Stumbled upon this place on. Yelp search for "wine stores". It was close to where I was at the time so I stopped in. Very nice store with very helpful and appreciative staff. They had very good selections especially in my choice of Pinot noir's. The Wine Merchant will now be on my radar as a local place to get my favorites. Easy parking in the back or along the street so no hassle. read more

I've been seeking a new source to purchase wine with knowledgeable staff and a large selection. I believe I have found it after stopping by this establishment. First parking is on the backside of the building with easy access to the store. Unpin arrival I was warmly greeted and help was offered. I shared the types of wines I prefer and what I'd be interested in learning more about. I was given a brief tour and recommendations were made. I purchased 5 bottles of wine. Additionally, I asked about a specific wine type my favorite Petit Chablis from France which I've purchased in OH. The person who helped me is checking to see if he can get me six bottles of it. Fingers crossed. So excited about my new fund and I look forward to my next visit. read more

The Wine Merchant - Outside of building from back parking lot - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Second time here but it's been many many years since I've been here. The wine machines were new to me, definitely a great add. You load x amount of money on their card and drink as you please. I think there were about 8-10 to choose from. You can do 2-3oz pours each taste or a full glass ($2-9 range) This is completely self service and at your own pace. This allowed us to chit chat and hang around as long as we saw fit. I loaded $20 on the card and that was enough for me. Plenty of seating. They no longer offer wine flights or tastings, just the machines now, that worked for us. read more

See all

Purchased wine gift baskets for several out of town guests arriving for our son's wedding. They were very nice and reasonably priced. Our guests were very complimentary and enjoyed them. read more

I needed to purchase a couple of bottles of fine wine to take to a party of friends, and I decided to go to the wine merchant because they have a wonderful selection of fine wines. When I walked in, there were a few people there - mostly young people - tasting wines and hanging around. I looked for someone to help me, but no one came forward. Being older, I had the distinct feeling that I was being ignored. Being considerably older than the 30-somethings who were socializing and drinking wine - seemed obvious to me as a reason I was not being attended to. After wandering around for a while and looking for someone to help me, I decided to leave. There are too many other places in that area to buy wine and feel you are a valued customer. I will go to those places. read more

Wow! What a nice wine shop in Rookwood / Hyde Park! It is very clean and plenty of parking in the back of the building. Kevin was super helpful and welcoming us in right after that opened up for the day. Looking to drink wine at 10am on a Thursday? If they are open, you can sample the wines! A very cool concept. This is one of the only places in Cincinnati that I'm aware of that has something like this. You load a card with cash and then you are able to try 16 different wines on your own. Very simple and user friendly. Machine tells you your balance and let's you choose a 1,2 or 4 OZ pour. This place has a plethora of wines to choose from for purchase. There is a cooler with a few craft beer options as well. Corking fee got you down? No corking fees here! Feel free to pop open a bottle of wine you have purchased and cork it up and go! read more

See all

Stopped in on a Monday afternoon to check out wine selection and to taste some wines. The wine station automated pouring machine was fantastic. You use a pre paid card to tase a selection of high quality premium wines in either 1, 2, or 4oz pours. All the wines were fantastic. Staff was very accommodating with excellent wine picks. The 11$ bottle of cab franc that was recommended was fantastic. The selection is diverse and I believe you can sample a good selection of the wines there. A nice gem on the corner of Edwards road. You won't be disappointed! read more

This place is small, intimate and has a great selection of wines. Staff is very knowledgeable and helpful. I like the fact that they enter your name in the database so that you can receive emails and specials. It also keeps track of purchases of your wine. If anything new comes in similar to the wines I usually get, it will be mentioned in your email. That is awesome! I always like trying different brands of wines. Have not tried the tastings, would love to in the near future. read more

See all

I just moved here and stopped in on a friend's recommendation - and I'll definitely be back! The staff was so kind and helpful, prices are great, and I love that you can sample wines while there. read more

I needed to order a gift for a friend and had to do so by phone since I live out of state. I received excellent guidance on which wines to select and the gift bottles were packaged in an elegant purple box. I was 100% satisfied and highly recommend this wine shop. read more

Even though I'm an admitted HUGE beer geek, I also enjoy some nice wine. Let's face it, man cannot live on beer alone. As far as wine destinations, I consider The Wine Merchant a great one for big reasons. Their wines are always priced nicely, their staff is VERY knowledgeable, and you can try the wines before you but 'em. And ever since their latest expansion about two years ago, they're even better than ever. I'd been here a few times and so has my lady, but just recently, we finally decided to stop by together, and we're glad we did. Upon our entry, we were courteously greeted as always, and we decided to try some of their wines first before we shopped around. We were able to try six different wines each for $10, which is a fantastic deal in my opinion. Darshshaun and Dan gave us a lot of useful info on all the wines during our sampling. They both definitely know their stuff! I noticed they also have full wine tastings (by reservation) and small food plates available. My lady and I didn't partake of the plates this time but likely next time as they looked very tasty. After our wonderful sampling, we shopped around for some good bottles, with Darshaun assisting us in the hunt. He gave great advice and described the wines in huge detail. We never once felt pressured into buying an expensive bottle out of our price range. We left with bottles that we're super excited to try and pair with our dinners... Plus a bottle of Rogue Dead n Dead (They do have beer selections too, and I couldn't help it when I saw this bottle. ). The Wine Merchant is a spectacular wine destination for bottle purchases, enjoying glasses and tastings, wine-based events, and so much more. No matter if you're a huge wine connoisseur or just a wine novice, you'll feel completely welcome here. Stop by and get all wined up! read more

The selection is superb, the staff is knowledgeable and helpful, the atmosphere classy-casual with a little "old world" feel, and the location is convenient. If I ever want to learn about any particular varietal, they are always more than happy to educate me. Great place to linger for a quiet afternoon table conversation over a glass of wine, with a small kitchen for some edibles. And ... drum roll ... if you want a "knock your socks off" single pour, they have those sophisticated dispensers that preserve the quality of the wines and allow you to have as little as 2 oz (or was it 4?) from any one (or more) of several wines that would be out of reach price-wise for most people. The Wine Merchant is my go-to store in Cincinnati. read more

First off, I have to note that I haven't given the Wine Merchant a try yet because I was afraid of the lack of parking based on the busy street it's on. However, there is a lot behind the building! I came in to try to track down an awesome wine I tried on vacation the other week, and also to try some wines. We didn't go to a regularly scheduled wine tasting (Fridays and Saturdays usually), but just wanted to try stuff they had on tap on their wine machines. We found the wines in the machine to be good, but kind of out of our price range (most of them were over $50 a bottle, one was $99)- so we weren't going to be buying anything we tried, which is half the fun of a wine tasting! Their selection seems good, but there were a lot of bottles on the floor, and I was afraid that I was going to knock them over just while looking, and it made it hard to see stuff. The staff was really friendly, and even though they didn't have the wine I was looking for, looked it up in their system to see if they could get it (they couldn't). Most places will take your information and call you back only if they got it, so it was nice to get a definitive answer right away. read more

Full disclosure, my buzz has worn off so you are getting it straight. An interactive wine purchasing experience. This place is super fun if you are into wine. They have a bar that offers one dollar tastings (roughly 1-2 oz pour per dollar) of a pre selected variety of wines. Feel free to pick up your glass and mosey around the store, chat with the super friendly staff or have a seat at one of the many wine barrel style high top tables and relax. You will find there are a number of wines on special which are available to taste in an automated dispensing machine as well. Picture about 16 self serve wines "on tap"! Yes, please! Just get a pre paid card from the cashier and choose from 1, 2, or 4 oz pours. My girlfriend and I sampled 5 wines for a total of 9 dollars while we were here! Definitely a cheap little wine tasting experience. Fell in love with a new varietal as a result and will definitely be coming back. read more

Amazing selection of wine! Friday night tastings for $10 are super fun and you get to taste all of the listed wines! They also have more involved events with food and wine you can sign up for. I receive emails so I know when the events are. If there is not an event, you can purchase coins ($1 each or 12 for $10) and you can taste any bottle they have open! Perfect for hanging out with friends! There are high top tables to stand and gather at! One of my favs read more

After reading the previous reviews listed here on Yelp I wanted to try The Wine Merchant, I've driven by their location hundreds of times living right in the Oakley neighborhood. After dinner at Abigail Street a few weeks ago me and few friends enjoyed Reginato "Celestina" sparkling rose malbec 2008, argentina and I was on a mission to find it in town. A friends birthday is this weekend and she's talked about non-stop how much she enjoyed this wine. I called The Wine Merchant on Monday to ask if they had this wine, Kathee answered the phone, very pleasant and friendly immediately. This wine they didn't have at the store at the time, but she said she would be happy to research with her wine distributors and call Abigail Street to find out where they purchase this wine. She called me back the next day informing me she found the wine and could have it by the end of the week just in time for friends birthday and also recommended a similar Alma Negra which was a bit cheaper, I ordered both. They called me this afternoon to let me know the wine was in, I picked up the wine today after work. I was welcomed by three staff members including Kathee from walking in the store. Kathee said since my call they received several more inquiries about this wine and ordered a case to have in the store. They asked me for my email address, they will keep a record of the wines I purchased and I'm able to setup my wine preferences in my account. I will definitely return to purchase more wine and will bring friends back for an upcoming tasting. Thank you. read more

Best wine shop in Cincinnati, and I believe I've done my homework. The staff is knowledgeable and accessible. They pay careful attention to their patrons' preferences and seek out wines to both suit and surprise their palates. And you simply can't beat a place that has 10+ bottles of wine open for you to taste a wine before you purchase. Eliminates that chance of bringing home a bottle of wine you've never tasted and being disappointed. (And if you don't care for any of the bottles they have opened, you can trust the staff to guide you to the right bottle for your taste, the food you're preparing, and your budget.) Love this place. read more

The Wine Merchant is a great location for me. I can literally walk there and buy a great bottle of wine for later that evening. I try to rationalize it by telling myself that at least I walked there and got some exercise :) The staff are well-informed and welcoming. At some other wine shops I have felt embarrassed to say that I want an "economically priced" bottle of wine when they ask what what I'm looking for. I'm in grad school so I'm nowhere near wealthy. The staff at The Wine Merchant are never pretentious acting and always have great suggestions. I have never been disappointed in their recommendations or prices. They also sell some cute wine accessories if you're looking for a gift! read more

I had a dream about this place last night, and so I thought it appropriate to write a review today. The Wine Merchant is Cincinnati's premiere wine shop and tasting room. I've found their staff to be knowledgeable and courteous, their wines to be tasty and unique, and their location off Edwards Road in Hyde Park could not be more convenient. The Wine Merchant isn't just a place to buy wine -- it's also a great place to taste wine. Whether you're just sampling the wines of the moment or coming in for a special high-end tasting, The Wine Merchant offers a great opportunity for connaisseurs and novices alike to find out why wine has been around for thousands of years. read more

This year I was given their wine of the month club as a gift and since its become my favorite wine shop in Cincinnati, and that is saying something since I live all the way on the west side. Each month they have two wines with paired dinners and I am not sure which is better, the wine or the recipes. They have an excellent range of prices from below $10 to well above my budget. The staff is amazing and very knowledgeable and so helpful if you are looking for something particular. I've been to their Friday night "theme" tastings a few time and have yet to be disappointed. The apps offered rotate or at least there seem to be a few new ones each time. We had the pesto-roasted-tomato flatbread last visit and it was amazing. Also, even though the parking lot is a bit small there is plenty of street parking nearby. read more

I love this Wine store. They have a great selection of wines from a wide variety of regions that you won't see in any local grocery stores. Their staff is knowledgeable and will help you find the right choice for whatever event you need wine for. They offer 50 cent tastes and have events often. Get on their email list for upcoming tastings and events. There are wines to fit every budget as well which is nice. They have a cold selection too in case you are in a rush and need an already chilled white or rose. There is parking in back along the building. The tenants that live above the building use the adjacent spots in the lot for their parking so stick to the ones closest to the building. There is an entrance on Edwards Rd, but around back where you park there is a canopy with the Wine Merchant colors that you can also walk in through. It looks shabby, but it really adds to the charm of this place. They also offer great holiday gift baskets with not only wine, but gift certificates for their wine clubs, crackers and cheese and even chocolate. Stop in on a Saturday for a fun tasting and you won't be disappointed! read more

Amazing wine selection, great prices, speedy delivery and fantastic customer service. I have been looking for a specific wine for years since my local wine shop that carried this said wine, closed down. I finally came across The Wine Shop who had my wine, I was able to order the exact number I needed with the help of the owner and I should have them at my door just 1 day later. Will be ordering from them again! read more

In my opinion, this is the best place to find fine wine in the city! They have a wide variety of wines normally with several vintages to choose from. Their staff is extremely knowledgeable and has always been able to pair a wine with my needs. They have a website which is fairly easy to navigate and helps me browse before I buy. Wine of the month club is a must. I give them four stars for great location, excellent knowledge and service, great pricing, and a fantastic selection of wine! read more

Buying wine from this place was awful experience. I came in through the back door and said "Hi!" to the workers at the bar. Their response? They both looked at me and neither replied. Absolutely nobody helped me asked me what I was looking for or if I needed help. Not a friendly place to come to unless you're a middle aged white person with lots of money read more

I love the atmosphere of TWM. The staff are knowledgeable and able to make suggestions for the novice all the way to the winemaker. Each wine they pick out for me is better than the first as they learn and adjust according to your reviews. My favorite event is the WineStation Wednesdays because the shop turns into a gathering of friends. Wednesdays are surely a party each week and the highlight to my hump day. read more

The Wine Merchant is amazing. I say this, when there are two other really great wine shops within walking distance from me, and I don't get to frequent those (and take advantage of their tastings) as often as I'd like. I have to get in the car and drive, and I STILL give the Wine Merchant five stars. Here is why: 1) Tastings--any time: At any given time they are open, they have about five affordable wines available to try for a small fee. They also have a special "WineStation" room, which is more expensive wines. I haven't tried that one yet but I'm really looking forward to it. 2) Tastings--events: They also have regular tastings, Friday nights, etc, which they announce via email and Facebook. I also haven't been able to attend these yet, but look forward to it. 3) Knowledgeable Staff: I really enjoy talking with the staff when I'm there. Because I don't go all that often, I haven't really developed a relationship--but I can tell that when we do, they will get to know my palate and give recommendations. This is odd, but I just feel that it's a very knowledgeable, generous place. They love wine, and they want you to as well. Love them! read more

Wine tasting was so fun ($5 for 12 tastes) and the employees are very knowledgeable. I definitely suggest checking this place out. There is a small parking lot in the back if you were confused about where to park. read more

Best wine shop ever. Love the Friday tastings. They are a great value. Also the staff is knowledgeable and always willing to help. I especially like Dan. His suggestions have never steered me wrong. read more

My favorite wine shop in Cincinnati. I love how friendly and helpful the staff is. Dan was able to recommend the perfect wine for dinner tonight. Their wine tastings are fantastic and a great deal for the price. This is definitely the first place i recommend for both wine tastings and just buying a bottle read more

I love wine!!! I am no wine snob but I love my wine - this place is definitely worth checking out! The gentleman that works there was very accommodating, they didn't carry one of the wines I was looking for so he took down the information to see if he can contact their seller to see if he can order some. They even have a wine tasting room. I definitely need to come back here with my girlfriends to try some of the wines here. They even have a sale section where you can get your wine under 10 bucks. It's also near a Thai restaurant where you can BYOB. So pick up a bottle of wine and head over to Asiana afterwards for some food, to help with that wine buzz... read more

The workers are nice and the wine selection is decent. However, the wine tasting was terrible! The servers did not know anything about the wines; for one bottle they actually had to go to the vendor's website and look up what type of wine they had served us. 3 of the 4 wines they served during the tasting were terrible, and when they switched from red to white, they did not clean out our glasses. These are minor details but combined led to a poor wine tasting experience. Go here to buy wine, but don't go here to taste! read more

I always have a good experience in the Wine Merchant. The staff is helpful and interested, and the selection of old world and new world wines is good. The e-mails help. I need to make it to a tasting this fall. read more

This is the best place in Cincinnati for wine. They have great deals and the most knowledgeable staff. Awesome wine station with 16 higher end wines. Wednesday is half off wine station and an excellent opportunity to try very high end wines that you might not otherwise try. read more

The sign on the door says "taste before you buy." We were planning to buy a few cases of wine and thought it would be a good opportunity to try the wines out before making a large purchase. I assumed that the tiny tastes would be free, but they still asked us to pay cash for the tastings, which were small. We did not have much cash on us so we could not taste more than two wines. It seems most business owners would let customers taste a few options for free before a large purchase. Other than that, they were very helpful. read more

My absolute favorite wine store and tasting spot in Cincinnati- period-- the end!!!! Something for everything. You can try all kinds of wines at the wine bar for .50 per taste using a token! There is a chef now so food is available! Wednesdays and Fridays that don't have an event offer a half price happy hour on the premium higher end wines in there wine station and the friday and saturday events are AMAZING. Friday night is more fun affordable wines with different themes, and Saturday tends to be slightly higher end wines a sit down tasting where you can compare 1-2 ounce pours of a theme that usually contains different producers or sometimes different vintages. Come support this locally owned wine shop in Cincinnati! They will expand your pallet with both old world and new world styles! I also highly recommend all of their wine clubs. They offer clubs for the novice drinker all the way through to the enthusiast wine collector! The best part is wine is meant for sharing and I have met some great lifelong friends during my tasting sessions there. read more

I started going to Wine Merchant after I received a Wine of the Month membership as a Christmas gift, and just love everything about it! You obviously can't go wrong walking into an establishment dedicated entirely to vino, but Wine Merchant offers a variety of tastings. They have daily tastings for 25 cents each and their bigger tastings are on Fridays and Saturdays. Unfortunately, their tasting room is rather small and kind of resembles a back storage room (they probably need to update the decor and put some of the boxes in the ACTUAL storage room), but we were happy to discover that you get unlimited pours during the tasting hours. The serve some hors d'oeuvres, but don't come with an empty stomach because they are a wine shop for a reason. They're also very accommodating and will open any bottle to taste before you buy. PLUS you can sample any of the wines available at the WineStation (go on Wednesdays for half-off all pours), so whether you're there for a 25 cent tasting, visit to the WineStation, weekend tasting, or just to buy a bottle of fabulous wine, you reaaaaally can't go wrong. read more

People from all over Cincinnati shop at The Wine Merchant, which tells you a lot about the store. If you live fairly close by, as I do, there's no reason to go anywhere else. The selection is great, the staff is knowledgeable and friendly, the atmosphere is laid back. There's a daily tasting bar that has a dozen or so wines available for sampling, and there are tastings every other Friday evening (eight moderately-priced wines) and almost every Saturday between noon and 5:00 (four higher-end wines). You can find details on the store's website, www.winemerchantcincinnati.com. They also have an Ultimate Wine Station that stores eight higher-end to very-high-end wines, and you can try one-, two-, or four-ounce pours of any one you choose. The wines in the Station are constantly changing, and they're 50% off on Wednesday afternoons. What I really enjoy, though, are the people, both the people who work there and the regulars (and non-regulars) you run into and, after a while, get to know. Shop there a couple of times and you'll be hooked. read more