Vintage Berkeley – Elmwood

Great staff, great selection, selections in every price range! It doesn’t matter if you know nothing about wine, or everything about wine, this is the place to go. The staff are approachable and happy to help you pick out a bottle for the holidays or discuss the case production of the latest northern Italian white they just got.
One of the best things about a wine shop like this is because there’s almost no chance of getting a bad bottle. If it is in the shop, it is there because they tasted it and bought it with confidence that you’d be happy buying it from them.
The tastings are a super fun too!

I love how quick and easy this place is. I always pop in before a dinner party to grab a bottle or two. The service is incredible. I love wine but hate wasting time picking it. The staff here is very knowledgable. I normally just tell them my food pairing and my price range and let them do their magic. With their help, I now have a favorite bottle of wine for every protein :)

Bought a bottle of wine last night. Asked person at counter about it who said it was unique but nothing more. Tasted like cleaning solution. So, went to return it today, including the two glasses I had poured. She said she warned me it was funky (which she did not). Would not return my money or give me a store credit. Really unfortunate as we live two blocks away, on my walk home from BART, and I will never by a bottle of wine there again. Thank God there are many other nearby options.

just stopped into this shop for the first time despite living merely blocks away. I was wowed, not only by their beatify lla curated and a affordable selection, but also at how attentive, knowledgable, and friendly their service is! kudos to you, Nicole!

No smile. No price. No cold champagne. Purchased a $ 65 bottle of champagne, and the wanted to charge me $ 4.50 more for a gift bag (that I saw for $ 1.50 at Target). Come on! When you spend $$ on a bottle, can’t they include a gift bag and a smile?

Fantastic spot to find good and reasonable wines. The bulk of the store is below $ 30, with the back room being the exception. The staff are attentive and will answer even the most banal questions, plus if you get on their email list you can hear about tasting events with winemakers. Definitely will continue to support this local gem.

5 stars for their «$ 5 for 5» wine tastings!
As a complete wine airhead, I was slightly nervous that some hoity-​toity workers would take one glance at me (and my t-​shirt and shorts), and cast judgement, noses upturned. But there was none of that nonsense here. This place is certainly classy, but also casual, and the staff was patient with me and all of my (progressively less coherent) questions.
== Wine Tastings (Thursdays, 5 for $ 5) ==
Journey all the way to the back, beyond the «no kids under 21» sign, and your tasting adventure will begin. A handsome guy will greet you, ask for your IDs, and then present a series of wines accompanied by some fun facts about the alcohol you’re drinking. There’s no pressure to finish any wines, and if you really liked a particular wine, staff is happy to pour you a second glass (if there is any left over!)
Volume-​wise, all 5 wines combined would easily amount to more than a glass of wine. Taste-​wise, I found 2 loves (pictured), 2 likes, and 1 hate (pictured). Overall, I walked away with a greater knowledge of wine than when I entered :)
They run through different wines each week. Sometimes there’s a theme, sometimes there isn’t, but either way you’ll bound to refine your wine palette.
== Layout & Other Remarks ==
This place is spacious and beautiful, with a layout reminiscent of upscale clothing boutiques. They hold an interesting variety of affordable wines, prices typically hovering around $ 15-​$ 30. I’ll definitely be coming back and will be purchasing bottles in the future!
Extra note:
The place also has excellent maps summarizing locational origins for certain wine types. They also possess an enchanting periodic table-​esque chat detailing which grapes result in which wines. The organizational nerd in me cried tears of joy.

they have a huge, vintage claw-​foot bath tub right in the middle or the store, filled with nothing but pretty bottles of champagne. (don’t worry, they have a chilled selection in the refrigerated area if you want it ready-​to-​pour)
um really, need i say more?
they also have this magnificent «last chance» wooden table, right by the door when you walk in. heavily discounted wines, from all regions, all varietals… and you can usually find a bottle or two worth taking home for your collection.
i love these guys that work here too. always extremely eager to help, and so charming and nice. the minute i walk in, they come right over to help. since i never walk in with a certain bottle in mind, i let them guide me, depending on what i’m in the mood for.
i recently had a dinner party. we did a lobster paella, gazpacho, all spanish-​themed dishes. we came in to see what they suggested, and they steered us through several flawlessly-​paired bottles to compliment each course we served.
lastly, the prices are completely reasonable and they occasionally have wine tastings.
wine lovers in the area, here’s your spot. try not to stampede or anything.

Boooooo. Asked for a wine recommendation for a dinner party tonight. Guy made me feel stupid for not knowing what kind of spices our friends are using on their seafood tonight, and said he couldn’t help. Really? You couldn’t just steer me in a direction? Make me feel glad I came in? His tone and snobbery were really condescending. This is the second (out of 2!) time I have experienced noteworthy rudeness there. Going to stick with the wine shop in Rockridge a few blocks down.

This place was extremely disappointing!!! We came in for a tasting and were then rudely ignored!!! We were told we were in the wrong colors!!! Go beavs!!! As an Oregonian and involved in the wine community we expected more!

The guy that was working here that day was very knowledgeable and had a cool story for some of the wines I wanted, such as knowing the winemakers and if he thinks it’s worth the price of the wine. He really knows his wines.

It’s been a while since I’ve lived in Berkeley, but I stopped in the other day and was reminded of just how much I miss this place!
The wines are great, and quite affordable since most everything in the shop is less than $ 25 a bottle. And they’re hand selected from often small production wineries. Each bottle usually has a fun description of the wine, and they have daily tastings for free. It’s uncluttered and open, and these guys really know what they’re talking about.
This location is one of three and each place has their own personality and usually they stock different things, so be sure to check them out!

3 times I’ve gone in there, 3 times I’ve experienced really crappy customer service. Not once did anyone even say hello, let alone help me decide what wine to buy. The first time I went in there, both sales people never budge from behind the cash register (my friend and I were the only customers in there).
They got one star because I did find a great wine for under 20 bucks but you know what? There are a lot of great wines sold in the area and I can buy them from friendly people who appreciate their customers. I definitely won’t be back here.

This is a lovely shop. Everything is well organized. It’s not fancy but it’s just what you need. They have a great selection and of course, very reasonably priced. I really like that they carry stuff that most others don’t, so almost everything is new and exciting. I actually just accidentally stumbled on this shop walking by, and I did not realize I walked in just as they were about to close. The gentleman kept the shop open for me, which was very nice.
My only complaint is that I asked if they carried any port. I was in the mood for an aged Tawny, but he replied that they don’t carry any fortified wine. It’s not that they don’t carry it that I had a problem with. No problem, just their choice. But he replied in a very condescending manner, as if I must not be a true wine enthusiast because I drink fortified wine. May I remind you that Portugal has one of the deepest traditions in wine culture, that have stayed true throughout time and are still alive today. I did not appreciate his tone. But I won’t get my panties in a bunch. Still a fun shop and one I hope to revisit.

This is the sweetest little neighborhood wine boutique. It has an awesome selection of small production wines. Hannah was a great help navigating our journey through her store. This is fun place, I only wish it was closer to me in San Diego…
It will be a stop on my next Berkeley Trip!

If tasked with bringing wine to a dinner party, let Vintage Berkeley be your tastemaker.
I had received a missive from the host that said we were having lamb and to bring something appropriate. I went to text my oenophile friend for a recommendation but my phone was on the fritz. Eff technology. Was picked up by another guest who recommended VB, and he stepped on the gas and blew two red lights to get there before closing at eight o’clock on a Saturday night. Not my idea.
I ran in while Basil the maniac circled the block, and had just made it in time. I told the shopkeeper of our exploits and he chuckled and said next time to just call ahead and he’ll stay open for us. He recommended a rioja to be paired with the lamb, and it was perfect and only $ 20. Went back yesterday for a less rushed visit, and saw that most wines are under $ 25, and that the shop has a great diversity of wines, so not only are France, Italy, and California represented, but South American, Spanish, South African, and Slovenian wines are on the scene too.
They also offer in-​store wine tastings, so perhaps while us east bayers are impatiently awaiting a CM to arrive on a chariot and entertain us, we can converge here and be orphans together!

I know little to nothing about wine, viticulture or etiquette (nothing is more accurate– any major celebration calls for Korbel & orange juice in Dollar Tree wine glasses) but Vintage Berkeley makes me wish that I knew a little. :)
This little wine shop is gorgeously stripped down to the basics. The only notable decoration? A vintage clawfoot bathtub, filled with, what else? bottles of wine. VB feels irreverent and pithy, cute and yet, a little smug. But what wine shop (other than your wayside liquormart) isn’t smug? I like how each bottle comes with a little description tag, extolling the flavor, region and pairing perfect for its particular taste. So helpful, so personable.
The truth is, VB snagged me the moment the words «Have a glass of champagne?» left the shopkeeper’s mouth one special day. I don’t remember the occasion, but I remember thinking «Yes, I will have a (free) glass of champagne! (Love.)» And I came back.
The last time I visited, the staff left me to browse as I wished. Very low-​key, but I rather hoped for an offer of help (maybe a quick tutorial?) as I cluelessly browsed through syrah, rosé, cabernet sauvignon, sauvignon blanc… etc. It was a hard decision for someone like me, who is easily lured in by bottle artistry and clever pricing. (Yes…I’m a total putz for marketing.) I ended up vying for the «safe» buy– a $ 10 bottle of Targovishte Sauvignon Blanc that promised notes of «lychee, green melon, gooseberry and asparagus, grassy and herbaceous, with a green tea finish!»
Yeah… not so much. But not shabby either. It had a very dry, crisp taste, grassy, not too acidic. (I suppose you could stretch it and call the crisp mouthfeel a «green tea finish» haha.) As recomended by the VB tag, I had it with curry and other «Asian foods.» And it was good.
I will be back here to buy presents for family and friends! With most wines under $ 25, Vintage Berkeley is fairly affordable.
Bottom Line: Why can’t supermarkets be like this? I imagine the tagged food descriptions would be pretty fun. («Heinz ketchup. Notes of sour tomato candy. Pairs well with Oscar Meyer weiners & buns.)

Stopped in yesterday in the early evening… had been walking College from Rockridge and passed by the store noticing it’s organized, easy to scan set up. Bottles are organized by grape and then geography and the left half of the store is red, the right, white. Old world in the front of the store, new world in the back. All wines under $ 25, special section for $ 25+ in the way-​back.
I always pop into wine shops when I’m away from home to see what we might not get on import in Boston. My favorite thing in the world is to find unusual (esoteric, yes) varietals from my fave wine producing country, Italia. I didn’t get this but I did pick up a bottle from Slovenia that sounded interesting (white) and a light bodied German red. I can’t tell you the last time I bought a German wine. I’m excited to try them.
The shop keeper was a friendly guy who recognized I had either worked in the trade or knew what I was ‘scanning for.’ He gave me a recommendation to another shop (Paul Marcus) indicating that my Italophile wine tendencies would be well addressed in that particular shop. He knew his stuff and wans’t a snob about it. Love it!
I’d definately go back to this place. Especially if I were in a hurry to get something… the amount of stock and the way it’s displayed makes it easy to find what you may be looking for.
Had been to «Vino» in Rockridge earlier and had an experience that PALES… not very knowledgable about stock or Italian regions… to be fair there was a little drama going on in the background involving a credit card machine that wasn’t functioning properly… store attendants were distracted because of this I’m sure. I’d try Vino again though. So much of retail can vary and the 7 mins I was in the store may be a unique 7 minutes of time.

After hitting the Basic Bird store across the street, I saw the word wine and just had to come in here to see what it was all about. Judging by all the rave reviews, this place appears to have quite a following which I think is wonderful.
Sadly, this place just did’t do it for me. It is different from any other wine store I’ve been to. Instead of racks of wine and a bunch of cases stacked on the floor like most wine stores, Vintage Berkeley has a fairly empty floor and a line of wines against both wall… quite spartan and empty looking in comparison. Also, it has been a long time since I walked into a wine store and had a weird feeling that I didn’t recognize any of the wines. The selection of wines was unusual, to say the least. That’s not to say that the wines aren’t good, they might be fantastic, but their selection just didn’t do it for me. To be kind, I could say that they have a selection of unique, small production, boutique wines. However, when all is said and done, the selection just looked oddball to me and I didn’t find anything that looked appealing.
One of the workers was nice and very helpful though and it was nice to hear that everything in the main room, except for the little back tasting area (higher end wines), was $ 25 or less. Then again, after looking at the wines, I understood why.
Never have I seen a wine store with so many oddball labels and also so many screw caps. I know it’s no fault of the wine stores and that there is a worldwide cork shortage (there really is), but hard as I try, I just can’t get used to the screw caps. I realize that the screw cap is a superior closure, but where is the ceremony… where is the romance?
I admit it, I’m just a hopeless romantic… and I prefer cork. Even a cork substitute will do if they can come up with something good. I’m not sure, but I think Étude winery even had a cool glass cork on one of their wines. I think the screw cap debate is like LED wrist watches and digital speedometers in cars. The technology is superior and has existed for decades, but people still prefer conventional watches and also a real needle and number speedo and tach in their sports cars. Brand new Rolls Royces and Aston Martons have a conventional analog clock in the dash, not digital. Superior technology exists, but sometimes, people just prefer the old way.
Whenever I open a bottle with a screw cap at home (most often Australian since most of them have now converted over), I often joke about the ceremonial uncorking as I twist it off. So anticlimactic!
Anyway, after looking at all the quirky wine labels there, I saw a label that comforted me like an old friend and made me smile… Kistler! Okay, now we’re talking… that’s more to my liking. Maybe there’s some hope yet. Will have to go back in the future and see how good their wines really are.

My review is actually three stars, but I’ll up it a star since I haven’t tried any of their eclectic selections yet and I believe we should support our local businesses. We were the only customers in there though and every time I’ve walked by, they’ve been empty. Hope they can survive in this economy.

Gayle was making a spicy chicken stew one night and we needed a nice wine for our meal. We stopped in (on the way back from our movie) and had a fun time looking over a very nice selection of wines under $ 25 and chatting with who was probably one of the owners.
We got some great advice. We ended up with a nice bottle of Argentinian Chardonnay and one very tasty sparkling wine that went really well with our dinner. And the total bill was only ~$ 20. And both wines (over 2 meals including leftovers) went really well Gayle’s very delicious and healthy dish.
This is one of 3 stores that are owned by the same folks. I have shopped at their Solano Cellars (Albany) location for years and they also have an attractive place within the old PG&E Pump House on Vine in Berkeley (across from the original Peet’s). Vintage Berkeley has done a nice job with this space, although I really do miss the old hardware store that used to be in this building.
There also seems to be an embarrassment of riches regarding wine shops these days. Farmstead in Alameda and Montclair also has a great selection of wines and great service.