In response to Su R.: Hello Su. I am the person who was performing the tasting that you so inaccurately describe. First off, the person I was talking to, two people actually, were not friends. They were in fact paying customers of the store who had each just bought some of the bottles of those wines. I was talking to them about questions that they had in relation to the wines, the property they are produced at and to the region in general. Second, I do remember you and you're friend from the tasting. Nobody that day waited longer than me pouring for other people or answering the questions of those men. I am sorry if you felt it rude that I did not stop paying the attention to the people who I was in the middle of an answer to just to cater to the needs of you and your friend. I might say that being on the phone as you were was in itself rude, but as I have been involved in customer service for so long I decided that would not be an appropriate thing for me to point out to you. And in reference to you pouring the third wine yourself. Well, that is a flat out lie. I can tell you that with confidence for a simple reason. As a person licensed by the state of NY to sell wine and liquor it would be illegal for me to allow you to do that. I would be jeopardizing not only my permit but also the license of the store, which are two things that no matter how much I may be "talking to a friend" would I ever do. I have to say that as a professional, Mr. Vino is one of the finest shops in Queens. They may be small but they have a very focused selection and a wide selection for the size of their shop. They have something for everyone in every taste. I am surprised that you feel the service and the selection there are not top shelf. I only wonder if maybe it is because when you go in there perhaps you stay on your phone the way your were when you were so disappointed with my tasting. The staff is always very good and I have never seen anyone customer with complaints until you for all of the times that I have been in there, tastings or selling. The owner goes out of his way to make people feel comfortable and on a regular basis fills requests for customers as I have witnessed. I strongly urge all in this area to give Mr. Vino their own chance, I am sure that you will all have the positive experience that it seems all other Yelpers have had here at this fine store. And Su, I will be sure to let the owners of the shop up the street to be on the lookout for the people who like to come in on their phones and then complain that nobody is rushing to their attention. In response to Sybil: Just to be clear the people who perform the tastings at wine and liquor stores almost never work for the actual stores. We are distributor representatives who sell products to the store and help them by promoting them. So do not think that the shop had anything to do with my response to Sue about how she blasted them for me not paying attention to her while she never bothered to get off of her phone and I was talking to a customer who just bought a case of the wine I was pouring instead of dropping everything to pay attention to the customer who was being rude. read more

Honestly good wine but friggin horrible staff. They are apathetic. With nasty looks on their faces and /or no personality at all. There is a guy who works there at night who has the absolute worst personality I have seen. If you don't mind poor service then the liquor is worth it. read more

I'm giving 4 stars because I don't believe in ruining the reputation of a business as someone who relies on Yelp reviews for mine but I do hope the owner and staff of Mr Vino reads this and makes some adjustments. The wine selection is great and I'll pay whatever they charge for it but the attitude of the staff is just horrible. I've gone in numerous times at different times of day and different days of the week and have dealt with several people and not one of them is friendly. They give off the impression that customers are disturbing them and never smile. I bought some wine tonight and the woman behind the register couldn't even say have a nice evening. I'm not one to nitpick but it gets old after it happens again and again. You're selling booze! Cheer up! read more

I think they have a good selection of wine but they overcharge for them. It all started when I was in forest hills doing some last minute shopping. I went into Mr vino's and bought a bottle of wine called The prisoner. I paid $65.31 for a bottle of wine I usually get for $35 in long island or $40 at www.leisers.com(located in flushing)ten minutes away from Mr vino's. It wasn't my first time shopping at Mr vino's but it will definitely be my last. Just because of the fact that when I went back to return the bottle they didn't want to work with me. read more

This location is so overpriced, a $15 bottle of fancy french pinot tastes as acidic and unpalatable as a $7 bottle of barefoot pinot. Service was fine but you'd find a much better value going somewhere else. Let me tell you, it's really not worth the price. read more

So disappointed with the service, we went last night july 2th right by 10:01 pm, door was open and a gentleman arguing with the saleswoman over tthe time, he wanted to buy a bottle of wine, she was refusing to, so if it was 10:01 and he was there already and not getting his wine so i guess we for sure wouldn't get our 7 bottles of wine and liquor that we needed for a last minute birthday party, since we were in the area, we decided to stop here before heading to Jackson Heights , BUT how rude and sarcastic this lady was to us, including the man trying to get his wine, if you dont want to sell at certain time locked your doors then!!! Do not not treat your clients like this, you will lose customers, if she was nice and worked with us we would go back there again but thats not gonna happen. Poor service. I shopped here before and was never treated like this. read more

The folks at Mr. Vino's were suuuper helpful, super friendly and the place is beautifully appointed, with wooden X-shelves, glass, and exposed brick. On Friday night as I came out of the subway station, I appreciated the cool sampling of chardonnay they offered as I browsed. Their selection from each region is small (maybe 8 bottles in various categories), but I suspect also discriminatingly curated, as the staff seemed to know a great deal about what to recommend for what occasion. One short wall is dedicated to liquor, and I witnessed an enthusiastic exchange with a customer about Glenlivet. At a glance, their prices are a pinch high, but still very reasonable. They'll surely snag a lot of customers coming on/off the subway as they grab a bottle en route to festivities, including me (3.5 stars) read more

To all the people complaining that America is rude- you are so wrong. This is one of the best wine shops around because bottom line- they don't serve garbage wine that so many people unfortunately like. America and the staff always have great recommendations for me whenever I describe what I'm looking for and what I need to pair it with. Everyone is always super helpful, no matter how busy they are. Don't go into a wine shop asking about wine and get mad because they actually know what they're talking about. Love Mr Vino and will always be going to them as long as I'm in Forest Hills. read more

Mostly overpriced industrial wines from the two largest conglomerates in the industry. Don't be fooled by the design, they have the sort of selection you'd find behind bulletproof glass in a ghetto store. Pitiful. read more

I am completely flummoxed by the negative reviews here. We love this wine shop! They have an excellent, curated selection of wines and are always bringing in new and different wines. The proprietor is very kind, helpful and attentive. We always find a nice selection for under $20. I highly recommend it. read more

I went in there today after I got out of the subway on my way home. With in a minute in there, the woman-short with small eyes walked up to me and asked if I needed help. I said no thanks, I'm looking. Then she just stood there and stared at me. I finally turned to her and said "yes!" She said "you from around the corner right?" By this time, I really felt the animosity. To make a long story short, I asked her to explain to me what she meant because it felt like a mistaken identity but she wouldn't and were very mean. This was only my second time there, the first was several years ago and it was a different person working so I never seen these people before. When I was in there I felt l needed a lifesaving favor and I was on their naughty list. There are many liquor stores around, go somewhere else if possible. If she would have just explain to me who she thought I was, I would have just explained to her it was a mistake. I would have just forgave her, got my bottle and gone home. She's not very intelligent because this is not how businesses work. read more

This place is super tight and over priced. Had my purse on, turned around and knocked over a bottle and they were not nice about it. I understand I knocked it over but the way the situation was handled by their staff left a bad taste in my mouth. They don't have a sign that says if you break it, you pay it, though they should. Plenty of liquor stores in FH. Oh well. read more

Most of the stuff is low end. I came in on a friday evening and I told the customer service rep I wanted a 2011 cabernet, first he lied to me telling me he didnt have it. Then he brought me to the cashier and they gave me 3 options for 2010-2011 cabernets. Gave me the prices, told me they were negotiable. I look online and offer them $20 over the avg online price, they squeeze another $10 out of me with a counter offer. I ended up paying $120 for a 2010 cabernet that has an avg price of $82 online. The experience will not have me coming back. read more

The store itself is a cozy space with ambiance, an interesting collection of wines and spirits, and very helpful customer-service to advise on selections for any occasions. So sign up for one of the wine tastings. I can't wait for the upcoming expansion -- cheese and wine with Mediterranean finesse and no pretension? Woo-Hoo! read more

Pretty good selection of imported wine from places such as Spain, Chile & Argentina. I just wish they had more of a variety of cheaper wines. Most of the selections were $12 and up. Once in awhile you want a good cheap wine for under $10. They do offer tastings on the weekends which is quite nice. Although it is a tiny spot they manage to fit in a good selection of wines. I did notice that they are opening a gourmet shop around the corner which looks like it will be really nice. read more

If you have no idea about wine but need to buy some for yourself or for a gathering then this is the place for you! I'm ignorant when it comes to wine but the staff here is so knowledgeable and helpful. They have tastings frequently and while in some places if only a sales associate is present and not the owner the most you can get out of them is where the reds and the whites are located, here you will be told what goes well with what you're having for dinner. read more

Despite being tiny Mr Vino has a nice selection of alcohol. They manage to pick out the best wines from various regions as well as top shelf hard alcohol and pack it into their tiny store. They do carry sake and a bottle or two of soju. The staff was very friendly and took their time to explain what sales were going on and what was new. If more then 15 people are in the store you will literally not be able to move but thankfully it was quiet when we walked in there. They had a tasting going on which is always cool. Overall its convenient I'm sure to the people that live in the area but there are much better places all over to do your wine shopping. read more

Very nice store that is extremely convenient to people in Forest Hills. I haven't really asked for advice from the staff so I cannot comment on that, but they have always been friendly. I suppose my only complaint would be the price, but I guess I can understand that the rent is high in this area and they are a small independent store. I work near the Trader Joe's Wine Shop in Union Square so that always ends up being the first place I go - I can't lie, the wine is good there too and is under $10. But if I can't go to Trader Joe's and I want to pick up something fast near home it's always Mr. Vino. A few extra bucks is sometimes worth the convenience. read more

Stopped by here as they were part of the Amex Small Business program incentive so decided to use my credit and purchase a few bottles of wine to support the neighborhood. The store front is pretty small upon entrance when comparing to other wine shops. They have an OK selection of wines to choose from based by country. I found their prices to be a bit more on the steep side which makes an entry level wine drinker hard to splurge and grab a bottle here. I don't know if it's because they are trying to promote themselves as more of an elitist type shop but I would think they should have some more decent priced bottles out. Also I didn't find their customer service all that great as I do not believe they really knew too much about their products. read more

I love Forest Hills and Kew Gardens and this store is just another example of why. It is small, local, friendly and niche. No, it's not a "Best Buy" super liquor store, but the staff makes good recommendations, offers samples and it feels neighbohood-ly and friendly. read more

The place looks nice and it's at a great location but their selection is extremely limited due to their small size. I've never actually bought anything there, but their prices seemed to be about 10-20% higher than they should be. read more

Nice wine shop in Forest Hills. I've bought a few bottles of wine here and have enjoyed them. A little more pricey than other liquor stores but they have a good selection. I would buy from here again. read more

Although this store stocks predominantly wine and I went in for champagne, I would expect the person working there to have a working knowledge of what they stock. All I wanted was to try a champagne that was NOT DRY. (Spoiler: I was very let down) My current favorite is Moet and Chandon's Nectar Imperial and I was told that the Pol Roger was a good option. It's not. I'm not sure how the following statements are logically compatible, but pretty much verbatim: "Yea you could try the Pol Roger. It's actually the only one out of these I've tried." (After I pointed out Nectar Imperial) "Oh yeah, I think Pol Roger has what you're looking for. The Nectar Imperial one isn't dry and this one is even less so." My fault for not realizing that the salesman was just there for decoration, not to help me make a decision or -gasp!- know the stock. I DO realize this is a major first world problem, "Oh no, my champagne was too dry! Boohoo!" But if I go and spend over $40 on a bottle, I'd like to be told what I'm getting into. On the bright side, the bottles are pretty and they have whipped cream that contains alcohol. Gives it an odd college-campus feel. P.S. The liquor store by the Union Turnpike Starbucks is a lot cheaper if you're in the area. read more

This place is the best! The staff is very friendly and helpful including America. I have loyalty to this store because of her. She answers my questions, listens to my preferences, and helps me pick out wines based on my mood for the day or what I'm looking for. I completely trust her with her wine choices. She is very knowledgeable and friendly. Has never steered me or anyone else I know wrong. My husband even starting going to her for bourbon suggestions. They have exclusive wines and offer wines for all price ranges. This is my go to place in forest hills for wine. read more

So often we use Yelp to write in anger. This is the opposite. This store is consistently amazing. Yes, prices are touch higher. But the level of service is fantastic. The owner has learned my taste and makes fantastic recommendations. She knows who I am, and from watching, I'm not alone in this. Sometimes it's not just about $, cheaper will get you exactly what you pay for. Any few dollars are worth it for what you get. I've been, and sure I will continue to be, impressed. read more

This place has an okay selection and fairly helpful staff. It's convenient, otherwise I probably would not stop in. My gripe isn't that they stock pricier wines, but that their markup is significantly higher than other local stores. In sum, not bad, but not amazing. read more

Beautifully curated selection with very knowledgeable associates. America is extremely helpful and a pleasure to work with. She gets to know her clients and makes recommendations based on previous purchases. I have recently moved away from the Forest Hills subway station, but still travel over to make sure I take home the best selection of wines that are perfectly organized on the shelves by region. read more

It is so refreshing to have a wine store with style in Forest Hills. I am ordering wine for my wedding at Mr. Vino because we found some gems at reasonable prices . The staff is indeed knowledgeable and the the selection of small vintages is amazing for the space that they have. Maybe that is the allure, a jewle box of wine close to the Gardens. We are thrilled they are Here read more

The store is super cute and chic, it's small but it's always very clean and neat. The staff is excellent and extremely knowledgeable about wines, I like that a lot. The lady on the counter is super helpful and friendly, her name I believe is America, ask for her and she'll help you out. Super great lady. read more

Fast, courteous service, great choices for restricted space to hold selections - reasonable prices considering the neighborhood to which it retails. My choice nearly every time. read more

I always come in here to get a nice bottle of Shiraz they do have a very friendly and helpful staff. Very convenient location. They always greet me with a smile will deff be coming back read more

Mr. Vino doesn't even deserve 1 star! The manager is rude and obnoxious! I went in to purchase a bottle of wine for a gift. I asked for a French dinner wine. She asked me if I knew about wine I said a little & she replied "you know nothing" and recommended one. I purchased it despite my doubts. The bottle leaked before I even made it home. I returned to request an exchange. She had me wait 30 mins, put the bottle upside down & said it's impossible it leaked despite the label, bag & receipt being stained! She said she absolutely not do anything not even exchange it! When I said that this would be the last time I shop here she said "oh well". For someone who claims to be the manager & took 25 minutes to ring up 1 customer purchasing 1 bottle she is costing them a lot of business! I guess she only cares about those buying DP, Crystal & $90 bottles of Jameson! read more

I don't usually write reviews but I had to for this place. As a small business owner myself if my employees (the 2 women that work there) were as rude as those women, They would no longer be employed by me. The lack of customer service at this place is terrible! I live up the block and one rainy Saturday night my boyfriend and I decided to get some wine. What a mistake that was! This isn't the first time we go here but it sure is the last. I'd rather go to the one on Austin street located next to Tap House. Way friendly and better customer service. Anyway, they looked at me as if I was interrupting their conversation. Especially the really petite girl that works there, talk about a lack of personality but she must either really hate her job or she doesn't like people lol if that's the case why work in customer service or get another job! McDonald's is down the block. (Sorry not sorry) but Every time I've gone there and she's there she looks like the most unhappiest miserable person I've ever seen in my life!! Mr Vino, you need to find employees who like to greet customers when they walk in, who are willing to help and are actually friendly people. It's really unfortunate because it's so close to us but we'll just take the walk to wine & spirits on Austin street. read more

What an amazing place, anyone who reviewed this negatively has no idea what they are talking about. The employees helped me put together a great case of 12 different wines and genuinely cared about what I was interested in. Such an amazing addition to Fores Hills, I can't wait for the Cucina to open around the corner. read more

This not your local liquor store with twenty thousand flavors of Stoli. Sure, you will find your Yellowtail and small collection of national brands there. You will also find wines from small and family owned producers. It's a small shop run by knowledgeable and attentive staff. read more

Its a great little wine store, but that's the only problem...its too small. There's a great selection and its reasonably priced however it would be better if it was about 10 times larger and expanded into the eyeglass store next door. read more

Since the experience I yelped about in June 2012 and despite swearing off this place, a few months after that disappointing experience, I ventured back to Mr. Vino's and have been going regularly since. New faces have been added to the staff over time and they have been great - professional, courteous and a couple of them have even knowledgeably helped with wine suggestions when asked. I still can't say they have great customer service, but their newer employees are on the right track. There isn't anyone who says, "Hi, welcome to Mr. Vino's, is there anything I can help with?" Nick (as I am sure you are reading this), perhaps you think this might be too invasive, but I think it would work well for a place that prides itself on its customer service and would be in par with your description of your staff members as being avid wine lovers. I can tell you that I have had several interactions with your staff at this point, and they don't come off as wine lovers excited to talk to people about their purchases or about wine in general. If I ask a question, it is answered professionally, but I don't get the feeling that the staff are bursting with their love of wine. Those who really enjoy wine often enjoy purchasing wine from places where they continuously learn about wine. I am one of these people. From everything I have read, you don't want your store relegated to just the wine store on Continental. I think you want your store to be an elegant, upscale, yet affordable wine cellar where people can reliably grow their love for wine. If this is the case, I think your staff needs to embrace this idea further. I understand many customers may just want to run in and pick up a bottle for dinner without any staff involvement and during such times, you likely don't want your staff to be seemingly imposing. I am not requesting your staff ask after every customer of every minute of every day, just perhaps that they show some interest in a purchase once in a while or make a nice, simple comment about a bottle at point of sale as a gesture to encourage interaction and dialogue with customers. I also want to revise my initial comment about the variety of wines here. Although limited, the selection of wines really is great and a couple of times the selection has even been unique compared to other carriers in the area. Throughout the last several months, I have been to several tastings as well where the outside reps have been professional, helpful and some truly expressed a love of wine and a desire to share that love and knowledge with others. I have bought some wines from these tastings as well so I retract my initial post that their tastings are awful. They have certainly improved over time. Try the wine tastings sometime. I now continue to shop at Mr.Vino's because it continues to improve as a wine purveyor. read more

I enjoy the convenience of the location and helpfulness of the staff. However, I was really turned off last year when, I believe it was the owner, made an inappropriate comment about Mexicans (how he could always get them to do the labor intensive work) loud enough for me to hear 6 feet away. Even when you're with your male friends, you have to remain professional in a business establishment at all times. Really made me uncomfortable returning there for a while. read more

This store is a cozy little gem in Forest Hills. The ambiance is very good, the customer service is above average, and prices are reasonable. America, the owner is also available with a smile to assist or provide guidance on my wine purchase. She will even go the extra mile to remember the types of wine I prefer and offers suggestion as soon as I walk in the store. She has yet to disappoint with her recommendations. Overall, I would highly recommend this place and we would be happy to return with friends. read more

This is an amazing store - the store though small is well stocked with an amazing selection of wines. The staff particularly the manager, America is phenomenal - great knowledge of wines, down to the details of the origins of the wines, the grapes used, the region where the wines were produced. It's amazing and my go to place instrumenal for increasing my wine literacy and knowledge. It's a wonderful place to go to especially after the end of the work week. Always friendly, welcoming - the go to place in Forest Hills to learn and appreciate about wines - they are more than just for drinking - the joie de vivre is overflowing at Mr. Vino read more