We're visiting DC from California this week and I was looking for a local wine shop to pick up a few bottles to drink over our stay. After doing some research online, DCanter came up over and over so I decided to check it out. The space is quaint, but well organized and they've arranged all the wines on the main wall from lighter to fuller body - a really interesting way to lay things out that I imagine would be quite helpful if you aren't familiar with specific regions or varietals because wines that are similar in body and structure, regardless of the region or specific varietal(s) used will be grouped together on the wall. That does mean if you're looking to find all of the cru Beaujolais that you Fleurie is going to be quite far away from Moulin-a-Vent or Morgon. A bulk of the wines were in the $20-50 range, so really affordable. The challenge is that the market is full of $20 wines that are absolute garbage, but thankfully the selection here has been well curated and represents a lot of smaller producers in perhaps lesser known regions where the wines offer an exceptional quality to price ratio. I believe there's also a smaller wall of wines under $20, as well as a back room with some more premium options. Michelle, one of the owners, was extremely friendly and helpful and can get you sorted, regardless of your level of wine knowledge. She also gave me some great recommendations of wine bars! They also do themed tastings and wine classes, which sound really fun but unfortunately did not line up with our visit. Whether you live in the DC area or are visiting, it's worth checking out DCanter next time you're in need of a bottle or two. read more

My friend came to get a dessert wine. Service was fine. Ambiance is fine. A variety of wine. Will update later how the wine taste. read more

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What a time was had at DCanter - A Wine Boutique. We primarily stopped by this shop because it was the 1st wine spot that we saw while en route to another place. The three women that assisted us were absolutely a pleasure. The provided great tips/suggestions in a without being condescending. I thought the shop (or rather boutique) was organized very well, so it was fairly to find items. The majority of bottles were $20-$50, which is not too bad considering the area. We were quite impressed to learn that they DCanter has wine tastings every weekend. I'm really looking forward to my next visit. :) read more

I visited D'Canter for a wine tasting class featuring six different sparkling wines. A friend lives nearby and had attended several events there before and encouraged a group of us to go. I selected the sparkling class because I'm not a big red wine drinker and wanted to avoid those. Five of us attended together and had no problem getting seats together when they let us into the room. The room is beautiful, lined with wine bottles, a purple glass chandelier, and a long, wooden, family-style table. I don't think they do special events, but it would make a great rehearsal dinner or small reception space. The wine tasting itself was phenomenal. I loved all the wines I tried (with certain preferences, of course) and thought it was just the right amount of wine. The small plate of cheese, crackers, hummus, and olives was also adorable and well-presented. The woman who ran the class, one of the owners, was extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic. She even had a PowerPoint explaining the various wines, how they were made, and where they come from. As a visual learner, I really appreciated this aid. Overall, it was a truly stellar class, and the $50 price tag felt very fair for the wine, snacks, and information. We also could get discounts on any of the bottles of wine we tasted. I was tempted, but didn't want to carry them back with me on the metro (this is located right near the Eastern Market metro stop), but maybe I'll go back! I'd certainly do another tasting. read more

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Great wine shop in eastern market area. I love the selection of reasonably priced wines (there's a lot under $30). The classes here are also great and a fun way to learn about wine from different regions and styles. Usually, the classes involve a PowerPoint presentation about the wine/region and guided wine tastings. The classes come with a few small snacks as well. read more

Absolutely wonderful DC wine tasting/store. I was visiting family for the thanksgiving holiday November 2022 and it was one of the highlights of our weekend. The host leading the tasting was so friendly and insightful! I learned so much about different wine regions and the tasting was based on if you could tell which wine was expensive vs cheap on taste and smell, etc. it was really fun and interactive. If I lived in DC I would totally go back! read more

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Even though this store is owned by a former coworker (MikeW) and his wife - I'm going to be impartial. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS PLACE! Wine EVERWHERE! A beautiful chandelier in the "tasting area". Competent staff to recommend stuff. I told the young lady what my sister normally drinks and she gave me a few options in different price ranges. Great location. Cute store. Did I mention WINE EVERYWHERE?! I am not a wine drinker per se - my sister is. I stopped here to get her a bottle to cheer her up. I will definitely be back again and again AND I will make sure that my wine drinking friends know about this nice wine boutique in DC. read more

DCanter - A Wine Boutique - Jackhammer Chardonnay - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

My wife and I are HUGE fans of this wine shop. It's on the main strip in Barracks Row near the Eastern Market Metro. The owner takes wine seriously and presents his shop well and can recommend the perfect wine for you specifically. My wife and I came here right before our Croatia trip and they pointed out their best Croatian wine. On Sunday afternoons, they have free wine tastings in their tasting room. They also have an affordable wine club for Capital Hill residents. read more

My boyfriend and I took a wine class at DCanter recently. We both had a really pleasant experience! The summary of my experience is this: If I wanted to become a true connoiseur of wine, I would definitely look for a class elsewhere, but for the purpose of having an enjoyable evening, this hit the mark for me. The classes here are very affordable (usually around $35 apiece). Most wine classes in the DMV are $85 + so this was a nice way to learn a little more about wine without breaking the bank. Now for the million dollar question (or maybe the $35 question): is this class as good or informative as an $85 class? Honestly, no. You get what you pay for. But for $35, I feel that I really did get my money's worth. The class was reasonably small (8-10 people) and held in a small room in the back. We were all seated around a large table and given 6 small pours of different mid-priced wines to taste. There were also a few small food pairings (mainly cheeses and cured meats). For $35, I was already pretty happy before the class even began. The instructor was young and sweet. She lectured from a power point, which I had never seen before at a wine class (it hit me as kind of millenial-ish), but the powerpoint was, nonetheless, informative and well-organized. We learned some interesting information, particularly about sparkling wines. The class lasted about an hour and they gave us an order form with all the wines tasted in class. Between the powerpoint, the instructor, the attendees, and the price, this class definitely seemed more geared towards the late 20s/early 30s crowd, but that isn't to say that it's not a class that can be enjoyed by all. If you're already super knowledgeable about wine, you probably won't learn much, but if you're just looking to taste a few fairly good wines, learn a few new interesting pairings, and gain some random wine tidbits to impress your friends without dropping a ton of cash, DCanter is the place for you. As I mentioned earlier, this class is more about about having fun and trying new wines than gaining a ton of knowledge. It's sort of like Wines 101: Lite Edition. The shop itself is nice too. It's small, but they do offer a good selection of wines. The man working in the store portion was nice albeit a tiny bit pretentious, but he kind of deserved to be because he really knew his stuff. As the name implies, DCanter pretty much exclusively sells wine. They have a few beers, but nothing spectacular in that department. read more

DCanter - A Wine Boutique - Wine and food pairings from class! - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Don't buy wine from the grocery store - coming to DCanter is worth an extra stop on your to-do list! I always have a great experience at DCanter. The staff here strike the perfect tone of being helpful without being pushy. They've always given me great suggestions and are happy to work within your pricepoint - something I've found difficult at other wine stores in the area. They even have a wall of wine under $15! This is why you shouldn't go to the grocery store come here for "cheap wine" and get some that actually tastes great. I've also taken a few of their classes. As someone who loves to learn - they are a great night out and not overly expensive. Not too in the weeds, but enough information that I'm not hearing stuff I already know. read more

While I will always miss the ole Backstage, DCanter has converted the space into a beautiful, well-lit dream wine cellar. Their wines are organized from light and crisp to dark and complex. They also have a solid collection of craft beers (I picked up a 6-pack of Anderson Valley Summer Solstice for $15, and they had at least half a dozen ciders to choose from). The real showstopper is the adjoining tasting room with an amazing purple glass chandelier. They plan to run classes and I assume events in the dedicated space, which will be different than the low key tastings in the other alcohol vendor establishments on the Hill. Overall, a nice addition the Cap Hill wine and beer scene. Will follow up as soon as I take some of their classes. read more

DCanter - A Wine Boutique - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I can't believe I haven't reviewed DCanter yet! We've been to many classes over the past year and a half, almost all of which have been incredibly educational and fun. We've also discovered SO many new, affordable wines through their monthly concierge program! As some of the negative reviews note, it's true that many of the bottles here can be found a few dollars cheaper elsewhere. However, there's no substitute for DCanter's incredibly kind, knowledgeable staff and welcoming environment. I've learned SO much thanks to this place! read more

I think we may have a new tradition... Pick-up the ingredients for dinner at Eastern Market and then head over here for a great wine to pair with it. This is a beautiful wine shop. The staff are pleasant and knowledgable. The wines aren't cheap, but you can definitely find some under $20. They also have a decent beer selection. And in the next room, you can also partake in a wine tasting. On the day we were here, we sampled some wines from Uruguay. And the person pouring our tastings and telling us about the wines was actually from Uruguay. They also offer classes, such as an Oktoberfest beer tasting and learning class (cost is $25). And they also have wine pairing dinners, which sound insanely delicious. (The one they were currently advertising was $125 per person.) What really made this place 5 stars, though, was the staff and the ambiance / decor. It's just a beautiful store. And it doesn't feel pretentious and I didn't feel bad at all for only spending $22. read more

Yesterday was their five year anniversary and they gave away complimentary glasses of champagne! The boutique is very cute and the staff was nice. One staff member helped my friend pick out some wine that she preferred. They also have wine tasting options and a delivery option every month! read more

Very business driven and not as much consumer oriented. I found them to be dismissive, and I'm extremely disappointed in the lack of client hospitality. There are loads of other great wine shops in the area that are great quality, and without the pretentiousness. read more

Amazing neighborhood wine shop with a good mix of more traditional and funkier wines. Michael, Michelle, and Erin are so helpful and always have the perfect recommendation for "something delicious." I've taken a class here and also done their Bottle Art event, both were perfect. Can't recommend DCanter enough! read more

Although I will always be a little sour that this shop is what replaced the great costume store here before, I can't fault DCanter for that. Instead, I can visit and enjoy the great selection of wine and craft beers. Although not a huge selection, there is something here for every wine drinker. There have been times when I have gone in just to browse what is new and other times where I have gone in with a mission to find the perfect bottle. Every employee here is helpful but never pushy, and willing to help you find just what you need. Most recently I stopped in after a trip to Eastern Market hoping to find a bottle to pair with dinner that night. The employees have extensive knowledge of their products and are easily able to give several suggestions and varying price points. I haven't taken a class here yet, but it looks like they offer them regularly. In addition to wine, they also have a nice selection of fun beer, cider, and mead. I try to visit often since the selection always seems to be updating. Great spot for sure! read more

I walked into DCanter last night to buy a decent bottle of wine and the two guys I spoke to were really nice, seemed to know many things about wine, and I was thrilled with my purchase until I slipped on the steps in the front of the store, shattered the aforementioned bottle of wine, and badly bruised my back, elbow, shoulder, and foot. The two guys (I'm so sorry I didn't catch your names) came running to me and helped me up, brushed all the glass off me, and took me to the tasting room where they let me recover before my fiance showed up...and in the end, they gave me a second bottle of the same wine, on the house, to replace the one I broke. That was my first time in DCanter and it definitely won't be my last. Thanks guys, so much, the wine was amazing and perfect for a recovery evening on the couch, and I'm sorry again for breaking an amazing bottle of wine in your store. We'll be back soon! read more

Let me preface this by saying I am a beer geek and that this review is about only the beer, but this place is terrible. Selection is small and ridiculously overpriced. I had a gift certificate and went in and picked up a four pack of Oskar Blues Ten Fidy - it was several dollars more than you would pay at Whole Foods, which isn't exactly cheap. You can get a better selection and better prices at nearly anywhere else around the hill. I feel bad about giving a place only one star, but I was very disappointed (any other liquor or corner store will have a better selection and prices) and am amazed that others like it. I guess the wine program must be leaps and bounds better. read more

My daughter lives across the street from this quaint wine shop in the hip Capitol Hill area in DC. During a recent visit we decided to take a look inside, and buy a good bottle of vino to take back to our hotel room. What a GREAT find! The two owners are very knowledgeable, and the selections of wines quite varied. The price range is broad and they can accommodate the novice through the connoisseur! Kudos' to DCanter! read more

Obsessed. We stopped in here randomly after a nearby lunch one day and couldn't pass up on their Concierge service. We've done wine subscription boxes in the past and this blows them all out of the water at such an amazing price point. To have a real (human) expert hand-pick the wines for you makes all the difference. We have yet to receive a wine that we don't love, and we get 6 bottles a month. The fact that it's local/small business makes it that much better. Love going into the wine shop as well; everyone is always so friendly and helpful. read more

This place is awesome! Don't let their high-end​ look fool you, they are the most down to earth, knowledgeable​ and helpful staff! If you have not made it over to this store, You will not be disappointed​! read more

I read the negative reviews first because I was wondering what people possibly could have bad to say about the place. I saw two legit gripes: (1) not allowing rescheduling when the instructor changed for a class; and (2) the pricing of items that can be found elsewhere. Regarding (1), that policy doesn't make sense to me so hopefully someone from DCanter would be willing to address it here. Regarding (2), it is true that when other places in the area have the same product that DCanter offers, the other place is going to be a couple dollars cheaper. But for me personally, the convenient location and the staff make it worthwhile to pay slightly extra. However, everything else about this place is top-notch. The decor, the atmosphere, the staff, the quality, and the variety all are fantastic. I've bought wine here many times, both on my own and with the help of the staff, and I've never had anything I thought wasn't worth the price I paid. (And I'm not a wealthy guy.) I've seen bottles at DCanter from less than $15 to almost $100, so they have plenty of range. I did a tasting class there a couple weeks ago and it was EXCELLENT. The instructor and the wines both were wonderful. I learned a lot and I went home with a bottle of really unique stuff the likes of which I'd never had before. If the instructor weren't so excellent and Michael--one of the owners--weren't such a patient and caring individual, things could have gone downhill quickly. There was a group of loud and obnoxious women who apparently came to class to yell over the instructor and complain about seating arrangements instead of to learn and enjoy the wine selections. They rolled in 5-10 minutes late and expected all six of them to be seated together in a separate area. Michael was calm and polite as he dealt with this embarrassing nightmare and he had it under control quickly. Thanks Michael for doing a great job in such a trying scenario. You and the instructor made that night a joy. I'll be back for more classes in the future. read more

My visit to DCanter was very brief and spontaneous. I popped in for their wine tasting, and found the host to be very informative and jovial. I tasted a red & a white. I don't remember which vineyards they came from, nor much about the undertones. Granted, I hadn't had wine in quite a few months, so I wasn't really paying attention to every detail. I was just glad to get a taste. I'm not a wine connoisseur by any means, but I found this shop to have a good variety of whites, reds, and blushes. They were showcasing some new blends in the middle of the store, including one 'Asian' wine that seemed to have an interesting combination of grapes in its description. The layout is very spacious and attractive. The consultants seemed to have quite a bit of knowledge about local, as well as other mid-Atlantic wines. I'll definitely return in the near future to pick up a bottle or two. read more

Loved the dessert wine tasting that I attended on Valentine's Day! I'm a fan of sweet wine, so the class was right up my alley. I liked that I got to learn about the different varieties of sweet wine, like wine made from apples..who knew?! I enjoyed the sweet treats we were offered in the class to pair the different wines with (cupcake and macaroon from the Sweet Lobby) and cheese and raspberries. The staff is so knowledgeable, friendly, and approachable. If you want to know more about wine or are looking to try something new, I highly recommend DCanter! read more

Love DCanter! The people are nice, the wine selection is good. Recently I also took one of their classes and I loved it.

Great wine boutique! Great varietals and unique wines :) Danya was extremely helpful in picking out great Malbec's for Opening Night Gifts. She was thoughtful, knowledgeable and just a delight! Over 200 wines here and all price points! I will be back! read more

Wonderful wine boutique! Staff was very helpful and friendly. I went in to ask about their Sip-n-Learn classes and could immediately tell that they are passionate about wine. Refreshing and non-intimidating atmosphere. Selection is intimate and hand picked, but knowledge of wine overall was impressive. read more

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I bought my sister and her husband a wine tasting class as a gift. I didn't realize it was for a particular date, and so when they didn't show up for the one as scheduled, DCanter refused to permit them to attend a different class. Obviously this review won't matter to people who can avoid that mistake, and I generally understand the economics of the policy, but I still find it to be obnoxious from a customer service perspective. Surely there will be some other future late cancellation. And since customer service is the most important aspect of a non-warehouse wine store, I can't recommend that anyone go here. read more

Went to DCanter yesterday to pick up a vino verde rose for my boss's BBQ. Went straight to the section where I thought it was. All of a sudden the owner rushed to my side with a suspicious "can I help you?" And even during our brief talk there was no warmth no smile... just this nagging air of suspicion. And the woman at the register was no different. She never greeted me or made eye contact. I hope I wasn't treated this way because I sport an Afro and had on an African print sundress. Perhaps my look yesterday didn't fit the DCanter customer profile. Anyways no worries guys I won't be back. I want to feel welcomed, valued, and appreciated when I spend my coins. DCanter may have fine wine but they have a long way to go to make each and every one of their customers feel the same way. read more

Excellent and informative wine tasting. Helpful staff. Excellent selection of wine and cider. A wonderful local wine shop.

Been in here a couple times. Every time the staff is very helpful. On a recent visit the owner was there and helped us pick our some wines based on our taste. She actually recommended some inexpensive wines that she personally likes instead of trying to up sell us, this is a sign or someone that is truly passionate about what they do and their customer service. Will continue to come back! read more

I visited DCanter recently for a wine tutorial and tasting. The wine was fine, and I had actually had a great time with my friend learning about the wines from a particular region, hence the two stars. My review is more about their lack of good will in response to what happened after. So overall, I spent over $70 for the entire evening. It was $39 for the tasting (approximately two glasses of wine with a small cheese plate). This was a little pricey, but I didn't mind spending the money-I live in D.C. after all. I then bought a bottle of wine for a little over $30. They gave me a plain white paper sack for my wine and, when I returned home, the wine busted through the bottom of the bag and shattered as I was getting out of the car. This was upsetting, and I emailed them and let them know about the bag. I even included pictures of the bag so they could see that the wine had fallen through the bottom. The owner, Michael, responded that he would extend an employee discount of 30% to me to purchase another bottle of wine. Really? That's your response? They gave me a flimsy (dare I say crappy) bag for a nice bottle of wine, and they don't want to reimburse me when it breaks? This seemed all kinds of wrong to me and kind of money-grubbing. What is one bottle of wine to a business like that? You'd think in effort to build good will and grow customers, a shop would just comp me the bottle of wine I paid for, particularly since they gave me a defective bag. Not this place. I might give it another shot one day, but for now, I'll stick by the two stars. Not a great first impression, DCanter. read more

Love this place! Such a gem, high end and pressure-free wine boutique. The owners and staff always super helpful and kind-- always with unique selection and a great recommendation at the right price point. Many friends have loved the concierge service and wine classes-- can't wait to try those too! read more

What a wonderful wine store. The owners (Chris, I believe, and his wife, whose name I unfortunately can't recall) are really friendly and helpful. DCanter specializes in wines from countries/regions that are less commonplace, and the owners do a great job of picking (and recommending) bottles to try. I've been to 4 tasting events now and have learned a lot about new grapes/regions I otherwise wouldn't have had the exposure to--and I've come out of each tasting with bottles I've purchased (and enjoyed). read more

They have free wine tastings on Saturdays (1-3 maybe, i can't remember)... plus with someone that knows wtf they are talking about!!! We went in and purchased some of the bottles that we tasted and got additional recommendations for a higher quality Malbecs (which we normally drink). Since I'm not a wine expert I find it refreshing that there's only a few brands of each type of wine, so you're not overwhelmed. I wouldn't come here for wine that you'd drink every day after a crap shoot day of work, but this place would be a great visit if you're bringing a bottle to a dinner party. They have many mid to high level bottles that are of high quality. read more

I can't believe it took me so long to visit DCanter, but I'm so glad that I stumbled in. DCanter seems to have a mostly rotating wine selection, but everything that they carry so far has been fantastic. There are a few staples that they usually have, but I'm always happy to try new things. They have free wine tastings each weekend, and they also have paid classes. I think the prices are around $30 or so, but they seem pretty intense. The best part about DCanter is their staff. You can tell that these people love their jobs! They are so knowledgeable and helpful, or, if you're just "looking," like I am so many times, they'll just leave you alone and not try to push anything on you. Even at their free wine tastings, I feel like I learn so much, and they showcase such interesting wines that I probably wouldn't just order on my own. Now I have a wine journal where I keep all of the wines that I like, and they mostly come from my interactions at DCanter. Their customer service is phenomenal. A few weeks ago, my husband and I went in looking for a specific wine that they had showcased during their organic and biodynamic wine tasting back in April. We couldn't remember the name, but they actually went in their computer and looked it up for us to make sure that we had the right wine. Aside from that, they have a small selection of beers, kitchen tools, and bar tools, including wine glasses and carafes. This is a great addition to the neighborhood, and I look forward to going back! read more

Though I'm not much of a wine drinker, I stopped into DCanter the other day out of curiosity and was very pleasantly surprised. The staff is very nice and helpful, and there is no pretentiousness at all here. They have a great selection of both wines and beers at very reasonable prices, as well as some great books for sale too. I only had enough money for a $20 bottle of something called Shindig that looked really interesting, but I am definitely going to go back and pick up several of the books soon. Backstage was a fun store and I'll miss it, but DCanter is a very welcome addition to the neighborhood! read more

I can't believe I haven't written a Yelp review about my favorite wine boutique in D.C.! My husband and I (and my parents!) love DCanter. We have never found anyone there to be pretentious or unhelpful--in fact, I always found them to be extremely helpful and patient with me when I'm trying to figure out what to try. I love wine, but I'm certainly not very wine savvy; however, I always find something I like thanks to the helpful staff. I've done a couple of their wine classes and really enjoy them (though it depends on who is presenting). My friend and I recently did their sparkling wine class and the presenter was super knowledgeable and fun, and I left there with some additional knowledge other than 'I love sparkling wine and it's all yummy unless it's Andre or J. Roget.' They have decent prices, and the back wall has several wines that are $15 or less and I've found some great go-to bottles there, but have also splurged on a few bottles that are $25-30. They're not pushy about trying to sell you expensive wine at all. Love having this place on the Hill! read more

Awesome store. Super nice guy and shockingly great values on super wines with age. We saw plenty of 2009 and 2010 bottles.