The V.I.P. Table: Trusted Wine Retailers

All the retailers listed below have always done right by me.  If they’re on this list, then you can expect great customer service and excellent selection.  Also, they all excel in mail-order processing of your wines.  I will regularly update this list so my readers are always in the know.

Rare Wine Company (Sonoma, California)

The Rare Wine Company picked its name well.  They specialize in amazing bottles from around the world and with a vast selection of vintages.  The prices might be a bit higher than some competitors, but it’s worth it for the care and efficiency that goes into sourcing their inventory and getting it into your cellar.

Grapes The Wine Company (White Plains, New York)

What Grapes lacks in a website checkout system, they make up for in spades with excellent service, selection and great communication.  Give them a call or get yourself on the e-mail list, you won’t regret it. 

The Spirit Shoppe (South Egremenont, Massachusetts)

Tucked away in a quiet Massachusetts town, The Spirit Shoppe continues to impress me with their selection of rare gems.  What’s more, on my visit through their store, I was treated like a long-time customer.

Crush (New York, New York)

Crush has one of the most interesting selections in New York City.  It’s certainly not the usual suspects of wine retail shelves.   Be sure to check out their amazing selection of Rieslings.

K&L Wine Merchants (Multiple California locations)

K&L has a great selection and excellent customer service.  Also, for those that know exactly what they want, K&L often provides a “waiting list” option on rare bottles.  I’ve sourced some great wine at very good prices using this feature.

Varietal Wine and Spirits (Manhasset, New York)

It’s funny, and very telling, when you look at your spending trends.  Varietal Wine and Spirits manages to rank as one of the top stores that I shop at.  The website doesn’t do this store justice, if you have a chance to stop by the store, it’s worth the trip.  This is another location with an e-mail list that you should be on.

Vinopolis (Portland, Oregon)

Watching the inventory at Vinopolis update each week is very painful for me, because they tend to carry many of the wines I love.  A top-notch selection and excellent service and be expected from this outfit with a great weekly e-mail of all new pre-arrivals and inventory.

Chambers Street Wines (New York, New York)

If you love mature wine, then you need to know about Chambers Street Wines.  Their selection of rare, mature bottles is second to none.  These wines are sourced from perfectly stored stocks and transported under ideal conditions.  The prices aren’t bad either.