Recently, my employer, Keamy Cosmetic, treated its VIPs to a curated tasting of some luscious Tuscan wines. We were hosted by Kathy Genis, proprietor of Salem Wine Imports, a delightful emporium catering to all palates. Keamy Cosmetic patients who would otherwise never meet had the chance to chat and network. Delicious wine, tasty bites, and lots of laughs were had by all. Consider Salem Wine Imports for your next VIP or networking event. You won't be disappointed! read more

Salem Wine Imports is great, and something I fell that was needed in my hometown. Having a go-to wine shop is important. Friendly, knowledgeable staff that are always happy to help is appreciated. It's small shop, and well-curated, but with good-sized, interesting offerings. I highly recommend, even if you are just visiting--you might find your new favorite wine. read more

Store attendants were talking with each other and didn't acknowledge me until after I'd waited for them to stop talking for some time. Unfortunately I would have had a better experience if I were ignored completely. When I asked about the availability of a wine from a specific region the attendant laughed and told me I couldn't find it outside of that place implying it was small time... one of them then asked me if I was from there and after I said yes they continued their condescending comments. All this place is good for is sour grapes :-( read more

This is a brand new wine store on Church Street across from the Lyceum restaurant. I stopped in on a Tuesday night around 7. This alone was notable as most downtown Salem retail has shut down by that time of night. The place appears to be open till 8 every night. Their slogan is "Take Some Time - Drink Better Wine." This is the type of downtown retail I can get behind. Salem Wine Imports is unlike any other wine purveyor in Salem. First of all, the place is all wine. No liquor, a very small selection of unique beer, but really it's all about the wine. The interior is pleasant, with hardwood floors and brick walls. Wines are organized by region and type. One of the best things about the store is that I'd never seen any of the wines before. They truly are unique, off the beaten path wines, which is the goal of the store. Prices were reasonable and all price ranges, were available. The owner of the store, Eric, was there and we had a long conversation about wine. I told him what I liked in a wine, and he recommended two bottles to me that he swore I'd like. I picked those up and a few others as well. (OK, so I'm a lush, alright?) I opened one of his recommendations tonight and it's definitely one of the best wines I've had. He seemed to be truly familiar with every wine in the store. It's great to have a resource like that. The store also features a tasting system that keeps 8 or so bottles on tap for tasting at all times, but maintains their freshness. I thought it was pretty cool. This is exactly the type of retail we need in downtown Salem, so please go check it out and think about supporting this downtown business. Try something new. read more

When I first saw the sign I knew I would like the place, but I thought the prices could be too steep or "boutique" for this cat. Never fear, This is the only shop I've ever been where I could buy a $9 bottle and be confident that it's good! Eric works very hard to find good deals on great wines from a variety of vintners and then has no problem passing the savings along. You won't find Mommy's Time Out here, but you will find something much better for the same price or less. Then you can splurge on a "nicer" bottle with your savings! read more

"Wine Tasting Today" - Myself and a friend made a donation to partake and asked to try a wine that the employee had on the tasting table and he told us no because the bottle wasn't opened yet. He was rude and condescending. Not my kind of place. read more

Salem Wine Imports - Should read: "Not Really Wine Tasting Today" - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

This is an undiscovered gem in the heart of downtown Salem. Conveniently located just steps from the Salem commuter rail station and across the street from the Lyceum (noted place of the first public demonstration of the telephone by Alexander Graham Bell and hauntings by Bridgett Bishop). It appears to be closed when looking down the street from Washington St. due to the windows but is open until 8PM most days. You will find wines in here that you just won't see in your regular wine outlets. Kappy's, Bunghole, even Pampelmousse can't get their hands on these gems, Eric (the owner) has unique relationships with the importers and with many of the wineries that allows him to acquire everything from $10 2007 Cotes du Rhone to $95 2003 Brunello di Montalcino and beyond. He even gets wines that have never been released to the retail space. Notably a 2007 California Zin that is so rare he only got 4 bottles in. Shopping in his store is a personalized experience. Tell him what you are looking for, what you like, what you want the wine for (dinner, event etc) and a price range and he will find the perfect wines. Even if you don't know what you like he will be able to steer you in the right direction. He always has 5 or more wines on tap for tasting anytime you go in. Every Tuesday night at 6:30 he holds a wine tasting. Usually 4 bottles, sometimes up to 8 depending on the new items that have arrived the week before. Price range is from $8 to no more than $25 usually on these evenings for the bottles. On Thursday nights is a very special tasting at 6:30 where he will open bottles $35 and up. There have been Chateauneuf du Papes, Pommards, Hermitages, Brunellos, and Pinot Noirs from around the globe during these evenings. The best part is that the bottles in the tasting are decided on by consensus of the people that show up and are selected from anything in his inventory. This is your chance to try a $95 wine before you make the large investment of purchasing it. And you can cancel your wine club mailings. Tell Eric a price point and he will throw together a case of wine you will not be disappointed with. If you ever get a corked bottle, don't be afraid to bring it back. Eric will make it right. Hope to see you on a Tuesday or a Thursday evening and if you stop in tell him Mike sent you. read more

This place is awesome. It looks like it would be a place with only expensive wines, but there aren't that many overly expensive ones. There are more cheap options I would say. Lots of variety so you are sure to find something you like. They do tastings there on Tuesdays. It has a nice warm feel there and the guy working(owner?) was very friendly and helpful. This is exactly the type of business which drew us to Salem to begin with and we are really happy to have this place nearby. read more

Greenland is a great local wine shop. They have a good selection of imports and domestic wines. They also do free wine tastings on Tuesday nights. The owner is friendly and always willing to help you pick out a bottle. I wish they had more wines from Washington State. It's the second largest producer of wine in the U.S and they have tons of excellent vineyards. Highly recommend Salem Wine Imports. read more

Words can not describe the love I have for Salem Wine Imports!! Eric is the vino-diggity when it comes to knowledge of wine and tales of traveling to far away vineyards to sample and bring the finest of vintages back to Salem. If you have the chance, try to make it to a Tuesday wine tasting, as you will always learn somethinng new while sampling and mingling with fellow local wine lovers! Cheers! read more

I stopped in here from out of town for some local wine and brews. The woman behind the desk was very helpful, and the atmosphere was lovely. There seemed to be a wide range of prices, which my wallet appreciated. I would definitely recommend this little shop! Conveniently located next to a little store where you can buy some little things to nibble on while you sip your vices. :) read more

If you know what you want, and it happens to be a jug of Carlo... go to Discount. If you just need another bottle of 7 Deadly Zins or the sale Cabernet of the day... go to Discount. If you want something nice... but are unsure... or may have a particular taste in mind that you can sort of describe... and you know your budget... tell Eric and he'll pair you up with a couple killer bottles and send you on your way. Unless you really KNOW WINE, it's the best way to shop this place. It's great. read more

I wanted to update my review as I'm a regular of Salem Wine Imports. Eric is very knowledgeable without sounding like a wine snob. He is always happy to recommend bottles and isn't pushy at all. I always feel comfortable asking for something new and budget friendly. He has plenty of wines under $15 that taste great! Wine tastings are every Tuesday and Thursday nights too! read more

This place is wonderful! Knowledgeable staff that are thoughtful in their consideration of your preference and price point. Many Old World options as well as New! And if you have a favorite that isn't available- they will order a case for you! read more

I love this place. You can go in there and say, "Hey Eric, I have $15 and I'm thinking Italy." Eric will then take you right over to the Italian wines and point out two beauties. One would be $15 and the other would be $12.99. Then he asks you about what you're serving, do you like chianti, and you have a little conversation. You wind up buying one of the wines. You bring it to your friends' house. They are loving the wine and asking you where you got it. A fine dinner is had by all. Next time you go to Salem Wine Imports you buy 6 bottles or a case and get a discount. That is because you are a sensible person and know that if you love a wine, you need to buy a bunch of it. That's all. Now go there! read more

This is the only place I can walk in without thinking about what I want and know that I will walk out with something fabulous and affordable. I could go to Kappy's and see countless cheap bottles but have no idea whether they're drinkable. I come here because I trust the owner (Eric) and know he hand-selects everything with care, so even a bottle under $10 is going to be great. I also know that if I want to spend more on a serious bottle, it will be worth the price. SWI gets extra points for offering cool craft beers, wine tastings, and cute bags. read more

I hate all of these 5 star reviews, but here's mine. The sign in the window says something like "We're not expensive, we just look it." True, that, and a well-run place with reasonable prices. Beyond that, wines you're unlikely to run across anywhere around Salem. They've run out of wines I've liked, even though I may only buy a bottle or two a week, and ordered them by the next week at the latest. Nice discount on cases, too. Ask what they have open to taste if you're not sure what you want. read more

This place doesn't need another 5 star review, but I enjoy it so much that I am going to write one. The prices are outstanding. The staff will gently recommend a great $10 bottle if you're a broke grad student like me without making you feel bad. Also I love the decor- it's very cozy and European. They also have fun wine tastings that I have stumbled into before. read more

Incredible selection in all price ranges, friendly and knowledgeable owner, awesome little fancy beer section, great location...what's not to love?? read more

After reading these reviews, I decided to try this little shop the next time I needed some wine. Salem Wine Imports totally delivered. It's the nice little local shop everyone wishes they had access to, right here in Salem. Really good selection for such a small shop, comprehensive price range, and a really nice guy. I was looking for a low-end port (for cooking) and because his very cheapest was ~23 bucks, he gave me a 10% discount on it. (i didn't ask, either. he just did it!) Also, major kudos for the tiny, yet very unique, beer selection. I bought a great czech beer called Zatec, that i had never seen, for my czech grandmother. she LOVED it. GREAT LITTLE WINE SHOP! read more

How have I not written a review of one of my favorite places in Salem. This is THE place to stop for a bottle of wine on the way home. They know a lot abou the wine they carry and can recommend the perfect bottle to accompany your dinner or even the type of person you are planning to share it with. I especially love that they carry some very affordable French reds (my fave). Stop in here to chat and browse, you will not be disappointed! read more

Just an update that I now frequent this store and rely on Eric for new recommendations. So glad that this shop is in salem.

I'm not a huge wine snob, but I quite like wines - just don't know them well. My girlfriend is a bit of one and she's liked the wine from there. The place isn't super big and they have a small selection of a variety of wines, most higher quality. So this place is nice if you want a selection of good wine. If you want something cheap, there are plenty of corner liquor stores around read more

I just moved into the neighborhood and I was pleased to find Salem Wine Imports. The owner was friendly and knowledgable. They have two weekly wine tastings and a great selection, including the wonderful, full bodied Napa Zin I ended up drinking. While the prices are on the high side for my graduate school budget, I will absolutely come back both for special occasions and once I have a 'real job'. :). Bravo! read more

Wow! what a relief This is a great place that sells wine other than having to go into Boston. Their selection is refreshingly different than Kappy's or liquor stores. If you want to bring a bottle for a dinner party this is the place to go. The owner is more than willing to help you with a selection. He also provides you with an eco-bag that you can reuse for future wine purchases. read more

I simply love shopping in this store. I usually know what I am looking for based on the food I am going to make, but I still like to get Eric's advise. Great selection including American wine from Oregon and Washington states. Also amazing selection of sparkling from affordable italian to greatly priced champagne. Check this place out! read more

what a great lil treasure to have in salem - eric the owner has an great array of wines from not goin to break the bank to expensive baller status... there are wine tastings( i believe tuesdays night) and also eric does an weekly e-mail to fill you in... not only is there wine, but also a great selection of cheese and crackers. a friendly place, great prices, and a great interior. read more

Salem Wine Imports gets an A+ from me for being a fantastic local wine resource for the entire North Shore. Great selection, wonderful staff, and ownership that cares about it's customers. One of the most important parts of enjoying wine is understanding the different regions and being able to try several selections from there. Salem Wine Imports offers valuable no-cost wine tastings for great quality at reasonable prices as well as modestly priced tastings that go a little higher end. Both of these provide education for customers to learn more about what they love. And if you have no time and just need to pop in for a quick bottle, you won't find better service anywhere. read more

These reviews say it all!!!! NO complaints about Salem Wine Imports!!!! Such a unique selection of wine with tastings every so often! The staff can pick out a perfect bottle for you every time you walk in! I purchased the Oyster Wine - a, organic sauvignon blanc from here. SO delicious! plus it restores local oyster reefs with their sales. nice to see places like this supporting awesome causes. read more

Salem Wine Imports - The Oyster! - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

yay for small businesses in salem! this place is a great wine shop. as other reviews have pointed out, its almost exclusively wine. you need beers, head to kappy's or the bunghole. but if you want wine, its a terrific place to go. the owner, eric, has no qualms about recommending the cheapest wines he's got. never tries to up-sell, and will give you the ins and outs of each bottle you pick up (he's tried them all, i think). true service: just tell him what you're looking for or what you're eating, and he'll be spot on. i've had 1 or 2 bottles i didn't like, but 15-20 that i loved. i'm no connoisseur (read: will it get me drunk?), but i know what i like. and 90% of the time, so does he. another perk: free tastings on tuesdays and thursdays. sometimes they even have great little snacks to go along. it gets too crowded, but if you get there early you can taste, buy, and bolt. on a final note, i *almost* gave 4 stars b/c they constantly shift their inventory. if you really like something, chances are he won't have it again... d'oh! but who knows; maybe if you ask he'll buy a case for you. he's cool like that. read more

I won't buy wine anywhere else!!! If you haven't been to SWI, you're missing a real gem. Eric, the owner, is knowledgeable without being overbearing or "snooty." He has the knowledge to support a true wine critic but is equally as helpful to rookies like me. His bottles range from inexpensive (he can point you to a fabulous $8 bottle, any day) all the way up to extravagant (into the hundreds of dollars.) Also, he often hosts casual wine tastings - free on Tuesday evenings and $20 buy in on Thursdays. Both are great events. read more

Excellent wine. Eric is always friendly and helpful. Salem Imports is the only place I buy wine from.

My most favorite wine store in the universe. The owner is friendly and knowledgeable, and he has a terrific selection of tasty yet affordable "everyday" wines as well as more elaborate wines, also at a good price. I highly recommend Salem Wine Imports. read more

I was pleasantly surprised during my recent (first) visit to this wonderful little shop. Kathy, who I believe is the owner, was very patient, and definitely not a "wine snob", as she helped me select a bottle of wine to bring to a dinner party. The selection is amazing considering it's not a huge place. I happened to find a couple wines in the shop that I am familiar with and the prices are right in line with the large, discount liquor stores, but this is a much more enjoyable shopping experience due to the friendly, knowledgeable staff. We will definitely become regulars here. read more

This pklace some really good selections of wines i woukld call my self and ok wine guy not the best but i know it when i taste it. so i went in to buy a good bottle of wine i think the owner came rite over snd asked what i was looking for. he pointed me in thwe rite directions. after i sat there for awhile he came back and i let him pick the bottle for me to see what he would pick.. i bought his suggestion and one of my own. Afterward he picked a botle of wine cheaper than mine and his tasted better and made a great impresion on my guests. good job ill be back read more

I've stopped into this store many times now, but for the first time tonight I went to one of the tastings (which are every Tuesday and Thursday) and I have to say, if I need wine, this is my store. It was awesome, it felt like I was going to a wine tasting at a friend's house. The owner, Eric, is seriously one of the coolest guys I've ever met. He has a gift of not making you feel intimidated with the selection, and he is more than willing to help you find that perfect wine to pair with your meal or one to just drink by itself. Also, he doesn't try to up-sale you at all. In fact, Eric will go out of his way to get you to try an incredible $9 bottle of wine. Like the other reviews have said there is no spirits and while he does have a small selection of craft brew it's really not a place to go to if you don't want wine, but since the effing place is called Salem Wine Imports, I don't know why you'd be looking for a bottle of tequila. But that's just me. So seriously, if you're looking for some wine and you live in the area, go check this place out, you will not be steered in the wrong direction. And don't think it's going to break your wallet either, like the sign says in the front window, "They just look expensive" (but that doesn't mean he doesn't have the expensive stuff available) read more

I never fail to get a bad selection from Eric. I like the fact that he also carries a few nice beers as well.

The kind of place you want to go to pick up a bottle of wine for a night in on the couch, or a night with friends around the table. Great selection; not extensive like at a liquor store but it feels like a quality over quantity thing here. The place is so cozy, too! read more

We were very happy with our visit to Salem Wine Imports. Very comfortable shopping atmosphere, just the right amount of help, from Kathy in our case. The store itself is tastefully done and prices are reasonable. In fairness we didn't go to any other stores in the area during our visit so this isn't a comparison. But with everything 'just right' why go elsewhere? read more

Great Store! Superb collection of fine wines. Owner is very friendly as is any worker Ive had tend to me. Certainly one of Salem's top spots for wine. read more