Sips and Trips with Paige

The Ultimate Richmond Wine Guide is here! 🎉 Whether you’re looking to hang out at a wine bar, order wine delivery, pick up a bottle from a local shop, visit an urban winery, or hop in the car and visit a Virginia winery, this guide will help you navigate the Richmond wine scene. Bookmark this guide when you need a place with wine in a pinch!

Wine Bars

Jardin: Jardin is a wine joint that offers wines by the glass, bottles, and charcuterie. They have an amazing patio and a cozy bar. As they put it, they don’t sell collectibles or “investment bottles,.” They sell wine to drink now—and you don’t know to know a thing about wine to enjoy their shop, bar, or garden!

• $10 corkage fee
• Various ticked tastings/events offered

Celladora Wines: Celladora is a natural wine bottle shop with a few tables to enjoy its small snack menu anytime they are open. Dinner is available Wednesday – Saturday, after 5 pm, and “brunch” is served on Sunday from 1 – 7 pm. Their wines by the glass frequently rotate, as does their menu.

• $15 corkage fee
• Text or call 804-709-5216 to make a reservation — highly encouraged
• Celladora hosts various popups as well as shared bottle nights

Penny’s Wine Shop: Penny’s is a brick-and-mortar concept of natural wine, small plates, and seasonal menu offerings from the folks behind RichWine. The bottle shop and wine-by-the-glass offerings feature a handpicked selection of natural, organic, biodynamic wine from around the world. Dinner service is Wednesday – Saturday, beginning at 5 pm. A lite fare of small plates is available from 12 – 4 pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Locally known chef, Manny Eats, curates the food lists.

• $10 corkage fee
• Make a reservation here

The Caboose Market & Cafe: The Caboose has been providing the Hanover and great Richmond area with the finest selection of wine, beer, and specialty foods since 1997; and, in 2015, expanded to start a seasonal farm-to-table cafe.

• $5 corkage fee
• Free wine tastings every Friday from 5 – 7 pm

Leek & Thistle: Leek & Thistle has ready-made meals made with fresh, local ingredients. The meals are sold frozen and ready to heat and eat. The market also has wine and other provisions from local producers and purveyors.

Branch & Vine: Branch & Vine is a comfy neighborhood deli with beer and wine, seating, and a great vibe.

• Free wine tastings every Friday from 6 – 9 pm

Henley on Grace: Henley on Grace is known for having 100 wines available by the glass. This spot is more of a restaurant, but they have a huge selection of wine.

Truckle Cheesemongers: Truckle Cheesemongers is a cut-to-order counter. They offer grilled cheeses, cheese and charcuterie boards, and beer and wine to enjoy on-site.

Wine Shops

Barrel Thief: Barrel Thief specializes in selecting wine based on your preferences! Wine shops can be intimidating. However, Barrel Thief is where everyone can feel comfortable shopping, whether you’re buying your first-ever bottle of wine or looking for something high-end or hard to find.

J. Emerson Inc: J. Emerson, Inc. is the oldest wine shop in Richmond. This neighborhood wine shop has a wide selection of value-priced, everyday wines. At the same time, they also have a selection of rare and fine wines for the perfect occasion. They consider themselves a “wine library” and are sensitive to how they store their inventory. J. Emerson, Inc. also offers an outstanding case-of-the-month club (no subscription necessary!). It is an excellent way to drink wines from around the world at a great value. Just come in and grab the case! If you don’t need a whole case of wine, you can buy the bottles you’re interested in.

Once Upon A Vine: Once Upon a Vine is your one-stop shop for wines and beers worldwide. What sets this store apart from other wine shops is its display of wines that are based on price ranges rather than region. This helps you find amazing wines in a price range for your budget. This independent wine shop has been family owned and operated for the past 16 years. Bob, the owner, oversees the wine program, while his son, Rob, oversees the beer side of things. Once Upon A Vine is known to have the biggest selection of Virginia wine and a Richmond-heavy beer selection.

• Free wine tastings every Friday from 5 – 8 pm

Corks & Kegs: At Corks & Kegs, you will be introduced to new wine you may not have tried before. Their wine selection is focused on small-batch, niche wines. There are sections dedicated to Virginia Wine, Value Priced Wine, and a Sale Section, so you’re sure to find something you’re looking for.

• Free wine and beer tastings every Friday from 5:30-7:30 pm

Puck’s Market: Puck’s Market has a wide selection of wine along with casseroles, dips, chicken salad, and salads to take home and enjoy.

• Free wine tastings every Friday from 4:30 – 7 pm

Second Bottle Wine: Second Bottle is a neighborhood wine shop located in the historic district of Church Hill. They carry a variety of bottles from wine regions all over the world, focusing on small-scale growers who are farming organically or biodynamically.

• Free wine tastings every Thursday from 5 – 7 pm

Wine Delivery

Wine Stork: Just grab your digital device of choice and pick your favorite bottle (or two) from their carefully curated lineup. Prepare for delivery, then enjoy!

Terrorizer: Terrorizer is an online natural wine shop and monthly wine club offering free local delivery or pick-up in Richmond. The wines they carry are carefully curated and must adhere to natural winemaking principles. Farming practices are at least organic but often biodynamic, and nothing is added or taken away in the cellar.

RichWine: RichWine is a boutique online wine retailer focusing on clean crafted, delicious wines from all terroirs and regions. There are three ways to enjoy RichWine: sign up for monthly deliveries of hand-selected wine delivered to your doorstep, shop online a la carte in their online store, all available for delivery – Richmond area delivery is free! Hanover, Henrico, Chesterfield, Midlothian is $6, or book an appointment with a wine expert,  place a large party order, or set up a corporate partnership.

Urban Wineries

Garden Grove Brewing: Garden Grove Brewing Company & Urban Winery, located in Carytown, prides itself on being ingredient-driven, always natural, local, and organic-centric. In 2016, they applied for their farm winery license and partnered with Arterra Winery in Delaplane, VA. From there, Garden Grove launched their phenomenal wine line in 2017 to include Chardonnay, Petit Verdot, Petit Manseng, and a blend called Adaptation. Their cider was launched in March 2019 and is crafted using Virginia Gold Rush apples, a variety with the acidity to make an outstanding cider. 

Brambly Park: Brambly Park is located on a two-acre park setting in Scott’s Addition. This urban winery is an oasis in the midst of the city. Not only is Brambly Park a winery, but it’s also a full-service restaurant and event venue. Their wine is sourced from grape juice from their partner vineyards in Virginia, California, Oregon, Spain, and South America. In addition to serving their own Brambly Park label wine, they also offer beer, craft cocktails, and wines from all around the world! 

Wineries Within 45 Minutes of Richmond (Worth Visiting IMO)

Jolene Family Winery: Jolene Family Winery was formally a nursery; the land was passed on to three children, who decided to turn it into a winery. Jolene is located in New Kent overlooking Tom Brooks Lake. The tasting room is adorable and spacious, with boho and greenery vibes. They offer traditional tastings and flights.

• 20 minutes outside of Richmond

James River Cellars: James River Cellars is a winery near and dear to my heart. It was the first Virginia winery I ever visited and propelled me into my current career. I worked at James River Cellars for five years, and I’ll be forever grateful for all the amazing memories. JRC is a family-owned and operated winery that produces 20+ wines. They offer tastings, flights, wines by the glass, and bottles. They often have several fun events happening.

• 20 minutes outside of Richmond

Saudé Creek: Saudé Creek has a fabulous tasting room with ample seating inside and out. They have seating downstairs near the bar and upstairs in their loft — the loft has comfy seating and a balcony. Outside, a beautiful wrap-around porch is winterized in the colder months. They also have seating all around the grounds with a nice fire pit. They offer traditional tastings, flights, wine by the glass, and bottles

• 34 minutes outside of Richmond

Upper Shirley Vineyards: Upper Shirley Vineyards is perched above one of the most beautiful bends on the James River and is surrounded by history. The winery is home to a restaurant with great food and a ton of outdoor seating overlooking the James River.

• 36 minutes outside of Richmond(36 Minutes)

Gauthier Vineyard: Gauthier Vineyard has a beautiful tasting room with ample seating inside and outside on their wrap-around covered porch. The view is lovely ~ it looks across to the vineyard with a beautiful pond. On the weekends, you will likely see the owners walking around, ensuring your visit is the best. They have an extensive wine list where you have a tasting or flight option.

• 40 minutes outside of Richmond

Grayhaven Winery: Founded in 1978, Grayhaven is one of the oldest commercial vineyards in the state of Virginia. In 1994, the winery was granted the 22nd Farm Winery license in Virginia. Grayhaven is one of my favorites for its outstanding cheese boards, selection of South African Wine, and laid-back, whimsical ambiance. They produce small batch Virginia wine and sell a selection of their favorite South African wines — Deon, one of the owners/winemaker is from South Africa. They offer tastings, wine by the glass, and bottles. Don’t miss their South African Food and Wine Festival; it’s always the second weekend of September!

• 42 Minutes outside of Richmond

Local Organizations

InWine: InWine, formerly Women In Wine, is a group of people from marginalized gender experiences in Richmond. Each month, InWine hosts events where they drink, talk and learn (some things) about wine. The wines they taste often emphasize low intervention, socially conscious practices, and environmentally sustainable production. Each monthly event theme changes with a focus on wine and breaking down barriers in the wine world. Events cater to women and LGBTQ+ people but are sometimes open to cis-straight men if indicated. They also partner with the community to host partner events throughout the month.

Restaurant Wine Lists

I was going to include a section with “restaurants with the best wine lists,” but I felt that could be subjective.

• If you want a restaurant with a great Italian wine list, head to Enoteca Sogno.
• If you want a restaurant with a great French wine list, head to Can Can.
• If you want a restaurant with a little bit of everything, head to The Tobacco Company Restuarant and Red Salt Chophouse and Sushi.

Richmond is home to some fantastic wine spots with amazing owners. Please be sure to let me know if you think I missed anyone!

Cheers, Paige