie posters peeking out from the back corner of the store.

It’s been a life-long obsession for Thompson, who was first introduced to the genre in high school and quickly became enchanted by themes like the supernatural, the unknown, and isolation.

“I always really gravitated towards dark territory,” Thompson said. “My favorite thing as a kid was A Christmas Carol, because the Ghost of Christmas Future was terrifying to me.”

His passion for wine and hospitality came a bit later, through roles including running the bar programs at The Chicago Athletic Association’s Cherry Circle Room and The Map Room in Bucktown.

“Seeing people happy – that’s all I care about,” Thompson said.

Thompson has combined his two passions with Deep Red, making both topics more accessible to a general audience and building community in the process. He hosts wine classes three times a month, as well as a recurring fiber arts and crafts night, “Deep Read” – a night geared toward solo readers,and a monthly movie club dedicated to (you guessed it) horror films. He also hosts fundraisers when he can for community issues, like resisting ICE’s illegal deportation tactics last fall.

The good times continue in October with several events that horror movie fans and wine lovers alike might enjoy:

• The Avondale Apocalypse on Friday, October 30 is a bar crawl with five different Avondale bars including Deep Red, complete with giveaways and a raffle for those who visit all five spots.
• Deep Red’s third anniversary party is Saturday, October 10.

If you’re not able to make it out to the store – or if you are, but you want even more wine and horror in your life – Thompson has some pairing recommendations for Edible Chicago readers this spooky season.

Evil Dead (1981) and Benoit Camus Vagabond

Produced in a DIY method, this Beaujolais is farmed, hand-harvested, vinified, and bottled by one person: Benoit Camus. Gnarly and funky as a tree possessed by a Deadite, the deep and juicy cherry flavors are balanced out by a black pepper spiciness to rival Bruce Campbell’s performance and a rustic barnyard quality reminiscent of a dilapidated cabin.

Deep Red (1975) and Il Colle di Carli Rosso di Montalcino

How could I not? The complexity in this Italian classic style is mirrored in the plot of Deep Red itself. Cherry notes lead the charge into a brutal murder and a killer who evades capture. The mystery unfolds around a struggling musician as he follows clues, the note of deep balsamic acidity reflecting the obsession with solving the mystery. Finishing with spicy pepper notes and medium tannins, the wine and story wrap up a complex and well-structured plot that takes you on a masterful trip.

The Descent (2006) and Occhipinti SP68 Bianco

An all-female cast of adventurous protagonists calls for a woman-owned and -produced wine that has a story of growth and triumph itself. Tropical fruit notes of pineapple and passionfruit lead the way on this wine, followed by wet, flinty stone notes like the cave walls themselves. An acidic brightness on the finish mimics the illumination of things forgotten – the uncovering of that which is hidden and should not have been disturbed, reflected in both the action and the dialogue. The fact that this is a skin-contact wine comes into play as well, but why would I spoil the film for you?

The Fog (1980) and Tilisma Saperavi

Inky and dark to the point of being near-opaque, this bottle from the Republic of Georgia initially seems obscure and hard to navigate. What lurks in this fog? A radio broadcaster leading you to the safety of surprisingly punchy black and red fruit, a bright acidity like that of a lighthouse, the earthiness of doom coming for you and an easy tannic structure that dries the mouth a little for the reveal and climax of the film.