Harkey’s Wine & Spirits

Wow! What a hidden gem this place is. The wine selection is impressive but more importantly the owner’s recommendations are always spot on. Sure some of the wine prices are higher than at the big wine stores but I am willing to pay a little higher for the education I receive along with unusual choices. There are wines there I have not found anywhere else.

Awesome place. I love wine, and would even say am a little bit of a wine snob, but unfortunately I am not an expert when it comes to purchasing wine. The owner is very knowledgeable and quick to offer great suggestions that won’t break the bank by just asking a few questions. Place has several great selections for $ 20 or less but also has more expensive options if you want to spend the money. A little out of the way if you don’t live In the area but worth the trip.

I used to go wherever was closest for wine. No more! I just go to Harkey’s now, because I can tell Bob what I need and he’ll give me the perfect wine. He’ll ask you what you’re having for dinner (how spicy is it?), how much you want to spend, how snobby your friends are, haha until he knows exactly what you need.
He has selections in all price ranges and won’t sucker you into buying more expensive wines than you need/​want.
I never feel like I’m being talked down to. Everyone in the store is just really great, and Bob especially seems like he just likes to help, so as soon as I see him, I don’t even hesitate, I just ask him for help.
I really love going there, actually. I learn a lot about wine just from reading the cards on the boxes (Bob writes out a description and what kind of food each wine is best with).
The prices are completely reasonable, and like I said, Bob will help you find something that works in your price range.
Their selection of beers is also right on, although I haven’t seen my favorite lambic there yet (Hey Bob — Lindeman’s Peche or Melbourne Bros’ Apricot Beer!!)

James’ description is right on. Just talked to Bob myself, and he is ready to help with any wine questions/​requests. The pithy index card descriptions are great — this is my new place for wine.

When you first walk in, it seems like a regular wine store, nothing fancy, just bigger. If you see Bob Harkey there stocking the shelves or working the register, you might think he’s a regular clerk, except really tall. But this is no ordinary wine retailer. Bob Harkey is a world renowned wine expert. No exaggeration! He’s a graduate of the German Wine Academy in Kloster Eberbach, Germany and for 25 years he’s been all over Europe doing whatever it is that wine experts do over there. He’s a very down to earth guy, very approachable, and he really loves it when people ask him for wine advice. If you ask for a wine to go with chicken, he’s going to ask what cut, how it’s cooked, what spices are being used„ grilled or broiled, the side dishes, how much you’re spending, etc, then he’ll give you a couple of choices at very competitive prices.
I went in there once and didn’t see Bob, and I had a tricky wine decision to make. Bob’s mother was working the register. She picks up the phone and called him, tells him there’s a regular customer with a tough wine question, and put me on the phone with him. After answering all his questions, he talked me down towards the back of the store, giving me the exact shelf location of the perfect bottle. I had assumed he was in another area of the store, like in the office, but his mom told me he was home on a day off! I was embarrassed that she had put him out, but she assured me that there is nothing Bob loves to do more than help people with wine questions.
I asked him once about a gift idea for my sister who is a real spirit enthusiast (and a bit of a snob about it). Bob produced a reasonably priced bottle of cognac that my sister still raves about years later.
I’ve saved my favorite part of the store for last… the index cards! Bob travels all around the world buying wines and he tastes them all. For almost every wine in the store, he hand writes a brief review and recommendation on a large index card, which is affixed to the shelf or box where the wine is displayed. How great is it to know that the store’s owner, a real expert, personally tasted the wine for you? I’ve spent way too much time in this store browsing the wines and reading Bobs index card reviews. I’ve moved a few towns over, and thanks to Bob I’m pretty good at picking out my own wine now, so I don’t get over there too much any more, but Bob’s still there, so I’m sure it’s still the best place on the planet to buy wine. I wish I could give a sixth star.