San Francisco's Best Wine Specialty Stores
San Francisco Wine Trading Company
250 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116-1951
Neighborhood: West Portal
(415) 731-6222
San Francisco Wine Trading Company
Originally called Mr. Liquor, the SF Wine Trading Company was started in 1976 by a former staffer from the formally-named Tower Market grocery store (before it became Molly Stone's) above Castro Street. The new name seems a better match for the high-end clientele that flock to the store for its amazing selection of premium wines, spirits and wine tastings. The store offers an excellent selection of wines from around the world and from San Francisco, and the staff is friendly and helpful.
Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant
1 Ferry Building
Shop 23
San Francisco, CA 94102
Neighborhood: Embarcadero
(415) 391-9400
Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant
With an early eye toward eco-consciousness, Ferry Plaza was the first wine store in the Bay Area to recycle corks (now this is quite common where wine is sold in San Francisco). This is not the place to look for an inexpensive or ordinary wine; Ferry Plaza specializes in high-end wines from Napa Valley and around the world. The atmosphere is fun and friendly (it's common to see people sampling wine on market days, even early in the morning). Buy a bottle of wine from FPWM, a cheese or two from nearby Cow Girl Creamery and a loaf of bread from Acme Bakery and you're all set for a picnic on the Embarcadero.
K & L Wine Merchants
638 4th St
(between Bluxome St & Brannan St)
San Francisco, CA 94107
Neighborhood: SOMA
(800) 437-7421
K & L Wine Merchant
If you're looking for convenience and great selection, K & L is your place. The store has ample parking and you can order online. If you find a wine you want to order on a regular basis, the wine club will discount two wines each month. A monthly newsletter updates buyers on all that is new and good in the wine world.
Blackwell's Wine and Spirits
5620 Geary Blvd
(between 20th Ave & 21st Ave)
San Francisco, CA 94121
Neighborhood: Outer Richmond
(415) 386-9463
Blackwell's Wine and Spirits
While it might look at first glance to be your ordinary corner liquor store, Blackwell's is in fact filled with wines from California to Europe to Australia. The store also carries champagne, sparkling wines, hard liquor and great local beers.
Biondivino Wine Boutique
1415 Green St
(between Polk St & United States Highway 101)
San Francisco, CA 94109
Neighborhoods: Russian Hill, Nob Hill
(415) 673-2320
Biondivino Wine Boutique
As its name and proximity to North Beach suggest, Biondivino offers the best in Italian wines and champagnes. It's a great place to get a bottle of wine as a gift thanks to the colorful wrapping paper comes to adorn your bottle at checkout. The wine barrels and vines decorating the walls and the two cute little shop dogs add to Biondivino's cozy ambiance. The store offers about 85 percent Italian wines with a smaller collection from Australia and Germany.
