Wine company Tap 26 is the other player in contention for the Scott's Addition property at 3101 W. Clay St.

Anderson's Neck Oyster Company, as reported by Richmond.com, said last week that it was in the final interview phase for the property. Both the oyster company and Tap 26 are one of four businesses under consideration.

"It's a beautiful piece of historic property," Tap 26 owner Jon Lintvet says. "It has the bones to be something really special."

Tap 26 has been growing rapidly. "We took over the space next door [in Ashland]," Lintvet says. "Richmond is really second only to San Francisco or Portland in wine on tap. We do more wine-pouring here than in D.C."

The Scott's Addition property would provide much-needed space, he says. Lintvet's plan is to create a working urban winery and tasting room open daily and for special events. It will serve an extensive selection of wines by the glass from Virginia and around the world.

"A vineyard can be two to two and a half hours away," he says. "In an urban winery, you'll be able to come, taste a few different wines and Uber your way home."

"There's a trend toward reurbanization of city centers," Lintvet says. "The community would benefit from the [Tap 26] space or one similar to it."

In addition to carrying different wines -- available by the bottle or keg -- Lintvet wants to start buying his own grapes to blend. "We won't be farm-based," he says, "but we'll make our own wine."

Even if Lintvet fails to get the building, he wants to continue to pursue the concept. "We have a flippin' awesome craft-beer scene," he says. "This would be a great way to complement it."

Editor's note: This story reflects a correction to an earlier version, in which we misspelled Tap 26 owner Jon Lintvet's first name.