CHICAGO | People are always asking us what we think are Chicago’s best wine shops, and with the holiday season just around the corner, we thought it was time we shared our thoughts on the best places to buy wine in Chicago.
Whether its new world or old, local or international, white or red, Chicago’s Best wine shops have everything you need to impress your guests. We’ve chosen a selection of favourites around Chicagoland that offer an amazing selection of wines, and have passionate staff that can help even the most undecided customer. Whether it’s an affordable drop you’re looking for, or something at the more expensive end of the scale, our list has you covered.
Binny’s Beverage Depot
The saying goes, “If you can’t find it at Binny’s, it’s not worth drinking.” Chicago family-owned since 1948, Binny’s Beverage Depot is the Midwest’s largest retailer of wine, spirits, beer and cigars. Binny’s offers more than 30,000 items across their 30+ Illinois locations. The Lincoln Park flagship is a site to behold with its beer and wine tasting room and full calendar of events.
In a testament to its great success, Binny’s continues to expand around Chicagoland with its newest store in Logan Square. Always a reliable choice.
Binny’s Beverage Depot
Various locations
Vin Chicago
The people behind Vin Chicago (formerly known as the Wine Discount Center) say that, “some people drink wine, some sell it, but we live it.” For the last 30 years, Vin Chicago has offered some of the most competitive prices on wine in the Chicagoland area (Chicago, Highland Park, Naperville, and Barrington). They pride themselves on being able to offer great prices by buying large quantities and keeping overhead down.
We’ve has always found the staff at Vin Chicago to be very helpful and knowledgeable – and that should come as no surprise. The majority of the staff are Certified Sommeliers and two individuals are designated Advanced Sommeliers, which is very rare in retail. When you sign up for Vin’s mailing list you will be notified of events and upcoming sales, and you’ll also receive tasting notes on every bottle you purchase. One of our favorites features of Vin Chicago is the complimentary tasting offered every Saturday from noon until 4.00pm. Each week they feature of different selection of their hottest new wines. Who said Saturday errands had to be a chore?
Vin Chicago
Various locations
Whole Foods Market
Of all the Whole Foods Market locations across Chicagoland, we love the selection at Whole Foods Market Lincoln Park. With 75,000 square feet of space, it is the 3rd largest Whole Foods Market in the world and is a great place to buy, enjoy, and learn about wine.
Whole Foods offers wine tastings and classes, and has sommeliers on staff in their wine department to answer any questions you might about pairings, or anything else you’d like to know about the wine. The store also boasts a wine bar where shoppers can sit down to enjoy a glass, and a take a break during an anything-but-routine shopping trip.
Whole Foods Market Lincoln Park
1550 N Kingsbury Street
Chicago
Illinois 60642
United States
Lush Wine & Spirits
Lush Wine & Spirits is a neighborhood wine shop that started in University Village and now has locations in Roscoe Village and on Chicago Avenue in West Town. Each Lush location offers complimentary tastings on Sunday afternoons from 2.00pm to 5.00pm. If you are looking for wine classes, Lush offers a variety of options through their School of Lush. We recommend trying the Lush quarterly wine club: available at three different price points to fit any budget.
Lush Wine & Spirits
Various locations
Red & White Wines
Red & White Wines in Bucktown specializes in small production offerings and hard to find bottles. Red & White is supporter of vineyards that employ sustainable farming practices. Anything that makes its way to Red & White’s shelves has been tried and approved by their discerning staff. Brand managers, wine makers, and sales reps regularly join Red & White’s weekly wine tasting on Saturdays between 2.00pm-5.00pm. In the spring, Red & White will bring back its Thursday evening tastings from 6.00pm-9.00pm.
Red & White Wines
1861 N Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago
Illinois 60647
Knightsbridge Wine Shoppe
Knightsbridge Wine Shoppe have been bringing fine wines to the Chicago area since 1986. Based in Northbrook, Knightsbridge is one of the leading wine shops in the United States specializing in rare and fine wines. When we need a gift for the hard-to-impress wine connoisseur, Knightsbridge is a must visit. In particular, Knightsbridge offers the most impressive range of Champagne and Burgundy in Illinois. The President and General Manager of the company both spent time working at Charlie Trotter’s early on in their careers which laid the foundation for their passion for fine wine.
Knighstbridge Wine Shoppe
824 Sunset Ridge Road
Northbrook
Illinois 60062
Galleria Liquors
Galleria Liquors has two locations, one in Old Town, the other in Wrigleyville. They offer a range of more than 900 wines and spirits, along with seasonally selected beers. We like to shop here on Fridays after work when both locations offer complimentary wine tastings from 5.30pm to 8.30pm (also offered Saturdays from 3.00pm-6.00pm).
Another reason we head to Galleria Liquors is a variety of in-store events, including hosting local and international purveyors sampling their products. When you need to pick up a nice bottle for dinner or a weekend event, head to Galleria Liquors. If you can’t make it to one of the stores, Galleria has a delivery service to ensure you stay stocked.
Galleria Liquors
Old Town
1559 N Wells Street
Chicago
Illinois 60610
United States
Wrigleyville
3409 S Southport
Chicago
Illinois 60657
United States
Where’s your go-to shop for wine in Chicago? Is there a great wine store you love that you think should be on this list? Let us know in the comments section below.