HILDALE — Hildale just got a fresh new flavor with a brand-new cafe, and they’re serving up delectable, locally sourced dishes alongside a selection of wines that are already winning hearts and tantalizing taste buds.

Chef Indy Tooke smiles for the camera in front of his new cafe in Hildale, Utah, date not specified | Photo by Mitch Rose courtesy of Shane Tooke, St. George News

“It’s been awesome,” The Winery Cafe owner and chef Indy Tooke said. “I’m so lucky to have the opportunity. I’m only 22 years old, so to understand everything, such as how to start a business and have that support from my dad is just awesome. It’s totally scary, but I’m learning every day.”

Indy Tooke, the son of Water Canyon Winery owner Shane Tooke, emphasizes the use of locally sourced ingredients at The Winery Cafe. Situated on the Water Canyon Winery property, the cafe partners with Southern Utah farmers like Red Acre Farms and sources meat from Hildale to bring this commitment to life.

“And it’s just absolutely adorable,” Shane Tooke said about The Winery Cafe. “It’s a full commercial kitchen and you look out over the vineyard.”

For the past five months, Indy Tooke and his father have built the cafe, starting with a food truck on the property. They worked together on various tasks, including installing sheet metal, constructing the deck and laying tile inside the cafe. Indy Tooke then dedicated significant time to crafting his menu.

L-R: Shane Tooke and son Indy Tooke pose for a family photo, Hildale, Utah, date not specified | Photo by Mitch Rose courtesy of Shane Tooke, St. George News

“I always knew I wanted to start something,” Indy Tooke said. “I’m thankful for my dad’s support. I had this vision I wanted to do with food and had this crazy opportunity to start my own dream and team.”

The menu, described by the chef as “small and rustic,” showcases a unique culinary flair where “real ingredients shine.” The lunch menu offers sandwiches like French dip – which he said is already a standout favorite after the cafe’s soft opening last Thursday. Salads include roasted beet salad and a sweet seasonal harvest salad. Desserts include crème brûlée and succulent-themed cupcakes.

The dinner menu will offer a social dining experience, allowing customers to order greens, vegetables, starches and proteins separately for sharing. With options ranging from chicken thighs to lamb chops and sides like pasta and rainbow carrots, there’s something to satisfy every palate.

“It’s just a really beautiful, rustic, real food,” Shane Tooke said. “So much locally sourced ingredients and we grow a lot of herbs on site and vegetables.”

Indy Tooke graduated from high school in 2020 and began pursuing his culinary education at Dixie Technical College. After graduation, he interned at The Painted Pony, gaining valuable experience as a line cook for two years. He formed a close relationship with the restaurant’s owners, who taught him essential knowledge about the industry and business ownership.

Grand Opening

The Winery Cafe’s grand opening celebration will be held on Saturday, July 27, from 7-10 p.m., featuring a live performance by The June Brothers from Salt Lake City. The event is free and open to the general public for those 21 and older. Guests can purchase a $15 wristband to enjoy samples from the menu. Small plates feature dishes like beet salad, mushroom toast, chimichurri, whipped potatoes and cupcakes. Wine, beer and cocktails will also be available for purchase.

The Tooke family enjoys wine outside The Winery Cafe in Hildale, Utah, date not specified | Photo by Mitch Rose courtesy of Shane Tooke, St. George News

“You’re eating inside the vineyard, so it’s pretty unbelievable,” Indy Tooke said. “It’s just real food. Come enjoy. Come hang out and have a good time.”

Although the food is delicious and high quality, Indy Tooke said he wants the public to know there’s no need to dress up. The casual atmosphere invites guests to come as they are.

On Thursday, July 25, the cafe will be open for regular hours. Lunch will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner will run from 4-8 p.m. The cafe will have its liquor license by the grand opening a few days later. Prior to the grand opening, guests are welcome to either order a bottle of wine from the winery or order food and have it delivered during a wine tasting at Water Canyon Winery.

History 

Shane Tooke and his wife Calie own and operate Water Canyon Winery. They began their winemaking journey six years ago when they purchased a winery in Hildale that had been established for about 11 years. They mastered the winemaking process by working closely with the vines and officially launched Water Canyon Winery in 2021, opening its doors to the public in 2022.

“We’re an all-natural winery,” Shane Tooke said. “Very different than most conventional modern-day winemaking. It’s sort of the lost art of wine-making in that we add absolutely nothing. The only thing in our wine is grapes. We use native wild yeast. There are no sulfites, no preservatives and no enzymes. Only 1% of winemakers in the world make truly natural wine.”

Water Canyon Winery features wine tasting, an event venue and its newest addition – The Winery Cafe in Hildale, Utah, date not specified | Photo by Mitch Rose courtesy of Shane Tooke, St. George News

The winery includes a production area, tasting room and event center. Emma Tooke, Shane’s daughter and Indy’s twin sister, manages the event center where she hosts weddings and private parties. The event space is available for lease for a variety of events, including graduations, reunions and yoga retreats. Indy Tooke loves working with his twin sister. He said catering for weddings and events has been a fantastic experience, and working as a family has felt like a “big party.”

Water Canyon Winery has been open for three years, with production doubling each year. To meet the demand, a second location in Springdale will open in the coming months, marking the winery’s debut in the area and showcasing its commitment to offering all-natural wines. 

Indy and Shane Tooke value how Hildale’s growth has enhanced the area’s charm, with new businesses like the cafe contributing to its appeal. The cafe has already received strong support from the local community, Indy Tooke said.

“They are so excited to see something different and see something moving into a bigger thing because the area has grown so much in the last couple of years,” he said. “It’s a gorgeous little town, and I hope it can be a little destination spot one day.” 

Keep up with news and events by following The Winery Café on Instagram. For information on Water Canyon Winery, including events and wine tastings, visit their website.

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