Starbucks needs to get into wine.

You’re probably gasping and choking right now, but hear me out: Whatever you think of their coffee, Starbucks did popularize the idea of the “Third Place” — not home, not work, but something in-between.

I think the wine industry needs an “in-between” kind of place where remote workers can plop down with their laptops, order one glass of wine and get some work done. Wine bars today aren’t like that. They’re too precious, too formal, or too intent on “educating” customers so they’ll buy a full bottle.

Soft music, comfortable chairs, free Wi-Fi and reasonably priced wines — that’s really all it would take to lure in people like me 3 or 4 times a week. You’d better believe I’d stop by regularly to sip something new while I update my website, correspond with artists and so forth.

With the growing prevalence of independent workers and telecommuters, I can’t be the only one looking for something like this, but I have yet to find it. (And believe me, I look for it every time I travel.)

What about you? Do you know of a great, laid-back wine bar that’s great for hanging out and getting work done? If so, please tell me about it — I’d love to visit.

Prost!