If you know me.. you probably know I love wine. Only on the more wonderful occasions that I might need French wines, alas..they didn't have my favorite wine. There was a close second choice, which I've tasted before and loved quite much.. Kermit Lynch is a place to stock up.. take home a few cases for those rainy days, or just buy a bottle of something very special ... very French. Hint: Kermit Lynch do not carry any wines bottled and labeled outside of France.. so don't go in asking for a Zin or anything like that. This is strictly French... figure all of it is pretty good. There seems to not be any formal public tasting areas... at least so it seems. read more

Talk about great customer service! They gave me the wrong wine when I picked them up for a dinner party this evening. When they found out the wines were for serving today, Jacob drove over to my place to drop them off. The wines have a special significance for tonight's dinner party, so thank you! read more

THANK God for Kermit Lynch. I often feel I'm living in a communist country when it comes to buying wine in California. Kermit Lynch has THE BEST selection of European wines, especially those from France. The staff are very knowledgable and helpful. The prices run the gamut so you're sure to find something within your price range and can take confidence that they won't steer you wrong when it comes to recommendations. I just wish they'd open up a shop in Marin so that I didn't have to cross the bridge as I'd buy a lot more wine from them. That being said, its worth the effort to make the time and the trip. read more

I love coming to Kermit Lynch. The staff is always super helpful and able to help you find a great $15 or $50 bottle. It's the kind of place where you end up buying a case of amazing Rose that you just drank next door, because you're so charmed by the atmosphere & range of selections. I will come here to stock up for the season and never am disappointed with any of their recommendations. read more

Kermit Lynch is one of the most important Americans in the wine industry. I guess when you're so involved that the French government is awarding you wine honors, you're doing something right. I thank you for bringing in so many interesting and distinctive imports that have allowed me to grow my knowledge and palette in what has turned out to be a very enjoyable hobby. read more

This place is amazing! Jaw dropping wines from all over France and Italy? Check. Wines to pair with any occasion from a picnic to a fancy dinner? Check. Selections to fit a wide range of budgets? Check. Helpful and friendly staff that give useful recommendations and help you try new things? Check. Kermit Lynch the man is a legend in the world of wine and this shop is a Berkeley institution. The best thing about Kermit Lynch is that when you go there you know that every bottle on the shelf is there because it's awesome. They've done the leg work for you and stocked the shelf with the best of the best. This means there are no gambles when you go home and try the wine. There are no duds here, just different wines for different moments in your life. Want a cheap rose to chug on the beach? Yeah they've got that. Want a fancy white Burgundy to give your sister for her birthday? Yeah they've got that too. They really have something for everyone, from the wine connoseur to the first-time buyer. Every wine I've gotten here has been fantastic and it's the type of store that really liberates you to try new things in good faith and takes your wine knowledge and dinner party game to the next level. The location is great too. You can grab a coffee at Bartavelle next door, a baguette from Acme, and a bottle or two for the week. One stop shop for life's little pleasures Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant is a gem. read more

Just as James Brown is "the Godfather of Soul," so too is Kermit Lynch "the Godfather of the Small Wine Importer" movement. For umpteen years, Kermit Lynch -- first as the Albanian wine merchant, and now from his location in Berkeley -- has imported small, high-quality (but not necessarily high-priced) wines from dedicated producers in France and, as of late, Italy. Many of today's most famous wine producers in France got their notariety in no small part because Kermit began importing their wines into the U.S. and brought them to the attention of consumers (and reviewers) here. Some have moved on; some haven't; and others have joined the portfolio. Don't come here looking for California wines (or wines from a lot of other places, too!) -- the retail store only sells the wines that Kermit imports himself. But there is such a wide selection of top-quality wines from all over France (and parts of Italy) that, if need be, I could happily drink nothing but Kermit's wines for the rest of life. The staff is helpful and more knowledgable than at almost any other retailer I can think of. Wines range from (approximately) $10 to $300+, so there are wines for every budget. Not only is this a wine store well worth visiting (and buying from), but there arepeople throughout the world -- literally -- who make it a point to come here . . . almost like a pilgrimage. Don't be left out! read more

Great shop selling all the wines Kermit Lynch imports. Extremely knowledgeable staff, read more

first - imagine this guys life. He lives like 6 months in beautiful berkeley, ca and the other 6 months he lives in france or italy buying wine. (at least this is what i hear...) anyhoo - the staff is super knowledgeable and helpful and will help you find the right wine for the right price. large selection and yummy wines. i've never had anything bad there. and at christmas time they have some super special deals on mixed cases which shouldn't be passed up. only downside is they only carry italian and french wines so their after dinner wine selection - ports, etc is very limited. read more

I am always in awe when I visit here, probably six times in the past two years. If you love white Burgundy, I am told this is the premier importer in the US. The staff is extreme knowledgeable, helpful, but you need to ask for their assistance. If you clearly tell them your needs (budget, drink now vs cellar, style of wine), they will not disappoint. But you have to ask for their help, as they are very respectful and deferential. I had the honor of meeting Kermit Lynch during my visit today. Very nice guy, unpretentious, still spends three months a year in Provence (used to spend six, but "is slowing down a little"). read more

Kermit L. is one of those fun interesting wine folks. An author on the subject, sometime speaker, and part-time resident in Provence, he surely has intimate relationships with the wine makers he represents. He has excellent options for all kinds of price ranges. Kermit is so recognized, he has been dubbed a knight twice by the French Government-- Chevalier de l'Ordre de Mérite Agricole, and Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur, so you have to give it up. Clink clink fellow horseman! His many interviews and his own website (A lovely sleek 'net presence with florishes that reminds me of Jonathan Hoefler's typography) are very informative. He has monthly newsletters as well. His wines are available across the country, ask your distributor. read more

If you are looking for a good selection of wines from around France, then you will want to visit Kermit Lynch -- You might spend some time here looking around while waiting (seemingly forever) for your order to come up at Cafe Fanny, next door. But, there are caveats here are: KL is primarily an importer and wholesaler and, as far as I know, only sells his own imports in the store. Also, he only carries French wines (again AFAIK). So, this shop will not have the broad range of, say, K&L in San Francisco, where they buy from a number of wholesalers and carry local wines plus wines from around the world. Still, there are some exceptional wines here, and the staff will help you find something perfect for your occasion, price and taste. Note that we go here often, but, it is not certainly not our only source for wine. read more

90% of his inventory is French wines, 5% Italian, with the majority being Burgundy and then other parts of France. He's one of two wine shops in the East Bay that have a noted specialty. The real price range is from $20 to $80 is where most stuff falls, with a lot in the high 20s. There are half bottles at $15 or so. He carries specific producers I haven't seen elsewhere, and will find the more affordable Bordeaux peripheral regions -- Lussac-St. Emilion, Fronsac, and Lalande-de-Pomerol. He also has a wide selection of Provence, and values in Languedoc. BTW, if it's stuff you can find elsewhere, it'll be two to three dollars more, so don't bother with the Trimbach Rieslings. addendum: K&L in SF has great value-priced Bord, I'd skip Bord at Kermit Lynch and go with the other French regions like Provence or Burgundy. I'd also skip their food events, since they tend to be overpriced though its an opportunity to taste some of their selection. read more

I know....sacriledge. But they don't have any writeups about the wine. I like to read abt my wine before I buy it. However, you can ask them for what you need & they'll find it for you--even something so mundane as a "value bottle of red, simple, to drink alone or w/ pasta," etc. But if you're like me & you like to read descriptions instead of having to rely solely on the people who work there, then you may like Vintage Berkeley better. read more

An amazing array of french wines here that you will not find anywhere else - all the way from burgundy premier grand crus to table wines. What I love especially about this place is the down-to-earth service from the staff. They really cater to your likings and really rounds out your wine shopping experience. Will definitely return to this place. read more

Any of Kermit's wines can take the Pepsi challenge against their oft over-priced, over extracted, and generally over done cousins from Napa, France, and elsewhere commonly being pushed down your throat at restaurants and wine emporiums near you, and win handedly. With Kermit the process is different. He's selling you wine that he selected himself back when it was in barrel in a dank cave being watch over some guy named Lucien. In many cases wine makers make special bottlings just for him -- leaving them unfiltered-- bottling them "alive" full of schpritz, texture, and... well... caveiness! The bottom line with Kermit Lynch is value (none of the wines cost more than is appropriate, with many under $20) and the experience of getting something truly different. Yes, all of the wines are from France and Italy from obscure producers that you've never heard of, but rest assured that the staff can guide you based on what you like and what's better than being able to try something new especially when it costs half as much as the brand name stuff but is four-times as good?? For example, go get a bottle of the $30 "Gold Label" champagne produced by J. Lassalle and watch it whoop the ass of that $70 Veuve Cliqot that your boss brings to the next Christmas party. I won't used any esoteric descriptors, it's just way way yummier! This is truly one of my favorite places in the world! Drink up! read more

If you plan on Buying wine for yourself or as a gift, I highly recommend buying it from a vendor like Kermit Lynch instead of just stabbing at it from safe way, trader joes, or bevmo. Kermit Lynch doesn't just buy in bulk, they take there time and actually drink the wine that they purchase. To make sure they are only buying good stuff. You get far more bang for your buck, and enjoy much better wine with Kermit Lynch. let them do the working picking out the best wine from the myriad of labels, so you can reap the benefit. No I don't work for Kermit Lynch, just a satisfied customer read more

It's hard for me to find something new to add in praise of this wine shop and importer. All the good things have been said. Thanks to the "Inspiring Thirst" and "Lessons on the Wine Road" books, I learned about my favorite Provence winery and wine: Domaine Tempier and Cabassaou. Merci beaucoup. (Please, please allocate me some 2007 Cabassaou) :) read more

This is the place, for the newbie to the experienced. If you don't know the first thing, GO HERE! The staff WILL NOT JUDGE you. Admit you don't know jack, and they will gently take you by the hand and find you what you want and need, whilst giving you tidbit of knowledge you can rattle off when the wine you purchase is presented/drunk/whatever. If you know everything, GO HERE. You will find kindred souls you can cavort with. Plus, they have many, many exclusive imports that you will find nowhere else. I love walking through their door and stepping down into a little slice of wine heaven. Sigh... p.s. If you can't find street parking, and you don't want to brave the crazy-ass lot out front, don't forget there is a parking around the back of the building (up cedar). read more

Summary based on many visits over years: --High quality --Good selection --Ok and better than ok prices for what you get --Good service (differentiator from, say, Costco and Bevmo) --Cramped parking read more

This retail shop is awesome. They have a fantastic selection of really top notch French and Italian wines. I can't complain that they don't have wines from other countries, because that's what they specialize in. It is who they are, and they have a selection very representative of those countries. The prices are very reasonable. They have plenty of wines less than $18, if you're looking for a more everyday wine, but they also have $50+ wines for those who can afford it, or for those looking for special occasion wines. They have a vast selection, and their stewards are very knowledgeable. Bryant was the individual who helped me during my first visit. I was greeted immediately as I walked through their doors, with a welcoming gesture. He politely listened as I explained what I was looking for and as I explained my palate. Fortunately, Bryant's palate, and my palate, were quite similar, so we were on the same page. He recommended a wide array of options, and his explanations of the wines were thorough and not exaggerated. Just pure honesty. Their knowledge, selection, and overall hospitality deserves them 5 stars. I will most definitely be revisiting, and I think every wine enthusiast should visit this location. Two thumbs up! read more

Small, unpretentious. Just wines in cardboard cartons. I love rose and its variants (pinot grigio, Grauwein, etc.), and Kermie baby brings lots of great rose's from Italy, Spain and France. Prices are generally excellent. If you know how to enjoy wine and want to explore more of what Europe has to offer (think "no sulfites, less headache") check out Kermit's pad. read more

the standards are so high, and the prices so appropriate, borderlining on cheap, considering the quality and uniqueness of what they sell...that, whenever I'm in Berkeley, and it's not a Sunday, I will carve out time to buy a bottle or two. If you are in the City, check out The Wine House - they take a similar approach to KLWM by working with very small producers overseas - and The Wine House has a much larger selection, with more bordeaux than one could ever dream of... it was written below that KLWM has some great samplers, usually offered around christmastime...these sampler cases can, and will, solve your holiday party "what kinda bottle should I bring over to their place" dilemma...a $130 solution that pays dividends... and be sure to get on their mailing list, so you know what's coming up - they send out a small mailer every month or so. read more

Good wines, good selection, indeed. BUT... service is horrible!!! Don't know if I am ever going back there to get wine and having to talk to the sales people! read more

Fabulous wine shop in Berkeley; we went out of our way to come here as they import one of our favorite French Beaujolias wines. We ended up purchasing many more Beaujolias thanks to the helpful staff who recommended great selections based on what we liked. I did not find anything intimidating about the place, maybe because I was on a mission to find a specific hard to locate wine! Great shop, I only wished they shipped to NY! read more

Needed some recommendations for myself and my parents and they were super helpful!

I guess I'm writing this mainly as a rebuttal to Hardy's review. I like that Kermit Lynch's shop is so unpretentious. Just boxes on tables with the wine available. You don't really need more in a wine shop. The selection is excellent. Kermit Lynch is one of the wine importers who is reliable across the entire spectrum. I've never had a problem getting help, as long as they're not too busy. read more

If you are looking for affordable French wines, then this is the only place you need to go. If you are looking for wine from any place else, then this is not the place for you. That said, I found the selection to be surprisingly affordable (most bottles less than $40, which for French wine, is unheard of). I am originally from the East coast and was feeling starved of a place to find a good selection of French wines. Well, now I've found it! I will say that you might want to visit their website and read the reviews about the wines they carry, because there are no descriptions on the wines at the store. Of course, you can always ask someone to help you, as I did, and they'll guide you to the perfect wine based on your needs. The place can get crowded and when it does, help is hard to get. But if you are patient, someone will be able to help eventually. I would recommend going during the week when it is much less crowded. read more

Kermit has a great selection of wines from small wineries he's been to. We regularly back up the truck to restock our wine cellar. Over the years, we've expanded our selections as we've developed our tastes. This the the place to go if you're giving a wine gift. The samplers will expose your friend to some tasty bottles. Sign up for the newsletter. There's a nice write up on each grower, often describing the wine tasting, the food pairing, the attitude of the grapes and the soil that got them there. read more

Only place to get select French and Italian wines. Great selection and prices!

All I can say is... - Wife never drank wine. - Referred to Kermit Lynch by my friend Kenneth Atchley. - Wife now drinks wine. - Staff listens to what you like, and knows what you should drink. - Prices are reasonable. - Never had a bad bottle.... - Make sure you grab a bottle of Chablis (with oysters from Monteray Market Fish) or the Pouilly Fume' (seafood pasta). Also, take in one of their "parties" with outside food, drink, and entertainment. A really good time!! read more

It's like Christmas morning when the wines we've ordered from KL arrive and we're eager to open every one ~~ which of course we do over time. And are of course delighted. So of course we're fans. read more

Without a doubt my favorite place to buy wine in the Bay Area. The sales staff are helpful and accessible and have opened up my palate to a variety of appellations about which I was previously ignorant. Try joining one of their wine clubs to enjoy a variety of wines. I am now a big fan of white wines from Alto Aldine, new experiences and tastes and a wonderful monthly newsletter with great food recipes to supplement the descriptions of the wines. A+. read more

Very nice but limited selection due to size of space presumably, and though all of the wines represented are I'm sure delicious - there's no arguing Mr. Lynch has a great palate and is a pioneer - there are so few wines under $20 as to be annoying in it's undemocraticness. I have a cellar that includes killer vintage wines but I also ADORE a value wine , those hidden gems from some obscure part of a country and / or producer that blows your mind for ten bucks and which do exist in spades. The European wine market, even France & Italy which is what K.L. sells exclusively, is absolutely booming with wonderful small producers who make lovely wines to be had here in the states for less that a Jackson, but I sure didn't see them here. Further, so many grape varietals which produce tasty but low price point wines, were conspicuously absent at K.L.; varietals like picpoul pinet which is a fantastic summer quaffer, or muscadet, also a delightful easy drinker ( not to be confused with the unrelated but oft mistaken for muscat, a sweeter wine ). Correction; they had one muscadet, but it was an aged muscadet which added about $20 to the price of what a regular muscadet would cost. I did buy a bottle and loved it, but would like to have also had the option of buying a few less 'fancy' muscadets. Another surprise as one other reviewer has already noted, there are no write-ups on any of the cases leaving you to rely solely on the staff to walk you through it, and though I'm all for great one-on-one customer service ( which they do provide , no complaint there ) sometimes I just want to shop quietly in a more library experience and have less of a museum / docent experience which requires trying to keep up with all the information the educating guide spills out rapidly. Finally and perhaps least forgivably, Lynch's bubbly selection is slim at best and I should think very disappointing to any bubble head. Note: While being a great little specialty wine store with some real finds, Kermit Lynch has nothing on HI-Times in Costa Mesa, CA. (an unfortunate name to be sure), a huge, family owned wine seller representing the very best of both $ to $$$$$ wines from all over the globe and no, NOTHING like a BevMo. If you want to make some real discoveries, get real value and some unbelievably good wines, check them out on-line where they have every-single-one of their wines represented and described down to the pairing possibilities. I've been introduced by them to some of those most fantastic regions and winemakers in the world by this incredible shop and if they don't have it then most likely neither does anyone else. The bubbly section is an enormous cellar all on it's own with more than 150 producers. The best news is that they ship any amount of wine anywhere in California for $25 ! So, if you're in Berkeley and need a nice bottle or two of wine then and there, perhaps to go with the incredible breads or sandwiches at Acme right next door, you'll definitely find something delicious at Kermit Lynch. But when you have time in advance to research and unearth some beauties at a fraction of what Lynch sells them for, get on line and order from Hi- Time, a MUCH more satisfying and well rounded buying experience read more

I have shopped at Kermit Lynch for almost 40 years. He started out in a smaller shop on San Pablo, near what was then University Village, before he moved his shop to the current location. So, needless to say, I am a great fan of his wine selection. There is only one thing that really bothers me that developed recently: some of the people who work there try to get things done as quickly as they can. One aspect of it is that they run your bill on their calculator and show you the result: a total with no details whatsoever. No item by item price, no amount for the case discount, no amount for the sales tax. Just the total. So, if you want to check your bill you have to ask them for those details. And my experience is that you get an unfriendly glance and some unreadable scratches on the previous iteration of the bill. This may be the only business in town where you don't get an itemized bill unless you ask. I would advise Kermit to look into it so that I can again give his business SIX stars, not just five. read more

I don't know which is worse, the inflated prices of his wines, the uneven and often disappointing selections (too many underwhelming reds) or the clubbish and overwrought lyricism of his brochures. There are better and more reasonably priced, wine merchants around , merchants with less hype and more solid information (look below). On the other hand, he is an institution of sorts and almost 25 years ago started me on the road to wino-ism, and for that alone I have to give him at least two stars. Thanks for the memories. read more

Three out of the four times I've come here, I've been completely ignored by the staff. I've wandered the aisles and watched as these men huddle by the front counter, occasionally lifting a finger to help some older (hmmm...wealthier?) looking gentleman with his wine selection. I don't know if it's because I'm young and/or a woman, but I usually get the feeling that I'm not welcome here. The one time someone HAS offered to help me was Christmas eve, when I was the ONLY person in the entire store. These guys could learn a thing or two from Paul Marcus Wines about customer service. That said, two stars for the wine selection. It's high quality, huge, and some things are surprisingly affordable. read more

A pleasant place with gentile, attentive service. They seem to be focused on maintaining a certain wine lover's atmosphere, but it is not clear that they deliver the wine you love (they talk the talk, they don't walk the walk). They import wine, much from France, and do not carry others' products. We paid $25 to $50 or so/bottle and found the wine to be okay, but limited in dimensionality, not at all special. We have done much better for less than $20/bottle at Safeway or just buying Louis Jadot or..... read more

I had heard of Kermit Lynch for years. Even when I lived in LA I knew about this place. When I moved to Berkeley I was fortunate to be walking distance to the store on San Pablo... that is both good and bad for me. Good because I can now easily satisfy my need for high quality European wine that you can't find elsewhere sold by knowledgeable and passionate merchants who are not snobs. Bad because I will now spend more money than I really should! What I really appreciate (love, even?) about Kermit Lynch is that this is where you can go to get wines that still have their authentic flavors and characteristics. I have been on a campaign the past few years to find wines from Europe that DON'T taste like another Napa Valley knock-off. Don't get me wrong, I love California wine, but I love it because of its Californian characteristics. For example, nobody can make those big, oaky, vanilla-laced chardonnays like Napa, and I love them. I don't go looking in Burgundy for one, though. I love a Bordeaux that tastes like a Bordeaux, or a Chianti that tastes like a Chianti. One especially painful loss is what's been happening in the Rhone Valley, with a very marked direction toward open fruitiness and a strange fear of tannin and acid. There is a market driven tendency to make everything taste the same, which is generally soft, fruity and big. I can appreciate a wine maker's desire to make money, but it is a huge loss for those of us that really appreciate regional differences, variances in vintages, terroir, and structure. So, back to Kermit Lynch... When I wanted to get a special bottle of Hermitage for Christmas, this is where I went. I explained to the sales person what I was looking for, and I got the knowing smile and nod of someone who really "gets it". Not only did I find what I wanted, but I was directed to other appellations (St. Joseph, Cornas and Lirac) that might also fit the characteristics I was looking for. I was also directed to a couple of very reasonably priced Chablis (the real Chablis from Burgundy) that have the flinty, crisp character that I recall from my earliest experiences with this region. In summary, go to Kermit Lynch. Help their business thrive! We need this kind of specialized and friendly wine shop in our culture of dumbed-down homogenization. read more

The staff is very knowledgeable about their wines and can introduce you to some wines that you probably have never heard of. Wines range from $10 and up. You will not be able to find many of his wines at the retail level because he does not have a distributor for Northern California. read more