This is an incredible wine shop. It's small in comparison to some of the larger stores like K&L, but they've got some incredible options spanning all price points, countries, and varietals, including a pretty stellar selection of Champagne and sparkling wines. A lot of the labels are from smaller producers, well known for making high quality wines. I've been to many wine shops in/around the Bay Area and I struggle to think of a shop that has as great of a selection as Wine on Piedmont. Additionally, prices are very competitive! In the back of the shop is a small tasting room where you can enjoy wines by the glass from a rotating selection, as well as open bottles purchased from the shop for just a $10 corkage fee. The staff are also incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. We aren't over on Piedmont Ave often, but this shop gives us a reason to stop by the area more often. read more

Wine on Piedmont - White burg - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Oakland, California

The staff are really nice & informative. It's a comfortable atmosphere. Has a large selection of wines. Has wine tasting & by the glass.

As much as my ego would like to think otherwise, when it comes to wine, my credentials are probably only good enough to get me in the door. I know what I like, and I know what I don't, but if you ask me to pick up a bottle, I may or may not pick based off of how nice the label looks. Sorry, but with all due respect to BevMo's associates, I've never been sure how much faith to put into what their associates know about different merlots, pinot noirs, and rieslings (though, you can't not love their $.05 wine sale). And yet, as we've already established, who am I to judge what they do or do not know... For the most part, Wine on Piedmont looks like just about any other wine shop, albeit a little on the smaller side. However, they've still got a wide selection of bottles and varietals to choose from, as nearly every inch of the place has something to offer. What's more, in the event you're looking to pick up other adult beverages, they also have a solid collection of craft beers and ales, as well as an interesting range of liquors to choose from (including some whiskeys I've never even heard of!). They've even got a modest little set up in the back for their weekly wine tastings ($10), where you can sample 4-5 different wines that typically follow some sort of theme - wines from Greece, French bubblies, offerings from a specific winemaker, etc. Despite all of those great things that they have to offer, the most appealing thing about Wine on Piedmont just might be the folks who run this place. In particular, Brian (the owner?) is awesome - super friendly, very easy to talk to, and he really knows his stuff (as far as I can tell, anyways). He answered all of my questions with ease and was quick to make suggestions based on what my friends and I were looking for. Quite simply, he instilled a lot of confidence in what he had to say, which was fantastic considering how I'm trying to learn more about different wines and their profiles. Since I haven't frequented many wine shops in the past, I can't say how their prices compare, but they seemed pretty fair for the most part (their beers were comparable to a nearby market). All in all, even though Piedmont isn't particularly close to where I am, I have no doubt we'll be back, whether to hit up another one of their wine tastings or if I'm in the area and in need of a good bottle of wine that has more than just a pretty looking label! FOUR AND A HALF STARS rounded up. read more

Wine on Piedmont - rows of wine bottles in a wine cellar - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Oakland, California

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I was looking for a gift for a friend, but I'm not very knowledgeable about wine. The stewardess was very warm and friendly and gave me some good recommendations. Will definitely go back whenever I need to get wine. read more

Really late in posting this review. This is my go to wine and spirit shop. I could trust Brian and the staff to find me the right wine for the pairings or just to enjoy. Brian has stepped away and Adriana is the new owner. She has been with the shop a few years. She's great. I needed a wine to go with a rich pasta dish, she nailed it! My hosts loved the wine. I wanted a smoky Mezcal. She explained the different ones they carried and suggested one. It is just what I wanted. The shop is special. Wines from all over and for every budget. read more

I had a colleague recommend this shop and I was very impressed. When I was there, the two sales people were very helpful and were able to help me select what I was looking for. Good selection, too! Would recommend! read more

I have passed by this location a few times now and finally went in. The visit is during COVID, 3 customers are allowed in at a time. I came in and put on hand sanitizer as instructed on the table near the door. I was assisted by a woman working there. There was 2 people on the floor to assist (the owner and one of the employees); so a total of 5 people capacity in the store. The layout was really organized and nice with the wine racks lined up along the wall and a display wine bottle on the first row. I never had such a pleasant experience shopping for wine before. The employee gave me suggestions on the wine I was looking for and helped me wrap it as well. I was looking for a bottle as a gift for my mom. The sheer amount of wines that I have never seen or heard of was a bit overwhelming so I'm glad I got help. I can't wait until my next visit to grab bottle for myself. read more

Great selection! Staff is friendly and are knowledgeable. They always help me find new and good picks

This shop is the best place to get personalized, thoughtful recommendations from a team that genuinely wants you to find the best beverage. Adriana and Brian before her go the extra mile for their customers, including providing carefully selected wine for our wedding on only a few days notice. It's also pillar of the community and hosts lovely Friday wine tastings. Thank you! read more

It might seem strange that a wine store has 5 stars on yelp. But, nope. Totally deserved!! I've been here a few times, mainly to buy the most delicious gin in the world ( Destilerias Acha Atxa Sierra De Orduna Pacharan ) It's Spanish, it's a sloe gin, and it's absolute heaven in a bottle. It's also the only place in NorCal to get it because they have a fantastic selection and outstanding customer service. While I'm buying my gin, my husband picks up beer, wine and usually finds other things because the owner (I think) is super knowledgeable about all their products and gives great recommendations. Check this place out. Great selection, awesome staff, and when my gin comes back in (out of stock due to shipping) buy a bottle and have the best gin and tonic of your life. You're welcome, everyone. :) read more

I love this place! I've been buying from this store for a few years now. It's my go to place for Prosecco. What I especially enjoy is that I am always treated with dignity and respect. I was once in this store and a homeless person wondered in and asked for a sample size bottle. The owner very politely said and I quote I apologize that we don't carry the sample sizes and the person quietly left the store. The owner had no idea I overheard the conversation. I am learning about tequila and the owner takes time to explain the different types to me patiently! I am a slow learner but he helps me get it! I cheated once and went to BevMo with a friend. It was horrible! Including the customer service. I am now a WOP loyal customer!! read more

I love this wine store!! The people here are stellar, so well informed and helpful and fast, to boot. Ask them about their Italian wines, my favorite. They'll turn you on to so many varietals. Drink well! read more

Carrying a Poke Bowl, not feeling a sake, i saw a standing board in front announcing "Craft Beers" there wasn't a lot of them in the fridge. yep, wine goes with poke too. riesling, "white", sauvignon too brew: "fevertree" premium ginger beer (3.49) -24 gms of sugar, no buzz, no alcohol, nice fizzy brew. real ginger used. 3ish stars take outs: -gonna try a reisling or ...soon with Poke, probably will come from a wine shop, not cvs nor walgreens. -4 stars for the professionism in not upselling me while i'm starving.... read more

One of the best spots to grab a bottle or case... who's to judge? Fantastic selection and Brian has an amazing palate. His knowledge on wines is second to none. read more

I LOVE this store. The owner is always so friendly and helpful. He's helped me select a solid inexpensive wine that I enjoy with lonely covid dinners, as well as special bottles for gifts and special occasions, back when we could have those. He's been spot on with every selection. Just tell him a few wines you like (or don't) and he'll pick a winner for you in your desired price range. I'm moving away and I'll really miss shopping here. read more

I came in looking for a paritcular wine. Once I discovered they didn't carry it I asked to be pointed in a similar direction. My ability to describe wine lacks a certain basis in vinter/biology. Re:Vague/personality driven. I'm more of a; 'I like a Pinot Noir as long as it's not dirty dishwater.' When I throw out a vague yet crude reference, the reaction I get tells me all I need to know about a wine shop. The gentleman showing me their Pinot selection talked about the nuances of Northwestern soil when I gravitated to the Oregon wines. When my instinct is to emote I know I'm dealing with amateurs. I didn't get that from this shop. They're definitely snooty but if you're able to meet them halfway you can at least have a decent conversation. They're very focused on making a brand but are an excellent source of wine knowledge. read more

Wine on Piedmont - I came looking for a specific label, was turned on instead! Banshee is a young wine that has all the elements of Pinot I adore. - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Oakland, California

The guy is super nice and knowledgeable. We spend 20 minutes discussing a Chilean wine that had promise but turned into a disaster. Oh what a happy lad I was that day! Plus they do $5 wine tastings every so often, the place is wonderful. read more

This store is a gem and their online app makes it so convenient to order and pickup same day I called for a Pinot noir and French white recommendation and Brian was so helpful. I've been ordering from here for a couple months and the service is fantastic read more

Hit up Wine on Piedmont twice right before our birthing class in Oakland. Great, intimate wine shop with solid variety. However - the 5 stars is especially for their GSM wine. An excellent quality wine that goes great with pizza (especially deep dish). Next time you stop by Star on Grand or Zachary's, pick up a WOP GSM to compliment the pie. Cheers read more

So.. I'll say this. The man was very polite. I had some free time & walked in to take a look around. The elderly gentleman eventually greeted me so I asked about some sweeter reds(I'm new to the wine world). So as he explaining some things I notice he keeps emphasizing the prices.. *side eye* + *smirk* So as his "teaching" continues he perks up a little and introduced me to a wine he says is great!.. but why did he feel the need to point out the owners of the company were black? And they r one of very few that own their own vineyard... idk if he was being funny or if he genuinely thought he was doing something great. I politely let him finish and said my goodbyes. Smh OMG! I hate that I'm the first negative review :( read more

What a fantastic lil wine shop! Walked in 1/2 expecting to walk out with no wine, as I presumed, on Piedmont, that all bottles would be over-priced. Oh, but I was so wrong.. so so wrong. Huge, vast selection from all over the the place.. and the owner was super friendly and not all wine-snobbie like one might imagine in a cute lil shop like this. He informed us that they have tastings on the weekends. This weekend was French wines, so we passed (not a huge fan). However, we shall return for other tastings.. sounds totally fun. Great wines, great prices, great atmosphere. One of Piedmont Ave's must-go-to places! read more

Sesame Street was one of my favorite shows as a kid. There's a good chance that it was one of yours, too. Don't you remember all the warm fuzzies that you got from that tightly-knit group of friends who didn't really have anything in common except for the street on which they lived and worked? Now, I'm not saying that Brian is Mr. Hooper, and maybe Piedmont doesn't exactly equal Sesame, but I will say that the adults on that show could have only benefited from an addition of a wine store like this. In the months that I have been visiting WoP, asking for recommendations, and attending the $5 wine tastings on the weekends, I have really gained a lot, in a Sesame Street sort of way. For one, I have learned a heck of a lot about wine. And isn't learning the most important thing? Secondly, I have enjoyed spending time with Brian and the people that work with him, and although we have never burst spontaneously into song about the different types of grapes that grow in the Napa Valley, I'm just waiting for the day. Breaking away from the PBS metaphor, this is a great wine store to go to for an excellent, well chosen selection, and very friendly, non-pretentious service. The weekend wine tastings are addicting because Brian chooses a different sort of theme each weekend (wines from Burgundy, Zinfandels, wines from a specific vineyard, etc.), and when you go by the shop, you think to yourself, "ooh, I can't miss that!" And because the man knows his wines so well, he knows how to put together a perfect tasting that will not do your tastebuds wrong. So, given the choice between living on a street with a seven-foot-tall, English-speaking bird, or a street with a kick-ass wine store, I have to say that Wine on Piedmont has won me over from my childhood fantasies. And if I drink enough wine, I'm sure that I will see Big Bird anyway. Score! read more

Affordable wine, exceptional service! Yet another hidden gem within Piedmont. Tasted a variety of roses thanks to our wonderful sommelier, Brian. Was friendly, knowledgeable about the history of what we imbibed, and courteous to boot. Served cheese and bread with our tastings which paired well. Fell in absolute love with the Jaume Serra Cristalino. Pssst! Tag that in your mind peeps and grab a bottle for $7.99. My ever evolving love of wine has taken a new direction in the Rose world and am super glad it started here. Will be back for weekend tastings. Sip, sip, pass. read more

I love Wine on Piedmont!!! This fantastic shop, in the heart of Piedmont Ave., has my heart!! Brian, the owner, is the real reason why this shop is so special. He has a diverse knowledge of wines and alcohol and has a wonderful selection to select from. I really appreciate Brian's ability to chose the best wine for me no matter the occasion, or price. I recommend and send people to Brian all of the time for a great experience and fantastic wines. read more

Great little shop. They have a nice tasting bar, that on a random Saturday was serving an interesting mix of wines--including one "natural" unfiltered white (shades of the Punchdown). The shop's selection is well-chosen, with a bunch of interesting imports, plus a selection of local gems, including Donkey & Goat. But the service was especially good, as they were ready to help me find the obscure stuff I wanted, appreciated the Oakland labels, and pointed me toward other places who had some specific bottles I needed. All of this without a significant markup. I want to come back and buy some of their recommendations. I suspect they give good advice. read more

Brian was great with our group of wine tasters. He was personable and VERY knowledgeable! He picked a great tasting group of Roses for us to taste and they were very reasonable prices. I left with 2 bottles myself. There is a good selection in this little shop and Brian can tell you everything you need to know about the wines and help you pick a wine to impress anyone! read more

Love talking with brian and boyd - these guys know wines and how to create an atmosphere of enjoyable education and a refinement of the palette read more

Excellent selection; very individualized recommendations. When I'm not sure what I want, Brian is patient and helpful. I always leave happy.

This wine shop is less than a block from my apartment. So, this review may be tainted by proximity. Wine on Piedmont is a long, thin space. The owners have worked hard to make it feel uncluttered. From the front door, you can see all the way to the back. Consequently, the shop feels inviting without being spartan, and stocked without being overwhelming. I've been here several times and always find something interesting. If you are on Piedmont Avenue, remember that they also have a respectable selection of beer (Belgian and American) and liquors (Absinthe, Bitters, Whiskey). I saw two types of Creme De Cassis, neither of which I had seen previously. I love Kir Royales. As others have mentioned, the owner is really friendly and unpretentious. He is always welcoming to the "good value" crowd and has a word or two about everything in the shop. Overall, a lovely little place both welcoming and refined. read more

Neat little spot! Stopped by to see if they had some nice rose wines and the person working there was very helpful and explained me how the differences between wines, their flavors and where they are from. Very nice. Big selection of wines and prices are pretty reasonable - 20 to 30$ range is pretty common which is nice. Don't h have to spend all your months salary to buy a bottle of wino here. They have racks and racks of fun wine bottles to try. Anything for a special occasion or something to sip on while watching your daily star trek episode. They have it all. I will definitely be back and check what new things they have. Keep it going. read more

Fantastic shop! Great selection of wines, beers & fancy spirits. Don't see what you want? Have a chat with the man behind the counter & ask him to place an order for you. Owner (Brian) really knows his booze, and he gets to know his customers. He jumped through flaming hoops to track down a wine that I'd had at Camino which had a mass of distributor issues & now he keeps it stocked. If you go in there a few times he'll remember what you like and start making recommendations for you, AND he will let you know up front if his recommendation is going to be pricier than your typical purchase. Can't say enough good things about that, because I've been caught before agreeing to a recommendation only to find out that it was a tiny bottle for 3x what I usually spend. Go there today, and talk to Brian. He'll set you up with something you'll like! read more

Super friendly and knowledgable, and somehow they seem to remember what I got last time and provide suggestions for new stuff to try. Thanks for expanding my horizons :) read more

This is a local gem for wine.. Owner is extremely helpful and well verse in wine. He has made multiple recommendations that I was completely blown away by. Even thou there are more than one wine shops on the ave. He really makes himself stand out by carrying various wines that are unique to his store. I enjoy the wine tasting that he host in his store. To me, I believe he must have the most ideal job ever. He comes in, sits on his computer, talk to people about wine, try out some wine, and then call it a day. I enjoy all my visits to the store. The best part about it and the most important thing is the owner has recommendations for any price range. He will give you the time you need to pick a wine for any occasions. read more

This wine shop is a winner! Brian, the proprietor, has turned us on to fabulous new wines we wouldn't have found on our own. It didn't take him long to figure out what we liked. We have loved everything he's suggested and appreciate being surprised with new varietals and turned on to new European and California wineries. He recently helped me select wines for an afternoon bbq/party: a fab Verdicchio from central Italy, a French Rosé, as well as a tasting of reds. My guests raved about the wines, wanting to know where I'd found them. (Brian also selected two types of beer for the party that were a hit.) Brian is very knowledgable and doesn't put on airs that one may find with other aficionados. He's happy to work within his clients' budget. He'll help you find wine, beer, or spirits to delight your palette, within your price range. You can't go wrong here. read more

What a great selection of Artisinal Spirits!!! They have the new Square One Cucumber Vodka. It makes a really good Moscow Mule and enhances a Bloody Mary. Brian, the owner, really knows his wines and has the best selection of CA small production wines in the area. Next time I have dinner on Piedmont Ave I'm stopping in to get a bottle of wine on the way to the restaurant. Cheers!!! read more

Brian and crew are great. They have an excellent selection of all kinds of things, even beer and spirits. He's ordered me a case for a special dinner, as well as individual bottles. Always a good deal and helpful. Don't forget the tastings Saturdays and Sundays! Very few wine shops offer tastings, and these are always fun. read more

Tis true..this place is a gem. The owner left us to browse and check out the selection....we left with three bottles of nice wines. Can't wait to break open the 2000 red we found here. Enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and smile. I like that they stock some half bottles too because we can't all polish off a bottle (sometimes). read more

For the record, this place sells beer and liquor too. If fact, their selection is very eclectic and the staff is knowledgeable about these options too. I highly recommend picking their brains about the different selections and what you're looking for. Thanks guys! read more

This represents everything I cherish about a local, independent business. The owner Brian, and his assistant, Boyd, run a well-organized, friendly, unpretentious store that always has what I'm looking for. Brian has a true gift for coming up with perfect recommendations every time, and his intimate knowledge of beer, wine, and liquor is exceptional. They are always welcoming and kind, and I feel fortunate to have them in my neighborhood. Couldn't recommend this business more highly. read more

Quality wines, spirits, and beer, deep knowledge, and no attitude--simple as that. I happened to meet Brian, the owner, at a local tasting group, and regardless of whether you're a trained sommelier or just a regular person who likes having a drink with dinner, Brian can talk to you on your level, take your interests into account, and then recommend the right thing. If it's wine you're after, the inventory is balanced between local CA and European wines, and if you're looking for beer or spirits, chances are you'll discover a new favorite distillery or microbrew. While he makes a few concessions to popular tastes by stocking more popular labels that folks have heard of, every single bottle in there is one he approves of, which is not something you can say about many other stores. And as others have mentioned, he does tastings on weekends (Fri evening and Sun afternoon?) which are an affordable, approachable way to learn. All in all, the kind of local business with heart that we should all get behind. read more