After Femi Oyediran opened Graft Wine Bar on King Street with co-owner Miles White in 2018, the advanced sommelier attracted attention for his taste for off-beat and delicious pours as well as the cool, house-party vibe he helps bring to a sometimes stuffy oenophile scene. Oyediran compiles a monthly feel–good, retro-inspired playlist and shares it on the shop’s website, helps curate the Extra Sauce wine club, and hosts the weekly “Good Neighbor” Sundays, inviting food trucks and local makers for a street party. He confesses he doesn’t give much thought to fashion, but it’s clear he has a keen sense of what’s cool. Here, he gives us a taste of what he’s digging
Q Any wine and beverage trends for 2022 we should be following?
A I hope we’ll see more wine from Austria; so many great small producers [such as Schödl Sankt Laurent above] and exciting work being done that we’ve barely tapped into here.
Q What’s on your playlist this month?
A My playlists are an eclectic mix of music from different eras and artists from all over the world. I’m a sucker for old stuff. They are inspired by the “listening room” bars of Paris, Tokyo, and London. I hope to see a room that attracts wine and music lovers. Sharing the playlists invites everyone to take the experience home.
Q What’s the most treasured item in your wardrobe?
A Probably one of my Fela Kuti [the Nigerian musician and activist known as the pioneer of Afrobeat] tees, such as this “Fela & Egypt 80” T-shirt from Okayplayer Shop.
Q What are your favorite local restaurants?
A This changes all the time; but lately I’ve been craving food from casual stops like Taste of the Island, Torres Superettes, and Hannibal’s Kitchen (above).
Q Do you have a signature accessory?
A If it’s not my bike, it’s probably a hat. I’m always sporting caps from local places. It’s a nod to my favorite city. My go-to is my Dough Boyz Pizza cap (above). You’ll need to DM them to grab one or check out one of their pop-ups.
Q What are your go-to skin-care products?
A A lot of West Africans use shea butter in their skin routines. It’s great for my skin, and you can use it in so many ways. I’m a big fan of Whipped Ori (above), which is owned by two Nigerian women. It’s vegan, organic, and handmade using unrefined shea butter.
Q Who are some of your favorite local makers?
A I rarely leave my house without something from J. Stark on me. We’re so lucky with all the vendors we have come through Graft for our “Good Neighbor Sunday” events. Candle Damsel (above), Al & Em jewelry, Salt + Stem Flowers, Bay Sapphire, and Threads Todisco.
