Wine Stores

Finding the right wine store is a little like dating -- you're looking for the right combination of chemistry and personality. Once you've found your wine store in Austin, you'll probably stick with it as your go-to place. That's why it's so important to make sure that you're choosing among the best. We've chosen these five wine shops for their breadth of selection and the knowledge of their staff members, making it easier for you to choose the right place for your next bottle of wine.

512 W 6th St
Austin, TX 78701
Neighborhoods: Warehouse District, Market District, Downtown
499-0512

While you won't five a bottle of Two Buck Chuck here at The Austin Wine Merchant, you will find wines that were hand selected by their knowledgeable staff members. Wines range in price from $15 to $500, and include selections from around the world. As one regular puts it, the staff is "like librarians of wine" -- they're eager to share their knowledge with customers so that each one leaves happy. This shop also holds weekly wine tastings, usually on Saturday afternoons, which makes it easy to taste some of their most exclusive offerings.

East End Wines
1209 Rosewood Ave
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 904-9056

In true Austin style, East End Wines is located in a converted house. The shop is home to an enormous selection of wines that you're unlikely to find anywhere else in Texas. East End Wines is truly focused on the customer, offering friendly, helpful tips on choosing a wine that suits your palette -- no feeling rushed to make a decision as you might in some other establishments. Every customer who purchases a bottle of wine is logged into their books so that the staff can look up your selections when you return. East End Wines also holds free wine tastings each week -- a definite draw for adventurous wine lovers.

Spec's Wine, Spirits, and Finer Foods
4978 Hwy 290
Austin, TX 78701
366-8260

Spec's specializes in wine, but they also house craft beers and a great fine food selection, which makes it the perfect one stop shop for groups that want a little of everything. The sheer size of Spec's is impressive, and it's unlikely that you'll leave empty handed. Head to Spec's for their monthly Tasting Tuesday, where you'll have the chance to sample lots of wines and nibbles for free. Their event calendar is always full, so it's a good idea to check their website for regular updates.

Water 2 Wine
4036 South Lamar Blvd Ste 100
Austin, TX 78704
Phone: (512) 428-9463

Water 2 Wine is one part winery, one part wine bar, and one part wine shop! Whew, that's a lot going on under one roof. Not only can you purchase the wines that you make and label yourself here, but you can also shop in their retail area for pre-bottled, un-customized wines. While the selection is limited to the wines that this company makes themselves, the friendly staff will help you to choose one that suits your palette.

Wiggy's
1130 W 6th St
Austin, TX 78703
Neighborhood: Clarksville
474-9463

When it comes to liquor stores, it's hard to find one more Austin-friendly than the independent shop, Wiggy's. The selection of wines isn't enormous, but there's a good variety available, along with a number of hard-to-find liquors and craft beers. There's nothing chic or upscale about Wiggy's; it's a good, old-fashioned liquor store -- and that's what we like about it. It's also a great pick for anyone who loves to pair a great cigar with an equally tasty glass of vino.