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No. 9:
Oakville Grocery – Oakville, California
Founded in 1881, Oakville Grocery is California’s oldest continually operating grocery store. Their wine merchants deliver fantastic selections and service and have been recognized with a Best of Wine Tourism award by Great Wine Capitals. The shop features one-of-a-kind and rare selections from the best Napa and Sonoma vineyards, plus you can shop online and even reserve a tasting where you can make your own selections. Don’t miss stopping in at this legendary Napa institution.
Photo courtesy of Joey Leaming
No. 8:
The Cave DSM – Des Moines, Iowa
The Cave DSM is a Des Moines hidden gem, both a wine shop and bar that specializes in naturally fermented wines. Stop in to talk with the super-knowledgeable owners and select bottles to take home, or peruse the easy-to-use online shop. For discerning natural wine aficionados, it’s worth a trip to Iowa just to visit The Cave DSM.
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No. 7:
Katbird’s Wine & Gourmet Shoppe – Abingdon, Virginia
Katbird is southwest Virginia’s largest established fine wine retailer, bringing personally selected and hard-to-find wines from around the world to historic Abingdon and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Their well-stocked cellar boasts a fine collection of Old World wines, which include investment-level classics from Italy and France, while the main floor features a huge inventory of wines from Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Argentina, Oregon, California, Washington, and Virginia.
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No. 6:
Village Wines – Woodinville, Washingtion
Set in the heart of Woodinville’s wine country, this Washington retail shop and community gathering spot is a favorite of both locals and tourists. Just 30 minutes from Seattle, Village Wines is a great place to try some of the top Pacific Northwest wines. There are over 50 bottles of wine available at the bar, and scores of others in the shop. If you join their wine club, you can enjoy handpicked selections from the owner each month, plus discounts on bottles to go and at the bar.
Photo courtesy of Emily Bolden
No. 5:
Crush Pad Wines – Charlottesville, Virginia
Crush Pad Wines is an upscale shop with a fabulous selection of fine wines curated by Charlottesville’s most experienced wine buyers. Set in the heart of the historic Downtown Mall, shoppers can also enjoy a wine bar and bistro with a super knowledgeable staff.
Photo courtesy of Lindsey Lauffer | First Street Wine Co.
No. 4:
First Street Wine Company – Livermore, California
Livermore’s First Street Wine Company is a family-owned wine shop and tasting bar. They offer Connoisseur and Collectors wine clubs, you can shop online, and there’s a stellar shop collection ranging from Livermore Valley offerings to bottles from around the state, country, and even the world. With their huge collection and knowledgeable staff, you’re bound to find something you’ll savor here.
Photo courtesy of Chelsea Goodwin
No. 3:
Anfora Wine Merchants – Oak Park, Illinois
Inspired by Italian enotecas, Anfora Wine Merchants is a place where oenophiles can sit, relax, and sample excellent wines. Set in Illinois’ historic Oak Park, visitors here can take part in monthly wine classes, avail themselves of a store membership, or join a curated wine club, as well as just purchase bottles to bring home. Anfora focuses on small and/or iconic producers who engage in ecological winemaking practices, and there are some superb choices to pair with light bites in their cozy bistro.
No. 2:
Red or White Wine – Mobile, Alabama
Mobile’s Red or White Wine is both a wine shop and bar, and with branches in three other Alabama cities as well, they use their buying power to get some of the best and rarest wines out there. Come in to drink by the glass or purchase a bottle, and note that Red or White Wine also has an on-site restaurant with some of Mobile’s best pizza.
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No. 1:
ta·ca·rón – Ridgeland, South Carolina
Bet you’d never imagine stumbling across a quaint wine and Cuban cigar shop in the heart of the Lowcountry, but that’s exactly what ta·ca·rón is. Cuban-born owner, Juan Carlos Jiménez, combines the finest Cuban cigars and coffee with an outstanding stock of boutique wines, especially from South America and Spain — and not a single brand on the shelf gets there without being tasted first. They also offer a wine club, and you can arrange private tasting sessions.
