Went to wine tasting and thoroughly enjoyed myself. Knowledge of educator and gracious presentation of wines A+

I used to work across the parking lot from Winestone, which I thought would be really convenient. The staff is friendly, and they host frequent tastings (all day Saturdays)...bummer I was always working and couldn't partake. I'm not a wine snob, but I got some okay bottles (Riojas and Temparanillos stick out in my mind) for under $20. With a wine-vending grocery store right next to my apartment and Trader Joe's boasting tasty reds under $10, though, there's not much of a draw for me to hit a boutique wine shop. I can imagine getting there and parking could be a hassle too. read more

I finally got to Winestone courtesy of a gift card. I expected to find: a)a boutique wine shop, or at least something calling itself same, b)a few exceptional wines and a fair amount of better than average, c)high prices and nothing resembling a bargain, and d)a fair amount of 'tude. In other words, this place would have the good stuff, but you'd pay for it; you'd get the "boutique" markup even on much more ordinary stuff available elsewhere; and you might have to deal with the "don't bother me if you're not buying the $200 Chateauneuf-du-Pape" vibe. I'm very pleased to say that the only part I got right was the presence of the good stuff. Not only is it good, but I'd say the prices are quite reasonable and sometimes exceptional for what you're getting. Case in point, I paid $30 a Henri Bourgeois '04 Sancerre Jadis that I saw elsewhere for $54. The real reason to shop here, though, is if you (like me) are usually purchasing wines in the $10-$15 range for everyday use. This is probably the most popular price range in wine shops around Boston, and the sad truth is, there's a lot of junk and even more so-so wines being sold in this range. Not at Winestone, where this price range is occupied by wines of solid quality that are frequently interesting or exemplary in some way. If you're going to spend $15 for a bottle of wine, wouldn't you prefer to know you're spending it on something good? And wouldn't you prefer to buy it from someone like Patrick, who shows off his $15 bottles with the same obvious enjoyment that he also spends on his pricier options? Yeah, the location ain't great. It's still more than worth the trip. Go. See. Buy. Enjoy. You won't be sorry. read more

Patrick is an absolutely amazing wine expert. My wife and I know a good amount about beer, but when it comes to wine we are mostly clueless. At the big box stores we were overwhelmed with all the options and worried that we were being sold the wines that make the store the most money rather than the wines that tasted the best for the price. Enter Patrick. Patrick advised us about wines for our wedding weekend, and after one brief meeting and one brief tasting, we settled on a roster of incredible wines that were affordable, had wide appeal, and also reflected our taste. Despite knowing more about wine than anyone else I know, Patrick never made us feel like newbies. He has a gift for translating preferences into workable crowd-pleasers without breaking the bank. He also maintains the highest level of professionalism and is very pleasant to work with. When the day came, Patrick delivered the wines himself. We got rave reviews about the wines, including from my cousin from Spain who is a connoisseur. Afterward, I was able to return some of the unused product for a full refund. My wife and I kept the rest for our honeymoon! read more

Ok, first, the drawback of this place: it's in a mildly inconvenient location. It shares a building with some jewelry store and one of those "Euro" skin care places that both probably cater to the leathery Chestnut Hill dowager set when they're back in town from Palm Beach. It also shares a parking lot with a Starbucks with one of the highest Hummer-to-parking-space ratios I've ever seen. Plus, it's located right by one of Route 9's busiest intersections, so it's a little tricky leaving. And those Hummer drivers get all up in their honking if they have to wait more than 3.78 seconds behind you. That being said, this place is worth the little logistical blips. Patrick, the owner, is the former sommelier of Rialto. So he knows his stuff. And it doesn't hurt whatsoever that he is courtly, gracious and charming. His right-hand woman, Yoko, is the hostess with the mostess during their weekly five-hour tastings on Saturdays (and their nibbles spread is quite luxe, too). They're always glad to see you, and they really take the time to know their customers. The first time I visited the shop, I mentioned how I was studying for a wine certification test. A couple months later, I went back-- they asked about my test and how I liked the two bottles I bought. Now, I'll admit: I spend a LOT of time and money in wine stores. But it usually takes at least six visits for most of the staff somewhere to recognize me and nod hi, and mostly leave me alone because they know I'll ask for something obscure that they don't have. At Winestone, I was on a first-name basis with these guys from that second visit. And again, this is Chestnut Hill, where most places can tell if you have a trust fund just by looking at you, and snub you accordingly. Patrick will special order stuff I'm looking for, and unlike certain other stores who require a half-case or case minimum, that's not the sitch here. If I remember correctly, it's a three-bottle minimum. That's hugely convenient and considerate to the customer. And again, despite the Chestnut Hill zip, the wine's not priced for the real estate. Their prices are maybe a buck or two over a bigger volume place like Marty's or Martignetti's. Most bottles are in the $28 and under range, and the wines they taste on the weekends are usually all under $20. Their selection is pretty eclectic, so you won't find most of their stock at 47 other packies either. This is a classy but down-to-earth operation that really focuses on the customer. It's clear they care about you and your satisfaction. They have an herb garden growing in a barrel out front which they're happy to share the bounty of-- how can you NOT patronize a place like this? Viva Winestone! read more

Super knowledgable, approachable proprietor who revels in finding you deals, stuff you've not had, at a reasonable price. Plus awesome tastings on the weekend with good notes, for the geek in you. Plenty o'parking. Big win! read more

We have been customers of Winestone since they opened. The service is excellent. The staff is knowledgeable. I lived in (Davis) California for years and to find a store that understands the complexity of finding excellent wines at my price point ($14) is a comfort. I also enjoy my Vodka and Patrick stocks my favorite - an added plus. They deliver for free. read more

Winestone is a great experience. As other reviewers have said, the prices are suprisingly reasonable and the staff knowledge is second to none. Special orders are no problem and don't forget to visit their lower level and special "reserve cabinet" for some interesting surprises. My favorite wine shop by far. read more

Winestone, a boutique wine shop in Chestnut Hill, is a gem of a shop. It's tucked away off Route 9 a few steps east of Hammond Street -- sharing the parking lot for the Starbucks on the "inbound" side of the street. Patrick and Yoko are engaging, pleasant, happy to assist you or simply let you wander around if that's your wine shopping M.O. The selection is excellent in all price ranges - - without being overwhelming; plus the proprietors have first hand knowledge of each selection on the shelf -- something very rare these days at the bigger stores! Yoko has made some GREAT recommendations for simple dinners, sophisticated menus and that special wine gift for an important business associate/wine buff. All were perfect recommendations and I think she's even getting to know MY pallette preferences! Amazing! This store provides the best wine-buying experience I've ever had. The staff is interested in my preferences and needs; they listen; and are enthusiastic without being in any way elitist. Plus they are friendly, fun and service oriented. What more could you ask for! A votre sante! read more

I have been to my fair share of boutique wine shops in the area, and I must say I am incredibly impressed. The lay-out, presentation and feel of the whole store is wonderful. I love the owner's attention to detail and incredible care for the wine above all. The presentation of the wine is most exciting to me, for it shows his dedication to the fine art of winemaking. Don't be fooled into thinking this boutique shop only has expensive wine! Winestone has a great variety of delcious, hand-selected wines at great prices. The older vintages and cellar collection on the lower level is small, but I wouldn't hesitate for a moment on whether it was a safe purchase or not. Above all, if you are looking for great wine at many different price points, I highly recommend Winestone. read more

With every visit I am confident that Patrick and Yoko will provide consistent, informative, and friendly service. I find Winestone to be a shear delight and look forward to their Saturday tasting's, as they feature the unique and often under-discovered wines. read more

This is by far the best wine store in this neighborhood. Don't go here if you're looking for mass produced wine for $7 and a case of Budweiser. Do go here if you're looking for a curated selection of excellent wines at value price points. With the case discount, it's possible to walk out of this store with 12 bottles of interesting wines to try for $150 or less. Despite the time, effort and education that is put into curating this type of wine selection, the prices are always reasonable and there are many values under $15 or $20. The small selection is very curated and the staff knows every wine on the shelf well. Because of this they can give you great recommendations and tips on what is the store favorite of the moment. Patrick, the owner, is extremely knowledgeable and happy to track down any wine you request for a special order. read more

i love this amazing wine store, it has the best of the best!!!! i've worked in sooo many restaurants and it's obvious the owner knows incredible wines!!! yoko is the sweetest woman, she knows exactly what i want when i ask and she is soo on!! love it there, and when i go in, everyone else i encounter is a very content regular. that says a lot. ... and if you are getting your wine as a gift, it will be beautifully wrapped. every bottle i have gotten has been amazing and this very specialized shop has the hard to find wines that i absolutely love!! this is by far my favorite place to go to and the atmosphere is fun and inviting. i give it a strong 11 out of 10, i will always go back ;-) love, love, love, just love winestone..... read more

Hands down the best service and selection I have experienced. Not only will the amazing folks at winestone custom order any selection you request, but the carry some of the finest wine in the world. I have had private tastings at winestone with friends and there is no comparison to other tastings i have been to. A common theme i hear from my friends is that the feel overwhelmed with selections and prices and just want a place to grab an amazing bottle of wine whether they are prepared to spend $10.00 or 100.00 and every friend or colleague that i have reccomended to winestone has left with a full bag and an amazing experience. Patrick and Yoko do a fantastic job matching your taste and budget with a wine that fits never passing judgment on any selection as I have experienced in other wine shops. As a bonus the location is convenient and I have never had trouble with parking. Thanks for being not only a great choice, but the best choice for wine in Boston! read more

Great little neighborhood wine shop. The owner is extremely helpful, passionate and has an excellent staff. His team makes helpful recommendations and they carry an excellent list of producers at reasonable prices. read more

If you love wine and love not paying too much for it, this will be your place. If the Wine Cask (my other favorite) is like a great bookstore, this place is like an art gallery. It's beautifully curated, but has many inexpensive selections. The owner of the store is very knowledgeable, he selects the wines for BU"s wine program, but he'll treat your request for a cheap bottle that will go good with pizza like a very important selection. He won't try to get you to spend more or blow you off. Well of course, he's the owner. But even the other employees are fantastic. I went in the other night looking for a bottle of $12 wine I had brought to a party a couple of months ago that everyone had raved about. But I had no idea what the name of it was or even what kind of wine it was. Just by telling her about when I had bought it, (it had been in one of their Saturday wine tastings) and the COLOR she found it for immediately. And she was so nice and friendly. I just wish they were a little closer to Jamaica Plain. read more

Went in last night to pick up a few Christmas presents for work. I am not a big wine drinker. I tend to let others pick the bottle at restaurants, or I buy based on the label in stores. After a loop around the store, which is organized by region, I asked the man at the counter for help. He asked my price range and the varieties that I was looking for and off we went. He showed me a few options from each variety, explaining in basic terms what each had to offer. I was pleasently surprised that he showed me many bottles well under my price range. He clearly knew his stuff and the service was great! In the end I walked away with exactly what I needed, under budget. I have no complaints! read more

Like others have said, Patrick and his staff are extremely knowledgeable and very approachable. They have great taste, really listen to what I am serving/who I am buying for and do not balk at whatever price I am hoping to pay. It is always nice to go there. read more

There are very few establishments in which you are guaranteed a positive experience with each visit, but Winestone may be the exception to the rule. I've always been greeted and given as much assistance as necessary, no matter who is working and how many customer are in the store. Another great characteristic of this store is the owner/ employees can talk to you about wine at YOUR level. They can talk "novice" with me, but I've overheard "connoisseur"-talk with other customers. read more

This is not your typical wine store. Having been a customer for several years now, I have gotten to know Patrick and his team of wine experts quite well and am blown away by their passion and commitment to selling high quality, high-value wine. You can tell everyone is genuinely passionate about everything about wine and you will not find a more helpful group of people for finding the right wine for your needs. They offer free wine tastings every Saturday, where you sample 6 wines (3 White 3 Red) in real wine glasses and you can learn as much about wine as you want to know. There is never any pressure to buy a bottle nor will they ever make you feel uncomfortable if you don't know much or anything about wine. Their genuine passion and appreciation for wine is infectious and it makes the whole experience of coming to the store fun and enjoyable, regardless of whether you buy something or not. I knew nothing about wine when I first came in for the free wine-tasting and I never felt out-of-place because they just want you to have a good time. I learn something new every time now. The most important lesson that I've learned about wine in general is that great quality and tasting wine doesn't have to be expensive. And that is where this store excels and sets itself apart from other wine stores. Patrick and his team diligently hand-select every bottle of wine displayed in the store and make sure that regardless of price, that it is a great wine. If you want a great wine for a great value, I would not recommend any other place in Massachusetts but this store. Great people, great wine, great experience. read more

I'm glad to report that his wine gem has now made it past the one year mark! For those who have been there this may be repeat info, but for those of you who haven't yet discovered it...the location of the business might be somewhat deceiving in terms of what to expect; in both quality and service, one shouldn't hesitate on making the trip here! In fact, once you make it you'll probably be asking yourself, what the heck took you so long. Patrick, the impassioned owner is a master at the art of hospitality and service, which alone could make a boutique-type business concept such as his thrive, were it not for the need for... umm, knowledge of wine in this case! Something many store employees roaming the floor at larger stores seem to lack, IMHO of course... Not only does he have a mastery of the multiple regions, varietals and styles represented on his walls, but he is able to trully understand his clients' wants, needs (and most important budgets!), again, something many larger stores completely miss the mark on. In fact, how many stores even bother asking: what your wine tastes usually are, if you're having food with this wine, if you had anything like this before and what you thought,etc...and then rather than push the overpriced and mediocre CA Cabernet or overoaked Chardonnay which they bought 50,000 cases of and must get rid off, he will listen and most likely point you in the direction of something you will love, and probably find that you've actually just learned something new about wine in the process. No, they don't have Yellowtail, or anything like 2 for $12, which is not to say they're expensive, they're not! In fact, I've become a huge fan of two particular wines (both under $12) which seem to keep disappearing from my wine rack week on a weekly basis and I just have to keep coming back for more (hint, one one them is on the left as soon as you walk in) The prices are fair, yes, the more you buy the larger the discount, industry standard, but more important is the fact that most of the wines which he puts up on the racks (well, more like the display hanging, metal shelving, modern and super cool looking curvy metal things protruding from the walls...) are exactly this, hand selected choices, to represent their regions, varietals, and styles in the most accurate manner, all while managing to keep value in the equation. The selection is interesting, and not "interesting" as in being "nice" or any other condescending verbiage, but really stuff which most wine lovers, novice and experienced find themselves smiling at, and well, loving once the cork is out. The Saturday tastings are a great way to increase your wine knowledge, often there is an educational theme, with side by side comparisons of regions and styles. Oh, and yes, the cold cuts and triple cream cheese are awesome and usually pair great with the wines being tasted. Him and Yoko are there, willing to help out, give advice, and even stay out of your way if you just want to browse around (ei: no pushy sales strategy at all!) despite the lack of pressure to make a sale, or what seem to some as distant, it's fairly impressive that once you come back a second time (or a twentieth or so time in my case) somehow Patrick and Yoko are able to remember who you are and most impressive, what you purchased last time you were there, don't believe it? Well, I'd truly urge you to put this great hidden treasure in the wine retailing world to the test. read more

Wish the location were more convenient, but what a great shop. You can fearlessly purchase many wines under $20 (lots of them under $13). The owner sells no wines he would not himself drink. No snob factor. Just good wines and nice people. read more

This place may look hi-end, but it's cheaper than the New Hampshire highway liquor store!! There is a wonderful selection of bargain wines and unusual finds. Just tell them what you like and you'll be happy! No hard-sell here. They will deliver your holiday gifts! read more

I have been here a few times. This is a super awesome place. The range of wines is broad, very huge collection and the folks are super friendly and patient. You clearly get a feeling they love wine, they love what they do and they are not there to just make a buck. read more