Chicago Wine Shops
A Work in Progress
Please note: This list is an ongoing project and is far from complete. To be on this list, a wine shop must:
Be located within the boundaries of the city of Chicago
Sell bottles of wine to consumers for consumption away from the shop
Either specialize in wine or place an emphasis on curating a wine selection that goes beyond standard mass-market wine brands. (I might also list a shop that offers higher-end mass-market brands at particularly good price points.)
Some of these shops may also be bars, liquor stores, specialty grocery stores, or restaurants, however, it is the commitment to the retail sale of quality wine that ensures a place on this list.
The list is organized by neighborhood. I’ve lived in Chicago long enough to know that neighborhood boundaries are often controversial. When in doubt, I’ve referenced the neighborhood indicated in a shop’s online presence.
Chain stores with multiple locations in the Chicago area are in their own section at the end of this list. I define a chain store as one that has three or more locations within the Chicago metro area, which is why Eataly is not listed as a chain store, despite the fact that it has multiple locations around the country.
(Yes, I’ll eventually add a list of suburban shops.)
Many of these shops host regular tastings. You can find a list of these Chicago wine tastings here.
Please note: Some of these listings have an expanded entry with more details about the shop. This is because I have visited or ordered from the shop in the past and have formed an impression of it.
Disclaimer: All information included in this list is believed to be accurate at the time of posting. Call or email an establishment before visiting to verify its information.
Andersonville
Andersonville Wine & Spirits (no website): Located at 5201 N Clark St, phone number is (773)-769-0858. Full-service liquor store with a good wine selection.
In Fine Spirits: A lovely selection of wine and spirits along with some snacks, including pre-sliced and packaged cheese boards.
Uvae Fromagerie & Tasting Room: Attached to Uvae Kitchen & Wine Bar, this shop offers wines by the glass, snacks, cheese and wine flights, and both bottles and specialty foods that you can purchase to take home. Its hours of operation are different from the restaurant’s hours.
Bucktown
Door 24: One of the best-curated wine selections at any shop I’ve been to. A great mix of “standards” along with funky independent labels. They also do a great job of maintaining their online ordering site, so you can always check in to see what they have and what is new.
Pompette: Delightful little café and wine bar that also has a small selection of bottles for sale. They really know their wine at this place. Don’t miss their happy hour specials!
Red & White Wines: They specialize in low-intervention (aka “natural”) wines from all over the world, though they seem to have a definite preference for France. If you are looking for something truly unusual, Red & White is your shop. They have an attached wine bar as well, serving excellent wines by the glass, snacks, and full meals on weekends. Website is updated regularly with new arrivals.
Hyde Park
Edgewater
Independent Spirits: I’ve often remarked that this is just one of those shops we don’t deserve. It is that good. The wine selection here is astonishing, with prices that range from $9 for a bottle into the hundreds. Incredible selection of bitters. They’ve recently added an excellent selection of conservas (tinned fish and seafood). Scott, the owner of Independent Spirits, is very helpful when it comes to pairing food with wine, so don’t be afraid to ask for help.
(Tip: Whole Foods is only a few doors away to the north. Buy your booze at Independent Spirits, which has a far better selection, and then pick up your groceries at Whole Foods.)
Lincoln Park
Off Premise (across the street from Birch Road)
Lincoln Square
Please note: Augusta, Gene’s, and The Chopping Block are all within a block of each other, close to Giddings Plaza. These shops, along with Savory Spice, which does not sell wine, are excellent options for home chefs looking for specialty foods and ingredients. The Western Brown line station serves the area, and the Lincoln Square Farmer’s Market operates in the lots adjacent to the station between May and November.
Augusta Food & Wine: Tiny shop offering an excellent and frequently changing selection of wines, some spirits, craft beers, and food. Augusta also has what might be the best cheese case in town. Shad, the owner, has undergone extensive training in wine pairing and has likewise trained his staff in the art. If you are planning a meal and are stumped for a wine, visit Augusta.
Gene’s Sausage Shop: Named as one of the best food markets in the world by the Financial Times, Gene’s is a specialty butcher and sausage shop. They also offer a range of delicacies from around the world. Their wine selection is quite decent, with an emphasis on German and Austrian bottles and styles (think Riesling and Gewurztraminer).
Tip: Gene’s wine/spirits/beer selection is upstairs and can be found in two areas. The first area is at the top of the stairs (there is also an elevator). There’s a refrigerator for cold bottles, as well as a selection of beers, and wines strewn about in a little alcove. The primary selection, however, is along the south wall. In addition, you can often find canned wines near the cash registers downstairs, perfect for pairing with a sandwich ordered at the deli counter.
The Chopping Block: A cooking school for home cooks, The Chopping Block also operates a retail store that sells cooking equipment (pots, pans, knives, etc), along with a small selection of wine.
Rockwell Bottle Shop & Coffee: Located west of Western Avenue, this is a delightful little bottle shop and café with a nifty selection of wines as well as a selection of snacks, relishes, and other gourmet treats.
Logan Square
Beautiful Rind: A cheese shop with a wonderful wine selection. Their wine buyer selects extremely food-friendly bottles, most of them quite affordable. They offer quick and efficient delivery of their products (including wine).
Diversey Wine: The selection at this natural/low-intervention wine shop is extremely esoteric. If you are mystified by the bottles on offer, ask for help.
Easy Does It: Primarily a wine bar (with a lovely by-the-glass list), they also operate a bottle shop with a nice selection of wines, mostly from small producers.
Outside Voices: A super-friendly wine bar that also has some bottles for sale. Ask the staff about your options. There are some bottles available for retail (at retail prices) though you could also buy a bottle off their regular wine list/menu. The later option comes at a higher price, however, because of licensing laws. You’ll have to pay the menu price rather than retail.
Near North
Perman Wine Selections: Craig Perman, the owner, travels widely (and, by the looks of his Instagram feed, frequently). As a result, he manages to develop relationships with producers and other industry people. This means that his shop has a lot of fantastic wines that are not easily available elsewhere. Mr. Perman has a distinct fondness for wines from Portugal.
North Center
L & M Fine Foods: A specialty grocery store on the Lincoln Square/North Center border. Old-fashioned deli, house-made dips and treats, wonderful selection of pantry items, cheeses, and conservas, and, of course, a very fine wine assortment.
Norwood Park
Old Town
Galleria Liquors (Second location in Southport)
River North
Rogers Park
Picnic Wine & Provisions: Delightful bottle shop and wine bar with a lovely selection of specialty foods, beers, canned cocktails and, of course, wine. By-the-glass options are plentiful and corkage on bottles purchased in-store is $10.
Sauce and Bread Kitchen: Quirky little café that specializes in fresh baked goods, hot sauces, sandwiches, speciality pizzas, and breakfasts. They also have a small, but well-selected selection of wines for sale by the bottle or glass.
Taste Food & Wine: Super cute establishment with a thoughtful and quite affordable wine selection. Yes, you can have a glass or a bottle at the shop, and house-made snacks are available for consumption in-store or to take home.
Roscoe Village
Volo: Volo is a wine bar/restaurant that also sells bottles that you can take home. Their retail selection isn’t huge but the wines here are top-notch so you are pretty much sure to bring home a winner.
FWIW: Volo is next door to Birch Road Cellar.
South Loop
Printers Row Wine Shop: I adore this combination wine bar/bottle shop. Plenty of bottles available at affordable prices, though there are many higher end options as well. The wine bar sells wine by the glass or the carafe (the latter is often a good deal). Simple selection of snacks includes addictive rosemary/cayenne cashews, a cheese/chorizo board, and the best grilled ham (prosciutto) and cheese I’ve ever had.
Southport
Galleria Liquors (another location in Old Town)
Ukrainian Village
All Together Now: Fun, funky wine bar/restaurant with a bottle shop, cheese case, and other provisions. They get a lot of fantastic wines, which seem to sell out quickly, so if a bottle interests you, buy it if you can. Excellent happy hour deals.
Uptown
West Town
Noble Grape: I’ve been known to swoon over the selection at this shop. Very helpful and friendly staff.
Wicker Park
Le Midi Wine: Upscale wine bar with a fine selection of bottles to take home. A good place to check out if you are looking for something unique, but still accessible.
Olivia’s Market: Independent, upscale grocer that sells quality wine, beer, and spirits.
Wrigleyville
Konbini & Kanpai: Japanese shop offers a lovely selection of wine, sake, beer, and spirits, with an emphasis on Japanese products. The wine selection is well-chosen and the shop owners are both personable and knowledgeable. This shop also has an excellent selection of Japanese snacks and candies.
Shops with Multiple Chicago Locations
Binny’s: Binny’s Beverage Depot is the liquor superstore of the Chicago area (and a few places downstate). Huge selection, competitive pricing, and some pretty knowledgeable staff members to boot. If you are looking for a particular mass-market brand or, alternatively, a style of wine that you can’t do without, Binny’s is a very safe bet.
Lush: Lush is a combination wine bar/bottle shop with three locations: West Town, Roscoe Village, and Evanston. The wine selection is broad in scope, so it is likely that you’ll find something that suits both your budget and your palate.
Mariano’s: The wine selection at this supermarket chain is pretty much confined to mass-market brands. Yes, their selection is better than what you’ll find at places like Jewel or Target, but nothing off the beaten path. Pricing is good, however, particularly for those with the Mariano’s loyalty card: 15% off your purchase of four or more bottles, and mixing & matching is allowed.
The Goddess and Grocer: Specialty market that sells prepared meals along with high-end provisions. Very nice wine selection.