THE BIG: Wine store located in the heart of downtown Austin. Perfectly positioned in West 6th with a private lot available for parking. THE BLACK AND WHITE: When walking into the store, it feels like you've stepped into a fridge. What's funnier is that there is a fridge inside the store that's even colder! They have a bunch of great wines for sale and they constantly have a discount bin with some great finds. Staff is very friendly and is always trying to be a helping hand when you're finding your wine. THE FINAL BAMBOO: Highly recommend checking if you're a wine person. Tons of wines to look at, admire, and purchase to celebrate. read more

A fantastic selection of wines from all different wine regions - Napa, Italy, France, Spain, they even have a few Texas wines! You can also find a fair amount of sherry, port and liquor. They keep the store chilled and most wines are stored horizontally. That's when you know they take good care of the wine. I love coming on Saturdays for free wine tastings from 12-3pm. Each week they feature a new winery, region, or producer. The staff is very nice, knowledgeable and willing to help while you shop! There's a mini parking lot next to the store or you can opt to park on the street. read more

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Austin Wine Merchant could not be better. They saved my wedding with great tasting wines at an affordable price. thank you

We used The Austin Wine Merchant at our last Gala to provide wine for our members as a take-home gift. We had specified our budget, and the store picked out a lovely selection of whites and reds. Our members raved about the wine, and we appreciated that we didn't have to worry about the quality or the selection. They provide a truly outstanding service and a genuinely great experience. We look forward to working with them again at our next event! read more

The Austin Wine Merchant - Wine bottles waiting to be taken home. - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Austin, Texas

I called from out of state to order something to be delivered for Boss's day. Spoke to Allie (hope I spelled that correctly) who was absolutely LOVELY! So knowledgable and patient - she made some great recommendations and I felt confident about my selection. Highly recommend! read more

We came here the week before Christmas to buy some wine as a gift. We don't know much about wine so when we walked in, we knew we were going to need some help. This place has their own parking lot which makes it so much more stress-free with being downtown. As soon as we walked in, the gentleman asked us if we needed help and we told him what kind of wine we were looking for and the price range and he was able to show us a few different options. We trusted his recommendation and went with the bottles he suggested. The wine we bought was going to be a gift for our family members so unfortunately, we didn't get to taste it (I'm not much of a wine drinker anyway). I loved the inside of this place because it had all the wine bottles displayed easily to read in every aisle. Overall, our experience here was amazing! We will definitely be back!! :) read more

When you sniff out a great wine shop that also has local beer and a wall of whisky/ whiskey. Provisions within walkable distance of our hotel, the downtown Hilton. And the service was impeccable. They chatted up a few different vineyards and we landed on a Sauvignon Blanc, Sancerre, and Belgian White we've never had. read more

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An amazing selection of wine and spirits. The staff were knowledgeable and helpful. We enjoyed a curated tasting of Beaujolais wines. Looking forward to our next visit. read more

I came here due to my son's recommendation. He has had a lot of interaction with this place and I can see why. The staff member was very knowledgeable and helped me pick out a couple of very nice bottles at reasonable prices (I'm a value guy). The place was a little cramped but that is because they have a great selection of wines. Like the Terminator, I'll be back. read more

Yesterday from New York I ordered two fine red Bordeaux to be delivered as wedding anniversary gifts to my son in Austin. I could not do it online. Either their website does not have that option or I couldn't find it. But they seemed to have a good selection of fine wines. So I called them and did it on the phone. Holly on the phone was helpful. She also asked other experts in the store for my questions to which she did not have an answer. Today the delivery was made with nice gift wrapping. Now I know a good wine store in Austin. read more

scotch is extremely expensive Macallan Single Malt Highland Scotch Whisky 12 Years Old is $97.50 should be about $72-76 read more

For years I bought from them because of their location.They were the most convenient wine option for me. The staff were always a little patronizing, but as I wasn't insecure, I put up with them. I do notice that they prefer helping wine novices than people who already know their wine. Perhaps it's because regular wine drinkers have a European mindset and go for good value rather than major splurges. Then the pandemic hit. In early March 2021, during the few uneasy weeks when people were not sure what was happening, I was shocked that the staff would not take my order when I arrived at the store. They told me I had to go home and call it in. I could have called it in right there, with my mobile phone, but they were so scared of catching Covid-19 that they were turning away customers. I told myself, that day, this store has lost my business forever. Austin local businesses really showed us their true colors when the pandemic hit. Some stepped up to support their customers, others let us down. I have now found an even more convenient source of excellent wine: direct shipment from California vineyards who need our dollars because they have reduced restaurant demand. I have not looked back. read more

Great wine! Excellent pairing suggestions. Visit here on the way to your dinner party.

The staff is knowledgeable and very helpful and they have a good selection. Unless you know exactly what you want I think most people will have a better experience shopping here than at (say) a store like Total Wine and when people talk about supporting local businesses, this is the kind of place I want to support. read more

The least knowledgeable and helpful people I have ever spoke to about wine. Imagine if you staffed your store with robots that just say uh uh look at our website uh id have to research the wines we have. Talk about terrible customer service...I have had better customer service at a walmart. read more

The Austin Wine Merchant is my favorite wine shop in Austin. This locally owned shop is just large enough to carry an exceptional selection of wines yet small enough not to get lost in the aisles without someone to assist in site. Saturdays afternoons are the best days to shop here. From noon to 3 PM AWM has free wine tastings and usually themed with a region, varietal etc. The owner has one rule during tastings: no strong smelling colognes or aftershave as the smell can affect your sense of taste. The staff is very knowledgeable and are quick to recommend something that suites your taste. I have called them when looking for a specific wine and they quickly return my call to let me know if their distributor can get what I am looking for. The wine prices ranges from the $10 bottle to high end reserve wines. They also sell beer, liquor and cocktail fixings like bitters but the star of the show is definitely the vino. It is chilly inside but don't worry, they have a communal coat rack near the side entrance. They have their own parking lot which is ideal in this busy area of town. read more

I can't believe that I've never reviewed this place because we've been loyal customers since we moved to Austin in '00. This place is an Austin gem and institution for all winos. They have a huge selection of French wines and a range of price points. Most of the wine we purchase here is for aging. We are drinking some old French wines that we bought over 10 years ago on their recommendation and are very pleased at the characteristics they have taken on. You can't go wrong here. The staff are very knowledgeable and will help you find the right bottle for your palate and wallet. I have never had a bad bottle at any price point. During our travels, we usually fall in love with a new wine or liquor. Austin Wine Merchant has always been able to special order these items for us. These range from sake to dessert wines and everything in between. This is what differentiates a local merchant from the large chains. Plus, who still carries your purchases to your car anymore? read more

Incredibly pretentious and rude staff. There are plenty of places to purchase wine and I recommend you take your business elsewhere.

My mom and I went here randomly while walking back to our hotel. The wine merchant has just an awesome selection of wines, liquors, and beers with staff on hand to guide you along the way. We were warmly greeted and despite not really knowing what we wanted the staff was so kind and showed us around. I finally thought about our situation, as we were leaving the next day and could not carry a half full bottle of wine on the plane, so I decided to ask about the half bottles. One of the owners showed us to a few and based off of my mom and I's tastes (she likes more sweet and I like my wine dry) he recommended a French Muscat. I was a little hesitant at first because he did say it was on the sweeter side, but I am so glad that we took it with us. It was just $13 with the tax and my mom and I got two generous glasses each. The muscat was a nice balance and had a smooth finish. Definitely great for your appetizers, salads, and dessert. Definitely a go to when in Austin. Love too that it is locally owned and operated!! read more

TAWM is by far the only place in ATX to buy your wine. Amazing wines from $9 to hundreds of dollars, all handpicked, tasted and well priced for the ATX market. You are simply wasting your time and money shopping anywhere else. Every wine has a story that the staff is happy to share with you. If a wine merchant was a dating service, TAWM would be the Match.con of the industry. read more

Best. Wine. Store. Ever. It's like a book store for wine connoisseurs! At ever turn of an aisle there is another amazing region to explore. AWM boasts a noteworthy selection of Italian and French wines at attainable price points. Their champagne options are classic but extensive. A scattering of Australian, South African and other Old World regions with just a hint of California and Oregon to add from the New World. The staff is always keen to add to your experience with their knowledge and perspective. If you aren't on the hunt for wine then turn to their outstanding spirits section to inspire your next great cocktail. You will not leave empty handed or disappointed! read more

They have the best Mezcal selection in Austin and they often have more than what they can fit on the shelves. Phillip and some of the others there have a good knowledge of their agave distillates, and they like to chat about Mezcal whenever they get a free moment. The shop is usually busy and carries lots of other liquor and wine, but their Mezcal selection is a true spectacle. They have very rare, hard to find, Mezcals that most other places can't get their hands on. Their prices are fair and their service is excellent. read more

We happened to be parked at a meter directly in front of this establishment, and we figured it was as good as any to find some decent champagne for a wedding gift basket. Overall, the store was clean, well stocked, and well staffed. We were greeted by a very cute guy whose best feature were his gorgeous eyes. What were we here for again..? Champagne, right. Jen wanted a chilled bottle from Champagne proper, and then whatever inexpensive sparkling wine they could recommend that would be for us later that evening. Gorgeous Eyes led us to the back cooler and we got exactly what we needed. Both Jen and GE vouched for the Spanish brand I'd be swigging later, so he was very knowledgeable, too. When not hypnotized by the cute man or complaining that *I* wanted the good champagne, I noticed all the beautiful, modern glass decanters and carafes displayed in the large front windows. I mulled them over as options for my brother' wedding gift, until I remembered neither of them drank. Ah, damn. But they were nice, though. Jen paid for the bubbly and we were off to her spa day. Epilogue: We opened up the good champagne to split between ourselves later on that night. Of course we did. I felt much better about it then. I was happy. 4 Stars. read more

Attention all discriminating wine connoisseurs, aficionados, or just you plain old winos out there - listen up. This is a great place to purchase wine. They stock an enormous variety - from the high-end expensive to "low-brow" inexpensive. However, even their "low-brow" variety is good quality. They know their wine and if they don't have what you're looking for, they can probably find it. That is what they did for us and we received a great value. The owners, John and Greg are wonderful. They treated us like royalty. They run their business like folks used to back in the day when customer service was considered an art form and strangers were treated like friends. They also have wine tastings every week. If you're into hooch, as in hard liquor, they carry some of that also, however, I can't tell you anything about that because I don't drink it. They are located in a charming old Austin brick building. If you're looking to get your wine on, give this place a try - you won't be disappointed. read more

You are not going to find a better place to buy good wine in Austin and for a decent price. I haven't had a bad bottle here yet and its a great place to go if you want to try something new but would normally be worried about getting a horrible bottle. The staff are extremely knowledgeable to the point of being cocky at times. However, I could care less how confident they are as long as they help me find something good for the evening. They seem to have more old world than new world wines but still I find it a good place to get a Oregon pinot noir. My fiance is also a huge whiskey fan and they always have a good variety to select from. Probably most helpful is that they store your purchases by address so when I wanted a gift I was able to see what he bought in the past and could avoid it. I did have one bad relationship experience here with the husband of an employee that was stocking. I was looking for a Riesling to age and instead of just helping me find it he asked "well do you even have a cellar?" I know wine fridges are less than half a century old but darn... give me the benefit of a doubt man. I just laughed it off and enjoyed the support of his wife whom was more helpful. Parking is not great but plenty of street parking within a block. read more

After becoming a first time daddy recently I am not out shopping for wine like I used to, but I had a chance to stop into the Austin Wine Merchant this past weekend, and it picked up right where it left off. Great customer service, with a dedication to helping to teach their customers about how wonderful wine can be. Regular free tastings that can please a novice or a very experienced wine drinker along with bottles to purchase ranging from something affordable to pop open on a weekday night to a bottle to save for the most special of occasions. My main reason for stopping back in was to replace to glasses that had broken over the couple of years since I purchased the set. Getting the replacements was a breeze as they have saved every purchase I've ever made there so I didn't have to try to figure out which ones were the closest match. After my recent visit I committed to my wife that I need to be stopping in more often to support such a great local business! read more

This is probably the best wine shop in Austin. The staff is very knowledgeable and willing to help you find the perfect wine, even if that means ordering it special for you. Their weekly Saturday tastings are a standing appointment on my calendar. Each week, I get to taste something special, often with the winemaker present. There are plenty of other tastings in town but this is by far the best for the quality of wines they sample. read more

If you have not tried La Vieille Ferme you are missing a great buy. French table wine at $9.99 for a big 1.5 liter bottle. Just ask for the chicken wine. Red or white. This is the same price you find at Costco. How do they do it? They move this stuff by the boat load! read more

If you want cheap wine, go to the grocery store. If you want great wine, go to The Austin Wine Merchant. Whether you're spending $15/bottle or $450/bottle, every bottle of wine at The Austin Wine Merchant has been carefully selected by picky staff. Everything they have is amazing in its own right and in proportion to its cost-level. The staff is friendly, helpful, and like librarians of wine. In fact, the store is like a library of the best books, only the books are read by drinking complex flavors. read more

This is the best place to buy wine in Austin. We went for the first time this week and the level of knowledge and service from John blew away other places. He was extremely knowledgeable about all regions we asked about and picked us some excellent wine. If you need recommendations or want to find some great wines this is the place you should go. read more

I stopped by recently while running an errand down the street as I've seen this place countless times but never thought to go in. Finally checked it out, and was impressed with the liquor selection. The staff is extremely helpful and friendly and asked probably 3 times in my 10 minutes if I needed help or had any questions but weren't intrusive in any way. The shelves are very well maintained and orderly and prices are pretty good on most everything I looked at liquor-wise. Pretty much on par with Specs for most things, with a few being a couple bucks more, and some even being slightly lower. They've got a great selection of aperitifs, cocktail bitters, specialty syrups, a decent selection of bourbons, and one of the few places with a large mezcal selection. I kind of popped in on a whim so I didn't buy anything this time, but the clean store, nice selection, competitive prices, friendly staff and convenient downtown location will definitely have me back in very soon. Great store and they have a parking lot to boot, which is a huge plus downtown. read more

In the Year of Our Lord 2008, I wrote a review praising Austin Wine Merchant. I return in the Year of Our Lord 2014 to do the selfsame act. We had tried a particularly fine port while out for birthday dinner at a local Austin dining establishment that we simply couldn't forget. *adjusts monocle* After searching Austin proper for an errant bottle, we contacted AWM - where we probably should have gone in the first place. The port, they said, was not something they had in stock... but give them time. They would search for it. *** It is at this point that I'm pretending a very Indiana Jones-like adventure began to locate this port (Not Crystal Skull - f*!% that noise.) wherein one of their adventurers-in-waiting dived into a Spruce Goose style waterplane and set off for Portugal, where this port was rumored to originate. BUT IT WAS ALL A TRAP - once they arrived they were taken captive by the EVIL DOCTOR GAZPACHO who used the wine business as a front for transporting stolen artifacts in wine crates. After a daring adventure wherein the AWM representative located the wine, got the girl/man/, survived an amazing escape and possibly blew up an ancient temple, we received a phonecall that they'd found what we were after and could order it. So we did - and that's where this review ends. OR DOES IT. (it does.) read more

Great store. I was surprised to see they had a wide selection of gin, better than what I see at Twin Liquors. Staff was super friendly, and the owners went way out of their way to help me when my battery unfortunately died in the parking lot. read more

The Austin Wine Merchant has one of the best selections of wine in town, in particular the types of wine that I'm most interested in. They have tastings twice a week too that offer you an opportunity to try all sorts of wines, sometimes some extremely high end bottles as well. The staff here (John especially) are extremely knowledgeable. You can tell that they've been in the wine business a long time and can recommend wines to fit your taste specifically or your meal specifically. They also keep track of your purchases in their computer system so if you drink a bottle from them and months later wonder what it was, you can call them up and have them look it up for you. A few things to check out when you head here: 1. Wall-o-Burgundy. The Burgundy selection here is one of the highlights of the store. If you're new to old-world Pinot Noir or simply looking for a vast selection of it, this is the place to go. Talk to the staff, they'll talk you through what they have. 2. German Riesling - The Austin Wine Merchant also has a great selection of German Riesling. This is one of the most perfect food-pairing wines in my opinion and they have many to fit that need. 3. California Zin & Oregon Pinot - While I haven't spent as much time browsing this section of the store, I did notice they had several bottles from vineyards that I haven't seen in other stores in Austin. This is one of the gems of Austin for anyone that enjoys wine. Be sure to stop by on a Saturday afternoon or Wednesday evening for one of their complementary tastings. read more

Best place to buy wine in Austin. Better than Total Wine and More. I like French Burgandy and if you have shopped at Total Wine and More it is a bit disappointing in that category. This place has a lot of options and the knowledge of the staff is excellent. read more

A great wine and spirits selection expertly curated by one of the most knowledgeable wine minds in the business, John Roenigk. read more

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Austin Wine Merchant is one of the best wine stores out there in Austin, in Texas and the U.S. (I know this because I shop at other stores too when I travel). Great selection of recent releases across many wine regions, including hard to access new world producers. Brian Smith is fantastic to deal with. I feel bad sometimes with how he goes 110% when I ask something that I think may be a little annoying (and hence I write this review to make myself feel better). Great case discounts!!! read more

Great place! Conveniently located in Downtown Area of Austin. Staff are friendly other than the manager. Steer clear of him. We had a guy who assisted us with all our alcohol related needs. Good selection of local Craft beers and ciders. Wine selection and Proseco selection was great! Stay away from the places bottle opener for $2. Waste of money. read more

The Austin Wine Merchant has been around for quite some time, and it offers a fantastic selection for anyone looking to dig into the grape-based beverages for an evening of wine time for the best time of your life time. I coined that phrase from someone--look it up. Not offering too much fanciness, the quarters are tight, and the old-school decor keeps the space nice and quaint. It is chilly, but for good measure; you'd rather have your cellar cold than hot, no? The staff is extremely knowledgeable here, and though some of the employees have similar taste, they know what they are talking about when they refer you over to a specific varietal or aisle or price point. In terms of non-fermented grape liquids, there is a small beer selection, and the liquor could use some fine-tuning. All in all, I found that the wine was well... what the Wine Merchant was best for. No knock on the booze or piss-water though--I came for wine, and I left with wine. You would do well to check out this longstanding 6th street shop made for wine-o's. I know traffic here sucks and parking can be a mess, but do give it a shot if you are at all intrigued by local wine shops. Spec's is great, but it isn't the same idea as shopping local! Spec's is from Houston, mind you. read more

My first two visits were for birthday gifts, one of which required an oversized Italian. As it turns out, I was in luck. They went online on the spot to help me decide between the two big ones they had. My friend likes big Italians. The second visit, for some deliciously cheap "Chicken Wine" as described in their newsletter, was also good, but don't even think about going next door to Bess after you buy your wine. They must be seriously chapped about patrons parking in their lot, because they told me I couldn't stay and eat lunch, even with my Chicken Wine in hand. Ah well, I'm not going to cry over missing Bess. The Wine Merchant knows their stuff, and that's worth mentioning. read more