Travel Archives

Finding the best wine shops in America is no easy task. In last year’s guide, we spoke to over 60 wine professionals—winemakers, sommeliers, shopkeepers and writers—to find the top stores in the country. This year, we’re getting even more specific. Why, we wondered, might a person go to a brick-and-mortar wine shop and (gasp!) talk to someone when they can just buy bottles online? Because today’s wine shops are changing. New COVID-era regulations allowed restaurants to sell wine to-go, opening up opportunities for bars and eateries to expand into retail. Far from being rooms stacked with endless bottles, completely mystifying to the consumer, many wine shops today float within the grocery, restaurant, venue and even bookstore categories. Our 2023 shops are information hubs and community centers. They open windows into local wine regions, introducing consumers to the ferments happening in their own backyards. These shops help tell America's wine story as it is today—one that celebrates new varieties, new approaches to winemaking and a diverse maker space. Today’s shops don’t only sell wine, either. They’re expanding notions of where wine fits into our lives, with many shops offering cider, sake, bread, cheese, coffee and books. They’re also crafting thriving communities, paving the way for a new kind of wine culture. For this guide, we interviewed over 80 wine industry professionals about their favorite wine shops and what makes them special. We kept in mind several factors: community involvement, spotlights on local wine, commitments to causes and excellence of selection. In every region of America, the wine shops we selected serve their communities with visions toward the future and a wine culture that’s people-oriented, diverse and sustainable. We highly suggest you pop into one near you. Explore Wine Shops by Region The South Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and New York Northwest, Pacific and California The Midwest The Southwest and Southeast Great Lakes Mountain Region The South Paradis Books and Bread / Image Courtesy of James Jackman Paradis Books and Bread Miami, FL “Paradis is like an oasis in North Miami and Florida. They’re more than just a wine retail spot. They’re a wine bar, cafe and a great resource for books. At nighttime, they have a ton of events, ranging from parties to cookouts and even knitting events. It’s very community-oriented and a safe space in Florida. You go to Paradis and feel like you’re in a different world, you’re held and you feel safe. The wine collection ranges from European wines to domestic wines from Wild Arc or Dear Native Grapes. Everything is curated with love.” —Julianny Gómez, lead sommelier at HAGS NYC Golden Hour Wine / Image Courtesy of Jamie Griffin Golden Hour Wine Orlando, FL “Golden Hour has served as a catalyst (finally!) for real change and growth in our wine world here, in a way that has finally brought the customer closer to the stories and nuance and connection that a lot of us on the trade side take for granted. Everyone is welcome and feels included, and thus ends up engaging and learning and talking and laughing amongst themselves. Sure enough, in just a cool two years’ time, a whole new vibrant wine community has emerged—in a part of the world where that whole notion would've been described as tenuous at best.” —Brian Kerney, sales representative at distributor Florida Wine Companyonline wine shop US Natural Wine Bacchanal New Orleans, LA “This is a must-visit in New Orleans. It’s not only a shop, but a massive backyard party. Live musicians play nearly every day, and guests can buy bottles from the shop to enjoy during the performance. The crowd is a mix of locals and tourists looking for something besides cocktail-filled yards found on Bourbon Street,” —Shana Clarke, wine journalist Golden Age Wine / Image Courtesy of Rob Culpepper Golden Age Wine Mountain Brook, AL “Golden Age is a breath of fresh air, the kind of place I wish had existed in town when I was developing an interest in wine and hospitality. The place is already doing what the great wine shops of the world do: fostering community. I love that you not only can pick up extraordinary bottles that you can’t find anywhere else, you can sit down, enjoy and chat with the team, so you are never alone on your wine journey.” —John Burns Paterson, Managing Partner at Frankies Nashville Entrevinos / Image Courtesy of Entrevinos Entrevinos San Juan, PR “Entrevinos is not your typical wine shop. It is located in the Isla Verde section of San Juan and is a wine shop and restaurant. The food is quite good, the wine selection excellent and very well-priced. Frank, the general manager, is the consummate host and very knowledgeable and above all makes things easy” —Emmanuel Kemiji, master sommelier and owner of Miura Vineyards Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and New York Urban Grape Boston, MA “[This is a] Black-owned, women-owned independently-run small business. Owners TJ and Hadley Douglas are an absolute force in the wine industry. They lead their business with a ‘hospitality through diversity’ ethos and really stand by that. They founded the Urban Grape Wine Studies Award for Students of Color through Boston University’s wine program, which provides people of color with education, work experience and mentorship for a full year. From a customer perspective, I love how they reimagined the wine-buying experience through the use of their progressive scale, which organizes wines by body, rather than varietal or region. All in all, it's just a great mom-and-pop shop supporting a wealth of great causes.” —Amy Johnson, food studies scholar Mommas Grocery and Wine / Image Courtesy of Mark Ostow Momma’s Grocery and Wine Cambridge, MA “I was so excited when Momma’s came to the neighborhood. They have a wonderful selection of wines from all around the world, but also focus on sourcing super special bottles from New England and the rest of the U.S. At Momma’s, shopping is a conversation rather than an errand. The owner, Danielle Pattavina, gives wonderful recommendations based on personal preferences, and they often have wines open to taste. There’s a sense of community within the neighborhood that also expands to the winemakers and farmers, as I know every wine and food item was made by actual people rather than large companies. Along with wine and groceries, they offer delicious soft serve, which is the cherry on top!” —Sophie Kzirian, manager at organic wine distributor and importer Violette Imports Penny's Wine Shop owners Kristen Gardner Beal and Lance Lemon / Image Courtesy of Penny's Wine Shop Penny’s Wine Shop Richmond, VA “Lance Lemon and Kristen Gardner Beal renovated this old spot in Jackson Ward themselves, giving brick-and-mortar bones to their pandemic-born online store RichWine. It’s intimate and curated, but with a grounding in hospitality and accessibility. Lance and Kristen have supported small Virginia wine projects from the beginning of RichWine, providing the exposure and consumer education necessary to push Virginia wine forward. Their work providing space and visibility for BIPOC individuals in Virginia wine culture extends far beyond the shop's walls. They play a big part in the community organization Oenoverse and the wine festival Two Up Wine Down. Also, together, with Oenoverse co-founder Reggie Leonard, they are providing a model for more folks to enter production through their collaborations with Shenandoah Valley winery Commonwealth Crush.” —Patrick Collins, winemaker at Patois Cider Happy Cork Brooklyn / Image Courtesy of Happy Cork Happy Cork Brooklyn, NY “I’ve stumbled into a couple of their in-store tastings and every time I do, I always learn something new, which really speaks to the quality of the partnerships that the shop has with the brands it carries. The staff is always so knowledgeable, too! Sometimes I feel like they’re my personal wine concierges: I’ll give them a category, occasion and price range (eg. a rosé under $15 that pairs well with popcorn for movie night) and will walk out with the perfect bottle every time. Honestly, that place is magical.” —Chala June, food and culture journalist Bin Bin Sake / Image Courtesy of Bin Bin Sake Bin Bin Sake Brooklyn, NY “It’s rare to find a shop with so much heart and curation. Sake is hard for a lot of people to understand, and what co-founder George Padilla and manager Sophia Sioris do through their regular tastings at the shop and their wine and sake subscription club, I think, is really rare. They take something that seems inaccessible to a lot of Americans and, by focusing on the farmers and the history and the regions, they make it really enjoyable and accessible. George told me: You live with sake, you can leave a bottle in the fridge and get to know it. Their wine club shares hard-to-find and exciting bottles. They’re a humble neighborhood shop and they make it unpretentious and enjoyable.” —Matthew Hawkins, Oregon winemaker Vessel and Vine / Image Courtesy of Vessel and Vine Vessel & Vine Brunswick, ME “Through all of its evolutions, Vessel & Vine has remained committed to serving the community from a deep belief that sharing food and wine together can be a powerful catalyst for positive change. They have stayed committed to lending a hand to those in need, lifting up marginalized voices and calling out those in positions of power who need to do better. From rolling out creative ways to serve the neighborhood during the pandemic to regularly hosting fundraising events for local non-profits, V&V has remained a steadfast beacon for community leadership. Yes, it's a beautiful and exceptionally curated wine shop and market, but the soul of this place is so much greater than the sum of its parts.” —Marie Bradford, sales representative at Devenish Wines Maine and Loire / Image Courtesy of Orenda Hale Maine & Loire Portland, ME “Maine & Loire is a mainstay in the Portland wine scene. It's a central figure around the annual Maine Wild Wine Fest, hosting producers for wine tastings and wine classes for the local community. You can always be sure to find a stacked shelf of local New England wines and ciders like those from Oyster River Winegrowers, Cornish Cider Co, La Garagista wines and other regional projects.” —Margot Mazur, Maine winemaker and wine writer of The Fizz Image Courtesy of Dirty Bacchus Dirty Bacchus Beacon, NY “Owner Steven Ventura and his staff are amazing and clearly driven by their own passions and personal attachments to the producers they support. Dirty Bacchus manages to be warm and inviting, it’s not just a ‘nerdy wine shop.’ It’s about finding these small independent producers, many of whom Steven has really cultivated direct personal relationships with. He finds a way to cobble together enough of those that he has $18 bottles alongside more expensive ones. Expect offerings from New York and regional winemakers, but also really interesting Burgundy for under $40 a bottle. It’s like the perfect record shop for wine: You come in for what you want, but you find all these things you never knew about.” —Joe Appel, winemaker at R.A.S. Wines Off the Rox / Image Courtesy of Ty Jackson Off The Rox Baltimore, MD “Off The Rox is a Black-owned wine shop run by a lovely husband-and-wife duo. I love the shop because of the diversity in the products that they have. There have so many amazing wines from around the world. They’re active in the wine community: I met them at a wine tasting for Philosophy Winery, a local Maryland winery. They also went to the East Coast Wine Summit. They not only love wine, but also the people creating the wine. They care about sharing their stories. They host a bunch of fun events at the shop as well.” —Desiree Harrison-Brown, wine educator at WinoNoir Domestique / Image Courtesy of An Phuong Ly Domestique Washington, D.C. “It’s been really fun to see Domestique grow. It was really clear from the beginning that they were trying to do something different, and part of what determined that was the brick-and-mortar location they selected in Washington, D.C., in the Shaw district. They understood that if they went in there with a wine store that’s jam-packed with wines celebrating European traditions, they had a responsibility to do it thoughtfully and try to reach out to the community. For a couple of years, they ran a fellowship called the Major Taylor fellowship to select people who wanted to learn more about the wine profession. Their vision of wine is about community. It comes to life in their newsletters as well, which are about wine, but also art, literature, lots of different types of makers and creativity. They work with local Virginia producers, highlighting regional wines. They’re doing good for the wine world.” —Lee Campbell, wine educator and partner of Commonwealth Crush Co. Warner Public Market / Image Courtesy of Warner Public Market Warner Public Market Warner, NH “Warner Public Market is the only place in the state that goes beyond the structure of a normal food co-op, and probably the only place in the state where you can find natural wine made locally. The wines are chosen by local winemaker Nicholas Kimberly. There are local events like wine and cheese tastings in the summer, cooking events with guest chefs and they cook for town events and parties.” —Ryan Williams, New England grape farmer Newport Wine Cellar Gourmet / Image Courtesy of Peter Mellekas Newport Wine Cellar and Gourmet Newport, RI “Maria Chiancola, who owns Newport Wine Cellar, has a little library of cookbooks and wine books at the store that anyone can borrow. She also runs a wine subscription program that she customizes to each person—there are three different price levels to keep it accessible and she’ll even customize the kinds of wine in your subscription. They have an amazing selection and help with personal recommendations. Lots of interesting stuff going on there, and community elements that set this place apart.” —Amy Larson, founder of apparel and kitchen accessory company Overseasoned Wilder Wines / Image Courtesy of Wilder wines Wilder Wines Burlington, VT “Visiting Wilder Wines is the thing I tell people to do when they come to Burlington. It’s more than just a wine shop. It’s an experience. Wilder Wines is the tourist attraction that’s not the ‘tourist attraction,’ because it’s where the locals go. She manages to keep the neighborhood feel while lending some style.” —Kathline Chery, winemaker at Kalchē Wine Co Tiny's Bottle Shop / Image Courtesy of SinnStax Photo + Media Tiny’s Bottle Shop Philadelphia, PA “For me, it’s the people. It’s always the people. At Tiny’s, their welcoming nature and expertise make the experience unique and engaging. They create a beautiful community within their walls. Their Tuesday wine tastings are a special way to bring people together and help expand their knowledge of wine.” —Rory Wright, restaurant entrepreneur Northwest, Pacific and California 45th Parallel Portland, OR “45th Parallel is a real community space, one that ties the neighborhood of St. Johns together. It sits right in the center of town and hosts live music, art shows for local artists and many group meetings for neighborhood communities. There are free tastings every Tuesday, and winemakers come in and pour tastes and get to speak directly with consumers and educate them themselves. They have a monthly raffle, where 45th gives a $50 gift card to a random winner. The bartenders are educated, welcoming and fun. It’s a little quirky: a local business closed and 45th owner Matt Hensel bought some antique dolls and they’re kinda hidden around the shop. Locals call drinking Sherry hopping on the ‘sherry train’ and say ‘choo choo’ when they order a glass.” —Cassondra Bird, Account Manager at Play Nice PR Bar Norman / Image Courtesy of Bar Norman Bar Norman Portland, OR “Dana’s whole ambition was to create a welcoming, neighborhood ‘gather round’ space where people felt welcomed and able to engage with cool wines, fancy and not fancy wines, all budgets and ages. People of every walk know they were welcome”. —Mimi Casteel, owner and winemaker at Hope Well Wine Bay Grape / Image Courtesy of Becca Wyant Bay Grape Oakland, CA “[They have a] super fun, knowledgeable staff. They have a great local selection, lots of smaller domestic producers, but also really interesting and accessible international bottles. Lots of community events, and educational tastings and classes. Definitely a hang for the local wine community, but equally welcoming and accessible to everyone. I love that it’s a spot to buy a great bottle, but also just to sit with a glass and enjoy the vibe. Bay Grape supports a lot of local producers and while it has a serious selection, it doesn’t take itself too seriously.” —Michael Cruse, owner and winemaker at Cruse Wine Co The Thief Shop Walla Walla, WA “The folks at The Thief Shop are strong reps for the Walla Walla AVA, with the state’s choice selections but also curated, global deep cuts. Tastings are always available. It’s like when you go to an indie bookstore or a librarian and they say, ‘if you like this, what about this obscure title from this author that will knock your socks off?’ Only with wine.” —Rebecca Toy, freelance wine and travel journalist Redfield Cider Bar / Image Courtesy of Andria Lo Redfield Cider Bar Oakland, CA “I love Redfield because they use a lot of attention to detail in choosing who they decide to have at the shop. I think it’s so cool to get to know the stories of both foreign and domestic cider producers and winemakers. They take a keen liking to sustainable farming and organics. Those can just be labels at some shops, but owners Mike Reis and Olivia Maki really take the time to know each of the bottles they have on the shelves. They’re also so personable—it’s a petite little shop and they take time to educate everyone who works at the bar and those who come in and want to enjoy something new. At first I didn’t know anything about cider, the types of apples, blends, co-ferments—they make it a really comfortable space to learn or just sit and enjoy with friends.” —Nadia Mincey, creator of Nad Wines The Midwest Caravan Wine Shop Stevens Point, WI “Owners Keith and Lenora Biesack are amazing and they are not only bringing great wine to the middle of a beer-drinking state, they're doing it in a way that lifts the community and embraces responsible business choices. Earlier this summer, I traveled to Stevens Point for the Midwest Renewable Energy Fair because Keith planned a panel discussion about why natural wine is a part of the renewable/regenerative discussion. So, a winemaker (me), a distributor (Justin Spaller of Chromatic Wine) and an importer (Lee Shaffer of Sensus/Dadaist) spoke about how we make our decisions and build our businesses on our values. It was so inspiring to talk to attendees about what's possible in regenerative farming and winegrowing, why they should care and how delicious the results are. (There was indeed a tasting portion!) Keith does that every day in his shop. Pretty amazing!” —Erin, winemaker at American Wine Project Big Mood Natural Wines / Image Courtesy of Barrett Emke Big Mood Natural Wine Kansas City, MO “If y’all don’t mention Big Mood, I’m going to throw a tantrum! It’s interesting stuff presented non-pretentiously by people who give an actual f*ck and have forgotten more about wine than most of us will ever learn. They put a lot of people on with their events featuring up-and-coming chefs, local hospitality professionals and good music. My partner and I hang there whenever possible for the good vibes.” —Jay X, owner of cocktail bar Drastic Measures R Wine Bar / Image Courtesy of R Wine Bar R Wine Bar & Kitchen Sioux Falls, SD “I like R Wine Bar & Kitchen the most. The shop is in a renovated old building with hardwood floors, brick walls and large wood tables. You don’t feel intimidated by the selection or if you don’t have a big knowledge of wine. They have music nights that are family-friendly and they’re centrally located in downtown Sioux Falls.” —Sanaa Abourezk, 2023 James Beard Foundation Award nominee and owner of Sanaa’s Gourmet Nonfiction Wines / Image Courtesy of Anna Spaller Nonfiction Natural Wines Milwaukee, WI “What a gem Allison and Bradley Kruse have created! Everything at Nonfiction is artfully done—the lights, the bar, the tables, the thoughtful and delicious dishes. The wine is exactly what you want. It’s playful and provocative, but totally unpretentious. Every time I stop in for a quick glass and a bite, a couple hours pass and I'm still there, cheery and well-fed, not wanting to leave." —Justin Spaller, owner of Chromatic Wine Company The Southwest and Southeast Woodland Wine Merchants / Image Courtesy of Woodland Wine Merchants Woodland Wine Merchants Nashville, TN “If you ask anyone in Nashville, we’ll all say Woodland Wine Merchants is the best. It’s the type of place that you walk into and say, ‘I’m making Thai food for dinner tonight,’ and they start walking around the store with you and pointing out their suggestions. They do tastings and features in store, too” —Josh Habiger, chef at Bastion Nashville The Breeze / Image Courtesy of The Breeze The Breeze Louisville, KY “We love The Breeze because it’s a social hub that brings together people of all backgrounds to engage with amazing wine, great music and community. They prioritize small, low-intervention producers, provide education and make learning about and engaging with wine fun. Their partnership with Canary Club (a natural wine bar in Louisville) means there’s always a unique event to attend. Our personal favorite happenings are the Afrohouse events that join Afrobeats and natural wine—the perfect combo in our eyes.” —Farah Sheikh-Ogoe, co-founder of Notes International 3 Park Wine / Image Courtesy of Kaitlin Kolarik 3 Parks Wine Shop Atlanta, GA “I visited 3 Parks in Atlanta while I was in town for Wine + Culture Fest, which is when I fell in love with the community and environment that owner Sarah Pierre has created. Patrons can purchase cute merch, browse their unique variety of wines from around the world and enjoy a tasting in their outside seating, which brings so much energy to the vibrant community. My favorite moment was during a tasting of La Fete Blanc and seeing Donae Burston, the wine producer, who is also a staple of Atlanta’s burgeoning wine community.” —Angela McCrae, founder and publisher of Uncorked & Cultured Kelly's Liquors / Image Courtesy of Kelly's Liquors Kelly’s Liquors Santa Fe, NM “The owner, James Jo, is kind, welcoming and has the best customer service, which makes everyone want to shop there. Over the past three years, he's increased his selection of natural wines and the space has become the 'underground' natural wine shop in New Mexico.” —Martha Aguilar, owner of PM Wine Distribution Community Tap / Image Courtesy of Community Tap The Community Tap Greenville, SC “In Greenville, I love Community Tap. It’s disarming because they are technically a beer shop, but Ed Buffington and his team have sourced some of the best wine from small, regional producers around the United States and Europe. Ed’s cycling days led him to a love for fine wine from authentic people and places, and he and his staff are madly passionate about the wine they represent. They’re a real asset to the Greenville wine scene.” —Bree Stock, Master of Wine and winemaker at Limited Addition Wines Graft Wine Shop / Image Courtesy of Elizabeth Rollins Graft Charleston, SC “Graft is a great space and very approachable. They had a cool pop-up with some local guys shucking oysters—one of many community-focused pop-ups they host. They’re supporting other local businesses, people just trying to get their start. I really appreciate that—that’s how we got our start. It’s huge, having a place to do your thing. They take the wine seriously, but it never feels stuffy or pretentious. There’s music, good snacks. It feels like you’re in your friend’s living room. It’s unique and they have a great selection.” —Jordan Rubin, owner of Bar Futo Raleigh Wine Shop Raleigh, NC “These guys have been a part of the blossoming Raleigh scene since 2011, offering wonderful personal service, as well as super fun and creative wines, pairings and wine classes and events. They recently moved into a beautiful new space making it a wonderful place to learn, procure and enjoy some great selections of wine!” —Daniel Lukin-Beck, general manager of Vinum Elemental Spirits / Image Courtesy of Dessa Lohrey Elemental Spirits Co Atlanta, GA “Ever since they’ve been open, Elemental has become the first place I go whenever I visit Atlanta. Whether it’s wines for casual dinners or special occasions, they’ve got it. It feels very familiar, very homey. The vibe is like a modern Beauty-and-the-Beast library, but for wine. They focus on organic and natural wines, but there’s a huge selection—six shelves high! The space feels cozy, but with a bit of magic. I never feel intimidated there. Even my mom has grown to love it! They have a robust selection of non-alcoholic wines as well, which feels very inclusive.”—Madison Trapkin, editor at Boston Magazine Craft / Image Courtesy of Craft Craft Reno, NV “Whenever I roll through Reno, Craft is among my first stops. The low-slung, brick-walled space, its long and dark bar and impressive walk-in beer fridge give little indication that this is also home to a glorious range of small-production wines. As a German and Austrian wine specialist, I look for umlauts. Here, they abound. Knockout bottles from Austria’s Barbara Öhlzelt and Christian Tschida rub shoulders with German single-vineyard Silvaner in bocksbeutel and natty value plays from both countries. There is plenty from elsewhere in Europe and the U.S. as well, along with a smart selection of tinned fish and other quality snacks.” —Valerie Kathawala, journalist and Co-Editor in Chief of TRINK magazine Crocodile Wine / Image Courtesy of John Hale Crocodile Wine Asheville, NC “Crocodile Wine is a very beautiful place. Asheville is a very close-knit community, and it’s great to see someone really toting small producers there. They have local North Carolina and surrounding states stuff, and different kinds of alcohol as well. The selection is amazing, and everyone there is so knowledgeable. There are wine publications and baguettes. It just feels really good in there.” —Eric Bloom, CEO of natural wine distributor Benny and Zoid Selections Central Market Houston, TX “The love I have for Central Market Houston is borderline scary because I always lose it in their bubbles section, the olive section, the candle section and the vegetable section. Basically, the entire store is a gift. Just saying, your grocery store could never! They have wines from all over the world, including Texas. I just go there and pick up everything. It’s a grocery with wines that rival wine shops, in my opinion.” —Julia Coney, wine journalist The Meteor / Image Courtesy of Andy Chasteen The Meteor Austin, TX “The Meteor in Austin is a place where industry folk, winemakers and consumers alike feel comfortable sharing and enjoying wine. They make a point to support their community. On Tuesdays, they host $15 tastings where they’ll highlight a different distributor or winery. They are invested in the future of the wine industry and are a sponsor and partner with the advocacy group Lift Collective, which promotes equity and inclusivity in wine. The location is also a reliable local cafe, coffee shop and boutique bike shop open seven days a week. In the last two freezes, they were one of the only food establishments open. They actually waived their corkage fee after a review [mentioned it], realizing price and accessibility was important to the community.” — Jake Raymond, co-founder of US Naturals Great Lakes Motor City Wine Detroit, MI “Motor City Wine in Corktown is the most iconic retail wine/wine bar/club venue in the city. It is very unassuming to the eye, and it’s definitely where the cool kids hang out. It is one of my favorite places to buy wine, because they ride the line of being eclectic, modern and traditional. The retail shop has a strong Old-World presence, with some funky stuff, too. Even the most cultured or well-versed wine pro can find something that they can enjoy or learn from. They also have a fun wine bar that sells very affordable wines by the glass—all off-the-beaten path wines, and always tasty.” —Liz Martinez, general manager and sommelier at Aparium Hotel Group Spencer Ann Arbor / Image Courtesy of Cat Carty Buswell Spencer Ann Arbor, MI “Spencer is a great place in Ann Arbor. Abby Olitzky runs back of house and Steve Hall is up front. The food is incredible and Steve has a great background in cheese and wine. They’ve been there for a long time and have been early champions of natural wine in Ann Arbor, plus local ciders and beers. They’ve created a great spot with an incredible number of regulars and a super thoughtful and informative club and events. I did a wine dinner here a number of years back and was amazed with how engaged and excited everyone was.” —Shaunt Oungoulian, winemaker at Les Lunes Wines Iris Read Wines / Image Courtesy of Iris Read Wines Iris Read Cincinnati, OH “We love Iris Read in Cincinnati! Daily selections, awesome staff, great community pop-ups and events and natural wine all in one place” —Tara Osborne, founder of Cinci Girls Who Oakley Wines / Image Courtesy of Oakley Wines Oakley Wines Cincinnati, OH “Oakley Wines is an incredible local wine bar and bottle shop with the kindest owners, Stephanie and Dave Webster. We love their selection, which includes wines that can be hard to find elsewhere in Cincinnati from small producers who grow and make wine with integrity. You can find everything from natural wines to classics and they make it all incredibly accessible and fun for everyone, from the most casual wine fan to true aficionados. Truly generous in spirit, they’re the shop that launched a thousand restaurants, making it part of their mission to use their success and position in the culinary community to host restaurant pop-ups. By opening up their shop and kitchen to burgeoning food businesses, they have irrefutably helped shape and enrich Cincinnati’s local food scene by giving dozens of now brick-and-mortar restaurants their start.” —Matt Owens, chef and co-owner of Companion Pizza Bottles Up / Image Courtesy of Bottles Up Bottles Up Chicago, IL “I think the wine world is getting more and more polarized between ‘natural’ and ‘conventional’ wines, stores and restaurants. I love that Bottles Up carries a range of excellent wines across the spectrum and the staff is so knowledgeable about everything in their shop. Instead of prioritizing trendy wines, they focus on great wines [in general]!” —Jonathan Yadegar, founder Jumbo Time Wines Mountain Region Boisson LA / Avery J Klein Photography Boise Co-Op Wine Shop Boise, ID “Hands down, our favorite wine shop in town is the Boise Co-op wine shop. The wines fit in with their focus on sustainability and community. You can find anything from local Idaho wines to small producers from lesser-known regions around the world. All of the winemakers have a unique story. The wine shop offers membership to a wine club, a tasting room you can rent for events and friendly faces to help you find the wine you’re looking for. Plus they are connected to our community-run grocery store, which supports local farmers and tradespeople.” —Kelly Grindstaff, chef at Modern Bar and Restaurant The Vineyard Wine Shop / Image Courtesy of Nathan Gordon The Vineyard Denver, CO “The Vineyard in the Cherry Creek neighborhood is a must for anyone who is getting into wine. Their sommeliers have introduced us to some beautiful wines over the years that fit our budget and brought us into a better appreciation for them. We have attended sponsored tasting events that have left us with an educated palate and lots of bottles.” —Lauren Wilson, co-owner of On The Fence Kombucha