Watch CBS News

Top Wine Stores In The Philadelphia Area

As Pennsylvania wine and liquor laws are some of the strictest in the country, it can be frustrating finding wine stores with a great selection and knowledgeable staff. All stores are controlled by the state-run Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB), however, there are a few stores within the city that sell local wines and some across state lines that are worth a visit. You can even find great wines at certain PLCB stores. See below for some of the best places to buy a bottle.

Moore Brothers Wine Company
7200 N. Park Drive
Pennsauken, NJ 08109
(888) 686-6673
www.moorebrothers.com

Moore Brothers Wine Company, located less than 15 minutes away from Philadelphia, is just across the Delaware River in Pennsauken, NJ. The owners develop a personal relationship with each winegrower and visit each winery before deciding what to carry in their store. Everyday, Moore Brothers has a tasting table set up where you are able to try special offers, new arrivals and favorites. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable about both wine and food. Moore Brothers is well informed on the many BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle) restaurants located in Philly and will help you select a wine for your dinner - just come in and ask!

Pinot Boutique
227 Market St.
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 627-9463
www.pinotboutique.com

Pinot Boutique sells wine accessories along with a small selection of local wine from Auburn Road Winery, Paradocx Winery and Pinnacle Ridge Winery. This little wine store also offers many classes and events, including those on developing your wine IQ, wine tasting and food and wine pairing. For the history buffs out there, Pinot offers a class to discover and taste the wine of the founding fathers. Looking for a unique way to enjoy your wine? Pinot sells certain types of Paradocx wine in 3.5-liter paint cans that come with a nozzle for easy pouring.

Garces Trading Company
1111 Locust St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 574-1099
www.garcestradingcompany.com

Inside Garces Trading Company, there is a small PLCB wine boutique - the first of its kind. Located in Washington Square West, Garces Trading Co. is a restaurant as well as a market that's owned by Iron Chef Jose Garces. What's great about a wine store tucked inside a BYOB restaurant is that the employees here are able to help you pick out a bottle of wine to enjoy while you dine. The bottles of wine sell at retail price and the store sells some of the best wine compared to other state-run stores. The boutique also offers free wine tasting on Saturdays from 2 p.m to 4 p.m.

Related:  Top Beer Gardens In Philadelphia

Blue Mountain Vineyards & Cellars
51 N. 12th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 238-9022
www.bluemountainwine.com

Benefiting from a PA law that allows wineries in the state to sell their selection in up to five different places, the store for Blue Mountain Vineyards can be found tucked inside Reading Terminal Market. Blue Mountain Vineyards offers a special wine club (free to join) which ships six to 12 bottles to your door every year and offers a 15-percent discount on wines at any of its retail locations. The staff here is knowledgeable and full of recommendations to help you find the perfect wine. You can sample as many as you like before making a purchase, or you can buy a glass to enjoy while you peruse the shop.

Wine & Spirits Store
1913 Chestnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 560-4215
www.finewineandgoodspirits.com

This PLCB Wine & Spirits Store has a large and vast selection of wine choices. For those looking to make a higher-end purchase, this wine store also sells the premium collection. Unsure of what to buy? Just ask one of the staff members who can be found towards the back of the store. Located just a few blocks from Rittenhouse Square on bustling Chestnut Street, this wine store also sells the "Chairman's Selection," which offers quality wines at a discounted rate. To find a certain wine at the store, check out its website.

Related: Top Jazz Spots In Philadelphia

Kelly Neilson is a freelance writer living and working in Philadelphia. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.