I noticed this brand new wine shop on El Molino and I had to stop in to check it out. I love the concept of a "Monopole" as it applies to a vineyard in Burgundy, which happens to be my favorite wine producing region. I met one of the owners and found him to be welcoming, friendly, and knowlegeable about his wine selections. I appreciate the effort that the owners have made to seek out wines from smaller producers and wines that are "off the beaten path." They have an upcoming Burgundy tasting that is all sold out that I would have loved attending. After checking out the small but well chosen selections, I ended up buying a couple of wines based upon a recommendation: Santenay 1er cru, Clos de la Confrérie Monopole AOC, 2008. The owner mentioned that during a recent tasting, this seemed to be the wine that garnered the most enthusiastic response from the tasters. Pasadena has a growing number of wine shops. I am not a fan of most, but I really liked the selection, pricing and atmosphere of this wine shop. I look forward to attending a wine event here in the near future. read more

This place rocks! Walked in pretty randomly one night to discover that not only did they sell wine, but they had wine tasting in the back as well. The wine was delicious, and the server funny and cool. My friend tried the blind-tasting which was a lot of fun considering it was like playing a game with clues to figure out what it is you're drinking. And, they let you bring in food from the food trucks that are sometimes out front. Overall, a very cool place. read more

This review comes with a bias, as I used an online offer for a free glass of wine. Also, it was an event day, so there was more business than usual. That said, I would definitely stop into this place again! We were there for a music festival. Saw the check-in offer and thought, yeah, we could go for some wine. Walked in to see many of our favorites. There was Heitz, and Grgich, and Jordan, all together! So they keep some good stuff on hand. The bar is in back, and isn't that comforting to know you can try some wine, and then buy right there. But not just that, the people behind the bar were really cool about their pours. Again, we were using free coupons for one glass, and they still gave us the VIP treatment. Let us try a few, and I got the end of a very good bottle just so they could turn it over and open a new one. Lots of wine stores have a fine selection, but this one has the advantage that you can try before you buy, and that's worth a lot more than a good selection. And they have everything, cheap to good. More than that, they'll tell you if something is overpriced or a good buy. Check 'em out, but be sure to talk to someone. Otherwise, you'll be missing out on some good inside info. read more

I had the good fortune to attend the Opening - the staff was relaxed, informative, not pushy at all. The recommendations were not based on cost, but taste. When asked about my favorite wines, they made 'lateral' suggestions, ones that I hadn't heard of / not familiar with, and offered a taste. From reasonably-priced Chardonnays and Voigniers, to incredibly-delicious Champagne, everything I tried was a cut above what I've encountered at other wine store tastings. The decor - as mentioned, the light fixtures were incredible (I want them), plus the stained glass over the top of the front display window, lent warm touches to an otherwise simple decor. I try to avoid any discussion of 'what is hip', ever since that song went off the charts... I felt completely comfortable there. And I'm a Mid-Century man, and proud of it. Being next door to the historic Pasadena Playhouse is an added bonus. Stop by before or after a show - you won't be disappointed. read more

We love this place. Used to drop by when we lived in the area. My wife and I make sure we visit when we are back in LA. They have a specific bottle of wine that are only available in two stores nationwide, so we always make an effort to load up on it! Highly recommend this place! read more

Very cute wine tasting shop in the heart of Pasadena. It's on the smaller side, but I think it's perfect for Pasadena. They have rows of stacked wines with a table and chairs between each row so you can sit and enjoy your wine and cheese platters. There is also a small length bar at the end of the shop where you can enjoy some wine as well. One glass is $7 I believe or 3 for $20. The staff seem very knowledgable and friendly, which is always a plus. There is also a piano at the front of the shop that hosts musicians some times during the week. I would definitely come back here for a girls night to do a wine tasting. It was very quaint and cute. read more

Great little place. Not from here but was able to have a taste of the wine before buying. Forgot the name of the person who helped me but she was great. Cheers! read more

Incredibly happy we wandered in here over the weekend. There are so many "wine shops" that cater to some of the commenters here who think they're going to get more than an ounce pour for $2. These guys are true wine geeks and especially love French Burgandy! Hiro pointed out a few AOC's which turned out to be EXACTLY what I was looking for! Can't wait to come back. read more

This shop is first and foremost an excellent wine shop, with a very thoughtful selection of wines from various regions (pretty much all the bases are covered) at a wide variety of price points. For those who are into wine or know someone who is, the phrase is always tossed around, "You don't have to pay a fortune to get a good bottle of wine," and this shop completely and 100% embodies that statement. That's not to say, however, that there aren't a good selection of higher end wines as well, that one would like to give and receive as gifts. The wine bar in the back of the shop is quite lovely and comfortable, always manned by what seems to be some of the most knowledgable staff, who truly all seem to appreciate wine and what they are doing, all the while being eager to hear and incorporate customers thoughts and experiences with wine. While I know that ultimately the goal of this shop is to sell wine, one cannot help but be taken with the space itself and the attention to detail that went into the decorating...I mean, the lighting fixtures alone are worth stopping in to have a look. One feels almost transported into a different time when entering the shop...could this be the type of shop Don Drapper would have bought his wine at in the age of Mad Men had he lived in Pasadena...sure looks like it. It is a handsome space. Overall, I look forward to visiting this shop again and again (especially now leading up to the holidays). It's near the Playhouse and all of the shops along Colorado, which is an added bonus, and unto itself the shop is a reason for me to drive to Pasadena from Studio City. read more

Very nice shop with great selection of good value wines. Very france heavy, spain and germany are underrepresented. location is great for pasadena, with enough parking within a few blocks. The tasting room is a great addition that few other wine shops have. Prices are reasonable, but there are better deals out there. One of the guys was knowledgeable, the other one not too much. I loved the attention to maps to show why certain wines taste the way they taste vs. others. read more

The shop has a great selection of wines, especially French, as well as some nice high-end beers. But the bar in the back is the highlight for us: You can talk to the owners, who are really knowledgeable, or you can chat up the locals. There's always someone interesting to talk to, newcomers and regulars alike. It has become quite the little community in less than a year. My wife and come here all the time and we often stay well past closing time. The owners often host or co-host events around the neighborhood. We went to an excellent dinner and pairing with aged "first growth" French wines at Noir restaurant down the street. It was very pricey but OH SO worth it! We also attended a Bordeaux tasting class here upstairs and had a blast. We love these guys and will keep coming back! read more

Been here 2 times now with friends who are regulars to the little wine bar in the back of the store. The Store: The wine selection is great for French and Italian wines. They have some California wines. You are bound to find something that tastes good for ANY budget. The Wine Bar: Small but wonderful. Brian is always entertaining and when you are presented with blind tasting between a $100 bottle and a $30 of Chardonnay it can be quite fun. A nice little perk is that you can order food from Elements (next door) and have it delivered to the bar. read more

I went here specifically just to buy this one highish-end Gewurztraminer wine that wasn't available at any other local retailer. Seemed a simple one-time errand. But I found to my delight a really nice wine shop worth returning to for other things as well. It has a tasting area and wine bar in the back and a very small but tasteful retail selection of wines in front and helpful service. On a whim I picked up a Fume Blanc, unfortunately with the acidity I was hoping for that a Sancerre or other Sauvignon Blanc might deliver, but still with a great flavor that should prove quite the crowd pleaser so I plan to return again soon. They were so nice they gave me a free durable canvas bag to take my wines home. I even still use this bag for bringing wines to dinners. read more

I'm so glad I discovered this wine store. Amazing selection of wines for tasting and purchase. I had the night flight. Wendy the winetender was so knowledgeable and friendly. It's a cool and laid back place to enjoy some wine. It's not a big place, which makes it intimate and cozy. Wendy answered all my questions and introduced the tastings with eloquence and flair. She was so personable and lovely. I love spicy and chili laden food, so my palette is somewhat overstimulated. With that said, I anticipated the bouquets of each of the offerings. All the wines on the flight were outstanding and bright. I had a two whites and one red. First time I tasted a Pinot Blanc, my new favorite. The Chardonnay was not to oaky. The red was delightful as well. These wines were from Italy, South Africa and France. They really now how to offer a tasting. I was happy to enjoy each of them. Wendy said the tastings change every week. They have a new customer, I'll be coming as often as I can. This is a great spot to relax and have your taste buds salsa dancing. I'm a fan. Cheers. read more

I've been to many wine boutiques around in and out of the country but this one has knocked my socks off! I don't know where to start, the space and interior of the store is welcoming and makes me feel like I stepped into an encyclopedia of wine. The staff is professional, courteous and they really KNOW wine! The most inviting attribute was their willingness to inform and teach about win in an unpretentious manner which many wine shops lack. The only con would be that makes me sad that I don't live in the area, but I will definitely be visiting Monopole every time I'm down in Pasadena. All in all, Love the place, highly recommend you go if your looking for fine bottle, expert advice or just to learn more about wine! read more

What a cozy place! Thursday nights are the winner, live guitar music, food trucks and wine, what more can you ask a relaxed night after work. Great selection of wines. Knowledgeable lady (I believe her name is Windy) she knows about all wines. Come and enjoy lovely evening. read more

Pretty cute wine place with A LOT of wine. Randomly came here after eating Tender Greens with a friend. On Thursdays, they have some food trucks in front of the wine shop so you can eat some good food and drink some good wine. Also, the night that I went, there was a band playing live music in the alleyway right next to Monopole Wine. read more

Very nice wine shop with very knowledgeable employees that are able to assist both beginners and experienced wine lovers. They have a wide range of $20-$500 wines all very highly rated. Come often as they will often stock particularly rare bottles of wine but only in a very limited quantity. Monopole Wine carries most hard to find wines and at a very reasonable price! Must visit for all your wine needs, especially if you live nearby. read more

Great place for wine tasting. Excellent service and amazing value! This was my 2nd time in and am going to make this a local favorite.

Wonderful service here. Came in because I ran by on my morning jog and saw this place. I looked them up and saw they offer European wines. I am a huge wine lover and taste all over california often. I love to explore the euro wine as well. I ordered the Pinot flight 20 bucks for 3 tastes. I shared it with my friend. They all tasted great but I sill love my central coast Pinot noirs. I also got a free glass of a white from Italy for checking in with yelp. Ansonica was the varietal which was just okay for me. I will definitely return as I was treated so well here. Wendy is super nice. I had a blast here! Such a friendly but fun vibe :) read more

Monopole by WineRx - Cool vibe friendly staff. Wendy Is great! - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Pasadena, California

I'm not much of a wine drinker. That being said they are located next to my work and when ever there is a family gathering or my wife and I decide to go somewhere we stop by this place to get wine. They have a pretty large section and the guys will direct you into the right direction if you do not know anything about wine. I'm personally allergic to red wine so I can't have any. The good thing is they have a really nice selection of beer for me to pick from and its priced very reasonably. If your in the area really I recommend trying this place. There is also wine tasting too. read more

Fun! My bf and I had some extra time before going to see a play. We love wine especially Italian reds. We got a free glass of wine with check-in and enjoyed looking at the big map on the wall with the different wine regions. Fun wine books to look at. Great atmosphere too, front is the wine store, back is the wine bar. Staff it's super friendly. Fun way to start the evening! read more

Monopole by WineRx - Winenite - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Pasadena, California

Owner Hiro is knowledgeable & very nice!!! Enjoyed our wine tasting on a lazy Sunday late noon! We will return on Thursdays with Lobster truck parked outside:). read more

Monopole is a cozy little wine store with a tasting bar in the back. There is a tasing menu or you can buy wine by the glass or bottle and consume on site. We like to come here before we go to the movies or the theatre. Good vibe , very laid back and friendly people. read more

Love their Friday blind wine tasting at the bar. You taste 2 whites and 2 reds; if you get 3 of 4 your tasting is free! The staff are all very kind. They are extremely knowledgeable with wine. Great location in Pasadena; near many great restaurants. Cheers! read more

This is a wonderful addition to the oenophiles in Pasadena. Peter and Hiro are delightful hosts, keen to share their knowledge. Good variety of wines, both price-wise and quality. A great find. Only detractor is the parking on that section of El Molino/Colorado. In competition with the Playhouse or $9 (!) parking across the road. read more

It's been three years since my last review for Monopole Wine, so I thought I'd post a short update. Monopole has settled into being a Five Star gem of the Playhouse District, and along with the Spring / Summer Thursday night Food Trucks and Live Music Sets in the Alley between Zona Rosa and Monopole...well, it's quite the destination for warm evenings. The vibe is sophisticated, cultured, and casual all at once. The wine education events are fun and draw a smart, eager-to-learn crowd. I should imagine that single men and women find the vibe to be a socially acceptable means to meet new like-minded friends...and indeed wine conversation + food bites = possible romance is always a possibility. Wine flights for around $10 make introduction to wine enthusiasm an economical way of learning outside of Monopole's regularly organized tasting events upstairs in the fireplace mezzanine. As I glance around at other Yelpers who have posted reviews, the clear trend is that Monopole Wine is a neighborhood asset and a real keeper. Naysayers are either from the vulgar "bridge and tunnel" crowd, cheapskate morons...or worse! Highly recommended... read more

It does not get any better in Pasadena than right here to drink wine. Great owners, Peter and Hiro, who really know their stuff and care about each customer. My go to place. read more

Great selection of wines although the service was not what I expected given the other reviews. Came with a friend and bought a bottle to share. The guy at the bar brought only 1 glass for my friend. She tasted the wine and approved that it was good quality. 10 minutes go by and he didn't offer to bring another glass for me. I had to ask for a glass and ended up pouring wine for myself. Came here based on friends' recommendations but unlikely that I'll return. read more

So I went here with some peeps after work on a Thursday...food truck night! This place gets 5 star in my book just cause you can BYOFTF (bring your own food truck food....I made it up can you tell?). I'm a beer drinker and not a winer at all....but I thought if give it a try. The staff was so friendly and didn't snob me away. She gave me a sample and I shot it like the heathen I am. She poured another and told me to try and roll it around on my tongue to savor the flavor...it worked....this time it didn't taste like Bacardi 151! I could taste what these people were talking about and it was full of rich flavor. I'm going back for more lessons....thank you! Please friend request me so I can read and judge all your reviews. : ) read more

Super Friendly Service and Awesome selection of wines. A little of France in LA :) Not to mention that Peter is totally fluent in French if you want the whole experience! read more

This is a great place to go if you are shopping for wedding dresses it's right next-door to a cute little dress shop. We bought a bottle of champagne and enjoyed while we watched our dear sweet Erynn try on dresses. Hiro is the best!!! read more

A hidden Gem here in Pasadena and I lived here for over 10 years and never heard of this business till now!!!....A must for wine enthusiast and they carry the finest wines imported and domestic. read more

ever stare at aisles of wine not knowing what kind to buy? WINETASTING TO THE RESCUE!!! =D a friend invited us to monopole, a wine store that opened about three months ago. it was a great experience. they have various events that fill up quickly since the space is limited. we attended the german riesling tasting. they had a list of 11 different rieslings. everyone meets at the bar downstairs with a pouring of the 1st wine. then they take you upstairs. the table is set up in a U-shape. there are three glasses at each table setting with a bottle of water and a plate of cheese and bread. they put together a slideshow edumacating you of the the regions where riesling is grown, how to read the labels and what they mean, the alcohol content, pictures of the vineyards, explanations of how different riesling are made, etc. they pour the wines in order describing them. you can take notes on the list they give you since it has a detailed 411 on the wine. i have never tasted that many rieslings noticing the subtle differences between them. the winetasting time was from 8-10pm. then they offered 10% off bottles of riesling that we sampled. for the near future, they have an event on california wines and one that pairs wines with food from elements kitchen. we liked that the class was afforable and professional. these wine enthusiasts are here to stay. 4.5 stars because the space is so limited (class size 10-12). but then again, the intimate setting means that you have a better experience. read more

Fantastic local wine bar and wine shop. Their "thursdays on the avenue" are our favorite time to go and check out new flights in the bar. Incredibly friendly and knowledgeable staff (and customers, too!) have introduced us to some nice finds. Very fairly priced and full of unique wines. read more

If you want real wine tasting, go to Napa or Sonoma for two days for each region. Support California viticulture, the best value for your money. Want to splurge? There's enough Opus Ones and Duckhorns and La Cremas for that. Want to spend money indiscriminately and practice your Francais? Come here for idle chit chat with the owner. Wine selections are so obscure and for the price they charge they better be damn good. Let me draw another analogy. Monopole = Hornblower 2 hour Marina tour in Marina del Rey. Napa = 2 weeks cruise in Alaska. Now, which one offers more of an authentic experience? So don't shortchange yourself with this pretentious little hole. I just feel so averse to this place because I got overcharged and the owner was smug about it. read more

Great wine, very knowledgeable sommelier, and excellent and affordable cheese plate!!! I will definitely be back. White flight for $10, red flight for $20 and cheese plate for $8. Don't forget to check in on yelp for a free glass of wine. They offer either a house red or white selection for the free glass. Park a couple blocks away near Madison and Green for a better parking situation. read more

Monopole by WineRx - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Pasadena, California

Awesome place for wine tasting! Has a very big variety of wines. Very nice guy working! Already looking forward to coming back. Highly recommend. read more

I found a bottle of Italian wine I recently enjoyed at a downtown restaurant here. Their price is good and it was quite easy to make a purchase over the phone. I will return and try their wine bar soon. read more

Incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive staff! Every time I taste wine at their bar, I discover more than one excellent new wine I would have otherwise never purchased! A great place to stop for a different pre-dinner drink!! read more