Ignore the headlines and trend pieces that say Americans aren’t drinking wine anymore. Smart entrepreneurs are ignoring them too, based on an explosion of new places to swirl, sniff, and sip in Minnesota. It’s a trend that is extending well beyond the immediate metro and into smaller towns all over the state. Wine bars have struggled to catch on in our area, maybe because so many of us gravitate toward big brands and old favorites. But a new spirit of exploration coupled with a desire to find chill places with good vibes make wine bars feel like a win.
Courtesy of Bojae's Wine Bar
Nouveau Wine Bars
BOJAE’S WINE BAR & BISTRO
4950 France Ave. S., Edina
MILLY’S WINE BAR & BISTRO
1129 Washington Ave. S., Minneapolis
POUR WINE BAR & BISTRO
12379 Champlin Drive, Champlin; 15704 90th St. NE, Otsego
SMALL HOURS
2201 NE Second St., Minneapolis
WUNDERBAR WINE CAFÉ
1712 Marshall St. NE, Minneapolis
Jason’s Pick:
Barcelona Wine Bar
508 N. Washington Ave., Minneapolis
Fifty wines by the glass, including half-pours starting at $5? Are we really in the super-chic North Loop of Minneapolis? I don’t make a practice of singling out national operations (Barcelona has 24 locations) but the expansive Spanish, Chilean, and Uruguayan wine list is a standout. The food from local chef Alex Dayton is equally exciting, with a tapas feel.
Courtesy of Barcelona Wine Bar
Still-Young Wine Bars
AMBI WINE BAR & DESSERTS
2015 Second Ave., Anoka
BAR BRAVA
1914 N. Washington Ave., Minneapolis
THE TASTING ROOM
1434 W. 31st St., Minneapolis
Jason’s Pick:
The Vine Room
756 Mainstreet, Hopkins
It’s a tale as old as time: Minnesotan moves to California wine country for five years, then comes home and opens a wine bar. It usually flops. But Ali Hanson is entering year five because of a relentless focus on educating and entertaining her suburban clientele. Great flights and a smart list that pushes, but still offers something for everyone.
Vintage Wine Bars
DOMAĆIN RESTAURANT & WINE BAR
102 Second St. S., Stillwater
TROUBADOUR WINE BAR
2827 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis
Jason’s Pick:
Cafe Latte Wine Bar
850 Grand Ave., St. Paul
Is Cafe Latte the oldest wine bar that people still are surprised to discover? It may be the oldest wine bar, period! Bryce Quinn’s passion for wine is on display in his approach to having amazing wines available by the glass. He doesn’t price them the typical way, rather far below the standard restaurant practice of charging the wholesale price of the bottle. Plus, you can have a pizza or a slice of the legendary Cafe Latte cake with the perfect glass—an ideal Grand Avenue night.
Courtesy of Cafe Latte
Road Trip Wine and Dine
BELLISIO’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT & WINE BAR
405 S. Lake Ave., Duluth
ROOT RIVER 102
102 Coffee St. W., Lanesboro
SALUTE WINE BAR & MORE
101 First Ave. SW, Rochester
Jason’s Pick:
Cru Restaurant & Wine Bar at Grand View Lodge
23521 Nokomis Ave., Nisswa
The first time I visited Cru, they took my wife and I back into the wine cellar so we could pick out our bottle. It was such a unique, cool experience that I will never forget. That’s what makes Cru special—yes, the new chef is fantastic and the food at Grand View Lodge is shockingly good, but the people treat everyone like they’re celebrities. Imagine having a special vacation where Cru takes you into the cellar to pick out a bottle that’s maybe a splurge to you at $50 and having the same experience as the collector dipping into their reserve collection. That’s what wine is really all about: sharing a special memory.
Courtesy of Cru Restaurant and Wine Bar
