Came to The Wine Mine to grab a few wine bottles. Brendan the person was helping me was so knowledgeable and explained each wine so well. I thought the wine was reasonably priced and lots to choose from! read more

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Very knowledgeable staff, wide selection of wines, excellent prices. Try their $2 tastings which take place every other Saturday .9 read more

The Wine Mine is an East Bay treasure. I stopped in recently for my latest wine interest: Lambrusco. I'm really into the dry expression of this sparkling red wine from the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy and have been peer pressuring my friends into ordering it whenever I see it on a menu. A helpful staff member showed me a bottle at the front of the store and suggested a rosé of Lambrusco, both of which I've got at the ready in my fridge! Ater a trip to Santorini in 2016, I became fascinated by Assyrtiko and was excited to find a couple of intriguing bottles of it here last week. I also couldn't resist picking up a few Sauvignon Blancs to make my favorite warm weather beverage: white wine mojitos. To round things out, I added some Prosecco, Gruner Veltliner, and rosé. Can you tell I'm ready for summer? All told, I came away from my last trip to the Wine Mine with about a dozen bottles at an average price of about $16. The Wine Mine continues to be, after a decade and a half in business, such a fun place to peruse. I always talk to the shopkeepers about what I'm into and they inevitably turn me onto something I wouldn't have found myself. Whenever I host a party I make a strategic stop here. I've been helped multiple times, with always affordable recommendations that consistently go over well with my guests. A few of my random requests over the years: - Wine for a picky Australian with a love for Spanish wines - Pairings for Persian cuisine - Thanksgiving wines that would complement the turkey (and my oenophile brother-in-law would be excited by) The Wine Mine describes itself as "a low key, high service wine shop" and that is exactly what they are! read more

I stumbled upon the Wine Mine while waiting for my smoothies at The Well. The Wine Mine has a great selection of wines, at affordable prices. I had just bought the same Frank Family wine at Whole Foods the day before, for $10-15 MORE than what the Wine Mine sold it for! (Edited, thanks for flagging my error david) The prices here are cheaper than other bigger stores, so why not save money AND support local?! The guy working there (I didn't catch his name) was super friendly. I was being indecisive and he recommended a Cab that cost $35 that normally sells for ~$100. I also asked him for a recommendation for a Rioja and he didn't push the more expensive botttles & recommended one for around $30. If I still lived in Oakland, I'd go here for all my wine need read more

The Wine Mine - a hand holding a bottle of wine - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Oakland, California

Very helpful service. Good selection. Tastings on weekend fun. Owner is committed to customer experience, a rare thing in wine shops these days. read more

Loved the selection and the price :-) Walked in this cute wine store and immediately asked the wine educator for recommendations considering I like reds (e.g Malbec blends ) but my partner prefers champagne/sparkling wines that aren't too sweet. Plus he was making lobster AND steak She recommended the following which I bought: 1. Rombauer Zinfandel : nice jam flavor 2. Fremantle D'Alsace Rose: partner loved t - way more expensive ham Domaine Chandon 3. Faso Malbec (2018), Argentina 4. Gaucho Malbec , Argentina Suggestions: - I do like dessert wine especially sweet reds. I know it's not their thing but it would be nice - the lady was nice but much more warm/effervescent with the precious customer she helped . Slightly colder with me . Wish I had his welcome from her read more

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Beautiful owner/store clerk helped me find an all natural red wind (I explained that nitrates give me headaches). She suggested a wonderful all natural organic wine without additives which worked well with my particular condition. Prices were extremely reasonable and the service was excellent! High recommend read more

The Wine Mine was the Site of a CMYE Saturday sponsored by our own Yelp CM Nique. I rolled my weekend whip to the Wine Mine and was able to park right in front in the handy Parking Lot. I rolled in and was pleased with what I saw . A wide selection of Wines and Gluten free beers. This being Saturday they offer a Special 5 wine tasting for a $1 . What a Bargain and generous pours . There was a whole Posse of Yelp folks tasting the wines . What a great way to start off a Saturday afternoon . It was Cool meeting some of my Yelp Online friends for the first time and hang with regular ones too. Good Times . Rolled of in my Whip to a little Sade. read more

The Wine Mine - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Oakland, California

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I like coming here because they have a great selection and best of all $1 tastings on Saturday. Love it. I have an opportunity to taste some wine and buy it. There is a different theme each week which centers around a variety or a region. The owners are knowledgeable and really have some great suggestions. I also like the fact that they don't seem to up sell. I hate it when I want something and the person goes to the most expensive wine automatically. There is a range of prices and the owner suggests wines that are mid and lower cost. He also remembers what we like the next time, when we come in regularly. I appreciate that he seems to listen to what I'm trying to match the wine to and does so very well. I have been introduced to some new varieties as a result. That being said, they have decent prices. I've seen some of the wines in other places, and was shocked to find out that they were cheaper at the Wine Mine. They allow me to buy a decent bottle of wine at a good price. I usually leave this place with a smile on my face. read more

What a cute little wine shop! I can't believe I've lived a block from it for so long without knowing this was here. Pros: The guy who owns it is really incredibly nice. The wines are discounted, and they'll help you find the wine you want. They have a great variety. On Saturdays from 2-5 you can come for $1 tastings to try 5 wines. They do different wines every weekend. Sometimes their tastings are geographic (wines from France, or wines from Napa) and sometimes by type (Rose, reds.) It's a fun experience that I would recommend! Parking in this area is relatively easy to find on the street and there's also a parking lot. It's also located next to a yummy bakery! There's a little area in my the front of the shop for kids to play while you wine shop. Cons: Not really anything. read more

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A friend introduced me to the Saturday afternoon tastings at Wine Mine and I loved it! The owner is very knowledgeable, super nice, very helpful, with a great selection of wines at very reasonable prices! read more

Was looking for a place in the east bay that carried an eclectic list of wines and after poking around on Yelp for a bit I found The Wine Mine. Located in a central spot and plenty of parking made this a logical choice, so was pumped to check it out. The wine selection was really fun and interesting with items from all over the globe. The place was fairly well merchandised but, felt a tad empty in areas. Aside from that, I really enjoyed walking around and checking out the selection. Btw, most of the wines are in everyday price points so this place is great for your Tuesday night bangers. I ended up purchasing five bottles that varied from Champagne, Chablis, Lange Nebbiolo, and Pinot from Burgundy. I opened them all last night for a wedding tasting and they were all delightful in their own regard. I'm just glad they were there to purchase! read more

How can you go wrong with $1 wine tastings? I've always wanted to stop by to try it out for for one reason or another, I had never been able to make it in on a Saturday afternoon until yesterday. We were at a friend's house when someone mentioned we should go wine tasting. I suggested that we should head out immediately in order to get to The Wine Mine before the tastings end. Although I heard some initial grumblings about my rushing everyone to leave, by the time we got to The Wine Mine, the group was happy that we made it before 5pm for this amazing deal. We tried five excellent wines (we all loved the refreshing cold white wine that was perfect for the hot weather) and had an opportunity to browse the shop. Although we didn't pick up any bottles yesterday, I will be back soon since it is very convenient from my home. read more

Great selection under $20(Nice value beyond that price as well). Staff is great, I don't know her name, but the lady who works there knows her stuff. I just tell her what I like, and she'll put together and Excellent case of wine for me. I've found some great treats per her recommendations. read more

Great selection! The owner is so sweet and charming I wish we could have a glass of something remarkable together! I live in SSF but if I'm passing through I'll be sure to stop by and stock up on some of my favs. Their prices are very fair as well. The only thing I would change is some music to play in the background lol. read more

Yesterday was Valentine's Day. I spent most of it sneering at the endless lines of men queuing up at the flower stand, the hoards of last-minute card shoppers, and grown women dressed in the girliest pinks. Such silliness it all is! Then, at about 5pm, the sinister spell of cynicism was broken. I needed a V-Day gift, stat! It always helps to know a few basic likes and dislikes about your sweetie, and thankfully I had picked up on the fact that my suitor has a major thang for Sauternes - that sticky, sweet dessert wine from Bordeaux, typically found in the "baby maker" section of the wine dept. This glorious liquid gold is not something you easily stumble upon at Trader Joe's or Safeway, so some serious Yelp research was needed. I gave the Wine Mine a call to inquire about their Sauternes selection. They had 4 different types on hand, between $15-29. Seriously? This was almost too easy. I zipped right over, grabbed a spot in their convenient private lot, just off Telegraph, flew inside and dashed over to the "stickies" section (yes, they really have one). I chatted with the wine woman about different vintages, and settled on a nice petite bottle for le beau. My cool girlfriend points were about to get a boost. I took a peek at the boxes upon boxes of unique, well-priced wines and thought...I never have to drive all the way to Berkeley for quality juice again (though I do still love Solano Cellars). I've got to come back for their legendary $1 weekend tastings - 5 tastes for a buck! I think I just found my wine shop Valentine. read more

The proprietor David, has crafted a unique and wonderful wine experience in the Temescal District since 2007. He along with his sibling Elizabeth (?) are really good at what they do. Their goal is not just to sell you cheap hooch. There is a myriad of selections that often boggles the mind when you first enter. It's a rather narrow space, stacked with cases and boxes in a neat and orderly fashion grouped by styles & types. What make this such a wonderful place to buy wine is that you don't need to know a single thing about any of the wines offered. You only need to have an idea what you want. Simple! David is very smart. He has an excellent palette and knows every single offering that is on display. You can trust that he doesn't try to upsell you on something that is more $$$. He'll often make a selection that is less than the price point parameters targets. He loves to do this. Very effective selling technique. How cool is THAT? You need a light and fruity white which is under $12 that is similar to _______________ (fill in the blank). You want a dry (or fruity) red under $15 that is similar to_______________ (fill in the blank). That is all the information that he needs to give you several selections to choose from, complete with his very clear descriptions of whatever he has picked out. The more descriptive you are about what you like (or don't like), the better, then his computer wine brain goes to work. It's like a treasure hunt game to him to figure out as quickly as possible that will fit the bill. I have never come across another person like him with those unique talents in the retail wine biz. David has rarely been off the mark in his selections. I have collected a lot of expensive wine for over 30 years. When I come in to see him I need usually one or two cases of an everyday quaffing wine. My price points have rarely been over $16.00 and he seldom needs a waiver on that ceiling price. His picks are all different. I love the intrigue of trying out the jewels that he has selected for me. David has the Temescal/S.E. Berkeley/Upper Rockridge/Montclair/Piedmont wino crowd eating out of the palm of his hand. Getyerdrinkon. No Lie! read more

I stopped in for the CMYE on Saturday. Apparently, every Saturday they host $1 tastings. Five samples for $1! I tried a white and a red because I'm a lightweight but there were a lot of people enjoying all five of the wines. The pours were strong and the crowd was friendly. I really enjoyed going to this hidden gem. It's right off the freeway and there's plenty of parking in the lot! Blink and you might miss this place. They offered a wide variety of wines on sale as well. What an excellent way to spend your afternoon. If you're in Oakland from 2pm-5pm stop in for a tasting. read more

Don't get me wrong --- This is a FIVE STAR PLACE. Wow.. I am just like Drue C. and didn't know you guys existed until by total accident. Not worried that I paid too much or not, it was nice to see some wines not carried in other shops or that I would have to go all the way up to Napa to get a bottle. Love the arrangement, and a kind of neat thing to see the outside benches that what, allows pours? This is place is AWESOME... so if you need wine.. I am sharing Yelp love to my vino drinking buds to go on down. read more

The Wine Mine - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Oakland, California

Popped in today on a whim, first time. Was in the mood for a smoky, full bodied but low acidity wine. Through that description out there to a staff member, walked out two minutes later to what I later learned may be my new favorite wine. Will def be back. read more

The Wine Mine - Lievland wine recommended by staff. Smoky, full bodied, low acidity - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Oakland, California

David and Elizabeth are very knowledgeable and never push the pricey stuff. It always seems that when I'm describing a bottle to them they know what I'm talking about. They're super fast at the counter and offer to carry a case out to the car. Try the $1 Saturday tasting (this is after the pandemic ends) and you'll be able to try a bunch of wines in a completely pressure fee situation. The price is right at the Wine Mine. read more

Screw you Wine Mine! I hate you. I hate you for not making me aware of your store with flashy advertising and overtly whorish word of mouth that expands beyond the neighborhood you reside in. Oh, and if you could do that while keeping prices down that would be super! I have paid much more elsewhere, in the last few weeks, for at least three items I saw in your place of business, including a Belgian ale that I couldn't resist getting to go at the exclusive and expansive "we have what others don't carry" Trappist (though they are still tops in my book). Oh, and $1 wine tasting on Saturday? Guess you know when you can find me here! read more

Wine Mine is a fine find for a variety of vino. But if that ain't enough to uncork your bottle, may I pass along this Yelp-sourced extra goodie for you: Saturday wine tastings. $1 for five wines. Today was a Spanish-wine theme. I may never get to make the trip to the actual country, but now my tongue has walked on its grape fields. The five-fold selection of samples was not just compelling, but affordable. One of my favorite selections of the sample quintet cost like $7 a bottle. Wow. Wine excellence aside, I just love that the Wine Mine carries a impressive number of gluten-free beers, and purchased two bottles I have not heard of nor tasted yet. A beautiful and warm afternoon, good people, and samplings of delightful wine. Not too shabby. Thanks to our ambassador Nique for a delightful CMYE! read more

The real Whine Mine is in my classroom, around 40 minutes before the dismissal bell rings. And I'm not talking about the kids. Serious. But THIS Wine Mine is better than mine, because you can get toasted on the things that are offered here. The selections are great, and the cost can't be beat. After perusing the aisles of Trader Joe's for cheap wine that looks presentable at a housewarming/birthday/holiday party, the Wine Mine is a pleasant departure from the supermarket bargain bin. read more

Fan-fucking-tastic! No, really. I love supporting local businesses, and this is one worthy or your hard-earned dollar. I was here for a "bubbles" tasting. California sparkling and Champagne were represented. Could I have been happier? Only if they offered some Cava or Prosecco to the tasting selection. And $20 for the event? A little pricey for the amount of booze I guzzled. But, overall, the event was fun and the company was good. I confessed that I wasn't sure if I like the pink bubbles only because of its hue! There were a lot of wine snobs at the tasting, and a few within ear shot gave me annoyed looks. Screw you, wine snobs! I like what I like, and if I like it because it's pink and bubbly, then I will drink it! And so I did. And bought a bottle to take home. I think it tastes pretty damn good, too. read more

By the beard of Zeus! Why hadn't I found them sooner? Great Saturday tastings that go on from 2-5 pm. The owner is gracious, young and informative. Casual setting, good variety of wines and prices. I walked away with a tasty take home bottle of vino from Croatia that reminded me of something my grandma used to make....and no, not in the bathtub. She kept glass bottles under the stairs thank you very much... I'll be going back for more on the weekends to sample wine from around the world. Shop and drink local--always a plus. Friendly folks you can stop in right off the street, or your bike or roll outta bed and say hi to. They won't mind. They'll just pour you some wine. read more

Last stop in the Temescal before heading to Casa P (Jessica's quaint home nearby) for some R & R, we entered the warehouse-y walls of The Wine Mine. While the displays are simple, there is nothing simple about the wines contained within. You're whisked away to countries like Italy, Spain, Portugual, Australia, France, etc on the hunt for the perfect wine or (admit it you wine snobs!) bragging rights. They carry an array of reds, whites and roses paying particular attention to the vintages which I was quite impressed seeing. Whilst I can't remember the years they have, I know they're in the 2000's. Of course I am not a wine aficionado nor do I drink the stuff but when your peeps decide they're going to wine taste in-house for $1 on a Saturday afternoon, that gives you plenty of time to browse. The staff were friendly aside from the lady doing the wine tasting as she thought it was much more important to text then give any information about the wines she was pouring. Do they lose a star for this? Naw. Will I come back if in the area again? If Jessica wills it to be so since she's the wine shot caller in our friendly unit. read more

I was pretty darn impressed that wines of the world can be found in Temescal, and all for $1 per 5 tastings on Saturdays! They also have an excellent wine and champagne selection. Drink, browse, and shop to your heart's galore among affordable selections ranging from $7 to $62 depending upon your taste. Parking is a cinch in their private lot, and if you get hungry, you can head over to the cafe next door. A perfect reason to become a wino : ) Thanks to Nique for introducing this shop to us via a CMYE! read more

I get these coupon envelopes mailed to my house. You know the blue ones that are called Valu-Pak or something. Anyway, I always pull out the coupon for the Cheesesteak Shop on Lakeshore if it is in there, for a friend at work. I also grab the one for the Buttercup in Oakland, the one near Embarcadero, because both the V.P. and the President of our company LOVE that place. Recently there has been on for this place called the Wine Mine. I noticed it was near my coworkers house so I brought the first one into him. He said he loves this place and shops there all the time. Then my other friend who used to be a coworker of mine mentioned that they had $1 wine tasting on Saturdays. We went last Saturday for my first time. They had $5 champagne and chocolate tasting. What a fabulous place! They had several wines that I know and love as well as wonderful Belgium beer at very good prices. I know I will be back for the Saturday wine tastings and I am sure I will leave with at least one bottle of wine or beer for later. What a find! read more

Thanks to my BFF Yelper Jessica P for showing me this Temescal gem.! We stopped by on a Saturday after a Happy Hour at SR24 for a $1 tasting of 4 wines. Great way to draw people! With an emphasis that particular Saturday on grape combonations that you don't often see, it was an unorthodox trip around the world, from domestic, to Spanish to Italian. All OK, some not very tasty, one bottle I -think- I bought.....I was in sensory overload and did purchase a couple of bottles. While small, they have a great range of varieties and prices to fit every budget, seriously. I'm just saying that. I go to Grocery Outlet all the time, and buy crap wine, but here, you might spend maybe +3 dollars on a bottle of wine than you would at Grocery Outlet, (or TJ's), but you are practically guaranteed it will be drinkable. No taking a gamble here. I like sparkling wines, and they had a GREAT, not huge, but selection of sparkling wines and even one Lambrusco that I haven't seen elsewhere (again, at a great price) that I plan to go back for. New Years Eve 2011 anyone? Nice staff, fun people who know their stuff, some only working on the weekends to help out the owner and shoot the s___ about wine. I love that type of arrangement, you can tell people really love wine (sure, maybe they're winos!) and are just there to chat and educate, no pressure! A little hard to find, but worth it, and plenty of parking. My wine shop in East Bay. read more

Hard to find a place that *averages* 5 stars, but this really merits them. I stopped in for the first time today a few short moments before I got to stand in line for 18 minutes at Bakesale Betty's. W.M. has an extraordinary variety of very interesting wines at prices that begin in the high single digits. I got a South African chenin blanc for $7.99, a Sierra foothills rousanne for $11.99 and then two red wines that were a bit more expensive. (These were a Fitou @ $17.99 and a Sean Thackrey Pleiades @ $20.99.) The fellow staffing the till (presumably Dave, the owner) was friendly and knowledgeable. This store compares very roughly with Oddlots on San Pablo in Albany and Vintage Berkeley on Vine in Berkeley, but it really seemed to be better than both. I'd had the Wine Mine bookmarked for a while but I never knew exactly where it was. It's on the west side of Telegraph about a block and a half north of 51st. The store doesn't front on Telegraph, however: there's a parking lot on Telegraph with a group of stores, and you walk in from the parking lot. read more

This is THE BEST wine shop in Oakland! I joined their wine club during the pandemic, and I'm so glad I did. Since then, this quickly became one of the only place I go for a new bottle. Their shop has been safely open for a little while, and often I'll pop in, tell the team what I'm cooking for dinner, and they'll always recommend something great (and always at super reasonable prices). The wine club bottles are always excellent, and the club tasting notes always include a food pairing! Love these people and this shop! read more

I almost don't want to write a review for this place because i dont want ppl to come here. so i can keep it all to myself.. but i can't be selfish... i guess lol... so just gotta keep it short and not give out too many secrets... 1 dollar wine tastings on saturday. YES. wines from all over the world!! yay! the owner is awesome... i love that he doesnt recommend u to the most expensive wines when u ask for help like a lot of ppl might do. he asks for your budget and picks the best one he can for u. and his quirky weekly emails makes me giggle at work lol price wise you can get anythng from maybe 5 dollars to a hundred dollars. depending on your wallet lol. he has every wine you can think of... my suggestion to my fellow yelpers is... if he recommends u a good wine, dont hesitate just buy it.... and if u like it come back quickly lol. because i waited too long and he no longer carries the wine i fell in love with. I knew i should bought one more... haha DAMN IT. anyways. Ill drop by when i have time!! =] read more

This place is remarkable. Delicious wines at completely reasonable prices. I'm really sad this establishment isn't closer to me on the peninsula. If you live in the east Bay do yourself a favor and check them out. read more

A hidden gem in the Temescal. I love this wine shop. It has an assortment of interesting wines at price points for the full spectrum of wine lovers. I am a creature of habit and have been obsessed with Gruner Veltliner, an Austrian white wine that my limited imagination would describe as a clean vibrant cross between a Chardonnay and Savingion Blanc. It is more complex that my description but I love it, affordable for an expensive date and it never triggers my allergies. I digress, the store has several choices which includes one of my favorites, Biohof I am enjoying a glass as I type. $12 dollars and a liter bottle, supersize me:) The owner is very knowledgable and friendly without a hint of snobbiness. Tastings on Saturdays and some special events. It is off the street next to a gluten free bakery which I have no use for but is also popular. Off street parking. read more

My partner and I are regular wine drinkers, but consume on a budget. Up until recently we've purchased our expensive stuff from Napa and our cheap stuff from TJ's. Sometimes we want something in-between. The Wine Mine is perfect for all of the above (I'm guessing). We have only purchased $7-$12 bottles of various reds, but have loved them all. A $7 bottle there is 2 steps above a $7 bottle from TJ's. A $9-$10 bottle is perfect for taking to dinner at a friends (we've gotten raves). The best part is the owner remembers us and our likes. He knows we want bold, flavorful reds under $10. He'll say, you've tried that now try this. Or, I got a great deal on this new bottle. etc. Personable, reasonable, good quality, unpretentious, small business. Too bad we moved to North Carolina. :-( read more

From 1-5 on Saturday they have $1 wine tasting. The good news: $1 wine-tasting. The bad news: the wines were not even worth a dollar. Will I go back because I am pathetic and cheap and a $1 tasting is too good to pass up: yes. Will I buy lots of wine from them? Probably not, but I could be persuaded. On another note: we asked to buy a bottle and drink it on the beautiful picnic tables right outside of the establishment and they said no. I then said, screw this and went to Marc 49 and had a glorious time there with my friends. read more

"How is the hopey changey stuff workin' out for ya?" You know what I've been thinking lately? I am a hopey-changey kinda person. I hope to find cheap thrills that change my mood and enhance my pallet for the betterment of mankind and myself. At The Wine Mine you can get 6 tastings of wine for $1.00. Yes, isn't that insane? Plus, little nibbles like crackers and stuff to cleanse your hopey-changey pallet. You have to be there on a Saturday from 2pm - 5pm, it helps to be a polite & tolerable to crowds' kinda person. I will be back here. It's a brilliant move by this wine shop. Makes me wonder why all these other wine shops aren't doing it. read more

As far as a wine shop goes, it doesn't get any better than this, and I have been to a LOT of wine shops! Dave Sharp, the owner of Wine Mine, manages to source amazing deals on amazing wines. The best part is this: if you can remotely describe what you like in a wine to Dave, he will recommend an wine that you will almost positively enjoy- at an amazing price! I make frequent trips here and thoroughly enjoy myself. They have $1 wine tastings on Sat, I believe, which attracts a lot of folks. But that is not my big attraction. Dave's palate and knowledge is my attraction. I tell him what I like, and he produces, almost at cost. I have bought cases and cases here. There is also a kid-friendly spot up front for your tyke to read/play while you peruse. I almost didn't want to post this...it's giving away my secret spot! But that wouldn't be fair to Dave, who deserves all the success he can get. read more

Fellow wine lovers - from connoisseurs to families: The Wine Mine is Oakland's embodiment of the reality that online wine options have nothing on places like what our neighbors have had going for 12+ years (or whatever it is). I know this is CRAZY to say -- you can get anything online these days, with the benefit of convenience. But that formula really short-changes the reality of visiting a place that: 1.) Has a crazy range of relationships, including direct with winemakers (Prima Materia! Ursa!) and small distributors; 2.) Focuses on wine under $25; 3.) Has incredibly thoughtful tastings for just one (1) of your US Dollars - $1 for an ever-changing selection 4.) Loves families and kids so much they have a kids area, like with toys that are really nice and clean; and 5.) Has a thoughtful selection of higher-end wines, but still with a budget eye. (They recommended a $35 bottle for my wife for her birthday that knocked socks off a similar $65 selection at a fancier shop nearby -- and that was after some aging!) As an aside, as something of a Public Service Announcement, these guys should honestly supply a lot of restaurants in Oakland/Berkeley with their wine programs, or whatever they call serving interesting wine in the restaurant industry. I know this is sounding like I'm venturing into some kind of partisan review here, but honestly, I'm just a guy who visits regularly. Every time I'm at a good casual restaurant serving the same standard array, I remember the cats at Wine Mine will readily sell you a case for $120 (red, white or sparkling) that would sell like hot cakes at $8 a glass. Portugal, Lodi, Spain, crazy Italian whites, a sparkling Shiraz last year (slow down - or ask!), an array of ciders and beers, ports, crazy obscure California wines for under $15, just the works. Some stay (Ursa again!) and some go (I noticed the Pazzo from Lodi may be on hiatus). Oh right -- and they are so so so nice. Like, Oakland's best, every day. Incredibly kind and patient with people who think ONE DOLLAR WINE TASTINGS ARE A GOOD DEAL. (sorry) Next time you open a bottle of wine you randomly picked up, I hope you find yourself doing what I do, which is taking a moment to wonder what that $14 you spent could have gotten you at Wine Mine. Best wishes Wine Mine! Thanks again for everything. Marshall and kin read more