"You telling me that wine is better than Pepsi? Huh, no way wine is better than Pepsi." - George Costanza, Seinfeld da Scene: Yelped them for pre-dinner spot. Kinda hidden on a corner right off University & 5th; make the right onto 6th & scoot around to park on 5th or University. They buzz you in, best to make a res., but seems like walk-ins are ok. Very modern, yet welcoming feel, tables spaced well for intimate encounters and a bar with Hightop seating. da Grub & Libation: I had res. for a buddy & I and belly up to the bar; they offered a table, but we're bar flies by nature. Very diverse wines by the glass & bottle so we had 4 different glasses w/ a modest charcuterie plate. da Service: Excellent, warm, friendly and genuinely so. I look forward to my next visit, whether it's for a contemplative glass in solitude or with the wife on a pre-dinner excursion. Hidden Gem, find them and enjoy! read more

Wine So Cru - Charcuterie for 2 - Wine Bars Near Me - Berkeley, California

Hidden almost behind the freeway entrance , is a magical small intimate space. A classy wine lounge of sorts with attentive and knowledgeable staff and amazing ambiance. Their selections of wine is incredible (and all delicious). Definitely a date night spot! read more

Amazing place. Very comfy, elegant, and the owner is an amazing person that understands a lot about wine and has amazing recommendations. You definitely need to come and have a good end of the day relaxing with good wine. read more

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Cute little wine tasting shop, had no idea it was over here until I was looking through Yelp for some options. They have a good selection depending on what you like and also a page for specific wine tastings. It's cute and cozy inside and the staff were nice and helpful. Definitely recommend to anyone interested. read more

A fine, and even devenir experience. Went when it rained last December. The bartender was kind, endearing and very knowledgeable about wine. I had a delightful Italian Chardonnay (yes Italian). I even got educated about the relative cost of some higher end champagnes (was imparted with a value proposition about wine cost which I consider invaluable). Ambience was very much svelte and chic! Great 1st or 104th date spot! Wine so Cru, wine so cool, South Berkelean vino school. read more

A little hidden gem! A high quality wine bar in the cuts of Berkeley?! Who would have thunk it?! This place is absolutely adorable! I came here two days before Christmas last year and practically had the entire place all to myself. The ambience is literally amazing! I was instantly attracted to their glowing bar and wine cellar. I'm kind of a nerd when it comes to wine. Whenever I go anywhere that has a wine list or a wine cellar, I usually study it pretty closely. For all of my fellow wine nerds out there, this place is like a mini heaven. For the size of this spot, their wine selection is pretty damn stellar. They've got French Champagne, Magnum reds, dessert wines, big name varietals, and even some international wines in there too. I had just come back from a a trip to Canada and tried Canadian ice wine for the first time. Then lo and behold; they had one of the exact ice wines that I had tried right on the shelf. Incredible! I mean, what Bay Area wine bar is carrying this type of wine? I was shocked. Aside from their extensive wine bottle collection, they also have a fabulous wine by the glass menu. My super sweet sommelier Nubia suggested that I try their Beaujolais and Barbera red wines based off my palate. Both were scrumptious and definitely right up my alley when it comes to reds. She was so knowledgeable and it was fun to pick her brain a little bit. I sat by the window which had a nice street view, but they also have some comfy seats near their fireplace. They have a small bites menu for light snacks and caviar, cheese, and charcuterie plates for something a little heavier. I nibbled on some olives while I was there. They have weekly happy hour specials which I have yet to partake in, but it's nice to know that they cater to the happy hour crowd as well. I really enjoyed my experience at Wine So Cru and I'm excited to explore more of their wines. read more

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I first thought it would be an overpriced wine bar. Although it is pricey, it's not overpriced They have highly curated and rare collections of wine, and their flights that are constantly rotating by the month are incredible. I always save each wine I've had here. read more

Very cute place. Love the decor. When I go wine tasting, I like to hear stories about the wine. However, here the interaction with staff was very minimal. I would have liked the service to be a bit more attentive. read more

My best friend and I made a reservation at Wine So Cru, and from the moment we arrived, we felt taken care of. The staff opened the door for us and warmly welcomed us before seating us near the fireplace, which added to the cozy ambiance. The atmosphere here is incredible--chic yet inviting. Throughout our visit, the staff checked in on us just the right amount, attentive without being intrusive. We each enjoyed wine flights; I went with the champagne flight, while my best friend opted for the Chardonnay. Both were fantastic choices! We also tried the olives, which paired nicely with our drinks. There was a pop-up on-site that looked interesting, but as I'm vegan, we didn't try it this time. Overall, Wine So Cru left a great impression, and I'll definitely be back soon! read more

Wine So Cru has been on our list to check out for quite some time, and we were finally able to go a few weeks ago. Overall, it was a good experience, not without its cons (see below), but generally, Wine So Cru offers an elegant and intimate environment to enjoy wine. The staff in particular are extremely knowledgeable about wine and very attentive. What I really liked about Wine So Cru is that they offer not only some very high end wines (to drink or take away - more about this later), they also have very affordable options, including some geekier (for wine nerds) options like lesser known varietals or wines from lesser known regions. All this is to say that whether you know what you like and you like what you know or if you're a bit more adventurous and open to learning, Wine So Cru has options for you. Bottle prices ranged from as low as $20-30 to well beyond $200-300+. They seem to be reasonably well stocked up on champagne if that's your jam! They also have some interesting flight options if you're in the mood for sampling a few different wines. While browsing the selection, the staff was extremely helpful and knowledgeable and I truly get the sense that they want to help you find something you're going to really enjoy, rather than being hyper-focused on upselling you on more expensive offerings. Don't be shy and tell them your price range. The bottle prices are retail prices, i.e. for you to take the wine home. If you want to enjoy the wine on premise, there's a $20 corkage fee, which I feel is quite reasonable since they'll be providing the stemware, ambiance, service, etc. There are so many positives about Wine So Cru, but it comes with some negatives as well. First and foremost, of the few wines I was familiar with, their retail price is quite a bit higher than you can find elsewhere. For example, the 2019 Louis Latour "En Chevret" Volnay 1er Cru sells for under $150 retail, even from places like wine.com, which is not necessarily known for offering the best prices. In the shop, the retail price was over $200. Let's say you were in the mood for a Napa cab and chose the 2018 Groth Reserve CS - it'll set you back $180 (retail) vs. $120-140 from other retailers. So although there's "only" a $20 corkage fee to drink in the shop, chances are you're going to be paying 20-30% more for the wine to begin with. Lastly, the location leaves something to be desired. It's on University very close to the 80 overpass, under which there are frequently unhoused members of our community. The juxtaposition of sitting in the wine bar enjoying $200 bottles of wine while meters away, people aren't even able to meet their basic needs - it's not lost on me. Now of course, none of this is the fault of Wine So Cru and I only mention it because you may feel unsafe walking around the area at night. After all, there's a reason the front door remains locked during business hours and you have to be let in by a member of the staff. read more

Lovely business. Great place to hang out with friends after work and share some really good wine. This woman owned business is fantastic. Cozy places to hang out and have a drink. They also have charcuterie, olives and nuts. The owner makes excellent recommendations. Also by the glass happy hour from 4:30-6:00. read more

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This is a nice and expensive wine bar in West Berkeley with modern decor in an Instagram friendly setting.There is a selection of known wines, local wines, and wines with grapes you've never heard of from countries that you didn't know exported wine. There is also beer for that person in your group who orders beer at a wine bar. It was chic and glitzy. I wish for the price that there were free snack pairings or more snacks suggested and available for pairing, so that one could linger a little longer. But if I were meeting some lady friends for a pre- or post- dinner drink, near to Fourth, this is where I would go. read more

Arrived during happy hour paid for parking right outside, sat at a window looking out to the street. I was nicely and politely greeted upon arrival my order was taken the owner/staff let us stay a long time while we talked. Very beautiful place and nice ambiance read more

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Wine So Cru, located in the heart of Berkeley, offers a sophisticated and intimate wine experience that captivates the senses from the moment you step through the door. The staff is very friendly.Ambiance: It's warm, cozy, and has all the aesthetics.They also offer Happy Hour: $2 off wine by the glass Tuesday - Friday From 3pm - 6pmI will definitely be back! read more

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Was exactly what I was looking for. A beautiful wine bar with lovely decor. We were here about 5:30 on a Saturday so it was kind of quiet but very elegant and had a great feel to it. read more

Highly recommends! 100% we will back to try red wines with cheese plates some Friday's nights. Quiet and friendly stuff. Best place for date night with loved read more

Wine So Cru - Cozy place - Wine Bars Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Met up with friends after work for their happy hour ($2 off wines by the glass). The staff was extremely friendly and attentive. They checked in on us regularly, and made an extra effort to ensure we had all we needed before happy hour ended! Convenient location right off 580 with plenty of street parking available. read more

Wine So Cru - Sitting by the fireplace - Wine Bars Near Me - Berkeley, California

It's got a great selection of wines. We had a really nice time and bought a bottle to take home as well. Worth the visit.

The ambiance in this place was exceptional. Will definitely be coming again. The waitress was very knowledgeable and kind. They also continuously checked on us to make sure we were ok. Also had a great selection of wines. The caviar was fresh and delicious too. I can't wait to come back! read more

Wine So Cru - caviar with creme fraiche and potato chips - Wine Bars Near Me - Berkeley, California

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The atmosphere was beautiful and staff was really helpful to walk through the selections- no need to be intimidated if you're not super familiar with different wines! Can't wait to come back!! read more

Went here after a boozy brunch with some friends a few months ago. We were greeted with hand sanitizer and a phone sanitizer station, which was pretty cool. We were provided a wine cocktail as a welcome drink, which was SO GOOD! Then we each tried the sparkling wine flight. We had a great time and felt very fancy doing it. Will definitely be back! read more

Wine So Cru - Welcome drinks! These were DELICIOUS! - Wine Bars Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Loved this place! The Riesling is my absolute favs and the vibe is super cute and quaint! It's going to be our new department go to spot.

Service was excellent, great selection of wines and champagne. We ordered a flight of champagne and most of the time when you order a flight of wine or champagne you get a tiny bit and a glass, but not at this place you. you get your moneys worth here. Great ambience. I like that they unlock the door for you when you come in so that way crazy people can't just wonder in. It's a lovely place and we will be back. read more

LOVED my first time at Wine So Cru. I had high expectations given the reviews and pics, but it totally surpassed my expectations. Once through their doors, you're immediately greeted with a modern and bright atmosphere and by their staff members. My 2 friends and I sat on 2 couches by the fireplace, which made me feel as if I was in someone's fancy living room (decorated with a "Hello Fall" fit for the season). They offer an extensive list of wines and their staff is very knowledgeable. We got there at 5:15pm, which allowed us enough time for happy hour (till 6pm). It's $2 off glasses of wine. Something I really appreciated was how our server asked us if we wanted to place another order right before 6 to take full advantage of their happy hour. How incredibly considerate! This doesn't happen at most places. Plus, when we got water she kept checking in on us to refill our cups. So wonderful. There was plenty of seating available on a Thursday evening and it got busier as the night went on. I can't wait to go back. read more

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I went in after work to catch up with a friend. This place is an awesome place to kick back and relax. Their wine collection is excellent and friendly service even better. Today I tried the 2018 Elhers Merlot. I really enjoyed it. For me, I tasted dark berry, plum with some oaky note. Delicious. read more

Wine So Cru - Merlot - Wine Bars Near Me - Berkeley, California

My birthday was on a Tuesday and I was looking for a cute and cozy wine bar. I saw the photos of Wine So Cru and thought it would be nice. THE PHOTOS DO NOT DO IT JUSTICE!! Lovely atmosphere and welcoming energy, to say the least. I would give this place more than 5 stars if I could. The owners, Sonny and Nubeir (forgive my spelling!! pronounced new-beer) were impeccable. They were warm and personable. I am newer to wines - I gave some hints to what I like and was delightfully surprised with amazing recommendations. I was impressed that as we sat there, multiple people came in to buy wine bottles to take home and Nubeir greeted them each by name. The interior is very well designed. Great first date spot. Great girls night spot. There are different sections of seating without feeling broken up. The lighting it great. It feels prestigious and boujee without snobby. The Christmas decor is also very cheery. Would 10/10 recommend! read more

Wine So Cru - Wine Bars Near Me - Berkeley, California

This place is awesome. Nu-Beer as the best. She asked our tastes and made recommendations plus talked to us about different wines to help us with our decision making. She is so knowledgeable and I loved spending time talking and learning. There's wi-fi, which is a plus, and small plates if you want to be cute. They do private parties so I'm thinking of having my graduation celebration there once I get my masters degree. They dont offer flights but the pours are so generous and are offered in 3 Oz and 6 Oz. I hope this business sticks around because this is about to be one of my new favorite spots. They close at 10 on weekends, and 9 on weekdays. Closed on Mondays and close at 7 on Sunday's. Happy hour on the first Tuesday of the month is all day, the rest of the weekdays it is from 3-6. I hope this place gets a lot of business because I want them to stay around! read more

Cozy little wine lounge with your major wonder regions represented. Glasses run $10-$25, (happy hour is $2 off mon-fri 3pm-6pm.) You can also but bottles to go or but a bottle to stay for $10 corkage. With little pots of olives or nuts for $3 each. They also have a charcuterie selection for $30. Very relaxing environment, music was very loungey bossa nova and piano covers off pop music. There's a couple small sofas and a fire, pairs of chairs with small tables and bar seating. Service is very warm and welcoming. The wines are great and enough variety to suit multiple tastes. Very nice addition to the neighborhood! read more

Wine So Cru - Menu - Wine Bars Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Stopped by at the time of opening on a Friday. It was quiet so we had the place to ourselves. Cute atmosphere, super friendly and kind service and delicious wine!! I will definitely be back again... especially any of my pup's vet appointments since it's just next door! read more

So glad I found this wine bar! I wanted a solo wine night for myself and made a reservation! 10/10 would recommend. I tried the Chardonnay and the Riesling, and while both were great, I'll be back for the Chardonnay! The staff w great, welcoming and knowledgeable! It was quiet but busy on a Wednesday evening, but I was told it fluctuates. Make a reservation to be sure but feel free to stop in for a glass regardless. Definitely check it out :) read more

Wine So Cru - Chardonnay - Wine Bars Near Me - Berkeley, California

Outstanding experience here. Really comfortable, chill environment in which to enjoy wine. Great Champagnes, Chablis, and Italian gems. Not to be missed. read more

This place is great. The ambiance is relaxed and very welcoming. The staff is super friendly and attentive, and the wine list is pretty extensive and a good reflection of various geographies and varietals. read more

A wonderful place in Berkeley. Tons of parking around the area so don't let that deter you. The owners are helpful, kind, and welcoming. Their recommendations are always excellent and the wine is so well curated. I moved out of the East Bay and still miss this place. You should definitely check it out if you can! read more

Written May 25th, 2021 in case the Yelp Algorithm tries to deceive. 1st: They are still COVID conscious if that matters to you. Very clean w/ spaced out seating and masked staff. This place is exactly what Berkeley is missing!! Great wine, not pretentious, affordable prices, and the owners are the nicest people ever. They just re-opened at the beginning of May, I've been in 3 times since at various days and times and each time was a great experience. The owner is a Sommelier II with a passion for bringing delicious wines to everyday people at a palatable price. In a nutshell, its as fancy or as laid back as you want it to be. I think the location can be a deterrent, however there is plenty of easy parking on the backside on 5th/ Addison. I drove by many times before giving it a chance and I am so glad we did. Try something new in Berkeley, you will not be disappointed! read more

Fine choices of wine-the-glass at affordable served with warm hospitality in a friendly, comfortable environment. Happy hour (3 hours long) is so enjoyable & close to home that it's likely to become my go-to wine bar. While recently opened, it's easy to see how Wine So Cru is redefining the scene. I'm looking forward to the expansion of their programs and events. This is also a very good location for private events, which I will recommend where the fit is to scale. read more

Amazing wine selection. If you looking for great wine and nice environment this perfect Romantic lighting in evening. Service really made experience even more enjoyable. They have one TV and always playing sport games. read more

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I enjoy coming here after work to relax and grab a glass (or 2 or 3) of wine. The staff is very attentive and friendly. Super glad there's a wine bar in the area. read more

Wine So Cru - Cute Easter decorations - Wine Bars Near Me - Berkeley, California

The wine I had was delicious & pretty strong. I like the decor & they have excellent customer service! read more

Wine So Cru - Wine Bars Near Me - Berkeley, California

Very comfortable space with a great selection of wines from the new and old world. The owners, Beer and Sonny, make you feel right at home and field any questions you might have. We have enjoyed wines by the glass as well as bottles of bubbles. read more

Wine So Cru - Nice selection for enjoying in the lounge or taking home. - Wine Bars Near Me - Berkeley, California

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I went to Wine So Cru for a meetup with friends and loved it! So glad this is a new addition to the 4th street area and our neighborhood. The bar itself is cozy and well designed. They have a strong wine list and the service was impeccable. read more