And just like that, it’s Thanksgiving week. Chances are you’re one of the masses that have to head to the parents, the in-laws, or the close friends’ house for a weekend of feasting, drinking, and maybe a heated political exchange or two. Of course, you’ll need something to do on Friday (also, possibly Saturday and/or Sunday) once there isn’t any football or cooking to distract you. Might we suggest stopping by some of America’s best wine bars?
Atlanta | Vine & Tap
If you get home a day or two early, stop by Vine & Tap for Thanksgiving Eve. Wine flights are half-off on Wednesdays.
Austin | Winebelly
In the land of beer & BBQ is one of the best wine bars in the country, Winebelly, where you can get bottles from Texas and the Languedoc.
Chicago | Bar Pastoral
Matching Bar Pastoral’s New World-skewing yet comprehensive wine list is a just-as-extensive cheese and housemade charcuterie menu.
Kansas City | The Rieger
Historic Rieger Hotel is home to one of Kansas City’s best wine bars where the menu changes with the season. The current list of fuller-bodied wines includes one of our Vouvray favorites.
Lexington | Enoteca
Coravins have, for better or worse, changed the industry, and they now allow places like Enoteca to bring you pours from higher-end vintages.
Los Angeles | Esters
Esters is for people who yearn to get a taste of unique wines, whether it’s one of Italy’s native grapes or Austrian rosé.
Minneapolis | GYST
The gist of GYST is fermentation and that includes highlighting some rare natural wines.
New Haven | Cave à Vin
Unpretentious Cave à Vin’s wine list is categorized by adjectives, making it the perfect place to contrast and compare Old-World styles.
New York | Lois
The crowds have already overtaken New York, but when you need a shopping break, head to the Lower East Side for wine-on-tap Lois.
Philadelphia | ROOT
Fishtown’s where all the cool kids are including ROOT, a wine bar with burgers and vintages you usually have to buy by the bottle.
Raleigh | Vinos Finos
The outskirts of Raleigh might be the last place you’ll think to find a spot dedicated to South American wines, like Vinos Finos.
San Francisco | Birba
San Francisco is literally filled with wine bars, but Birba’s different with its wide range of southern European wines and small plates.
Seattle | Bottlehouse
Bottlehouse is the welcoming wine bar/tasting room showcasing a great list of Northwest vineyards intermingled with bottles from around the world.