Look, I love wine, but I'm no sommelier. I usually just point and say, "That one looks French!" But walking into The Hawthorn Bottle Shop and Tasting Room in Helena changed the game. This isn't one of those stuffy, velvet-rope wine bars; it's genuinely "New York chic meets Montana," which is the only atmosphere I ever want to be in. The main reason this place is magic? The staff. We had a server who was less of a server and more of a wine wizard. I told them I liked things that were "a little sassy, maybe a bit moody," and they didn't even blink. Instead, they completely crafted the perfect flight of wine flights for us to sample. It was like a personalized, four-course journey for my tastebuds. Every single pour was a winner, and the knowledge they dropped on us was actually interesting and not at all intimidating. I learned more in 30 minutes than I did in a decade of frantically googling "what is terroir?" If you're looking for an amazing wine bar where you can relax, learn something new, and taste truly incredible stuff without feeling like you need a wine degree, this is it. Go for the ambiance, stay for the wine, and definitely let their knowledgeable service steer the ship. They won't steer you wrong. Highly Recommend: Just tell your server to surprise you. It's the best way to do it. read more

First, the place has amazing service. We had an amazing Italian wine on tap, the charcuterie, and cheese board. The environment was a perfect place for three old friends to reunite and hear each other speak. I highly recommend this place for the food, drink, and a place where your friends can have a conversation. read more

This is one of our favorite places to go in Helena! The atmosphere inside is fabulous, but we especially enjoy being able to sit outside during the warm weather. The food is a perfect pairing for the excellent wine selection, and the service is always top notch. We have never been disappointed in any of our visits to this wonderful place! read more

Another stellar night of fun and thoughtful attentive service at this modern downtown institution. Generous pours and curated quality in the wine--good surprises and new tastes in the beers. Cheese plate was exceptional tonight. read more

The Hawthorn - Hawthorn "community table" - Wine Bars Near Me - Helena, Montana

While searching online for a place to have dinner, I came across this place and was drawn in by the pictures of the Charcuterie. There are a variety of seating options and a large selection of wines from all over the world for purchase. The food item portions on the menu are smaller, but perfect for two people and allow for multiple tastings to compliment your wine flights. The staff is highly knowledgeable, and can expertly recommend wines according to what you like. We had the Bee Happy, The Janice and Prost. All were amazing. If you love wine bars, The Hawthorn offers a great experience. read more

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Consistently great service, great ambiance, and of course, great wine. The food served is appropriate for a wine service, and is always of the highest quality. The service by all staff is first rate - their recommendations are spot-on, and the collective staff knowledge of the wine they serve is impressive. Service at the Hawthorn is as it should be - there when you need them, not when you don't. Never intrusive, and very attentive. The wine selection is certainly the best in Helena. They serve old world and new world wines, with no judgement on what you order - even those ordering new world Zinfandel . The Hawthorn is a great experience for all - from the experienced wineaux to those just wanting to get their feet wet, so to speak. The Hawthorn is a treasure, one I hope will be here for a long time to come. read more

The owners of the Hawthorne are extremely knowledgeable on the wines they serve and sell. The snacks are yummy to boot! I highly recommend Tge Hawthorne for a place to meet friends and drink fine wines. read more

Great wine bar! We came here before dinner on my birthday and found a cozy table for 2. The staff is very knowledgable and friendly; they know their cheeses and wines! We sampled one of the wine flights and I enjoyed one of their champagne cocktails. Its such a great place to chill with a great glass of wine and some nibbles; good sized bar to pull up a chair and also some nice window seats to watch what's going on outside. Ten Mile Creek Brewery is next door as well and you can go back and forth if you choose. read more

The Hawthorn - Wine flight, cheese board - Wine Bars Near Me - Helena, Montana

My absolute favorite place to "wine" down. Everyone there really knows the wines but more importantly they get to know you and your individual tastes. The meats and cheeses are the highest quality and there is a great selection of wines by the glass or the bottle for whatever you crave. it's one of the best businesses in Helena. read more

The Hawthorn - Wine Bars Near Me - Helena, Montana

Just excellent. Somm glass list... great picks- tannat, assyrtiko, pais, The charcuterie and cheese boards are excellent. Excellent Homemade tapenade with homemade salt and pepper crackers. If you like wine bars, this is very very good. Second time here and forgot how good it is. Great prices too! read more

Seriously the best wine bar in Helena. If you haven't been here & you like wine, what are you waiting for? Great people, great atmosphere & most importantly, great wine! Trust me, you'll be glad ya did! read more

The Hawthorn - a blackboard with writing on it - Wine Bars Near Me - Helena, Montana

Our favorite place for wine or bubbles. And of course a cheese board. The staff is super knowledgeable and helpful. A must

This is the best wine bar in town, and not only because it's one of two! The owner has obviously taken the time to hire and train their staff. Every server takes the time to find you a wine you'll love and sincerely enjoy doing it (I mean, what an awesome job!!) They have a great selection and the food exceeded my expectations. The charcuterie came with three different meats: salami, prosciutto, and what tasted like a smoked turkey. There was a dollop of fancy mustard, and the crackers were delightful!! They have gluten free as well! The chips and dip are definitely something you should order. The dip is creamy with hints of horseradish. I don't think my description is serving it any justice, because it was the best thing we ate. I had the second sparkling wine on the list, which was a rose. It was just a little sweet and exactly what I wanted. Big shout out to our server Dan, thank you!! Even with a group of 8, service was on point and it's such a great atmosphere. Of course we'll be back!! read more

The Hawthorn - Wine Bars Near Me - Helena, Montana

Been here once or twice before but this is sure my favorite split to spot great music and service

I am OBSESSED!! Who would've thought that Helena would have something like this? The atmosphere is very trendy and posh. This is something you would find in San Francisco or Seattle. I got one of the sampler flights - four glasses of German wines. My bartender, Zac, was so knowledgeable. He explained each one with such detail and it was so fun learning about the history of what I was about to drink. I highly recommend doing a sampler because there's so much to try! I also got the cheese board and I am so glad I did. Zac gave us samples of wine that he thought paired well with each cheese to get the most flavor. I am so impressed by this little gem downtown - I live in Great Falls but I would make the drive down just for a night at The Hawthorn! I could've have asked for a better experience and I was blown away by the service, atmosphere, food and drinks, good prices, and overall feel. You will love it here! read more

The Hawthorn - Wine Bars Near Me - Helena, Montana

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This wine bar is just perfect! They have a lot seating from high tops, to larger and small tables. They also have bar seating. Their pricing is very reasonable, and they have a great selection of wines. People can order by the bottle, the glass or even the half glass! They also have bottles Available to purchase and to drink on the spot for a $10 corking fee. I enjoyed sparkling rose and Pouilly-Fumé (Sauvignon Blanc). The rose was refreshing and tasty. The Sauvignon blanc was light, and had a really good taste. Hawthorne also offers cheese plates ($10), charcuterie boards ($10), and so much more! The boards come with these absolutely divine cheese hard breads. (Not sticks-bigger) Their selections of cheeses, and meats were excellent and paired well with the wine. This place is truly a gem! I wish I could pack it in my suitcase and take it home with me! read more

While 4 of my friends and I were driving from Glacier National Park to Minneapolis we stopped in Helena for a quick look around. While walking down the pedestrian mall we saw people playing bean bag toss outside of this unsuspecting storefront so we decided to go in. The whole place smelled of bread and lets just say it was love at first sight. We enjoyed flights of wine with snacks that paired perfectly. After being in the wilderness for a week it was a much welcomed "splurge" that made us feel like we were at a top wine bar in the Twin Cities. What made it even better was the hospitality that met us immediately. By the way this happened over a year and a half ago and I still remember my experience (even after a few glasses of wine) vividly and tell people about it as it was a highlight of my trip. Thank you for a memory I enjoy to this day and will not forget! read more

The Hawthorn - Wine Bars Near Me - Helena, Montana

First, I rarely give out 5 stars. But, can you say wine-ing?! This place is awesome. Nestled in the heart of downtown, Helena, with an adjacent brewery (bonus!), this place has that quaint chic vibe and historic appearance. The best part is the staff, service, and, you guessed it, the wine! Eclectic and vast wine varieties from around the globe, branching out from your traditional and typical well known staples. Wine aside, let's talk about the peeps working here. Hands down the best service I've experienced. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, actually interested in understanding your pallette to provide apt recommendations, definitely catering, and eager to please! I came in with a vague idea and left with several (and not disappointing) recommended bottles of vino for my cellar back home. Jill, Daley, Esther and the other ladies / staff are ab fab! If you're a local or visiting out of town, this place is a MUST! I could come here every day of the week. Bonus: the stemware and the totes adorb postcards (that they even stamp and mail for you, free of charge) add a nice, elegant touch! read more

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Awesome wine bars in unsuspecting cities are such pleasant surprises! I give my thanks to Yelp for pointing me in the right direction on this one! Trust me, start scrolling through the photos, and you will be curious to see what this place is all about! Hubby and I were starving so I read only one review and it was enough to know that it was something we should check out. I guess you could call us "serial charcuterie fans and winos" because we'll never turn down trying these two favorites. I'd like to think of it as my "perfect well balanced meal"! A little fruit, dairy, protein, carb, and veggie...what's not well balanced about that? HA! It was a week night when we stopped by and the place seemed like it was the only one with any business. We found street parking nearby and walked over to The Hawthorn. As we passed a couple of places, this one had the most people inside even though wasn't busy by any means, there was still a good amount of people enjoying themselves. The place is awesome because it offers a wide variety of seating options. High top tables, low, small, intimate tables, long table for groups, or even bar seating. Basically, you won't be left without a seat! Overall, it's great for groups, couples, or just flying solo. The décor is that "modern rustic" which provides a cool, yet no frills, comforting, open vibe. When you have a great bartender, you immediately feel even more special sitting at the bar. We were lucky enough to be taken care of by Paul. He carefully explained each wine as he poured our flights. He had a great personality, easy to talk to and was super knowledgeable. The whole presentation of our wine flights was terrific. Of course, for dinner, we had the charcuterie board or basically the cheese board ($10) and the meat board ($10) which they combined onto one board. A nice selection of both meat and cheeses hit the spot. Perhaps we weren't ready to leave yet, or maybe we were still hungry so we decided to hang out a little longer. This round we ordered the olives ($4) and some truffle brie ($7). Everything was delicious. I especially liked their homemade crackers! What started out as a stressful day, ended delightfully nice. Thank you, Hawthorne, for excellent service, wonderful wine and food, and for being there when we least expected it! Cheers! I'd definitely come back when we're in town again! read more

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Ok, I was in Helena for a long weekend and I swung by here. (Disclaimer: My daughter is working here.) I loved it. Great experience. This would be a great "Date" place. From the wonderful selection of wines (many I suspect you won't find anywhere else) to the cheese plate and another plate I can't remember the name of....everything was nothing short of amazing. ALL the staff was SUPER fun and helpful.....and you could tell that everyone there was seriously enjoying themselves.....yes....even the staff. Smiles all around. And this was on a Thursday night! Stopped by on Sat and the place was packed! Tip: Come by 7 or 8 on a weekend...especially if they've had a event. read more

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The Hawthorn delivers consistently good customer service, wine and food. I enjoy coming here with friends and dates alike to sample new wines and experience tasty beer cocktails. The food is always changing and at a very reasonable price point. The staff is knowledgable, personable and accommodating. Wine flights are fun if you'd like to explore a region or varietal. Cheese and meats are constantly updated and snacks are made in house. The high quality, pleasant atmosphere and value make the Hawthorn a positive experience every time. read more

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We LOVE THIS PLACE!! First of all, the wine. The selection is vast and ever changing! Our favorite is the beaujolais, but we venture into other wines often. Speaking of other wines, the staff at the Hawthorn is extremely knowledgeable about wine and they are so good at educating the customer about different wines and where they are from. I learn something everytime I go in there and I have been going for almost a year! Of course drinking wine lends itself to appetizers. The meat and cheese trays here are AMAZING! They go out of their way to find interesting meats and cheese that pair beautifully with the wine. The crackers deserve their own 5 star review. There are days I want to visit JUST to eat their rustic, handmade crackers! Jill and Colleen (and the staff) make everyone feel like they are family. Jill is always smiling and happy to see us... even if that is three times a week! I love that they aren't pushy wine wine purchases and they take the time to introduce new wines to us! The Hawthorn is my happy place in Helena! read more

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Wonderful establishment. Service excellent. Friendly staff. Delightful charcuterie. Highly recommend.

Was looking for a place to buy a good bottle of wine for a gift and they were great! The staff is super friendly and they have a good variety of wines throughout many different price ranges. read more

They do such a great job of doing it right. Wine, snacks, and alcohol free concoctions are great but the polish comes from the owners and the awesome crew assembled. Sit on the deck and let quality people bring you quality wine; great combo and fun location. read more

Beautiful and classy, The Hawthorne was highly recommended by several people I know and written reviews both and it did not disappoint. Warm ambiance with loungy lighting. Beautifully finished wood slab tables and comfortable chairs. Excellent wine selection, small but lovely food (snack) options and a very nice variety of beers and ciders on tap. Found my favorite new full-bodied white here (2014 Yalumba Viognier from Australia). Friendly and knowledgeable staff top off this experience. read more

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48 hours in Helena and wine tasting at The Hawthorne was my favorite moment! Fabulous team!!! Wonderful and diverse wine collection with beautiful bites to compliment. Live music in the square was an extra bonus. Enjoy!! read more

Very relaxing atmosphere, excellent service and a great wine/beer selection. The appetizers we tried were delicious. It's our new favorite place! read more

Excellent service and food. Got a flight of wines and the server was very knowledgeable. Would recommend this wine bar to anyone in the area. read more

The Hawthorn - Wine Bars Near Me - Helena, Montana

It upsets me to rate this place one star because I think The Hawthorn is amazing, but what was not amazing tonight was being completely ignored by the staff at the front of the house. We had to use the facilities when we arrived, and when we came back up we stood in the doorway for several minutes as the two women up front glanced at us, but prioritized their personal conversation over seating us. We peeked at the patio to see if there were tables left, and I stepped forward, waiting to be greeted, but I never was. We decided to leave. It's a shame because in the past we have enjoyed cheese plates and wine recommendations from the usually friendly staff. read more

The Hawthorne has really good wine and beer and snacks. Their cheese platter is really good. Also, it's really nice inside, and it's located at the downtown walking mall. read more

Taking one star off because it is so dark in there, and the menu has impossibly small print. The service was awesome. The wine was great. We will definitely comeback again for some of the food. read more

Best place to have a fantastic glass of wine and excellent snacks! Jill and Colleen and the staff make this one of the very best spots in Helena. read more

The Hawthorn - Wine Bars Near Me - Helena, Montana

I love going to the Hawthorne. Their wine selection is amazing; staff is friendly and knowledgable. I do wish they had more food but everything I've tried is yummy. Great spot to meet friends! read more

Happy to enjoy the soft opening of this fantastic win bar. The ambiance is fantastic and a fresh addition to the Helena scene. I appreciated the wine variety and the knowledgable staff. Reasonable prices and a delicious selection of appetizers to compliment both red and white wines. I'll definitely be back. My hats off to this happening new scene and a warm welcome to all they offer. I'm a fan. read more

The Hawthorn - Wine Bars Near Me - Helena, Montana

Fantastic staff. Incredible wine selection. Every single employee is readily available to give their advice with wine choices and food pairings. read more

Whattt a gemmm! Great wine selection with a touch of delicious apps very well presented. Service was impeccable, we enjoyed Zach very much. Very knowledgable staff, laid back decor with some romance too! We will be back! read more

Amazing place with quality wine! Great service too. Fantastic addition to downtown Helena.

The always knowledgeable staff, fine selection, and friendly atmosphere make the Hawthorn a delightful way to enjoy meeting friends!

This is my number one favorite place to hang out in town. The atmosphere and service is always warm and friendly, the wine choices are expansive and delicious and the snacks are tasty. I probably spend more time and money here then is warranted, but it's all worth it! read more