Wine Authorities Raleigh ~ Wine Shop

I had a wonderful experience here! After a discouraging experience at a nearby shop, I decided to pop in for a glass of wine. As soon as I walked in, I was greeted by the person working. She was very friendly and warm, and helped me decide on a delicious glass of their dry rose on tap. I also ended up buying a bottle of an NA bottle of "wine" to share with a friend, and the other staff who rang me up was also kind. They seem to have a wide variety of wine and some beer to choose from as well! I love that they have the self-service tasting machines also! Great wine, personable and helpful staff! 10/10 recommend.

A great spot for trying a variety of wines. You can get a card and use it to pay at automated pouring stations. Each wine has a different price for tasting $2+. It's not a cheap option, but certainly a good way to spend an afternoon. There is some outdoor seating as well, if the weather is nice. The variety of wines is moderate, but they do have some interesting, non-mainstream options.

This place is the real deal! We are wine novices and their recommendations are always on point. Such a friendly spot! And they even give a printed paper describing the wine when you check out!

Great selection of a wide variety of great wines at really reasonable prices. We love the tasting wall and the free wine tastings have been really informative. Definitely will continue to recommend them to Raleigh friends, however, my only complaint is the completely indifferent and borderline disinterested staff (with one exception over the last 2+ years I've been visiting). I love getting to know people at local shops, but I've never walked in Wine Authorities without feeling like I'm interrupting something. We usually drive from Cary to find wines here, but honestly we will likely find another shop to visit moving forward where hopefully we can feel more at ease and welcome.

Our first experience will be our last. The guy was not welcoming. He had a snobbish aura, with rather harsh replies. You can be well knowledgeable without imposing your own opinion onto others. We weren’t sure how everything worked, and when we tried to inquire again he quickly responded “As I stated before…” Neither myself nor the party I was with heard him say anything prior. When cutting our meat and cheeses, instead of asking how much we’d like he decided to make the decision for us because he thought it was enough. His demeanor ruined our celebration, we will not be returning.

I'm a new fan of Wine Authorities. They have a great selection of wines from family owned and other vineyards with full local ownership. There's also a robust selection of beers and specialty cheeses. I especially like the box wines. There's also a tasting bar! Many great choices you will not find in the grocery stores, including a very nice Barbera. See also photo of a very nice Malbec. I am not associated with ownership. If you found this review helpful, please 'like'.

Great shop with an awesome selection! The staff is very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. Check their events tab on their Facebook page to see if they have any upcoming wine tastings. And be sure to walk around and check out all the other venues in this area. There are several bars and restaurants between here and the Krispy Kreme! #ExploreRaleigh

I absolutely love Wine Authorities. I no longer purchase wine anywhere else, and why would I? The wines are incredibly well priced for their quality. I LOVE the support here of the direct grower/producer relationships. The staff is great. And the cheese/charcuterie selection is truly one of the best in all of down-town Raleigh. Kinda surprising, but it really is.

I thoroughly enjoyed a spot. They are reasonably priced. Everything is categorized so it's easy to find things. 2 days a week they have wine tastings, it looks like it's Tuesdays and Saturdays for now. So make sure you get there when you can. When you do the wine tastings you get to sit down (a very very small bar) and the bartender tells you all bout the wines. I had better conversations with the other patrons though! We had a good time! They have wine and cheese to go along with it so you can shop for that too. Super nice and super friendly, got greeted immediately and asked what could we do to help you, I thought that was really nice. Customer service, top tier. Along with the cheese app charcuterie and other type of meats. Not a grand section but enough. The have everything you need to be paired with the wine. They also have a bunch of beer in a front of the store so you can do beer if you don't feel like going wine. There are a few coolers, so you have options. They have people that are very knowledgeable and they told history on the different types of lines that really match what goes on on the walls because they have maps of different areas of wine regions on the walls. It's really educational too. If I lived in the area, this could be my go to for wine!

Great prices and exceptional offering particularly if you love Italian wines! EZ parking and great advice if you want it..

Great selections and staff is extremely helpful in finding wines as well as onsite nibbles

This wine store has a fantastic selection! It is reasonably priced and is sectioned off by region. The staff members were both knowledgeable and helpful with making wine recommendations and helped us to decide on a few bottles. We also had a few pours of wine from the self pour wall. I am looking forward to returning soon.

From the moment I walked in, the staff was not only rude bu they also seemed to be on some sort of power trip. They whispered amongst themselves while blatantly ignoring customers, creating an incredibly unwelcoming atmosphere. Any attempt to interact with the staff help was met with dismissive attitudes and condescension. It's clear that the employees here think very highly of themselves but have no interest in actually assisting customers. I will not be returning and strongly advise others to go down the street to the much superior (and FRIENDLY) Raleigh Wine Shop.

One rainy day Free tasting White to Blush with a strong red punctuation. One rainy day Cheese board Charcuterie and two glasses outside tucked under the awning let it pour.

Great store!!! And great little wine bar. The selection is primarily small vineyards across various EU regions. Prices are between $15-$30 per bottle. Many choices, and many new entrepreneurial vineries. The team is knowledgeable and happy to help. It is the sister store to the one in Duhram it seems. Not associated with the national chain. They have a small charcuterie offering and wine by the glass for those who want to try the highlighted wines for the week and have a few bistro tables to hang. It's week. Hope you enjoy... and learn something about wine from every region in the EU... ok Ok not every region. They don't have luxemburger wine, Greek wine or Georgian wine (not EU), etc. But they have a great selection. My fav wine store in area.

GOLD MINE haha this unsuspecting place in an unexpected location is awesome. Its not often you see a wine shop with their own taps and barrels; or a patio, for that matter. While the patio does lack a view, its quiet and offers shade. Super nice staff, large selection and affordable prices here, too. It's super cool that you can get something by the glass and sit on the patio while you drink it. They also have a deli/cheese case that is kept cool with super quality goods. If I lived in Raleigh, I'd come here every weekend, just to sit on the super simple patio and drink a super cheap (6$) pour and pick up some for the house!

This is my favorite wine shop. I realized the other day that I've been here so many times, but haven't written a review yet. There are so many good things about this wine shop that I'm not quite sure where to start. I love that they have a small covered patio area outside (3-4 patio tables). They also have the folding glass front doors to open up when it's nice outside. When you enter the shop there is a cold case immediately when you enter that contains cold beer, wine, and sake. They have the wine machines that you can purchase a prepaid card and get a tasting or a glass of wine. There are about 12 red wines and 6 whites/roses. They also usually have a red, white, and rose on tap that you can get from the bar, as well as a few local beers on tap. I usually grab a glass of wine while browsing. I have enjoyed many quite afternoons here with a glass of wine and reading a book or working. They also have one of my favorite cheese plates in Raleigh. I highly recommend it. They are very unassuming about wine. This is one of the few wine shops that I don't feel intimidated or snubbed by the staff. They are very helpful regardless of your prior knowledge or price range. As a tip, they usually have seasonal 6 packs that contain a variety of reds, whites, and roses. I've found these are great for parties or get togethers, as there is a little of something for everyone. I could go on for a while, so in short, I love this wine shop and recommend stopping here.

This is my happy place. Well one of them. Their wine selection is incredible. There are so many options. So many. They have isles of wine. Need I say more? They also have a cold case when you just don't have time to chill your wine. Back to their selection. They group their wines by country versus grape or wine type, which I love because you can learn about the origins of the wine. They have all kinds of wine! You name it, they have it, and they have things you never knew existed. My favorite thing is the owners travel the world looking for the perfect wines. And you will find wines here that you can't find anywhere else in the US! Each wine has an entire postcard dedicated to telling you about the wine. It's so insightful and helpful. Most places you don't know what to expect from a wine and this place gives you all the info you could need before buying. I get so frustrated at other place now having to just guess if I haven't bought it before. If the postcard doesn't tell you enough you can ask their extremely knowledgeable staff you won't be lead astray. Other bonuses about Wine Authorities: They have wine on tap! It comes out of a very fancy aerator machine and it's self serve. So go in and try wine before you buy a whole bottle. They have a cheese case. So, yeah. This store is dreams. They sell wine accessories such as wine corks and bottle openers.

Lovely find and we will be back again. Goat cheese was our choice and our server did a great job coming up with the choices

Nestled behind William Peace University, in a shopping center I somewhat fondly remember being a creepy laundromat and convenience store back in the late 2000's lies Wine Authorities, a high quality local wine shop specializing on the types of wines you aren't going to find in the big box stores, along with various specialty foods and a few wine-related gifts. I came in with my friend this past week to catch up over a couple of glasses of wine and was greeted by friendly staff that helped us get started. We decided to try their wine taps- something I had done before in other wine shops that involves purchasing a small card, loading it with credits and picking your wine and pour to be deducted from the card's value. There was a nice range of prices for all the wines and pours, though the machine itself was a bit finicky and took a few tries to actually get to work. Luckily the staff came to our rescue once again, helping us get set up with the glasses we were interested in. I ended up trying two different pours of Rose and an absolutely amazing Moscato! Along with our wine, we decided to try a meat and cheese plate for $18. For the price, i've definitely received more food at other spots, but the cheese and meats that were chosen for us (we gave the staff our likes and dislikes and they made something for us) was very tasty and obviously high quality. I also really enjoyed the accompanying jam/chutney and the crackers (the almonds that came with the meal were okay but definitely not necessary). It was just enough food to keep us through our wine, but definitely, don't come expecting a meal. All in all I really enjoyed our visit and will probably be back again soon! Definately try it out if you're in the neighborhood!

Affordable estate wines (nothing over $50) and knowledgable, friendly staff make this our new favorite wine shop. It gets pretty busy on Saturdays from 12-3 during the free wine tastings so you may have to wait a little bit to get a seat at the small bar area. However, there's plenty of tables outside and sofas next to the Enomatic to keep you occupied while you wait. I think the Enomatic wine dispenser is genius as it lets you try a wide selections of wines before you buy. We usually share a 2oz pour which is enough for two of us to get a good taste and decide if it is worth buying. We have found some very unique tasting wines this way that we would never have bought otherwise just based on reading the descriptions. They also sell a nice selection of apertif supplies (bitters, vermouth, tonic, etc.) that we couldn't find anywhere else.

So of the two locations that they have, this one is on the lower side of the scale for my rating. While they have a nice sitting area and the layout is very good. I was actually, the first customer when they opened this location and shop monthly for my cases of wine. My concern is that the staff over the last year or so at this location, really have no interest in being friendly. While they will ask if you need help, you rarely see a smile on their face and they often appear to be just going through the motion. While this location is much more convient for us, we prefer to travel the extra time and distance to visit the original store in Durham. You can actually feel a different vibe between the two locations and it the Durham store that has a much more excited and dedicated staff.

Themed tastings Tuesdays and Saturdays showcase independent family owned producers and growers with a slow food, farm to table focus on affordable artisanal wines. The owner travels to wine regions to explore local producers, including some never before imported, and brings back the best for his store. Cheese and charcuiterie plates and treats are also available, with a limited but well curated selection. The card system automated tasting bar allows reasonable cost small sampling while deciding what to buy, and periodic sales feature great values.

Checked out this wine shop today, it's much more than just wine. They have a great selection of wines from all over the world as well as weekly and monthly specials. There's also a cheese and charcuterie counter where you can get a plate to enjoy there with a glass of wine or take things home. There's also wines by glass available from a special dispensing machine. Would highly recommend for wine lovers.

Wine Authorities is a little gem off Person Street (not far from Krispy Kreme for you donut lovers) that has a plethora of options for those who don't necessarily want the average grocery store wine. I first visited Wine Authorities on a lark (I used to get my hair cut nearby and decided it was time to stop driving by this place on my way home). I took home three bottles that day - including hard cider, Prosecco, and a delicious red wine blend. Oh, and a jar of Nello's Pasta Sauce because Wine Authorities also has an array of local food items, plus a selection of meats, cheeses, and olives. One of my favorite things about Wine Authorities is the card you can load with money to use at their self-serve wine wall. There are probably ten or more wines, complete with detailed descriptions (these are on pretty much everything in the store, so you have an idea of what the wine tastes like, but also where it came from and what it would pair with, etc, etc). You can select three different amounts of wine, so if you're not sure you can just get a small taste, or a full glass if you're so inclined. You can take your glass with you while you shop or have a seat inside the shop or outside if the weather is nice. The staff is super friendly and helpful to say the least. I was overwhelmed the first time I went in, but after a chat with one of the staff about what type of wine I like, I got three great recommendations. When you check out, you can put your name in the computer system, so if you forget what delicious wine you bought on your last visit (like I did), the staff can look it up. They can also print notes for you on each bottle of wine you buy. I highly recommend signing up for Wine Authorities e-newsletter. It only comes out once a week and it is full of great information about their free wine tastings on Tuesday and Saturday, special events, recommendations, sales etc. They also have a location in Durham in case you're not close to downtown Raleigh. Did I mention free wine tastings on Tuesday and Saturday? Bottom line - Wine Authorities is aptly named. Check it out soon. (Pssstt!! Free wine tastings on Tuesday and Saturday!)

Great revolving selection and good customer service I'm a regular. I live next door to vine vite but I would rather take the drive to WA. Only thing that I wish they did was stay open later on the weekdays

Wine Authorities is a local Triangle "chain" (if a chain can be called such with only two locations). I was blown away by the feel of the "new" Raleigh branch, after only visiting the Durham location previously. Wine Authorities in Raleigh is not only a great place to pick up a bottle or two of wine, but they have a decent chilled beer selection as well. In addition, they have made this spot inviting for you to to grab one here before you grab one to go; with patio and inside seating, cheeses, spreads and meats for purchases and a bar counter where you can purchase draft beer and wine to drink in-store. The cozy store is tucked away off Person Street with neighbors such as Standard Grocery and Edge of Urge (offering a 10% discount if you bring in your Wine Authorities receipt). I would definitely make this a destination for a group of friends looking to enjoy one another's company on a nice day as well as a to-go spot when I'm in a pinch. The only thing lacking was customer service; one thing that I find extremely helpful in a wine store are available employees: for recommendations or to help you pick something out. A little more training with their employees will go along way for this location, selection and atmosphere.

Wow, instead of going to a restaurant, grab a mix platter + bottle of wine (5 buck to have it there), take your time. Great and friendly people, enjoy a great evening

I stumbled across this place with my friends a few weeks ago and I'm so glad that I did. They have a large selection of wines to choose from to buy. You can find anything you like in there and with decent prices. The staff is friendly and very helpful. My favorite part however is what else they offer. When you first come into the store you see the tables and chairs outside under the awning where you can enjoy a glass of wine from the dispenser or bar or a beer from their cooler which I love. On the inside they have couches and a table or two as well as the bar to do the same. The very best part is the Enomatic wine dispenser. This was my first experience with one of these. The first step is to get a card and put money on it. Then you use this card to fill a glass with a tasting, half glass or full glass of one of the many choices of wine in the machine. I love this for the fact that you aren't stuck with one type of wine for a full glass and you can try so many different types without spending a ton of money. Best. Idea. Ever. While my friends and I were enjoying our wine outside we also enjoyed a cheese plate. Everything on it was very tasty especially the bacon jam. I was a little nervous trying it because bacon and jam just don't seem like they would work together but they did! The different types of cheeses went well with any wine and they give you a lot. I will definitely be returning soon!

Visited Wine Authorities' Raleigh location last night for the first time for their weekly Tuesday Tasting from 5-7. We were blown away by how awesome this place is! First, it has a very casual and welcoming feel - like the employees are glad you came in and would really like to help you find something even if you are totally clueless. We learned that nothing in the store is over $50 and they have a really cool way of sorting the wine - they are each labeled as "daily", "weekly" or "monthly". It truly puts it in layman's terms about which wines are great for special occasions vs. weekend dinner parties vs. a glass of wine on a Tuesday while you cook dinner. They also only work with small and family owned wineries - you won't find these bottles at your average Total Wine. We tried three different wines at their tasting bar - the theme this week was "three grapes are better than one", so each wine we tasted was a blend of three grapes. The woman leading the tasting (didn't catch her name!) was SO knowledgeable about each one and taught us a lot in 5 minutes! After, we bought a wine card ($1 for card) and loaded it up! You can put increments of $5 on your card and you only need to purchase the card once. We checked out the self serve tasting bar - the "enomatic". You just insert your card and then you can choose from about 15-20 wines "on tap". You can get a taste, a half glass or a full glass - tastes were $1-3, halfs were $2-5, etc. They had some roses on tap which was a nice preview to the "garden party" they are holding this weekend. This store also has a solid beer selection - we walked out with a bottle of wine we had sampled through the enomatic and a hard to find 6 pack of IPA. If you go on a Tuesday night, say hello to Chuk for us. We cannot wait to go back!

The one bad thing I have to say is simply that I wish their hours were better. Other than that, I love this place! The wine machine is awesome! Allows you to get a taste, half pour or full pour which is a lovely way to try some new options. They also sell great wine by the bottle that fits into all sorts of budgets. In addition, they have really yummy beer options and their cheese plates are perfect to pair with your drinks. Cheers!

Just wanted the update everyone and say we went back today and our experience was still fantastic. It was a nicer day so they opened up their front garage door (if that's the proper name for it) to connect the store with their outdoor patio and it really opened up the whole place! We ate and drank outside and it was really nice. Definitely becoming a new fav!

Just to echo every other review this place is lovely. A great location for both picking up a bottle of wine or for meeting with a few friends for wine and cheese. I purchased my Enomatic card the day they opened! The cheese plate is good if you plan to eat afterwards, but can seem small for two people otherwise. The staff here are friendly and knowledgeable, without ever making you feel like an unsophisticated 2 buck chuck swilling idiot. As someone who never cooks but often goes to dinner parties, cook outs, etc I love swinging by here to pick up some wine and an easy appetizer - such as bacon jam or goat cheese.

This may be my favorite place in Raleigh so far (I have only lived here a few weeks), but I absolutely love this place! They have a great wine selection and very friendly, helpful staff. The first time I went with friends and we split a bottle of wine and a cheese plate and the second time I went with my husband and we chose to enjoy their wines they have on tap and also got a cheese plate. Both the wines and the cheeses have been great! I would highly recommend it as a quick place to stop and relax and get some phenomenal wine and cheese!

I love this place. The staff are incredibly friendly and knowledgable plus they have tastings twice a week. Although lately their number of wines ~$10 has been less than it was a few months ago, we love trying new things and have found some really good wines!

According to google maps, Wine Authorities is 528 feet from my house. Well, it's even closer to my heart. I never really gave it a tremendous amount of thought beforehand, but having a neighborhood wine shop is pretty spectacular. Having a neighborhood Wine Authorities is even better. There's so much to like about this place. First off, they train their staff up well. They are always polite and personable and are familiar with the selection, which changes fairly regularly - so hats off to everyone being current. Second, the focus is eclectic. Most prominent corners of the wine-producing world are covered and the California set does not dominate like a lot of places. In fact, it's paired down to a very reasonable degree. Instead, we get respectable (and well-earned) space for Italy, France, Austria, Spain, and Portugal, among others. Third, there's cheese. You can buy a piece to take with you or get a cheese plate and enjoy it with your wine outside on the patio or while lounging on the indoor sofas. The cheese selection is varied and far from pedestrian. Fourth, they have the Enomatic machines - you know, the things that let you insert a prepaid card and get measured amounts of wines in your glass so you can try a bunch of different things over the course of an evening (or afternoon if you choose to live your life that way). Great for trying before you buy. Fifth, beer. There's beer on tap and in bottle. I haven't been able to figure out the focus of the beer selection just yet, but I can usually find something I'm happy with. Also, the music they play is usually to my liking. Guess I'm their target demographic. All told, I'm a bit of a fan. Glad they are staying open later on the weekends.

My friends and I come here all the time. Twice I've given guests gift cards here and they've loved it. They provide yummy different meats and cheeses and bread is available at the bakery 2 doors down. The wine tastings are informative and the workers are super cute. Just remember to be quietish during the classes and not laugh like a crazy person that's not polite. (Sorry guys). Who doesn't love a wall that dispenses wine? Go.

Wine Authorities is quickly becoming my favorite wine store in Raleigh! They only sell wines from small family-owned vineyards. The selection is carefully curated and you can find wines here that you can't get anywhere else. The staff is knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. I highly recommend going to their free tasting on Saturdays. I always learn something new in addition to trying wines I may not have access to otherwise.

Never been here before pass by you decided to walk in have a great selection of wines didn't have exactly what we were looking for but the service was very nice very friendly definitely will be back

Dogs not allowed at the outside tables due to health codes? How do restaurants get away with this yet a wine shop with only meat & cheese to offer cannot? I used to really enjoy this place but they go from dogs allowed everywhere to just outside to not at all!

Great wine store - wines from many different regions and countries - the folks working there are very open and there for you - and of course if you are addicted to cheese, you can find here great local cheese and crackers.

Very friendly, very accommodating, and gave us the perfect selection. We are not wine snobs and the folks have the love of all kinds of brews...even our our alcoholic cider- huge selection and lots of info. Love it!!!

Omg. Tuesday night is free wine tasting here 5-7.00, Very good. They also have a cheese plate that you can buy. No wait!,,, we got to wine tasting at 6:00. The wine and experience, an A. We then went to cheese bar to order a cheese plate at 6:31. There was no sign, no info, about ordering, time etc. We were told that they do not serve AFTER 6:30. We were then told by the person at cheese bar we were too late, we BEGGED. She then said go to cashier and ask. He (very slow service 7 minutes later) said it was up to cheese person. She could not be found. 8 minutes later, she showed up and said they close cheese plates at 6:30. We were a group of three. 4 others behind us did not ask but wanted same thing. We all left. please, please, we brought company here to experience. This part of experience was HORRIBLe. Others outside, explained "that is how they are". Are you sure this is how you want to be????

I almost feel as if all I should have to write is that they have a wall which is essentially a vending machine of delicious wines but that might not sell everyone on a visit and I think, if you love wine or cheese, this place deserves a stop on your next shopping trip or day out. In addition to the wall of wine, there is a great variety of mid-priced wines and a crew of employees who are both affable and knowledgeable. Asking someone there to help you pick a wine and cheese combo or which wine has the best story for your next dinner party doesn't result in a rote list but a fun convo as you stalk the aisles hunting your bottle. Couldn't recommend more, especially enjoyed Mike's suggestions and information on biodynamic wines.

A friend introduced me to Wine Authorities right before she moved out of the Raleigh area, and I'm SO thankful! I previously patronized a local wine shop in Cary that specialized in organic/sustainable/biodynamic wines, and that shop went out of business. Thank goodness Wine Authorities is going strong! This store is a gem. The employees are friendly, laid back, and knowledgeable. I can go there and say "I like ______ characteristics in a wine" or "I am looking for a wine that goes with ______" and the staff always give me multiple suggestions that exactly meet my needs. I bought my first ever box wine from Wine Authorities thanks to an employee's suggestion that my wine would keep better, since I am a "one glass a night" kind of girl. The employee looked at my prior purchases on my customer account, asked which ones I liked best, and suggested a box wine that he thought I would love - and he was right! I have bought SEVERAL of the "Six for Sixty" or mixed bag specials (the staff chooses the wines that go in the bag, and you get what you get), and I have NEVER been disappointed in a single bottle. Additionally I have enjoyed them alone with my boyfriend, who swears he is allergic to the tannins in red wine, but has never had a reaction to any Wine Authorities selection. Every wine I have tried from Wine Authorities tastes like it should cost well over $30, yet most are under $20. And as an added bonus, I can ask the employees where any particular wine comes from and what the store's relationship is with the vineyard, and they can tell me. I could go on and on...THANK YOU Wine Authorities!!!