Fermented Grapes

This spot is a treasure! The owner and staff are always so helpful and kind. Music playing always puts me in a good mood. Wines are curated and always exceed expectations.

Stopped by this place last time I was home in Brooklyn. What an awesome selection of Pinots. Also got to chat with the owner. She was super knowledgeable and her recommendation was exactly what we were looking for.

Was really looking forward to getting a wine recommendation here since I love local wine shops, had just bought all the ingredients for a summer steak salad and saw their sign say “don’t know what to drink? just trust us.” I was all in! I saw the young woman who worked there helping someone, so I stood in the center of the store until she was done, making it clear I needed assistance. She made eye contact with me yet never said a word. I stood in the same position for quite a while as she greeted two other people then rang the man she was helping up. They had a long conversation after he paid. I waited and still no verbalized acknowledgement of my presence at all. Such an uncomfortable disappointing experience, especially as a Black woman. I stood in the same place and finally just walked out. For such a cute looking store that gives the appearance of helping customers out w the perfect bottle of wine, the service was subpar.

This place is incredible, and I'm so grateful to have such a good wine shop nearby. They have an very well-curated selection of wines, where even the cheap bottles are never misses. The staff is extremely knowledgeable, and on top of that so friendly and welcoming. (That is, under the new ownership since spring 2022. Before that the wine selection was still on point, but I'd walk to a further shop on days I wasn't emotionally strong enough to withstand barely-concealed scorn from the former staff for my lack of wine knowledge.) Thanks for being such a great addition to the neighborhood!

Great spot near where I live. I'm not much of a wine connoisseur but I needed something not too expensive that fit the bill and the owner Kilolo nailed it. Thank you!

Love this place! The owner, Kilolo, is very knowledgeable and helpful. Place is cheerful! They have wine tastings on Friday evenings

A great local wine and sprites shop in Prospect Heights! They have a variety of specially sourced wines and are great at helping you find what you are looking for if you aren’t sure.

My favorite wine shop. Very interesting selections, very helpful and knowledgeable staff. They always steer me in the right direction. They have a large assortment at very reasonable prices. Staff is always friendly too. I have enjoyed their Croatian wines as well as wines from other off-the-beaten-path locations.

Great service. I enjoy the weekly wine tastings. Great neighborhood shop. I am looking forward to their expanded inventory.

Fermented Grapes is a cute local wine shop across the street from Maison Yaki, so we decided to peruse while we waited for our table. I really like one wine shops include a section of new bottles, especially if you go there all the time - it's fun to know what's different and new. Right when you walk in, fermented grapes has this section. They had a pretty impressive selection for the size of the space with every kind of wine, region, year and varietal. They also had a particularly nice selection of French wines so we snagged a few bottles. The staff is super friendly and you could see that they knew locals that were coming in. They held really cute conversations about wines they had previously bought and what new wines they thought they might like. I love all the neighborhood vibes.

A great wine store. Lots of variety and very knowledgeable and personable individuals there to help. Tastings are always a plus, and some really fine wines at a great price point. So glad they are in the neighborhood.

Very great selection, and they have some of my favorite wines (get the Christina Grüner!!!). Everything is organized logically (which should be table stakes, but you'd be surprised at some of the places I've been to). They also have a ton of liquor available, particularly whiskeys (but also vodka, tequila, etc.). Nice dude at the counter. If you don't bring a bag, it's $.25 for a cloth one that's actually pretty nice.

Nice local wine shop with friendly staff. The selection seems more limited since new management took over.

Fermented Grapes is a very nice hidden gem of a wine shop! It is a large store with a very wide selection of wines, including some interesting selections of uncommon regions or varietals. It's definitely worth browsing around here rather than getting the same type of wine you always get, because there are many treasures here waiting to be discovered! The staff, when I went, was friendly enough. I ended up buying a few bottles here, and every one I bought was high quality. I'd definitely come back again. It's one of the better wine stores in the area and worth going out of your way for.

While not my first choice of wine stores, Fermented grapes was always decent enough. The store is now under new ownership for 6 weeks or so. The shelves are still on the empty side. Supply chain issues? In the past six weeks I've been there 4 times, twice needing a recommendation. The pleasant young woman at the cash register (a dated word in a mostly cashless economy) directs any wine questions to other staff. I've only seen one other worker at the time of my visits. When I enlisted his help in making a selection he hasn't steered me wrong. Having said that though, I wish he wasn't so extremely disaffected. It would be nice if he would learn to convey just a hint of interest, if not enthusiasm.

I've been coming here off and on for about eight years (I used to live right next door) and never had a problem until I recently purchased a nice bottle of Syrah and took it over to a friends house nearby for an occasion: they nearly spit it out. It tasted like...a moldy raisin tart. It was either off (what we all thought) or so unlike the description I was given in the store as to be a complete mistake by their staff. I contacted the store's customer service and explained the situation and that I'd been coming there for a while and was hoping they could help! (I was expecting maybe store credit or a small discount on my next bottle). I received an email back telling me to bring the wine back and if it was "truly off" I could get another bottle. Lol. I don't live nearby nor did I appreciate the suggestion that I should sample the opened day-old wine with someone at the store. It showed absolutely no trust or confidence in what I was saying. It was the worst $40 wine I've ever had the displeasure of bringing to a friends house for an occasion. And IMO that's not a little amount of money. There's another wine store (Wine Exchange) that I'll try down Vanderbilt instead next time I'm in the neighborhood.

While most local wineshops might have a smaller selection, they benefit greatly from owners and staff that actually know everything they stock. The staff here is unfailingly polite and knowledgable, willing to make recommendations based on your tastes but not in the least pushy about purchasing. These local shops usually tend to cost a bit more than the bigger ones, but I've found the price point here to be on par with spots like Astor. Overall, it's an excellent little booze shop that I wish I had on my block.

The most knowledgeable, interesting, helpful staff with such a unique selection to chose from. I'm always learning new things while trying awesome wines. Very lucky to have this in the neighborhood!

Great store and staff! By the way they are very knowledgeable. One thing I learned is that a little mold on a cork of a good wine is a good thing. Don't take my word for it Google will back me up. Wipe that off and enjoy a great bottle.

Very nice store with a great selection of organic and biodynamic wines. I love the variety of smaller producers available here.

Stopped in here while en route to a friend's house for Happy Hour. It was pouring rain and I wanted to be in and out super quick. A lady greeted me at the door and helped me find exactly what i was looking for in less than 1 minute. WIN!

Grapes, Last night you let me sample four different bottles at one of your frequent wine tastings and then gave me 10% off the delicious Touraine you were featuring and I couldn't be a happier customer. I've visited thrice at this point and your staff is always friendly and helpful. The time prior I thought I'd sample a couple of your under $10 selections which were both terrible. So I won't be delving into that territory again. I have, however, had great luck so far with the $10-15 selections: the Touraine and on my first visit the sublime $12.99 French white you sell that will remain unnamed in this review since I don't want anyone to go deplete your supplies on me (sorry selfish, i know). I also love your Old World centric selection! Any store that gives no room on its shelves to Yellow Tail is ace in my mind. And don't listen to these fools complaining about your small, well curated inventory. I hate having to wade through a million bottles so I really appreciate your focus and also I know I can trust your taste so I don't need a million bottles to choose from. Plus, your store is tiny! I don't know where they think you'd stock any more bottles. Anyhow, excellent work. I'll be back!

I am not a wine connoisseur in any sense of the word. To me mixing Boone's Farm Triple Berry with seltzer water is an exotic if not refreshing drink. However, whenever I wanted to give a bottle of wine or spirit/cordial as a gift or serve some vino for dinner Fermented Grapes has never failed to deliver on giving me the right advice. It's a small shop with a not so big selection (from what I can tell) but it is a a homey feeling place. I do know the owners on a hello basis and whenever I needed a specific sake or cordial or even wine, Barbara has come through. They also sell and display local art and have once a month wine tastings.

Very helpful and attentive staff. The guy that looks like Elijah Wood helped us pick out the best wine for what we were planning.

This wine shop is absolutely fantastic! There are always affordable bottles which are of a high quality available in store. But what really makes it a great shop is that every Saturday Afternoon they have tastings from quality makers.

This place has a great selection of wine and fairly welcoming staff, however, I came in on a nice Sunday afternoon recently and one of the employees that I asked for help couldn't give me much info on the wine, leading me to ask another gentleman. The original person I asked didn't seem very awake at all, he had a very low voice and couldn't really describe much of anything I pointed out. Other than that, the woman that works there is a joy and constantly gives my dog treats.

The staff in the store has always been extremely nice and helpful. The only reason the stars here are not at full force is THEY ALWAYS MAKE YOU TAKE A PLASTIC BAG. The staff here seems to think you need to cover up your purchase with a black plastic bag or else some state agency will fine them. I cannot find any law on the new york state liquor board site or anywhere else that says this is the law. Also, I would think if you work in or own a shop like this you should know clearly what the law states. PLEASE STOP MAKING PEOPLE TAKE PLASTIC BAGS!

I've been here a few times now since moving to the area and I really appreciate the selection, especially the French burgundies that they offer. However had a really bad experience with one of the staff members that I can't shake - he asked if I wanted the wine I was buying chilled and when I said yes he rolled his eyes, scoffed, and shuffled away like I was ruining his day. When I thanked him after checking out he turned away and didn't even look at me and I couldn't understand why! At stores like this I think it's really important staff come off friendly and inviting and honestly the experience makes me not want to return which is really disappointing since the wine selection is pretty good.

On a recent outing to prospect heights I needed a good bottle to share. These guys were the perfect stopover point. Offering plenty of options ripe for the picking, I grabbed a standby, montepulciano for the party. Around the corner we walked to the party halfway up St Marks Ave. That's a long way from east village st marks, rather a long ave that stretches through the heart of boerum hill, prospect and on to crown heights. Ascending a flight of stairs, and through a colorfully decorated apartment, we step through a screen door to paradise. There behind the brownstones sat a veritable shangri la. Who said skipping burning man couldn't be filled with just as much brooklyn delight? The owners of the buildings at broken down two walls, so that now three backyards were adjoining into one large one. Nooks & crannies for making out under the stars, tables stocked with food & beverages, and even a large dance floor which was already being put to good use. As we made our way over, we plopped our Fermented Grapes onto the beverage table, and settled into a perfect evening under the stars.

This wine shop is super convenient for me, but I have a negative experience every time I go in. The employees are willing to guide you if you ask for assistance, but don't ask any follow up questions, don't ask which wine they like best or would recommend, and don't bother saying please and thank you.

Nice wine store very close to where I live, but several members of the staff needs customer service training especially at the register. Thank you is an unknown part of the vocabulary of a few of the guys who have waited on me many times. Their facial expressions say I wish I were somewhere else. Also please tell customers the cost of their purchase. I see the owner around more and I hope this is one reason why.

I think the other wine store in this area has a slight leg up on this one. At least I like the selection better down the block and they seem to have more frequent wine tastings. But the lady was super helpful here! I wanted a dry white wine and not really sure what kind of white I wanted. She picked one out but didn't really explain what it tasted like or why she picked it. But whatever, I was in a rush anyway. Most of the bottles are also chilled in the back so don't be afraid of asking for one.

The major points scored here are due to convenient location. Prices and selection are, well, meh. The staff is courteous and fairly knowledgeable - from what I can tell. I do dig the assorted small batch bourbons and whiskeys though. Its not the largest inventory in the neighborhood, but I definitely find myself here on occasion.

i might be a little spoiled...i lived in san francisco and wine is very easily accessible, cheap and delicious! if i were a wine shop i would like to have at least 15-20 percent of my inventory under 10 dollars, but fermented grapes fails at this ideal (it would get them more business - look at tradr hoes in manhattan). i know that ny doesnt have a great quantity of wine and if you have some quality its going to be imported. most of the wine that fermented grapes has is imported, and after some counseling from the clerk i was redirected to my choice of 3 wines under 10 dollars, just for chugs and whistles i went with a french rhone blanc and it was just okay. even though this joint doesnt please me to the fullest extent, i still signed up for their mailing list (for free booze and wine tastings), and i am glad that i have a wine store walking distance from my apartment. i just wished they could learn a little from californians and make wine a plentiful and cheap! *they also have booze like the usual vodka, gin, and eff you up spirit to enjoy, if your inner alcho is talking

I used to live a few blocks away from this little store, and it served me extremely well. The selection is excellent, the people very friendly. I drank my way around their various sections and regions and was very very rarely disappointed. They do have a fair selection of budget wines, $6-10, but where this shop really shines is the $10- $20 sweet spot. The value in that price range is extremely high. I miss having this resource around my house and find that I still make my way over there to pick up a few bottles now and again. This is a great, thoughtful, reasonably priced, neighborhood wine shop, the likes of which you don't see in a lot of places.

Great wine store. They have such a great variety of wines. My favorite thing about this store is how knowledgeable all of the staff members at about all of the wines. I completely trust their judgement when it comes to wines. I just I in, give them a price, give them a few parameters based on what I'm in the mood for and they find me a great bottle of wine every time. Never been disappointed.

This is my go-to wine shop! Unpretentious, excellent selection, friendly and knowledgable staff, and reasonable prices. They have everything for any occasion! I love this place!

I love this store. They have an interesting selection, including wines from places like Croatia. They have suggested several different wines and I have found them to be spot-on. Reasonable prices for the neighborhood and super helpful, knowledgeable staff. I highly recommend!

I really love this place... Although it's smaller the staff is so knowledgeable and helpful. Being as clueless as I am I can walk in and say "white, sweetish, kindaaa bubbly" and they will decipher that and show me a couple of options in a range of prices. And i am always satisfied with their suggestions. They also have wine tastings (twice a week I believe) and they offer 10% off of the wines featured. I'm happy it's right around the corner

Great wine selection, but some of the staff can be a bit snooty. I walked in to find a Garnache or a Tempranillo that was resealable, for some reason a person on the staff thought a $25 bottle was expensive for me. Again, I'd still go back, but for the wine selection only.

They have the wine I have been searching for! The last stop on my Adesso (the wine I have been searching for) This is great little wine shop on Vanderbilt they have tastings several times a month.

Of all the wine shops on Vanderbilt, come on, there are at least 4, Fermented Grapes is my favorite. Not only do they have the best location because they are around the corner from my house, but everyone who works there is super chill. I think they only hire hotties who live to serve their customers. I never know what I want to drink (damsel in distress!) and I am always satisfied. Actually, I'm going there right now. It's wine time!

a great neighborhood wine store, conveniently located on the way home from the subway and across the street from an even greater neighborhood pizza joint, FG carries a good selection of interesting wines - from cheap stuff from chile to fancy stuff from france. while they're not so good about custom orders, they are a nice and welcoming shop with free tastings every now and then. and their selection of vodka, scotch, and tequila does good in a pinch when you don't have time to run to wine exchange. it will be interesting to see if, how, and why they partner with the incarnation of Half. go get some of their Rose's - perfect for the hot weather!

Really nice balance of selections, both easy everyday wines and more interesting and uncommon varietals. I used to be a sommelier but I'm out of the biz now. So happy to have this place close to home. And they are very friendly!

OK wine stores, I'ma let you finish but Fermented Grapes is the greatest wine store of all time. OF ALL TIME! Matt and the crew humor our whims and remember what we like to ensure we always get an amazing bottle of wine. One could throw a dart and always hit a decent bottle for one's price point. Great boutique selection and an outstanding addition to the neighborhood.

Quite simply the best wine shop in Brooklyn. An alcoholic's dream.

Very nice selection of wines. Great price range, also. The staff is very knowledgeable and helpful. The shop is bright and well-organized. My new go-to wine shop.

A minimalist wine and liquor shop with a knowledgable (not snobby) staff.

There has been a turnover in staff so the usual faces are missing and their expertise is also missing, which is a big loss. I love the store, and in the winter, walking down the block and standing in the back at one of the twice-weekly tastings, is wonderful and cozy. i hope the brand new staff can quickly find the assurance and knowledge that the previous staff had, along with the always- delightful welcomes that were had on entering. Although it is small there is a good selection of wines and small batch local whiskeys. And always, your selection can be had cold if you need.

I LOVE this wine shop. I will admit, I am not the biggest wine buff in the world, but that is precisely why I love this store. They take a lot of the guess-work out of selecting a bottle of wine. The prices are very reasonable as well. I can always rest assured that even if I grab the $7.99 bottle, it will be delicious. The staff is fantastic as well. Very warm, friendly, and helpful. Last week they practically chased me down as I was leaving to make sure I had a cold bottle of Pinot Grigio.

Great wine store! I've gone, on average, twice a week, for years, and I've never had a bad bottle of anything! Very knowledgable staff, and very good at working with individual preferences. I highly recommend Fermented Grapes!

Great store and the people that work there are super friendly and helpful. At the store down the street I don't get that and as for more selection, not really, it might seem like it but its doesn't. Fermented grapes also has great wine tastings and killer hours, its always open

Fancy, nice decoration. Love it. Wine choices, poor and expensive. I bought an Italian white for 18 dollars. For the same quality, in any other wine store around the neighbourhood, you could pay half.

wonderful service at all times, well educated and knowledgeable staff. yes, it is a little pricey, but look at their high quality selection of wines, all together at your convenience! and many times they have sales or discounts going on! sign up for their newsletter! wonder if they have any vegan wine.....haven't checked there yet!! would be a lovely surprise!! :)

I never 'loved' this wine store, but since it's so conveniently located, they got my business (and upwards of $100 per visit). No longer. Recently, I bought an $19 bottle and tried to drink it with friends and we all agreed that it was "not right." I figured I'd take it back and get a fair credit. Debbie, the owner, opened it again, sniffed at it and told me I was wrong, it was not corked. Since she couldn't get a credit from the distributor, well neither would I. The best she could do was 20% off another bottle. So, I lose $19 and she still makes money on another sale? Nope. I will steadfastly avoid ever buying wine here again. It just blows my mind that a store owner will forgo hundreds of dollars in sales a year just to 'save' a few bucks. So long, Debbie.

great selection... staff is very nice and someone has really good taste in music... two words: Mercury Rev. if you live in this neighborhood, this is definitely the best wine shop you could hope for.