The wines provided were delicious and service was great I love supporting local businesses and will be back to see what else they have in store. I was able to have a wine tasting or dry and sparkling and both were light and yummy! read more

The Wine Rack - Pares balta - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

The staff is always so help and pleasant and most days you'll find John handy and fun to talk with. Don't skip the wine tastings! Always fun. They have a GREAT selection of wine as well as spirits. When you walk in the door you're transported into a bottle wonderland that you never want to leave! read more

Cool place for a neighborhood shop. Lots of different kinds of wine choices, good liquor section, interesting beer and very knowledgeable staff. They also have a refrigerated section or you can pick up dinner stuff from places like Lotsa Pasta. read more

During this time of healthy at home I've decided to learn more about wines from different regions. I was delighted to see that The Wine Rack was separated by geography so I could easily find wines in my price range. So for this #ThankYouThursday I want to give a shout out to The Wine Rack for helping me learn more about wine in a fun way! The tasting notes that accompany many wines quickly helped me narrow down my choices. It was convenient to pick up local beer and appetizer snacks to make a full experience. COVID notes - the team is delivering and when I went into the store I found the staff helpful while maintaining a more than 6 ft distance so I was able to shop. They are making sure only so many shoppers are in the space at one time. If you're not sure what to buy give them a call and the staff has a ton of knowledge and can help you make a great selection. read more

See all

Oh, Wine Rack! How have I lived in your neighborhood for 1.5 years, and I'm just now experiencing how awesome you are?!? You are truly special! Yesterday I ventured into The Wine Rack, in search of some mixers for a virtual event that night (shout out to Modica Superfood Cocktail Mix, another great Louisville brand!). I had only a few minutes to browse the great spirits selection before I needed to pick up my son from daycare -- ya know, how ya do sometimes -- and I was immediately taken in by the well curated stock. The man at the register directed me to the Modica and other mixes, and that gave me some extra time to look around. I was immediately taken in by the beer selection. Yep, The Wine Rack has beer too! It carries a great selection of local beer with some other fun ones mixed in, including several ciders and sour ales, which I'm into at the moment. Another great discovery: You can make your own six- or four-pack! This is a new thing, according to the staff. I had been debating between a couple different six packs but then just made my own. The Wine Rack also has a fun wine selection, from what I could see. I could tell that it had been a bit since I just browsed (thanks, COVID) because I almost felt giddy looking at the labels. The Wine Rack also has curbside service. I really can't wait to go back. The Wine Rack is such a find! read more

John is the best I ask him to find a wine he will try his best to find it. He even brought in an Italian wine that I drink in He knows his stuff and if you just ask them they will find you what they have in stock that could be better than what you were looking for. Great place to pick up spur of the moments frozen pizza or blue dog bread too Good variety of spirits too They are our go to. read more

The Wine Rack - My fav Custoza - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

WONDERFUL level of service. In fact, the best service I had while in Louisville. The two guys that were there really made a difference in the experience. TOTALLY knowledgeable about their products, and were able to give some great ideas on tasty bourbons for certain. The prices were competitive, and we were even able to find some of the hard-to-find stuff here. A MUST STOP on the road looking for good bourbons! read more

The Wine Rack - Courtyard walkway to the Wine rack. - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

[Update for 11/7/19 and 9/25/19 wine tastings] What to do: sign up for emails and RSVP for their FREE monthly wine tastings Vibe: specialty wine shop run by a wine connoisseur Parking: street ==The Wine Tastings== I love these monthly events to taste about 5-6 wines for a specific theme. It's great for beginners who either blindly pick a new wine or just stick with the only wines they know. What I like about the selected wines is that some can be quite different that get you to expand your palate and identify a new favorite type of wine/flavor profile that you had no idea you would be interested in. The tastings are free events that include either Mr. Johnson or a specialty speaker explaining each of the wines, the history of the winery or region, and suggestions of when to enjoy each wine. There's never pressure to buy a wine from that tasting, but I have found myself leaving with a new bottle or notes about ones I might get in the future. Overall, a fantastic event I'd highly recommend! read more

The Wine Rack - [11/7/19] Champagne and Burgundy wine tasting night - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

See all

Love this wine shop! We came here primarily for wine, of course, but WOW they have all kinds of stuff!! The wine is super organized and I love that. You will see it sectioned out by country, so you'll find an area for Italian wines, Spanish, Australian. etc... Local brands and very cheap prices, too. Not in the mood for wine? Not to worry! This place is basically a fully on liquor store, because they have everything in between as well. Even canned drinks! Hungry? They have all kinds of cheeses, snacks...Even Cellar Door chocolates!! read more

The wine rack truly is a magnificent wine shopping experience. I'm a massive wine dork and have spent the last couple years working in wine retail on and off as a side hustle and learning about wine in my spare time. The wine rack makes it easy to explore wine which is one of the things that I love about it. First is the selection. The selection is actually pretty small all things considered but every wine has been meticulously chosen by the staff for its quality. I never use any of the apps I might use to find the best wine that I might use at other shops. The shop is also laid out in by country and is easy to navigate. The staff is also immensely helpful no matter what you're looking for. I once went in and asked for a wine that was "intellectually stimulating" and they gave me the perfect wine. Though not as regular now The Wine Rack would do regular tastings of various levels of seriousness and they are always a joy to attend whether virtually or in person. The selection of wines are mostly decently priced, this shop thrives in the $15-35 range. There's some wines on either side of that but they're much fewer. As a small time wine collector I do wish they had some more of the super premium wines but I'm a very small part of the market. They also have a good selection of high end spirits, mostly whiskeys. This shop is where I do 99% of my wine shopping and the other 1% is just because I can't go to the wine rack in that moment read more

The wine rack is taking a lot of precautions in the wake of COVID-19. Only 10 people are allowed in the store at a time due to the space and you must wear a mask. They also request that you maintain as best as you can 6 feet physical distancing from others. The wine rack has a very unique collection of wine as well as bourbon to help you with a new find. The prices are reasonable and help you support a local business. They also have dips, cheese and ice cream from Bob cream to be paired with your wine. It is definitely a local business worth supporting and you may find something new that you really appreciate. read more

I was pleasantly surprised by the Wine Rack. As a neighborhood wine store, it stocks a great variety of wines at affordable prices. I visited recently with a friend when we needed some wines to pair with a meal that we were planning together. We happened to go there on a night of the Frankfort Ave trolley hop and there were samples of various wines as well as local cheeses. Yum! Wines were organized by country of origin, and I ended up finding a delicious white from Italy that evening for a very reasonable price. We also left with some of the local cheese, but if you're in the mood for something a little more hearty, might I suggest some of the Gelato from Gelato Gilberto or the Fig and Prosciutto Pizza from Fond. If you're in the area, stop by and grab a bottle. I hope that you'll end up liking this little gem of a spot as much as I did as well! read more

The Wine Rack is awesome! It's a shop on Frankfort Avenue that offers a broad selection of quality, and reasonably priced, wines. They also carry beer in the form of numerous craft brews, ales, and lagers. Plus they have eight taps where you can fill growlers. Their inventory changes with the seasons, so depending on when you visit the taps will be different. The Wine Rack also carries a well-chosen selection of bourbon, scotch, gin, tequila, vodka, and rum. I have visited this spot during the F.A.T. Friday Trolley Hop and had a chance to partake in some bourbon tastings. They also have a great selection of local and imported cheeses, spreads, olives, salamis, tapenades, and other delicious antipasti. Since drinking and eating go hand-in-hand, this is a nice addition. If you're looking for a spot to find some new wines, or you're looking for a tasting to see if you can find something you like, you should definitely check out The Wine Rack. I recommend checking out their website, or stopping in during the trolley hop, for the best events and deals. read more

Great selection of wine and beer. John Johnson really knows his wine! He suggested some great rose and white wines that were spot on refreshing. So excited about the tastings that will be taking place. Love a variety . read more

I'm not a wine drinker so this review is more for everything else this place has to offer. Don't let the name fool you there is plenty more than wine here. I'm live close so it's walking distance for restocking my home bar. What's nice is that they don't have so many selections that it becomes over whelming but in stock of what you need and want. The back holds the beer and it's really what I come here for. Lots of craft beer to choose from stuff you wouldn't normally find in the big box places. I always find something new and interesting so I end up leaving with more than I intended! read more

Great neighborhood boutique wine shop with lots to offer! The Wine Rack is relatively small compared to lots of other places you could purchase your favorite grape deliciousness. What it lacks in size, it makes up in variety and knowledgeable staff. The variety here is impressive. For starters, the wines are broken down into regions and there is a lot of variance in price. So you can find just about anything you're looking for at the price you want. They even have a sizable Kentucky/Indiana selection if you want something local. There are also plenty of organic, low-sulfite, no-sulfite-added, biodynamic, and sustainably-grown wines available. The store has a system for marking these on the price tags, so you can find them easily. The staff is extremely knowledgeable. As a relative novice, I always ask for help. And I've gotten really detailed responses about the selections I'm considering: how certain grapes are grown, recommended pairings, ways wineries are improving their environment impact, etc. Great people here who really know their product. On top of all this, they also offer plenty of liquor, domestic beers, craft beers, mixers and barware. There's a tasting area, as well. Definitely recommend! read more

See all

This review is mainly about The Wine Rack's beer selection and related service... The Wine Rack is a place I've visited off and on through the years; the store is owned by sommelier John Johnson, and in our conversations, though limited, his love of all things wine, beer and whiskey is more than apparent. His level of knowledge and personal passion is something that is altogether missing from chain options, such as Liquor Barn and Total Wine. The store is not a sprawling affair by any means, but it's an able enough space for what is offered. Wines & Bourbon are near the front, along with some limited food coolers with local brands like Lotsa Pasta and Louisville Cream. Near the back, in a raised area, is the beer. Some years ago, Mr. Johnson had a growler station, but in my most recent visit, that seems to have went away. I'd guess, unfortunately, he wasn't moving beer from it quickly enough. In it's place are coolers and a warm shelf; the first cooler (actually on the lower level by the steps) is filled with Kentucky beer. All beer is priced by package and singles, which is very helpful. I was able to find freshly canned IPA (Country Boy's Cliff Jumper) canned within the last two weeks, and a smoked beer (Wooderson from Mile Wide) that I've not found anywhere else but the coolers at the brewery. Even though the selection is not expansive, I feel that Mr. Johnson makes a conscious choice to stock something for every kind of customer. That alone is very commendable! I almost forgot about the patio area at the side of the store; I've never taken advantage of it, but I'm guessing it would be a nice spot to sit for a drink. If I had one constructive criticism, I'd suggest maximizing this space for on-site drinking. Right now, it's pretty sparsely furnished, landscaped and lighted. It could be really nice with some attention to some, or all of the above. With that said, The Wine Rack is a place I want to visit more frequently, especially considering the loss of local beer purveyor Louisville Beer Store. Parking is found on the street out front, on side streets in the area, and in a small lot behind the store (accessible by alleyway). All of it is free. read more

I cannot say enough wonderful things about John Johnson, the owner of The Wine Rack. He is one of the best Sommelier's I have ever met. His palate, knowledge, travel expereinces and out-going personality make him stand out in the world of vino. I have been going to wine-tastings at The Wine Rack for years and it never seizes to amaze me the time and effort John puts into promoting various vineyards and winemakers from around the world that may not be well-known. I recently went to a wine-tasting featuring Luminis from Argentina. I never knew that wines from this region could be so diverse, complex and quite elegant. The Owner and Winemaker of Luminis (Allamand) were also there to present and answer questions. That is simply unheard of at most local tastings. A true testiment to The Wine Rack and John Johnson's reputation. There is a wide array of wines offered in the store. Whether you want to grab a great local wine for $10, a nice French Bordeaux to save for a special occasion, or a light, refreshing Riesling to sip on the front porch, you can find it here. If you are new to wine or unsure of what to pair with your dinner, the staff will gladly guide you to making that perfect purchase. The prices are very reasonable too. In the mood for beer or bourbon instead? No problem. Bring in your growler to be filled from the diverse, rotating selections of craft beer or head for the bottles. There are plenty of Bourbons to choose from as well. Often on the last Friday of the month during the Frankfort Avenue Trolley Hop, there are beer or bourbon tastings. Oh- and don't forget to grab some local cheese and a baguette too! Your palate and your wallet will thank you. read more

Great and varied wine selection. They also carry some premium spirits and craft & import beers. I was just browsing and saw my favorite beer in their cooler for the right price so I bought it. Stopped me from buying wine, but they have plenty of really nice choices, I jsut went for beer on this particular day. read more

I come here for a treat and to avoid other crowds at liquor stores. Every time I come it's just me and the cashier and I like that. I like their selection of wine, beer, gin, tequila, and shots. read more

It's been ages since I've left a review and am deciding to get back in the game by starting off with a review of my hands down favorite spot in town for picking up a bottle of wine, bourbon, or beer any night of the week - The Wine Rack! John, the owner, does a fantastic job keeping his selection of wines fresh, unique, and affordable. And he or his staff are always available to make a great suggestion. Anything I've learned to like about wine has been through shopping at the Wine Rack. Seriously! And, for all you bourbon lovers out there, they have a great selection of that, too. Often have unique Single Barrel bottling picks and again, fair prices. Beyond all that, be sure to get on their mailing list! They do free wine tastings regularly, and often partner with local fine dining restaurants for wine and food pairing events. They also have a handy fridge full of fresh Lotsa Pasta pizzas or blocks of cheese - has been handy a few times on my way to gatherings. Great local spot and highly recommend! read more

Great store for small orders; decent selection of wine, craft beer, and liquor. I have some friends that say that the staff is a little snooty, but I've never experienced that at this location. My main issue with this store is that they do not accept returns. I bought the wrong bourbon for a friend's birthday gift and tried to return it (obviously unopened) but was told they will not accept it. While it wasn't too terribly expensive of a mistake this time around, I'd be nervous to place a large order with them (like for a wedding or a Christmas party) since you couldn't return the unused bottles. It's a shame, because I love supporting local businesses over the warehouse liquor stores. Edit: I was contacted by John to discuss the reason behind their return policy and possible resolutions, but I had already let a friend have the bottle; I appreciate the follow-up from John and am happy to continue to support this local business! read more

The Wine Rack and their staff are phenomenal!! I live in California and my niece lives in Louisville. For her birthday I wanted to surprise her with a couple bottles of nice wines. Any wine shop/club in California does not ship to Kentucky, so my next option was to find a wine shop located in Louisville that did deliveries. I found The Wine Rack and with great reviews on Yelp I decided to give them a try. I ordered one of their gift boxes which included two bottles-one red & one white. They let me pick a delivery date with specific delivery instructions and I was also able to include a personal gift message to my niece. They notified me right away that my order was received and confirmed my gift would be delivered by the date I requested. My niece not only received her gift, she also received a personal "Happy Birthday" from The Wine Rack staff. My niece sent me a picture of the gift box and it was exactly what I had ordered! This was a great experience from start to finish and I highly recommend using the Wine Rack for all your gift giving needs or if you just want to grab something for yourself. Thanks Wine Rack for exceeding my expectations!! read more

Friendly place to get booze. I love that they are in walking distance. Ginger beer for me and a growler for the man. read more

The Wine Rack - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

I was a little disappointed I felt ignored when I walked into the store. No one greeted me when walked, told me about the free wine tasting going on or asked if I needed help. If wasn't for a lovely couple who shop there all the time inviting me to wine taste then I would have never known. I was in the store 15 mins before the couple came in. They introduced me to the owner and asked him to help me choose some wines. The owner was very helpful and helped me pick two wines. I am so glad there are still wonderful friendly people in the world. read more

I LOVE the Wine Rack. Such a great space and an amazing selection of wines. They have a cooler of cheeses as well, so you don't have to stop several places. And lots of fun beers. I NEED to get there for a tasting sometime! read more

I had heard of the Wine Rack, but I had not visited their store. Then the Brasserie Provence hosted a wine dinner and the Wine Rack was handling the wines that night. It was the Gerard Bertrand winery from the Languedoc region of France. The wines were all good, but I fell in love with the Pinot Noir which had a smooth buttery quality. We are having to wait a couple of weeks for the wine we ordered. We happened to pass the shop after visiting a restaurant on Frankfort and we made an impromptu stop. The windows were brightly lit and colorfully decorated with glowing amber bourbons on pedestals intertwined with fall leaves and décor - maybe I was dazzled by my drinks earlier in the evening, but it looked really beautiful! The shop is laid out nicely and doesn't have an overwhelming number of choices. There were featured wines with the points labels and descriptions and excellent prices. We asked about another favorite Grenache that we tried at the Brasserie Provence, and though he didn't have it, he knew it immediately and suggested a similar and reasonably priced option. We grabbed an Argentinean Malbec called Tamari and tried it last night - I will be picking up several bottles of it when I pick up my pinot next week. This is a great place to get great wines at good prices, and if you need some advice, it appears you will get quality suggestions here. It will be hard for me to pass by without stopping now! read more

The Wine Rack is definitely the best wine shop in town. John Johnson has the rare ability to share his deep knowledge of wine in a way that is really informative and interesting, but never pretentious. I've learned so much from his regular wine tastings, but sometimes I like to just go in and ask him to pick something out for me that I haven't tried before. He always knows what I like and he never just picks up a random bottle. He always takes the time to talk me through why he's choosing a particular wine for me. It's a lot of fun. On top of it all, he has a great staff. If John's not around, you know you're still going to get outstanding advice from people who really know and love wine, and friendly service. And you know you're going to get low prices when you shop at the Wine Rack. Their prices are consistently lower than all but the big box stores, and I'm much happier paying a buck extra (and it's rarely more than that) to support a local business that works really hard to contribute to the community and give an outstanding product at the lowest price possible. The bourbon prices at the Wine Rack are consistently several dollars less than most other stores. Go there. Soon! read more

I have a dozen or more choices for purchasing beer, wine, and spirits, but I make the Wine Rack my exclusive choice for several reasons: The shop is owned and operated by my neighbor, John Johnson. It doesn't get more local than that. John and his staff know their stuff. They make every trip to the Wine Rack a pleasure and an opportunity to learn something new. Great value in every way. read more

The Wine Rack - The Wine Rack - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Fabulous! Called yesterday, amazing owner talked me through my 3 wines delivered for Christmas. I told him price point and they even threw in the carrier. She loved it was hand delivered the next day. read more

Nobody in Louisville knows more about all thing wine than John Johnson at The Wine Rack. His store is an experience like no other wine store I know. Call Him! (502) 721-9148 read more

Great local wine shop! John was tremendously helpful and helped us with pairings for the evening. I appreciated his knowledge and understanding of subtle preferences. All total a great experience and I would definitely go back! read more

One of my favorite wine stores! Wonderful selection backed by very knowledgeable customer service. They also carry a very nice selection of cheese and chocolates. read more

So glad I found this beautiful gem! The owner and staff are knowledgeable and friendly. They have an outstanding wine selection. The brands they carry are crowd pleasers and instant fan favorites. Unlike some wine shops where the selection is skewed to a specific pallate. The Wine Rack features wines that are easy to drink, fun to share, and of premium quality. One visit and it will instantly become the only place you shop. read more

My wine shop. I don't like to buy from anyone else. Prices are great, yet there's nothing in the place that is undrinkable. At least I haven't found that bottle yet. read more

Extensive selection and wonderful service. Great small batch bourbon selection as well with some very reasonable prices.

THE best place for quality wines of many varieties, with an expert and helpful staff ready to assist with your adult beverage needs. I also love the assortment of artisan chocolates, cheeses and other snacky goodness to compliment any variety of wine you may prefer. The Wine Rack also caters to quality spirits and mixers. And if all this wonderfulness was not enough, they carry a good selection of local/Kentucky made spirits. read more

One of the best wine shops in the city, the Wine Rack is a small but friendly wine store in the middle of Frankfort Avenue. They carry a great selection of moderately priced wines (in addition to expensive bottles) and are eager to help you without any attitude like so many stores. Staff seems very much into wine and can provide a lot of help in finding a good bottle. Pricing is very reasonable. read more

This is a great store - neighborhood friendly with the best selection of bourbon and wine in town. But the best thing are the prices- compared to Old Town or Top Hat, The Wine Rack is a lot less expensive for the same products and quality. The prices are on par with Costco or the Liquor Barn. Plus, you get friendly service with recommendations that are honest. They don't try to sell you the most expensive- only the best to suite your tastes. The store is warm and inviting, clean, thoughtfully organized, and tasteful. I love it! read more

This place offers a great selection of superb wines for very affordable prices, as well as scrumptious gourmet snacks, including cheeses and a bit of charcuterie. Whenever I've asked for suggestions I've been happy with what the owner has recommended for me every time. Try the Pennywise Petite Sirah for $10.99; it's heavenly. My price point is $10-$15 per bottle, and there are a plethora of highly drinkable wines for that budget. read more