Original author: 10BEST Editors | Source site: USA TODAY 10BEST
USA TODAY 10BEST just dropped their Readers’ Choice list for the best wine shops in the country, and it’s the kind of roundup that makes you want to book a flight—or at least clear some trunk space. These aren’t big-box aisles of sameness; they’re community hubs, palate expanders, and the places you end up staying for one more tasting because the conversation’s that good.
“Local and boutique wine shops offer a unique charm.” — USA TODAY 10BEST (10BEST Editors)
That line nails it. The charm comes from curation, context, and people who care. According to the editors, these shops serve up carefully curated selections that highlight both local and international wines
(USA TODAY 10BEST). And when you mix that with knowledgeable staff and a calendar of tastings, you’ve got a recipe for discovery.
Flor Wines in downtown Portland, Oregon, is the poster child for that energy. The shop’s mission started simple—match people with the right bottle for home—and evolved into a retail space stacked with under-the-radar producers and hard-to-find imports. One of the owners has been recognized as among the top sommeliers in the country by Food & Wine, and Flor’s tight relationships with distributors mean you’ll spot bottles that don’t make it onto typical shelves.
Boston gets love twice in the list, including Social Wines, a neighborhood favorite built on a big promise: they only sell bottles they’ve tasted themselves. That translates into a lineup heavy on small producers and family-run estates, plus a robust roster of organic and biodynamic brands. The shop’s tasting events bring winemakers into the room, turning a Thursday night into a mini masterclass. Since opening in 2012, they’ve been on a mission to expand customers’ horizons—and it shows.
Down in Mobile, Alabama, Red or White Wine walks the delicious line between shop and bar. You can grab a glass, snag a bottle, and pair it with a handmade wood-fired pizza from the on-site restaurant. They’re hunting for the best and the rare, and they’ve grown beyond Mobile with outposts in Fairhope and Birmingham. It’s proof that great wine culture can thrive far from the coastal clichés.
Atlanta’s 3 Parks Wine Shop leans into community with weekly rhythms and approachable pricing. Wednesday tastings? Yes. Three half-pours for $15? Also yes. Throw in ticketed events and a cozy vibe, and you’ve got a place that feels less like retail and more like a clubhouse for curious drinkers.
Boston’s Neighborhood Wines rounds out the shops mentioned in the results preview, underscoring how this year’s list spans styles and cities—from Pacific Northwest cool to Southern hospitality to New England smarts. And beyond the names, the thread is consistent: thoughtful curation, learning moments, and the kind of recommendation you can’t get from a shelf tag.
“These 10 shops provide a sense of discovery and intimacy.” — USA TODAY 10BEST (10BEST Editors)
Here’s the bigger takeaway. Local wine shops aren’t just where you buy bottles; they’re where you build taste. Hard-to-find growers, new regions, unexpected styles—these places make the wine world feel bigger and more personal. With awards like 10BEST’s, the spotlight lands where it should: on the folks hosting tastings, sharing the stories behind the glass, and keeping wine culture vibrant.
If you’re heading to any of these cities, drop in. And if you’re keeping it local, ask your neighborhood shop for something off the beaten path—orange wine from Sicily, a nouveau from Beaujolais that actually slaps, a single-vineyard Mosel that sings with Thai takeout. Tell them what you’re cooking, what you usually like, and what you want to explore. The best shops will steer you right without the side of snob.
And a tip from someone who’s spent more time in bottle shops than in boardrooms: go to the tastings. You’ll learn faster than you think, meet other people who geek out over juice, and find a producer you end up following for years. Plus, it’s way cheaper than blind-buying a full bottle you’re not sure you’ll love.
USA TODAY 10BEST’s Readers’ Choice Awards (2025) celebrate that whole ecosystem—editors curate, readers vote, and the result is a map to great drinking. Whether you’re decanting a Rhône or waxing your longboard, there’s a shop on this list that feels like home base.
As always, taste with curiosity, buy with intention, and support the places that make wine feel less like a commodity and more like a culture.
