Wine Shop Recommendations - Local

When I travel, I always want to know two things: what’s the BYO policy, and where can I stop in to pick up a nice bottle of wine?

Please use this thread to recommend your favorite local wine shops to other board members.

My favorite places to shop for wine in PDX - Portland, Oregon.

Storyteller Wine Co
5511-B SW Hood Avenue
Portland, OR 97239
P: 503.206.7029
F: 503.206.7032
T/F: 1.800.753.2531
http://www.storytellerwine.com

Many of you know Michael Alberty from eBob or Facebook already, but he’s a fantastic resource in Portland. His newsletters are always fun to read, and he’s been the source of most of my favorite wine finds since he opened a couple of years ago. If you can eat it or drink it in the Northwest, Michael knows the person who made it and can hook you up. He may very well know more starlets and porn stars than Roberto. Quirky hours, so unless it’s Friday or Saturday, get in touch with Michael before you show up. Like Square Deal below, Michael also keeps his store at 55°-60° year round.

Liner and Elsen
2222 NW Quimby St. (off 22nd Ave.)
Portland, OR 97210
503-241-WINE (9463)
800-903-WINE (9463)

L&E is my favorite “traditional” wine store in Portland. They’re open 10-6 every day except Sunday, which makes it easy to pop in on a whim after lunch with Steve somewhere along NW 23rd. L&E is a traditionalist’s paradise. They stock wines from all over the world (with particularly strong sections from France, Germany, and Italy) but regardless of region or price-point, they favor non-spoofulated wines.

Square Deal
2321 NW Thurman Portland, OR 97210
(503) 226-9463
http://www.squaredealwine.com

Take your jacket. It’s always gloriously cold in Square Deal. On the hottest day of the year, it’s still 55° inside the store. By their own description, they’re not about trophy wines. They find small production artisanal wines, import them, and sell them themselves (I think). There’s also a store-within-a-store: Steve’s Cheeses. This is the place for cheese in Portland-- the only place I can find fresh burrata for my tomatoes in August.

Wizer’s
330 1st Street Lake Oswego, OR 97034
(503) 636 1414
http://www.wizers.com/cellar.html

Wizer’s is a small, family-owned, mini-chain of two supermarkets in the Portland suburb of Lake Oswego. The Lake Grove locations is a fine place to pick up a decent weeknight bottle, but the downtown Lake Oswego location has a shockingly nice cellar for a suburban supermarket. Tom, the wine steward, is there most weekdays, but if you’re in town and you want something from the cellar (as opposed to off the shelves) it’s wise to call ahead. Other employees will try to help, but it’s Tom’s cellar and only he knows where to find things in the maze down there.

Vinopolis
1025 SW Washington St
Portland, OR 97205
(503) 223-6002

Vinopolis is very conveniently located if you’re staying downtown, and they have a huge selection. This is the place in Portland where you’re most likely to trip over a case of '00 Leoville-Las-Cases that’s stacked on the floor the way other stores stack $8 rosé. My only concern is the temperature. To me, the store always feels warmer than it should.

Wine Shops in and around Atlanta, GA - ATL

Ansley Wine Merchants
1544 Piedmont Road
Atlanta, GA
(404) 876-6790
http://ansleywinemerchants.blogspot.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Atlantic Wine
3906 Roswell Rd NE #C
404-846-5770

Cellar 13
3765 Roswell Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30342
(404) 816-4071

Pearson’s Wine
3072 Early St NW
Atlanta, GA 30305
(404) 231-8752
http://www.pearsonswine.net/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Wine Store (Chris Hinton’s)
8455 Holcomb Bridge Rd
Alpharetta, GA 30022
(770) 641-1900
The Wine Store - Alpharetta" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Tower
Buford Hwy. Store
5877 Buford Highway
Doraville, GA 30340
770-458-3272

Piedmont Rd. Store
2161 Piedmont Rd.
Atlanta, GA 30324
404-881-0902
http://www.towerwinespirits.com/index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Wine Gallery & Market
2625 Piedmont Rd NE # 51
Atlanta, GA 30324
(404) 869-3508
http://www.winegallerymarket.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

NYC (Manhattan) shops (Info provided by Best New York City wine shops, a map" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;):

67 Wines & Spirits
Shop with wide selection–including organic and even some under $10
Free shipping in New York State for orders over $99. Frequent events
179 Columbus Ave (@ 67th);
212-724-6767
http://www.67wine.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Appellation Wine and Spirits
Handsome new shop that specializes in organic, biodynamic and artisanal wines.
156 10th Avenue (19th Street)
M 3-10PM; Tu - Sa, 11AM - 10 PM; Su 12 - 7PM.
212-741-9474
appellationnyc.com - Diese Website steht zum Verkauf! - Informationen zum Thema appellationnyc." onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Burgundy Wine Company
Specialists in France–nay, Burgundy!–that have free wine tastings 5-7 PM.
Wednesday, with jazz! Prices on the high side but mostly worth it.
143 West 26th Street (between 6th/7th Ave.)
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
212 691-9092
http://www.burgundywinecompany.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

California Wine Merchants
This financial district shop, opened in fall 2008, offers only the wines of…California!
Plus some international offerings as well.
15 Bridge Street (Between Whitehall and Broad Streets)
212-785-7285
http://www.cawinemerchants.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Chambers Street Wines
Excellent small shop that is strong in “natural” wines, German, French and high-end, and older, Italian.
NEW LOCATION: 148 Chambers St.
Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
212-227-1434
http://www.chambersstwines.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Crush Wine Co
Beautiful shop. Trendy, great selection but good prices and sharp staff.
Open M- Sa 10AM - 9PM; Su 12 - 6PM.
153 E 57th (bet Lex & 3rd). 212-980-9463
Shelf talkers all staff-written.
http://www.crushwineco.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Garnet Wines
Large store packed with wines; check out some of the best quality
bargains in the city. Website pales in comparison to what’s offered.
929 Lexington Avenue (@ 68th St.)
212-772-3211
Garnet Wine" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Nancy’s Wines for Food
Riesling fans can flock here! Well-chosen wines at this UWS institution.
313 Columbus Avenue, (212) 877-4040
Hours: Monday - Saturday, noon - 9; Sunday 12-6
http://nancyswines.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

PJ Wine
Way out of the way but an AWESOME shop. Many values at this
14,000 sq ft store. Great selection from around the world.
4898 Broadway, New York, NY 10034
212-567-5500
http://www.pjwine.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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There really are no wine shops worth going out of your way for here in the Albany, NY, area, the “Capital District” as we call it.

The only “local” wine shopping I do is in the Berkshires just across the border in Western Massachusetts. There are 2 really good stores, both run by really nice people. Note: No sales tax on wine in MA!

Nejaime’s Wine Cellars: http://www.nejaimeswine.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
with 3 locations:

A small one in the center of Lenox.

One in Stockbridge:
Nejaime’s Stockbridge Wine Cellar
3 Elm Street
Stockbridge, MA 01262
(413) 298-3454
(800) 946-3987
swc@nejaimeswine.com
Ask for Jack.

And their main store on Rt. 7 north of Lenox near Pittsfield:
Nejaime’s Wine & Liquor
Route 7 / 444 Pittsfield Road
Lenox, MA 01240
(413) 448-2274
(800) 946-3988
info@nejaimeswine.com
Ask for Jim.

I have dealt with these fine folks for 20 years.

A more recent discovery for me is:

The Spirit Shoppe
71 Main St
South Egremont, MA 01258
Phone: 413-528-1490
http://www.spiritshoppe.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Devin Vollmer has taken over from his father over the years. He and his wife, Kathryn, have turned this store into a real desintation.

Both stores have in-store tastings on a regular basis.

2 Likes

In Florida, look for Wine Warehouse (16 locations) in all the major cities. It has good variety, the best prices anywhere in the US and at least one staff member who is pretty knowledgeable.
Best, Jim

Susan’s Fine Wine and Liquor at the corner of St. Francis and Cerrillos Roads is a store with a good selection of wines from nearly everywhere and a usually good tasting every Friday evening.

Casa Sena Wine Shop in Sena Plaza on Palace Avenue doesn’t have as extensive a selection as Susan’s, but it’s still pretty good. They generally have tasings on the last Thursday of each month.

BYO is nominally illegal in New Mexico.

K&L Wines
1400 Vine St
Hollywood, CA 90028
(323) 464-9463

Vendome Wine & Spirits
10600 Riverside Dr
North Hollywood, CA 91602
(818) 766-9593

Duke of Bourbon
20908 Roscoe Blvd
Canoga Park, CA 91304
(818) 341-1234

LA Wine Co.
4935 McConnell Ave.,
Unit #8
Los Angeles, CA 90066-6756
In California:
310-306-WINE (9463)
Out of State:
800-854-VINO (8466)

I would mention Woodland Hills Wine Co as they have an excellent selection, but there customer service (for the most part,) is crap.

Here are some of my favs in the OC and one in the IE (Southern California):

Wine Exchange
1500 E. Village Way #2364
Orange, CA 92865
(800) 76-WINEX
(714) 974-1454
http://www.winex.com

Amazing Grapes Wine Store
29911 Aventura
Suites D, E & F
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(888) 299-9463
http://www.amazinggrapeswinestore.com

Hi-Times Wine Cellars
250 Ogle Street
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
(800) 331-3005
(949) 650-8463

Napa Cabs
14702 Central Ave. Unit A
Chino, California 91710
(800) 410-6004
(909) 548-2888

La Maison Gourmet (I play hockey with the owner, so I have to give some love)
27772 Vista del Lago, Ste B-15
Mission Viejo CA 92692
(949) 916-4810

1 Like

Paul Marcus Wines
5655 College Ave
Oakland, CA 94618 (Rockridge Neighborhood next to Oliveto)
510-420-1005
http://www.paulmarcuswines.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (be aware not internet sales)

Vintage Berkeley (mostly $25 and under wines)
2949 College Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94705
510.549.9501
http://www.vintageberkeley.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Premier Cru
5890 Christie Avenue
Emeryville, CA 94608
Phone: (510) 655-6691
http://www.premiercru.net" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

K&L Wines
638 4th Street
San Francisco, CA, 94107
(415) 896-1734
http://www.klwines.com" onclick=“window.open(this.href);return false;
D&M Liquors (for Champagne)
2200 Fillmore Street
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 346-1325
http://www.dandm.com” onclick=“window.open(this.href);return false;
DeeVine Wines
Pier 19 The Embarcadero
San Francisco, CA 94111
Phone: 415-398-3838
http://www.dvw.com” onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I live in the lovely Portland suburb of Tualatin*. I highly recommend Michael Dietrich at the Tualatin Fred Meyer’s. When I’m not buying wine from myself, I buy bottles there. Great Rhone selection, particularly CDP.

An Indian word that roughly translates to “downstream from Mountain Park.”

2 Likes

I would mention Woodland Hills Wine Co as they have an excellent selection, but there customer service (for the most part,) is crap.

Really? I buy most of my wine from them and they have always been friendly from day one. Their selection and storage of their wines is top notch…

Orlando, FL:
The Wine Barn
http://www.thewinebarn.net" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

disclaimer I helped him get his shop off the ground and Andrew is a good friend of mine [drinkers.gif] disclaimer

For a freakishly large selection check out Total Wine, but the prices aren’t very good (for wine). For beer and liquor it’s killer!

Albuquerque:

Quarters Wine Shop at Montgomery and Wyoming
Quarters Wine Shop Westside 505-897-3556

Neither have any true wine knowledge on a consistent basis. Holly on the west side is great and will help with selections. She knows what she knows and doesnt pretend to know more. Love that. Anthony at Montgomery can sell water to a drowning man. A nice guy but a true sales guy. He has the perfect bottle for you, guaranteed. Fun to talk with and I do buy wines from him, but often my own selections.

Montgomery tends to have the slightly better selection, but Westside has lower prices by 10-30%.

Prices tend to be high but you can often talk them down with a bit of work. Anthony will pull up winesearcher and compare their prices to Zachy’s or whoever has the highest and claim they are competitive. [beatoff.gif]

Both have cool rooms for storing some of the better bottles. But look at the fills and capsules as some bottles come from elsewhere and then end up there. Not many but some.

10% discount on mixed or full cases.

Kelly’s Mountain Run (Eubank and Juan Tabo)
Getting better. No cold room, but the inventory moves so as along as you avoid the bottles in the window [dash1.gif] you’re fine. No wine knowledge anywhere to be found, 5% discount on a case.

None of the 3 impress me much as you might have gathered but if you are in NM/ABQ those are the places to be.

AVOID Jubilation. Just walking into the store and you start sweating, a balmy 80F or more.

Susan’s in Santa Fe as Dick Krueger mentioned is where I go when up there. Susan is pretty knowledgeable, a nice selection and fair pricing. No cold room but it seems inventory moves through pretty quickly.

If you ever find yourself in Rio de Janeiro (and you really should at some point in your life), don’t miss a visit to the temple of Cachaça, Garapa Doida (Crazy Juice!) in Leblon where my friends Antonio and Carolina ONLY sell the really good stuff from Minas Gerais:

Rio de Janeiro Travel Guide - Expert Picks for your Vacation | Fodor’s Travel" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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San Diego -

Third Corner - http://www.the3rdcorner.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - 2 locations, one in Encinitas, the other in Ocean Beach. Nice selection of wines, is also a restaurant. Allows BYO with modest corkage, or you can purchase from them & open with no or very modest charge.

WineSellar & Brasserie - http://www.winesellar.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - (858) 450-9557. See above, with a larger selection and a more formal restaurant. Consistently ranks among top restaurants in SD.

Vintage Wines - http://www.vintagewinessd.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - (858) 549-2112.

Wine Loft - http://www.thewineloft-carlsbad.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - (760) 944-1412. Good selection of California wines, some hard to find bottles.

Center City Philadelphia

Avoid the PLCB. If you can’t, I’d recommend the stores at 12th and Chestnut and 19th and Chestnut.

If you have time, drive over the Ben Franklin Bridge into Jersey and go to Moore Brothers. They specialize in smaller producers. Many of their wines are hard to find anywhere else. They specialize in France, Italy and Germany. They have some USA and fortified wines from Portugal.

For the more main stream shops, Joe Canal’s on Route 38 in Jersey is good, although cluttered. Same goes for Canal’s Bottlestop in Marlton. Good but cluttered.

If you ever find yourself visiting the Oregon coast, stop in at the Nye Beach Gallery Fine Wine. Steve and I visited the place because at dinner the night before, our waiter was exceptionally knowledgeable about wine and mentioned that he worked at that wine shop during the day. Nye Beach is pretty low-key compared to some of the more popular beaches on the coast, but we still didn’t expect much from a place that must cater primarily to visitors. On the contrary, we were very impressed. The selection isn’t huge, but it’s eclectic, well selected, and very well-priced. We left with a couple of bottles of '07 Lapierre Morgon and a couple of splits-- a Sancerre, and an Ott rosé. They have a great selection of picnic snacks, too. I don’t remember many prices, but I noticed a 750 of Krug NV for $95.


Nye Beach Gallery Fine Wine
715 Northwest Third
Newport, OR 97365
541.265.3292

Cheese Shop
(800) 828-9463
Ocean Ave & Mission St, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921

Rancho Cellars
(831) 625-5646
26340 Carmel Rancho Blvd,
Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA

Costco
801 Tioga Avenue
Sand City, California
93955

Bouche’e Restaurant & Wine Bar
Mission St, Carmel,
(831) 626-7880

I’ve never been in either, but have had good luck with web orders from both of the following.

Empire Wines
1440 Central Ave
Albany, NY

Drink the Grapes (physical store may have a different name)
100 Freemans Bridge Road
Scotia, NY
http://www.drinkthegrapes.com/

Both have very good shipping rates, but do not use styro shippers. Not a problem for me as I am close enough to always get them the next day, but a warning for those further away. BTW Drink the Grapes has 10% off on every Tuesday.

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