We try to stop in every time we're in town. Ben, owner, has a fun, little wine shop located in downtown Yucaipa. Ben and his staff are very welcoming and generous with his guests. They've gotten to know us, and our tastes and they always make great recommendations, as well as setting up some very interesting tastings. And, for the non-wine drinker, they've also got a selection of craft beers and ciders. WINES: Ben's shop carries a great selection of wines, focusing on small batch producers, "unique" varietals, organic wines, natural wines, biodynamic wines, certified carbon neutral wines, and local wines. You can do a tasting or purchase a glass or bottle to enjoy onsite. There's a tasting bar up front, as well as bar top tables inside, and a spacious patio outside. I feel that bottle prices are very reasonable, and we usually end up leaving with 5 or 6 bottles based on our tastings and Ben's recommendations. There's on street parking in the front, as well as a small parking lot in the rear. I highly recommend you stop in and give them a try when in the area. NOTE: They don't serve food, however Woodhaus Pizza is right next door and you're more than welcome to pick up something there or bring in your own munchies. read more

See all

My husband and I came here for a date and absolutely loved it. The staff that work here are very attentive and they know a lot about wine. I was happy with all of the options available. We ordered a bottle of wine after tasting a few. I liked that you could order pizza from the neighboring restaurant and enjoy it at the wine merchant. Great spot for a date. read more

See all

I absolutely love this establishment -- it's warm, welcoming, and feels like home. I'm always greeted with a glass and a smile, and the service is consistently timely and friendly. Ben is the best! Although I wish he could be there every day, he's built a great crew that's both kind and efficient. I love the small-town charm of Uptown Wine Merchant. It's perfectly located, inviting, and by far my favorite place to meet friends for a drink. The beer and wine selection is impressive, and they even carry my favorite Champagne brands at unbeatable prices. Thank you, Ben, for giving Yucaipa this diamond in the rough. read more

This place is such an amazing little spot with friendly service and great food options close by. Ben I can't speak highly enough about him. He knows his wines and also has a good selection of craft beers. read more

Ben and his Staff are amazing. Don't drink wine but they have an awesome beer selection too. Been coming here for years. Super clean great music. read more

Love this place. Ben is awesome. Be greeted us right away. It was actually a little busy. But I just came for a bottle. Ben was able to let us try a couple of wines he recommended for pizza (we were having pizza that night) i ended up purchasing 2 bottles. I really love this place. Good vibes and good service read more

Uptown Wine Merchant - Inside - Wine Tasting Room Near Me - Yucaipa, California

See all

First off how can you not love this place. Ben is the owner and by far the most knowledgeable in wine and bubbly. We just became a member which I did not know about until I was talking to another customer there. You can also order pizza right next door called wood Haus and they have great food. We have had parties here and you just call Ben to RSVP a bigger table. This is a must if you just want to chill. read more

I think our severs name was Ben! I could be wrong, but beside the point, the gentleman working there gave my sister and I amazing customer service and gave us great recommendations. Very knowledgeable on his wines! We ordered wood fire pizza from next door! Delicious! read more

Very nice place to enjoy wine and of course, pizza next door never hurts. We tried a cab from Washington and loved it. The wine waiter was very nice and made sure we chose the correct bottle. read more

Uptown Wine Merchant - In Sheep's Clothing - Wine Tasting Room Near Me - Yucaipa, California

Ben is so attentive and recommends the best wine. The vibe is always relaxed but full of buzzing conversations. This is such a hidden gem in Yucaipa . If you haven't been, it's a must have. Oh, if you take a bottle to go, $10 dollars off ! read more

Uptown Wine Merchant - This place is amazing ! - Wine Tasting Room Near Me - Yucaipa, California

Last weekend we had to move the location of my niece's engagement party due to the weather to Uptown. We talked to Ben, the owner who was more than happy to accommodate us. His vast knowledge of beer and wine is impeccable. I highly recommend Uptown for all your wine and beer needs. It's also a great place to relax and enjoy a libation at the end of a busy day. read more

Uptown Wine Merchant - Richard and Larissa's engagement celebration. - Wine Tasting Room Near Me - Yucaipa, California

I live in San Diego but I'm always so excited to go here when I'm in Yucaipa. Amazing selections of wines and some beers. The workers are great too. Very helpful in you finding a bottle or glass of wine you'll like. I've tried so many delicious wines since I first started coming here. It's a must every time I'm in the area!! read more

Uptown Wine Merchant - Wine Tasting Room Near Me - Yucaipa, California

Great selection, nice glassware, cool vibes, knowledgeable staff. Nate was really awesome! Fun and different stuff that you don't get everywhere else. I left feeling like I got an Unpretentious education/conversation and a warm welcome from new friends. read more

The sommelier/server at this place is phenomenal! The guy knows every nuance of every wine product in the store. Great conversationalist and very friendly to all his customers. read more

Ben is the most knowledgeable when it comes to wine, he let me sample a few reds before finding the perfect one for the night. The ambience and friendliness from the place is 10/10, great and extensive wine selection at great prices. The place is clean and close to pizza place to order food. Extra points for it being pet friendly. read more

Thank you, Nate and Ben, for such amazing service! I've lived in Yucaipa since 2021 and only just visited Uptown Wine. I am pleased to say that I love this place and can't wait to come back! The wine selection is phenomenal and the service is top-tier! Thank you so much for a wonderful experience! read more

Uptown Wine Merchant - Who can resist a glass of the goodest boi? Took a bottle home! - Wine Tasting Room Near Me - Yucaipa, California

First time coming here. Very good selection of wines. Like how they had all separate by country or region. We took two bottles. Liked the service and the place is very nice and functional. read more

See all

Best wine selection and Ben the owner is always there working hard greeting the customers

My wife and I are club members and loyal customers. The service here is on another level. Ben is unbelievably knowledgeable and accommodating. You can fully trust him with any wine suggestions or recommendations. Nicole is polite, attentive and au courant. The atmosphere is mellow, inviting and modish, a perfect place for gathering with local friends or impressing out of town relatives. Our two rescued furbabies Leo and Lulu are welcomed and pampered. The (adjacent) WoodHaus brick oven pizza spot is not only reasonable, but vegetarian friendly as well and delivers directly to your table. I would rate it higher if I could. It offers the VIP exclusivity and indulgence you want, without the snobbery. read more

Uptown Wine Merchant - two glasses of wine and a bottle of wine - Wine Tasting Room Near Me - Yucaipa, California

Love this Wine Spot :) These pictures and review is prior to the Covid closure. Bet as soon as it opens we will be back :) If you are looking for Quality Wine, with Friendly knowledgeable service staff and a clean and inviting place to taste and drink wine, then come to Uptown Wine Merchant. Bonus next door they have an amazing pizza place its called Fire A Pizza. Order the pizza next door and enjoy it with your wine :) Nice spacious outdoor patio area with heaters for the chilly nights. Ask for Ben he will help you choose the best wine for you. I forgot to add they have great craft beers as well. Writing this review is making me thirsty :) Cheers friends stay safe and when this Covid Pandemic is under control lets raise a glass and enjoy life! Cheers! read more

See all

This spot is a true gem within the Inland Empire. Me and my friends had been looking for a place to enjoy wine and learn more about the craft and art that is wine/spirit making; let me tell you all that this is the holy grail. Ben is an amazing host who's wine knowledge far exceeds any normal restaurant sommelier. Ben is nothing but kind to anyone who walks in his shop and you can tell the passion he has for wine is immense as soon as you converse with him. With a great selection of natural and high quality wine from throughout the world Ben will find the right bottle for you. Whether you are looking for a quick bottle to enjoy with a loved one, or are trying to learn more about the robust history of wine making, please, look no further. Cheers! read more

Uptown Wine Merchant - Chenin Blanc and wood fired pizza (great pizza place right next to the wine shop). - Wine Tasting Room Near Me - Yucaipa, California

See all

Being locals, we love this place. Ben is super knowledgable about the wines he carries--most of them reasonably priced--and what most people don't realize is that he has a killer selection of craft beers. I've discovered some of my favorite IPAs by sampling his ever-changing collection. Like his wines, they cover a wide range of regions and styles. There's a wood-fired pizza place, Woodhaus, next door to round out the experience. If you're within 25-30 miles or just traveling through on the way to Oak Glen for apples, this is a destination experience. read more

We love it here. Ben is super cool, somehow he knows exactly what wine I like. The ambience and music is always inviting and lively. Would definitely recommend coming here. Wine tastings and glasses are reasonable. read more

Amazing selection of wines. I really like coming here and you can even order pizza from next door to eat. Loving the location as well. It has plenty of seating. Highly recommend! read more

Ben knows his stuff! He always has great wines to try and at various price points. You can get pizza ordered and delivered from next door, too. I'm so happy to have this shop in my town! read more

Uptown Wine Merchant - Tilth Chardonnay recommended by Ben, and delicious pizza from woodhaus next door - Wine Tasting Room Near Me - Yucaipa, California

So helpful and accommodating. They have a great selection of wines. We were purchasing a gift and we're very happy with the service.

Had a great night enjoying some wine with my wife and a friend. Ben the owner and the rest of the staff were friendly and very knowledgeable! We were recommended some very nice Reds to enjoy. No complaints here. We will be back without hesitation!!! read more

Friendly and helpful service. We came to eat at the next door Fire a Pizza and decided on having some wine with dinner. Ben was very accommodating while we had our dog and sat out side enjoying a glass of wine each while we ate our pizza. Clean and inviting. Nice ambiance with subtle music. Highly recommend! And will return again read more

Uptown Wine Merchant - Outdoor patio in front of shop was perfect for our date night with dog along. Pizza from next door. - Wine Tasting Room Near Me - Yucaipa, California

What a beautiful little spot! My sister and I popped in at opening. The owner is kind, knowledgeable and personable! Great wine, great service, great atmosphere! Will definitely be back! read more

Excellent service, interesting wine and beer choices, and super cool location. Ben and Nicole, the proprietors, are really great. Order a pizza from next door and you are all set. Cheers! read more

Uptown Wine Merchant - One if many beer varieties available. - Wine Tasting Room Near Me - Yucaipa, California

They need to consider this crazy $12 corking fee if you buy and drink their wine there. Corking fees are typical when you bring in an outside wine to an establishment, not when you buy the establishment's wine and drink it there. I have been in the wine industry and around winery owners and the wine establishment since I was 12 in the Central Valley. So I am no dummy when it comes to wine. And there are no wine experts. This wine retail establishment (NOT a restaurant nor a winery) initiated a $!2 "corking fee" if you buy a bottle of wine that THEY sell you if you drink it there. NOT one you bring in, but THEIR wine. I have never heard of this and I frequent 3 wine bar establishments in So CA. They waive the "corking fee" if you join their "wine club" there, which is something like $50 per month. I can understand their price increase in the tastings, but a corking fee at a retail tasting room at an establishment that does NOT make wine nor private label it is bizarre. Especially in the IE, in Yucaipa of all places, LOL. It is a methodology to push you into the wine club. Ughhhh. Not! My 5 wine knowledgeable friends (who aren't into the junk plebeian wines like most folks who wouldn't know the difference if you served them Barefoot or a Gallo compared to Byron or a Gustavo) regularly buy 10-30 bottles per month each from numerous wineries and establishments all agreed: we can get the same or better wines at High Times, Orange County Wine Mart (excellent hard-to-find choices and specials and fair prices), Total Wine, Wine Lab, The Wine Country, dozens of other establishments that are on the wine band wagon---or at any of 50 wineries in Temecula, Rancho Cucamonga, Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, or even La Bodega, Gerard's, or Von's Pavillion. I think this is a system that will effectively isolate the folks that actually buy bottles and sit and enjoy them in the establishments. My 5 friends all agreed. Instead, the casual dilettantes will simply just do tastings or single wine glasses (or beer---although beer drinkers now have a plethora of locations in the booming craft beer industry). Wine clubs are generally a "pain in the rear", in all but the best genuine wineries. You have to monitor your auto-charges constantly and deal with pickups and selections that may not agree with you. and a few other things I won't get in to. Driving all the way out to Yucaipa to pay $12 ON TOP OF their retail store bottle price effectively is the epitome of indiscretion. I prefer just to go to Citrone or Caprice or Greensleeves if I want to drink wine in a nice place locally. Or go to Pacific Wine Merchants in Upland for a place to drink my wine, smoke my cigar, and have a relaxing time. This establishment is NOT cigar-friendly like Pacific Wine Merchant (and cigar store) in Upland and they appeared to be averse to smokers and to cigar-wine events. (I want to remind people that the premier wine rater in today's wine world, James Suckling, is also a big time cigar aficionado, as are many wine aficionados.) Also, we noted that the recent tasting wines were banal and "prosaic", not up to par compared to the last 10 times we had been there and tasted interesting high value wines. And we waited twice, once for about 10 minutes, to get a pour in the sequence. Something has changed. After the last tasting selection of the new wines, we switched to a bottle of Trinitas Zin that we know was consistently good and that was when we discovered this bizarre $12 corking fee. I hope they come up with another system that will be more realistic to folks. read more

Excellent place to chill or host events. Owner is such a cool guy and staff is so sweet and knowledgeable. Come try from a huge selection. Try the watermelon wheat.. read more

Uptown Wine Merchant - Watermelon wheat - Wine Tasting Room Near Me - Yucaipa, California

What a great addition in yucaipa! Had the pleasure of meeting the owner and 2 of the wine tenders today. All were kind, funny and knowledgeable. Now im not a wine girl, vodka is more my alley.....but, this place is beautiful and the tasting selection is tits. I'm a sweet white while my hubby is a dry red kind of guy. We both had a great time tasting their daily wine choices. I will definitely be back..... trying to be a classy girl n all read more

Uptown Wine Merchant - 3 of a kind - Wine Tasting Room Near Me - Yucaipa, California

We just love this little jewel in Uptown Yucaipa. The owner, Ben, is knowledgeable and kind. He carries a great selection of wines and many of them are very reasonably priced. We have sent many friends here who have all thank us! read more

Uptown wine is always my go to spot any night of the week! Ben and Nate always makes sure we're taken care of with our preferred types of wine. I have never had a less than amazing experience here! read more

One of the few places to go to in Yucaipa very spacious and tons of selections of wine and if you like beer I believe the owner has some read more

Uptown Wine Merchant - Pizza from next door! - Wine Tasting Room Near Me - Yucaipa, California

10/10 would puke in this restroom again. Seriously I love this place. It's a great small business with an intimate atmosphere. Very clean, great selection. Will not be disappointed. I guarantee it. read more

Great place to get a bottle of wine or just chill and drink a glass. Really friendly owner. Love this place!

We LOVE this place. Ben always offers a great recommendation on a wine that we never would have discovered otherwise. Great atmosphere. Super fair prices. Awesome wine club, too! read more

Great new wine shop & tasting room in Uptown Yucaipa! The selection of wine is diverse, the price is right, and the staff were very helpful and friendly. Never thought I would see this type of establishment in Yucaipa, but it certainly is a welcome addition. I'll definitely be back soon. Stay thirsty my friends! read more

See all