Searching for the perfect bottle to accompany your holiday meal? The right bubbly to celebrate the new year? A thoughtful hostess gift? Need a selection of reds and whites that won't break the bank for your next party? Here's a list of local wine stores in Raleigh Durham and Chapel Hill. Many of them have free tastings at least once a week and all have knowledgeable staff that can help you make sure you get a wine you love.
- Seaboard Wine Warehouse and Tasting Bar Seaboard Wine bills itself as the largest independent wine shop in North Carolina with an inventory of over 2000 wines. They also sell import and micro-brew beers. Monday-Friday from 12-7 p.m. they always have at least three wines open for sampling and sale by the glass. Free tastings from 12-4 p.m. on Saturdays. Big selection of deeply discounted wine. Raleigh.
- Wine Authorities Local shop that takes a fun approach to wine. Specializes in estate grown wines from small family-owned wineries. Free tastings every Saturday 12-3 p.m. Durham.
- Brandywine Cellers Sells wine and beer. Free wine tastings every Saturday from 4-7 p.m. Renaissance Center across from the Streets of Southpoint mall. Durham.
- A Southern Season Expansive store within a store at this gourmet destination retailer. Chapel Hill.
- Chapel Hill Wine Company Chapel Hill Wine Company in Chapel Hill; Hillsborough Wine Company in Hillsborough. Same owner, focused on just wine. Free wine tastings every Thursday from 5-7 p.m. at the Chapel Hill location and the first friday of every month from 5-7 p.m. at the Hillsborough location.
- Glasshalfull This restaurant and wine bar features an in-store wine shop. Get a discount on your purchase if you do it after having your meal there. Carrboro.
- The Wine Merchant Two locations - one in Raleigh and one in Cary. Free tastings on Saturdays, check the website for times.
- Three Cups Part coffee shop, part retailer, 3-Cups has a unique vibe. Specializes in wine, coffee and tea. Lots of different special events usually featuring food pairings. Chapel Hill.
- Total Wine & More Total Wine is a large wine warehouse that is part of a national chain. Discounts to grocery store prices for many popular labels. Wine and beer. At Briar Creek, North Hills and Triangle Plaza in Raleigh; at Patterson Place in Durham; at Crossroads Shopping Center in Cary.