It’s no secret Charlottesville is home to a wonderful food and wine scene—situated in the middle of Virginia wine country, benefiting from strong ties to farm-to-table culture, and featuring outstanding chef-driven restaurants and diverse cuisine. In this environment, it should not be a surprise that many local wine shops also flourish. All the favorites presented here feature knowledgeable staff to help find the bottle that best suits your taste and needs, but every shop also has its own focus and character, and part of the fun is finding the one that best suits you.
Market Street Wine
First opened in 1979, Market Street is a mainstay that “relaunched” in 2018 when the former owner decided to retire, and two employees purchased the shop rather than let it close. Now, the focus is on organic, biodynamic, and natural wine from small and family-owned wineries. In addition to focusing on these “wines with stories,” owner Siân Richards wants the store to make “everyone feel welcome in the world of wine.”
Wine Warehouse
For more than two decades, Wine Warehouse has been a no-frills shop that takes pride in a broad and carefully curated collection representing both quality and value. The novice and experienced wine drinker alike will find something to love here, and the staff does an excellent job of making approachable suggestions whether you know nothing about wine or want to talk about all the esoteric details. Widely known among area wine lovers as the store where “if you can’t find it, they can find it for you,” they also feature an amazingly complete selection of craft beers from all over the world.
In Vino Veritas
Owner Erin Scala describes her store as “global selections focused on small producers.” At the same time, Scala features a selection of high-quality Virginia wines on her shelves, and is a great supporter of the local industry. Scala, an experienced sommelier who also oversees the wine and beverage program for Common House, is the true attraction here, and her deep knowledge, professionalism, relationships with winemakers, and infectious enthusiasm for the world of wine encourages customers to try new things and dig deeper on old favorites.
Bottle House
Bottle House opened in 2020 and has quickly become known for its hospitality, as wine lovers take advantage of its central location on West Main and free tastings that often feature unusual or higher-end wines. The owners, Daniel Kaufman, who also owns Public Fish & Oyster directly across the street, and Guillaume Gasparini, a sommelier and part of the family who formerly owned Restaurant Pomme in Gordonsville, focus on more classic wines. Their knowledge and experience bring depth to the inventory and there is no hesitation to bring in high-quality bottles—something connoisseurs will appreciate.
Crushpad
A new offering on the Downtown Mall from local restauranter Vincent Derquenne, well-known locally for both his palate and his personal wine cellar. The question can be asked, is Crushpad a wine bar with delicious food that also sells wine, or is it a retail wine shop that begs the customer to linger with inviting seating and wonderful small bites? Whatever question you are asking, Crushpad is the answer. The food is a step above the average wine bar, and the carefully selected offerings clearly reflect a deep love of wine. Those with a soft spot for large format bottles and Champagne will find simpatico here.