this place is GREAT! the server was very knowledgeable about all of the wines, took the time to explain all of the notes and grapes in each of our wines in the flight ($5 off for happy hour!) the cheese board was super yummy as well. love the vibe in here, perfect for an intimate date or a girls night to catch up and chat! will be back for sure!!!! read more

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Every wine here is from South Africa--kind of a bold move opening a niche so narrow, but I've sampled several SA wines through my wife (CMS Cert Somm & WSET diploma) so I was kind of excited to check this place out solo with my better half out of town. Meagan was great suggesting the Chenin Blanc as my first glass. The feel of the place is industrial which works well as the lighting used doesn't overpower and you feel a little like you're near a cellar. There is a projector TV on one wall and they tune to whatever sports or what not are on...I happened to stop by during the Vikings/Giants playoff game and sat near a speaker to hear the sound (which is low enough to not hinder conversation, but just barely high enough to hear if you focus on it). There is even Casita Cold Brew and Wanderlust Sangria on tap and I've seen some cheese/charcuterie boards go out. I finished with a Malbec and then moved on as I had an event nearby to attend. Overall great experience--service, vibe, wine ( I need to return to try a board)...I'll be back--this is simply a great place to drink wine without feeling like you don't belong, if you know what I mean--unpretentious. read more

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I've enjoyed this neighborhood wine bar from every vantage point: as a patron, as a wine distributor, and as an employee. Cory and Danya are beautiful people and they have created an atmosphere of community, exploration, class, indulgence and wine education. Truly a special place. Cape Bottle Room treats their distributors and employees with respect and employ fair trade practices. Their wine and food prices are INCREDIBLY reasonable when you consider these fair trade/fair wage practices. I've seen other reviews that there are growing pains and I can confirm. I am beyond confident though, in the owner's ability and desire to grow and improve in every conceivable way. I have personally experienced palpable changes in menu items, operations, and staff training. I recommend a meat and cheese plate with delicious Biltong, a glass or two of wine and indulging in an aesthetic atmosphere in the heart of East Austin. Wednesday's I am there for ALL DAY happy Hour. Cheers read more

Beautiful establishment, friendly and knowledgeable staff and amazing wine! This is definitely a hidden gem, would come back, absolutely recommend it. 10/10 read more

Cape Bottle Room - Wine Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

South African wines are among the best in the world, so I'm thrilled that this place has opened in Austin. All wines are sourced and imported from SA. We did a tasting and left with two bottles. Great menu of wine-friendly snacks and awesome staff. Can't wait to return. read more

Fun and chill vibes! Great selection of South African wine. If you enjoy wine definitely try it out! read more

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Fantastic selection of SA wine, knowledgeable and friendly staff and a super cool place to hang out with a bottle of wine.

What a great wine shop/bar! So glad we saw this driving by on our way to brunch. We decided to stop in on a Sunday and had a wonderful time and amazing quality wines! The owners are lovely and knowledgeable. They also live in East austin, so it's so nice to visit a shop actually owned and operated by locals to the neighborhood. Come by either to hang out for wine and cheese, or to buy bottles and take home! read more

What a pleasant surprise my friend suggested this one. I have a thing for South Africa. Love their wine for the great pinotage and all the whites. Good to know I am not the only one who chill my red;) their cheese was really good. The staff said there were truffle on it, immediately it worth $$$ read more

Cape Bottle Room - Cheese plate - Wine Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

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I came in right when they opened and was greeted by some of the nicest staff (John and Joe) that I've ever met. Despite my lack of wine knowledge, they were able to help tailor my experience to my taste. I can't wait to come back during live music or comedy nights. read more

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Spent a Sunday afternoon for a birthday celebration. There was a surprise reservation fee of $10 a person and no credit given. Then there was a required gratuity of 20% . And the place was empty. Very unwelcoming and uncomfortable. Food not worth the cost. Bread and butter?????? Meat and cheese plate not worth $40. I will not return. I will get my South African wine at H‑E‑B and snacks at a much better price. Update: the owner did reach out and refund the reservation fee and asked to make things right. The fee was a tech error. Very understandable. It is definitely a try for yourself place. This place is new and still going through growing pains. I'm impressed with the fact that the owner cared. read more

This place was absolutely phenomenal. The Saxenburg syrah that I had was among the best I've had, even comparing to Napa/Sonoma/Paso. Got several extra bottles to take home. The servers were terrific and they hooked me up with few extra samples of local cheeses to pair with the wines. The boards were great and the South African jerky was really unique. I also liked that the owners were there hanging out and teaching people about the wine! read more

Great place, great vibe, great wine ! Super friendly staff, sit down, relax, and have a chat with friends tasting some of the best wines from South Africa. read more

Cape Bottle Room - Bar area! - Wine Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

Such a cute place !!! Me and my husband got such a warm welcome from staff and owners I got a flight that was tailored to my tastes and the bartender was spot in ! We got a chessboard ...so yummy and perfect size to wash down the delicious wine! We will definitely be back to sample even more wines for sure - read more

This is a great spot to go have a glass of wine with a date or small of friends. Wine selection is great we all ordered the Pinotage. Will be back for sure. read more

Was looking for a bottle for my mother in law and the options they suggested were amazing!!!

meh. limited knowledge by some members of staff. cabs served at room temp. looks like a half finished project. no ambience. parking not easy. read more

So excited to have a good wine bar on the east side. We've needed one for so long. Love the selection, service has always been excellent, and the ambiance is great! I saw someone mention the parking. I don't really think you can blame the wine bar for that. It's the east side and can't really compare to Wanderlust. Their wine is complete garbage! Anyways, I love this place!!! read more

Wonderful combination of a bottle shop and a tasting room. With their focus on South African wine, it is a great place to learn about wine from a region that doesn't get as much attention as it should! Couldn't believe they have biltong as well (South African dried meat). Staff and owners are very friendly. Have enjoyed both going solo (easy to chat with staff and folks at the bar) and with friends. Fun to peruse the bottles, both to buy and drink there or to take home. Found prices to be really reasonable. read more

The owners and staff of this cozy bottle room are knowledgeable and very friendly. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, they're ready to help! There is a wide range of wine to choose from, whether by the glass from their rotating menu, or choose a bottle from the shelf to buy. The snacks are delicious (I could live off the butter) and pair well with the wine. Whether you want just the bread and butter, a cheese board, or a meat and cheese board, you won't be disappointed. read more

A truly world class South African wine experience in Austin. As someone with a professional wine certification that worked in Manhattan for multiple years in the wine industry, I can say that the breadth and personal expertise in South African wine that I experienced at Cape Bottle Room is not something that I experienced in New York...or anywhere else in the US. They have a curated collection of wines that you could not find at any outlet that does not take their type of active role in procuring South African bottles. Whatever type of wine experience you are looking for, this place can accommodate and provide at a high level. They offer many interesting, delicious bottles by the glass. If you're looking to go slightly above that level, they maintain a Coravin list that provides an elevated by-the-glass experience. Additionally, you have the option to buy any bottle off their extensive shelf inventory. Strictly evaluating them as a retail operation, they are equally fantastic as they offer 20% off any bottle you take home and give an unparalleled selection of South African wines. Regardless of what service or retail experience you're looking for, the owners of this place are Cory and Donya and they truly cannot be better hosts. They are passionate about South African wines, have many personal ties within the wine industry there, and have incredible depth of knowledge regarding the wines and regions there. Beyond that, they are incredibly kind and genuine people who are invested not only in the wines they are featuring but also the community they are serving. If you are a discerning or educated wine consumer, this certainly should be stop number one on any trip to Austin read more

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We came on a Sunday afternoon and had an amazing time! Highly recommend you stop in here for some wine tastings or bottles!

What a fun new wine spot! Loved the space and the South African wines were all delicious. I tried a Paul Rene sparkling that was amazing! Definitely my new regular spot! I loved chatting with the staff, they are very knowledgeable about wine. read more

The spot is cute and cozy but the location is horrible for parking. Their selection is extremely limited and their staff doesn't tend to your needs in a very timely manner. They have a fly problem in this establishment therefore you're constantly swatting away insects from your wine as well as lackluster meat and cheese plates. They know they have an insect issue yet they don't even offer a discount when they clearly see that a customer is dissatisfied. I would highly recommend go five blocks down to Wanderlust which is a way better wine venue. read more

Such a wonderful wine experience. This place is a must and with a large variety of South African wine , education and history. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, I'm which they creat an environment for reoccurring visits. My mother and I loved it being our 1st time and will bring other for the next visit and recommend. Definitely do a 4 tasting and cheese board which hit the spot. read more

Wonderful selection of South African wine! Great service! Super chill! Just what I needed to relax from a long week!

Beautiful environment and liberal pours + charcuterie portions. Friendly and helpful staff, and pretty convenient street parking! Highly recommend! read more

Cape Bottle is a fantastic wine bar with fabulous South African wines, you'll find wine you never had before. Delicious (well portioned) charcuterie boards. Great tunes, whether live or on the record player. Prices are affordable and service is always friendly. A great hideaway from the heat too!!! read more

The best new little wine bar owner by the nicest local couple! All of the wines are quality, and the staff is super knowledgeable and helpful. 10/10! read more

Cape Bottle Room - Sparkling shiraz - Wine Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

A little hole in the wall place we stumbled upon...great atmosphere and such a vibe. the tastings were great and would definitely recommend. read more

great place! stumbled across by accident and it did not disappoint. nice ambiance and very hospitable. read more

Cape Bottle Room - wine glasses and a bottle of wine - Wine Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

Love the wine selection and that you can purchase the bottles. Not many places carry chenin blancs. I want to give them five stars but unfortunately, there's been gnat issues during certain weather and I kept having to pick them out and encouraged to just continuously cover my glass, one person got the wax in my glass of wine after I ordered a bottle, and I would say they aren't consistent. I came in one week and had glasses of this wine and I came back the next week and apparently the wine I had last week was only available as a bottle now, they are also inconsistent with their charcuterie boards. Also, for some reason, my friend went to the restroom and when he came back, he was locked out and had to go out and around to get back inside. But I'll still give them 4 stars because I assume all these issues are easily fixable or depends on who's working. read more

Since I posted my review, the owners have reached out and have offered to rectify our experience. I am glad that they have done so. I have learned that the bathroom situation was not in their total control, since it was a shared bathroom with other businesses. As I said in my original post, the wine was good. I believe that the the owners have learned from this situation and will make necessary changes. Again, the wine was good. My rating is based upon the owners' response without verification. read more

Visited Austin recently decided to try out Cape Bottle Room on a recommendation - Let me tell you this place was awesome! Fun atmosphere! Space was beautiful and the wines were delicious! The staff at Cape Bottle Room were warm and extremely knowledgable! For any one who might be on the fence about South African wines - think again and give this place a try! Highly recommend spending an evening here, you will delight in the wine selections (and bites too!) and the full Cape Bottle Room experience! Bravo! read more

Awesome wines and even better service! Haven't had too many SA wines but these guys know their stuff.

This place is amazing!!! They have an extensive selection of South African wines and are very knowledgeable about the wines and how to taste. The decor is really cool and we had a terrific time there. I look forward to going back again soon! If you are looking for a comfortable tasting and drinking spot, you need to give this place a try! read more

I was in town for a conference and searched for wine bars near me and found this gem! I personally love South African wines and had a lovely evening sampling wines with Lynn, a very knowledgeable and friendly somm. I loved it so much I brought my husband here where we met the owner Cory. He is so knowledgeable about these wines and we had wonderful discussions about our collective travels. Wines are unique and allow you to try wines you may have never had before. I will definitely be returning when I am back in Austin! read more