The staff is very knowledgeable about their wines and can introduce you to some wines that you probably have never heard of. Wines range from $10 and up. You will not be able to find many of his wines at the retail level because he does not have a distributor for Northern California. read more

Although I heart Cafe Fanny's cafe au laits and Acme's breads and have been to the corner of Cedar and San Pab dozens of times, in the 10+ years I've been living in--and eating my way through--the East Bay, I've never bought anything from Kermit Lynch until last week. I've browsed at the store a couple of times, and I even own the Kermit Lynch book to learn about wine, but left to my own devices, my "wine" of choice is Boone's Farm; otherwise, I just buy wine by the glass when I dine out at a place with a decent to awesome wine list. Boy howdy, if I knew that ol' Kermit has some cute, shaggy-haired young guys on staff, things would be different and I would be more open to paying more than $3 a bottle for wine (not "wine") that's not from La Ferme des Boone. I must be pretty easy to read, with my bedhead, dirty jeans, and Vans hi-tops, that I wasn't there to add to the growing collection in my temperature-controlled wine cellar. The guy who helped me was nice and down to earth. He zoomed in on my stated grape-preference and recommended an affordable wine without my stating the (pathetic) budget I'm on. And it wasn't a "Pretty Woman" moment, in which he saw my thrift store threads and steered me appropriately to something cheap and negligible, either. I could be cynical and say he was great at seemingly exuding genuine enthusiasm for what he was recommending, but for once I won't be a cynic and be positive. He made a good recommendation without upselling or doing whatever else it is that intimidates a lot of people at wine stores. Not that I'm gonna stop loving Boone's, but Kermit is making a good case for me to explore other, non-corner liquor sto' options when it comes to wine. read more

While attending a conference in the south of France, I took a few hours off to taste wine in the town of Cassis. With a bunch of colleagues, I stopped off to visit Jean-Pierre Santini, whose Domaine du Paternel I knew from Kermit Lynch. I was with a couple of Germans, and maybe also a French guy. I told M. Santini that I was from California. He said, "Oh, there was another fellow in from California yesterday morning. He bought 7000 bottles." It was Kermit. Santini explained that Kermit insisted on tasting separately each of the vats of the current release wine and then specifying which vat would be used for the Kermit Lynch bottling. It was something of a symbolic exercise because (at least according to Santini) there was one vat that was clearly better than the others. The contents of that vat went straight to Albany, CA! Santini had a great accent. He told us that Kermit lived in a town whose name sounded to the Germans like "Bonn." It was Beaune, as we figured out after a couple of iterations. Kermit has a preference for spicy wines. I generally like what he chooses; his palate is close to mine. Try one of the monthly sampler cases and see how it goes down. read more

i dont make enough money to have kermit lynch fuel my burgeoning wine habit, but i will continue to come here because: a. my full-fledged bread habit will always lead me back to acme and theres nothing more hallowed than enjoying bread and wine together (especially if you throw some good cheese and cured olives in the mix. YOWZA!) b. the passion that the employees have for wine is incredibly potent. ive experienced unscripted ad hoc poetry here. c. i dont believe that kermit lynch would allow a mediocre wine to pass through its doors (well, rieslings are the exception to this belief). c. some of the younger guys that schlep boxes back and forth are pretty cute. there are cheaper wine shops in berkeley, but youve got to go to kermit lynch at least once. you cant walk out of here without heady off of a wine agents siren song and purchasing at least one bottle. read more

I have shopped at Kermit Lynch for almost 40 years. He started out in a smaller shop on San Pablo, near what was then University Village, before he moved his shop to the current location. So, needless to say, I am a great fan of his wine selection. There is only one thing that really bothers me that developed recently: some of the people who work there try to get things done as quickly as they can. One aspect of it is that they run your bill on their calculator and show you the result: a total with no details whatsoever. No item by item price, no amount for the case discount, no amount for the sales tax. Just the total. So, if you want to check your bill you have to ask them for those details. And my experience is that you get an unfriendly glance and some unreadable scratches on the previous iteration of the bill. This may be the only business in town where you don't get an itemized bill unless you ask. I would advise Kermit to look into it so that I can again give his business SIX stars, not just five. read more

This review is for those who like wine, like to try new wine, but don't necessarily have the dollars, experience or palate to appreciate expensive bottles of wine. That's pretty much me... I like to stop around a $25 bottle and know what I like but I'm no expert. [That said, I imagine Kermit Lynch is actually fabulous for Class A wine drinkers.... but consult someone else]. Enough meandering. I love the selection at this place and I love the demeanor of all of the employees that have helped me. They're great at working with my price point, giving solid suggestions to my vague "I'd like a yummy red that's not too heavy" assertions. I'm still able to buy current vintages of KL wines that I started enjoying four years ago (ahem white bordeaux with the white label/gold lettering). Pretty sure most of the wines are French. They might carry a few California labels as well. Downside: no tasting. Something about ridiculous antiquated California law. Oh well... read more

Expensive, but worth it. The best wines. Of course, I am NO wino, but they have a great sancerre and so forth. Plus, they have a killer wine tasting box. read more

CLASS ACT Wonderful French and Italian wine from lesser known vintners. The vintners Kermit has found produce as good or better bottles as those with more notoriety and exposure. The advantage is that he's generally able to provide amazing wine at a less expensive price. Bravo! Voila! read more

Nice wine shop with very helpful employees, but the wine selection is limited to only French and Italian wines that Kermit lunch has a relationship with. Some reasonable prices though, and a small parking lot out front and street parking available. However you will be fighting for parking with the acme bread club crowd. read more

My palate (oddly) runs more to French-style new world wines, not the French ones necessarily. But Kermit Lynch has a very interesting selection of French wines, and I learn something whenever I buy here. It definitely is a good place to push your palate (or expand your wine horizons). Don't get over as much as I would like, but I enjoy the month newsletters. read more

So go in here and tell them what sorts of wine you like - white, red, classy, spicy, fruity, dry, sweet, or whatever, and they will fix you up with a custom case (or two or three), take it to your car, load it in the trunk...and at home, you will look like you just graduated from the Culinary Academy. Rarely will you try an inadequate wine from these folks. I've been going there for ten years. read more

Best wine merchant in the area. The selection is varied, the prices are reasonable, and they advise without being overbearing. They had a sale starting Tuesday but have me the 30% off today anyway. Courteous and friendly, what more can you ask?? read more

Our own local guru of Frnech wines. You can find a diversity of types and styles as well as prices. Not to be missed.

The one store in the Bay area if you love wine, period. The best portfolio, prices and perspective I've experienced as far as now.

I used to get a 33% discount here by working at Cafe Fanny, and I really wish that I had made more use of it. Nice selection, and much to my relief, the man with the long hair was always ever so nice to me even though I know barely anything about wine. read more

The best wine shop (French wine importer) in the bay area. I learned about them from South Beach Cafe, and then from my cousin (a French wine snob who is also let's say "economical"). I purchased a few cases of wine for a big party, and they helped me with a great selection. Unfortunately, no tastings. But very fair prices. read more

For those into wine: The Holy of Holies, the Great Temple, The Golden Shrine, The Acropolis, Parthenon, and Church of the Holy Sepulchre. May this place last forever. (And the staff is great, especially Michael and Elly) read more

Love this place, and ACME Bread Co is right next door.

I have bought many a gift here based on the suggestions made by the staff and have never had any disappointments. The service is very helpful and friendly. read more

um HELL YES. Great selection, knowledgeable non-judgy staff, awesome recommendations and very reasonably priced. I went in and asked for something low priced and delish and their staff did not fail me. The only down side (which does not merit a star deduction) is that they close at 6. But so do a lot of places in Berkeley, which is crazy to me because I can get there at like 545 after leaving work in Oakland at 5pm... Whatever, take the afternoon off if you must. Just head down there for some yum. read more

I'm no official on wines, after all I just finished off a nice little something I like to call " my friend boxed wine" however I'm a complex dude so sometimes I need a bottle of the good stuff. What I do then is go see the friendly and knowledgeable folks of Kermit Lynch..they always do ya right. read more

There is simply no better place to buy wine in Northern California, and is probably one of the two best shops I've visited in the world (the other being Cave Augé in the 8th in Paris). This is one of the few shops where I have complete trust in the staff to describe and recommend wine, and the owner is among the most knowledgeable people on the subject of French wine in the country. On top of that, the prices are reasonable, and you can always find something good at every price point! read more

I have been here 4 times now. Wide selection of French wines, small selection of Italians. If you are not well versed in French Wines this is not the place for you- the staff will try and up-sell you on inferior wines if they sniff out the fact that you are (like me) a novice. For the money, I have been disappointed with the quality of almost every bottle purchased here over the last 3 years in my price range ($20-$40). For the money that is. I feel like they are selling $9 wine for $27 and up. I have had nothing but great experiences with K&L in SF- I will spend my wine money there. read more

Lots of choices if you're in to French and Italian wines. If you know what you're looking for, this is your place. There's no tasting room, but the staff is incredibly knowledgeable and ready to help. I knew a few French regions I preferred, the staff pointed a few out, a case later I was very pleased. read more

For your French wine needs there is Kermit Lynch, who has done more to introduce Americans to small, mostly organic producers than anyone. You can go in knowing that you'll receive knowlegeable assistance and great product. Restaurants with fine wine programs and collectors from all over the US buy from here. read more

Vast and varied wines from all over Europe. Not always the best prices, but the quality is without a doubt. They will do 10% off a case. For the money the $8 dollar grangia (tintero) is a steal! read more

The boys who work at Kermit Lynch really have their fingers on the pulse of the buyers. They know what we like.

He knows what he likes and sticks to what he knows. If your palate agrees with his, there is no better place in the Bay Area for French wine. read more

personal disclaimer: I am not a francophile, yet I am probably addicted to good wine! That said so much good wine does come from france, and even if its not from france per se it can at some point be related to french wine making practices. So where do I go to buy wine? Kermit Lynch! only when im in a pinch will I buy from some other mom and pop wine shop, or whole foods etc...those places themselves buy from kermit! why bother just make the trip stock up and dont be shy to walk out with a case full of wine, ask for help or wander around the aisles with no frillz just cases stacked upon case. Dont Go to kermit if your looking for a numeric wine rating to guide your purchase. but do go if you love natural wines with lots of quality and personality. you dont have to drop a tun of money, they have lots of rock star bottles in the $10 price range. BUT..... if you want the best of the BEST and with great prices they got that too. i feel like im lost within these wine regions themselves strolling between each aisles. to the left is burgundy right is rhone, right up ahead northern rhone, further left alsace and loire and way to the right is Bordeaux. what ever region your lost in the staff can help you with the most detailed info you may desire. hands down the best retail wine buying experience for sure. enjoy. only qualm is that there is only a little bit of Italy and other (non-french) regions mixed in. but thats no biggy. since the selection is so great you forget that there are other regions in the world that make wine. its that good! read more

Could not believe how easy this was! Had a fabulous sales person, Mike, help me find some great selections, and I could not be more pleased! Walked out with 5 bottles that fit my price range and what I was looking for under 15 minutes...can't get much better than that! I could have spent a good hour in the store checking out everything they have...already looking forward to my next restocking trip!! read more

Very knowledgeable staff, competitive prices, and a fantastic selection.

Most amazing wine shop .... I have never met a staff more knowledgeable or more helpful ... we purchased several wines recommended by the young man who helped us and each wine was perfect. read more

Best wine store I have been to in the US, always a pleasure.

Whenever I'm in Berkeley and have some free time, I stop by this place. Probably the best French wine selection in the Bay Area, if not all California. They have a great selection of half-bottles. The prices are reasonable. I also hop into the bakery next door and get some bread. All they need is a cheese store and this would be the one-stop food place for me !!! read more

going to kermit lynch is like getting a lesson in french wine, a really good deal, and a fun trip to the east bay all at the same time. their selection is amazing, and if you have any questions at all, they usually can answer them and then some. i can't think of any criticisms of kermit lynch at this point in time - they are one of the only places we buy wine. their events are fun, too. they will also ship wine to you in the city if you are not able to go and pick it up. magnums, too. kermit, your store's the best! read more

Honestly, that more people don't get this place is giving me a little tiny breakdown. So don't go, don't try their (exquisite, painfully lovely) wines. Clearly nothing beats the cachet of a $7 bottle at TJs. So keep shopping there and don't check out the wares here; pass up the handiwork of families who have worked their vineyards for centuries, skip the time-honored methods and uncompromising standards of quality. Leave them for me. You'd be spoiled for anything else after Kermit wines anyways. read more

Berkeley institution with a (deserved) stellar reputation mostly carrying French wines with an emphasis on smaller producers in Burgundy, Alsace and the Rhone. They have a keen, knowledgeable, friendly, helpful staff. read more

I have to respond to Reina g's review. I have been to every wine shop in the East Bay. The Guys at Kermit are by far the nicest, most accessible, and least snobby with out a doubt. I have never seen them ignore anyone while I have been in the shop, regardless of age or sex. These guys spend as much time helping me pick out a $15 bottle as they do a $300 case. I can't tell you how many other shops around town where there is some guy reading a book behind the counter who seems more bothered than happy to help me. I think Reina needs to re visit the KLWM. read more

One of my favorite stores ever. I am at the point where asking the staff for help isn't really necessary, I can grab anything on a whim; it will be somewhere between good and excellent. Noticed that they seem to have more wine recently at the 10-20 dollar price point. Tried the Kermit Lynch cuvee from Vaucluse last night, a serious value for 10 bucks. Clean, perfectly balanced, juicy sipper for after work. Need to go back soon and stock up! read more

The best selection of French wines that I've seen at any Bay Area store.