Sunday

04-20-2025 Vol 1936

Best Wine Bars to Visit in Atlanta and Beyond

As the wine culture in the U.S. continues to flourish, wine bars across the country are making waves, especially in Connecticut and the greater Atlanta area.

Among them is a Connecticut-based wine bar with an impressive reach across the nation, including locations in Inman Park and the Westside Ironworks development. This bar offers patrons a choice of more than 40 wines by the glass and over 400 by the bottle, with a distinctive emphasis on wines hailing from Spanish and Portuguese regions.

In addition to its extensive wine selection, the bar serves cocktails, charcuterie, cheese, and shareable tapas inspired by Mediterranean, Spanish, and South American cuisines.

For wine enthusiasts in Avondale Estates, Commune has just opened its doors in spring 2024, offering a unique experience that combines music and wine.

This listening room features Sommelier Steve Grubbs, who manages a wine program focused on boutique producers. Additionally, a rotating lineup of DJs and live musicians curates evenings dedicated to various music genres, all within a high-fidelity listening environment.

Guests can enjoy a rotating menu of small bites to complement the evening’s entertainment.

In Alpharetta and The Battery Atlanta, Crú Food and Wine Bar also captures the attention of local wine aficionados. The chain boasts over 350 wines and offers outdoor dining options.

Its menu includes brunch, lunch, and dinner selections, featuring pizza, sandwiches, and charcuterie. Wine lovers can also take advantage of happy hour deals from Monday to Friday, where sommelier-selected white and red wines and shareable plates are available at discounted prices.

El Viñedo Local, translating to “the local vineyard,” is another standout restaurant located along Peachtree Street. Its curated selection of South American wines is overseen by Robert Kaster, a WSET level 2 wine expert. Chef Bruno Vergara, originally from Uruguay, offers hearty dishes inspired by South American cuisine throughout the day.

A unique offering at El Viñedo Local is the wine and chocolate flight that includes a 3-ounce pour of various wines paired with exquisite Xocolatl chocolate.

Fawn, a newly opened wine and amaro bar in Decatur Square, invites guests to enjoy its seafood-centric Old World European menu, crafted by Terry and Jenn Koval of the Deer and the Dove.

With a wine list curated by Matt Watkins focusing on wines from volcanic soils, Fawn aims to provide an intimate experience for diners in its 35-seat space.

For a casual sip, Larakin in Midtown offers a cozy patio setting where guests can enjoy a glass of wine from a ever-changing chalkboard menu. Tinned fish enthusiasts can enhance their meals with various complementary options such as peppers and baguette.

The combination wine and coffee bar also hosts seated dinners and wine and omakase pop-ups, expanding its culinary footprint during the winter months.

Lucian Books & Wine in Buckhead combines the realms of literature and wine, with a passionate focus on more than 300 European wines. Husband-and-wife team Jordan Smelt and Kate Barringer cater to both wine lovers and book enthusiasts with carefully paired seasonal dishes.

In recognition of its outstanding beverage program, Lucian was a James Beard Award semifinalist in 2025, contributing to its notable reputation. Plans for expansion include the sister restaurant Sargent, slated to open in spring 2026.

On a ground floor space of Otto’s Apartment Hotel in Poncey-Highland, Madeira Park has made its debut, brought to life by Steven Satterfield and Neal McCarthy, along with sommelier Tim Willard. This restaurant serves shareable plates crafted from locally sourced ingredients alongside a thoughtfully developed wine list featuring 25 wines by the glass, including rare finds.

In Marietta, Marietta Proper showcases the vision of sommelier Jordan Traylor, who, along with Dogwood Catering’s chef William Adamek and local couple Kacey and Hillery Cecil, has created a wine bar environment inspired by ’Great Gatsby’ aesthetics.

With around 200 wines on offer and an emphasis on sourcing from Black-owned, women-owned, family-owned, and boutique brands, Traylor aims to provide guests with unique tasting experiences. Furthermore, Marietta Proper earned the distinction of being a James Beard Award semifinalist for Best New Bar in 2025.

The Reading Room in Decatur merges the charm of a coffee shop with the vibrant atmosphere of a wine and cocktail bar in the evening hours. Owners Kristin Radcliffe and Mary Tveit have collaborated with wine distributor Amanda Kimbrough to curate an all-female, natural wine list, complemented by an assortment of small bites, sandwiches, and boards.

Kayla Bellman, coming from Finca to Filter, has opened Side Saddle Wine Saloon in the Boulevard Heights neighborhood along the Southside Beltline.

This coffee shop and wine and cocktail bar features Italian-inspired dishes with Southern influences, while showcasing a wine list developed by Jett Kolarik that focuses on sustainable small producers at reasonable prices.

Next to its popular sister restaurant, Seed Kitchen & Bar, Stem Wine Bar stands as a beloved destination for wine lovers. Here, advanced sommelier Brian Teague curates the wine selection with an emphasis on regions from Italy, Spain, France, and the U.S.

Open for walk-in visitors from Tuesdays to Saturdays, Stem invites guests to sign up for monthly tastings of regional wines paired with six small plates.

The bar also features an Enomatic wine system, offering a rotating assortment of wines by the glass and bottle, including premium selections.

In a more casual setting, Taste Wine Bar and Market at the Works serves as a self-service wine bar presenting 50 wines on tap. This unique concept allows guests to taste wine at their own pace, and the counter offers food options such as paninis, salads, and cheese and charcuterie boards.

For those seeking an eclectic experience, The Vibrary in Stone Mountain Village offers a combination of wine and books curated by owner Candace Walker.

With an emphasis on organic, low-intervention, and low-sulfite wines sourced from family-owned brands, a portion of the Vibrary’s proceeds goes to the Ann Key Memorial Foundation, supporting deserving students.

Roswell’s Vin25 creates a perfect date-night destination with its stone patio and dimly lit dining area, providing a warm atmosphere. The extensive global wine list features selections from Europe, South Africa, Australia, Argentina, and the U.S.

Accompanying snacks like pimento cheese fritters and seafood options tide diners over while larger plates, including Bolognese and pork shoulder, ensure a fulfilling experience.

Lastly, The Vineyard Wine Market in Smyrna presents a wine bar that boasts over 40 wines by the glass, 20 wines on tap, and more than 500 bottles in its inventory.

Along with a tapas menu, the vineyard also hosts an event calendar that features live music, special bottle offers, and $5 sangrias, ensuring a vibrant atmosphere for wine lovers.

Vino Venue, located on Chamblee Dunwoody Road, encapsulates a diverse wine experience with a bar, restaurant, shop, and wine/cooking school all under one roof.

The venue offers over 15 wines by the glass and 200 by the bottle. Food enthusiasts can take advantage of the Enomatic system that dispenses 32 different wine flavors in customizable pours.

Finally, Ziba’s Bistro and Wine Bar, situated in Grant Park, presents a cozy setting paired with an extensive wine selection known fondly as “holy juice.” Featuring an affordable yet Mediterranean-inspired menu, Ziba’s invites guests to indulge in multiple glasses of fine wine and delectable desserts like strawberry cheesecake and chocolate chip bread pudding.

From sophisticated tasting rooms to laid-back casual settings, there’s no shortage of exciting wine bars in and around Atlanta, making it a prime destination for wine enthusiasts.

Whether you’re a connoisseur or a casual sipper, these establishments promise delightful experiences and a chance to explore the diverse world of wine.

image source from:https://www.ajc.com/food-and-dining/the-essential-guide-to-metro-atlanta-wine-bars/OWMZPTMUMVDCJLOGRRRSAZLDCU/

Abigail Harper