You're in San Francisco, and don't have time to visit wine country, but want to take a bottle (or six) home with you. Here's a quick guide to some of the best wine shops.
Lucky for you, San Francisco has no shortage of shops to choose from. In a city that loves its wine, you can’t go wrong with any of its independent wine shops. These are a few that are a cut above.
California Wine Merchant — The name says it all. Located in the trendy Marina district, this shop has a very good selection of wines from the Golden State, with some hard-to-find gems in every corner. If you’re there on a Monday, you might also find a local winemaker stopping by and pouring some of her or his wares. If it’s just a glass you seek, they are open late seven nights a week as a wine bar.
Napa Valley Wine Exchange — Tucked in the middle of downtown and a stone’s throw away from many hotels, NVWE is a great place to grab a thoughtful gift on the way home. Their selection is small but very well selected. They’ll have some of your favorites and many that rarely leave the state. If you get lonely for that cult Cabernet once you’re home, they also have a great mailing list and ship to many places within the US.
Wine Club — If it’s bargains that you seek, look no further than this South of Market shop. Not much to look at — it can sometimes feel like a garage sale for wine— the Wine Club is one of the most aggressive discounters in the city. Their selection is wide, so don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you’re extra nice, you can usually get an employee to open up a bottle of just about anything for you to try before you buy.
Ferry Plaza Wine Merchants — For a more romantic wine buying experience, stroll over to the Ferry Plaza, home of the best farmer’s market in the US (Tuesdays and Saturdays), and drop into this little shop. Also equipped with a bar, you can peruse the selections of small and unique California producers, as well as some decent imports, or take a rest and watch the crowds stroll by with a glass in hand.
Blackwell’s Wines — When you’re visiting your aunt in the Richmond district, and bemoaning your fogged-in fate, you can take heart in one of the city’s newer wine shops. Their color-coded selections make it easy to shop by price, and you won’t be disappointed by what you bring home. The Blackwells are a lovely couple that are more than eager to help with your selection. Gary will sometimes play bartender at the tasting bar in the back. Don’t miss their boutique American Bourbon selection, as well…
Next visit, you must make time to go to wine country. In the meanwhile, you might just make a friend in the city.
