Wine bars allow one to taste both local and foreign wines that have been expertly curated by the staff. When exploring new wine regions, we rely heavily on wine bars to help guide our trip; there’s no better recommendation than one from a local who knows the scene.
Before embarking While tasting wine on a winery and vineyard may be more scenic than a wine bar per se, finding a great wine bar can provide completely unique and great experiences.
The world’s best wine bars
Alas, here is our list of our favorite wine bars that have provided us with lasting memories; we recommend you check them out!
Caves de l’Abbaye – Burgundy France
The best wine bar in Burgundy. Located within the old city of Beaune, the bar is below ground in an old cellar that dates back to the monk era. Watch your head as you enter and take a seat at the bar with Guillaume and prepare to learn a ton. Guillaume teaches at the local wine school in town and we’ve had the fortune to take several courses with him.
There is never a shortage of varietals to taste and the energetic owner makes sure to pick interesting producers with a good back story for each. On select Saturdays, the bar transforms into an intimate jazz concert venue; this is a must-see if the timing works out.
Leo’s Wine Bar – Cape Town, South Africa
This spot is hard to find at first. It’s a bagel shop by day and wine shop by night. We loved the by-the-glass list (heavily weighted with rare Swartland gems), the personal attention and the fact that you can nibble on grown-up pizza bagels.
In Stellenbosch and other nearby regions, It can be difficult to book tasting reservations with top small producers–especially during harvest. Thus, Leo’s is a great way to experience these from the friendly confines of the city. If you’re planning a trip to this wonderful city, check out other local gems with our guide to Cape Town.
Nepenthe – Big Sur, California
While cruising highway 1, stop off at Nepenthe for an amazing view and an even better wine list. Nepenthe carries over 400 wines and local treasures from the famed Gary’s and Pisoni vineyards.
If you’re thinking of planning a coastal road trip in California, we put together a guide of must-visit wine regions and producers. Check out the guide here.
Satellite – Santa Barbara, California
We maintain that Santa Barbara is home to some of the best wine in California. Before heading to the mass of tasting rooms in Los Olivos, first hit State street in downtown Santa Barbara and pay a visit to the Satellite wine bar.
Featuring an extensive list of local and natural, funky imported wines, Satellite boasts a great vibe and outdoor atmosphere. Best of all, most of the list is available by the glass, so you can try a ton of different wines without committing to a bottle.
Scotch Wine Bar – Marlborough, New Zealand
The best wine bar in Marlborough and perhaps all of New Zealand. Dan Gillett travels around the world to find unique, interesting bottles with a story and offers them up on a stellar by-the-glass menu (including half taste pours). The staff is on point too with their wine knowledge–sip and learn!
The bar also features delicious bites and spirits as well, in case you’re in the mood for more than just a flight. For a list of our favorite producers in the region, check out our Marlborough wine guide.
Vinoteka Storija – Ljubljana, Slovenia
The wine region of Friuli / Goriska Brda can be quite intimidating. Strange varieties, skin contact whites, and producers who don’t pick up the phone for appointments (ugh). Luckily, there’s David at Vinoteka Storija; a humble, natural wine shop with what seems like utter chaos of bottles strewn throughout the small space.
What’s an unassuming interior quickly leads to a true Slovenian locals experience, as you’re treated to a delightful tasting right on the streets of Ljubljana. We recommend letting the owner take the wheel and bring out small glass pours to try and sample different local delights. David will challenge your palette in order of “safe” to “not so safe” aka clean to funky wines. You may just walk away with a different perspective on your taste profile.
