Where to Buy the Best Wine in Grand Rapids

While we’ll always be fans of the excellent craft brew options we have in Beer City, USA, wine lovers of Grand Rapids, rejoice. We also have plenty of shops, restaurants, and bars featuring regional, national, and international wines. 

Whether you’re celebrating a special event, gathering with friends or family, or toasting a relaxing night in, there’s no better indulgence than a nice bottle of wine. As the wine scene in the Mitten State has blossomed with plenty of vineyards and wineries, so has the number of places you can find that perfect bottle of wine in Grand Rapids. 

When you’re looking for something unique, or would just like help finding the perfect wine for your occasion, here are some local shops whose knowledgeable, friendly staff will help you find just the right bottle for your table (in no particular order).

Rishi’s International Beverage

If you’ve ever walked into a wine shop and felt embarrassed to ask for something in the $15 or lower price range, you weren’t at Rishi’s International Beverage. Manager Rishi Makkar and his staff excel at helping customers find good wines at reasonable prices. Of course, they carry expensive wines too, but Rishi contends that selling pricey bottles is easier than the inexpensive bottles. Because of the marketing behind big wineries, many customers have already heard of those brands, and if you’re spending $50 or more on a bottle of wine, it’s probably going to taste great.

Rishi and his staff research, taste a lot of wine, and have solid relationships with distributors in order to make sure they have plenty of delicious options to offer customers at all price points – including $10-$20 selections that compete quite favorably with wines in the $30-$50 range.  

Rishi’s International Beverage also creates fantastic, custom gift baskets for any occasion—just ask at the counter. They generally require six to eight days' turnaround time. In addition to the 28th Street location, there is a second Rishi's International Beverage located at 6859 Cascade Road SE.

House of Wine

House of Wine offers more than 60 wines by the glass, including a healthy selection of Michigan wines. The co-owners, father and daughter team Jim and Emily Lynch, strive to create a fun, contemporary restaurant atmosphere where people can experience new wines without feeling intimidated. “Our wine is served casually, and we go out of our way to explain the different choices,” says Jim.

The Lynches stock a lot of value choices – under $10 a glass – as well as higher-end wines, champagne, beer and cocktails. The selections are served casually, accompanied by in-depth information from servers. The restaurant complements its beverages with a popular build-your-own charcuterie board, as well as salads and paninis.

Tuesday Night Free Wine Tastings – hosted by staff and guest professionals – include a free tasting of two wines and an offer of a specially selected wine tasting at a market price. Happy Hour specials are available every Tuesday-Friday from 11:30am-5pm.

Art of the Table

In 2003, Amy Ruis transformed a former party store with patches of dirt floor and no plumbing into the exquisite Art of the Table, which carries gourmet artisan products including wine, cheese, desserts, beer, table décor, and more. When you’re looking for a unique wine that you won’t find at your average grocery store, Art of the Table is your place.

The staff tastes each and every selection they bring in to decide whether it fits their desires for smaller batch, family-owned wineries wherever possible. Whether you’re searching for something less expensive for a weeknight dinner or a high-end wine for a special occasion, Art of the Table can help. With over 300 wines, they have selections from $8 to over $100 a bottle and can offer guidance and suggestions if you’re uncertain about what you want.

Wine regions all over the world are represented on the shelves and there are a lot of wines that are from grapes off the beaten track. The staff is very knowledgeable, so they’re pretty good at suggesting wines that are similar to what you might normally drink.

Aperitivo 

Ruis also owns Aperitivo, a wine and cheese tasting shop at the Downtown Market, which opened along with the market in September of 2013. Aperitivo’s selection is relatively small but well-curated to include a wide variety of wines that play well with foods – especially those on the menu here, including cheese and charcuterie.

One fun aspect of shopping at Aperitivo is that you can often try before you buy. Many shelf selections are available at the bar either by the glass or half glass, so you can sip a new-to-you wine before you commit to purchasing an entire bottle.

Most wines at Aperitivo are in the $12 - $50 range. Many customers pick up selections for dinners and parties, while others enjoy what they sip at the bar and want to take it home and enjoy it again.

Ritual Wines Grand Rapids

Owner of Ritual Wines, Chris Leon, opened his first wine shop in Brooklyn, NY in 2015. It’s been named one of the country’s best wine stores by Wine & Spirits, New York, GQ and Brooklyn Magazines. Last September, Leon and his wife, who grew up in East Grand Rapids, opened a second store on Cherry Street in the Uptown neighborhood, where the focus is on great wine and warm hospitality. 

Ritual Wines carries a highly curated selection of about 550 wines, focused on smaller producers. With a background in the hospitality industry, Leon feels strongly that wine should be accessible to anyone who’s interested, and the knowledgeable staff goes out of their way to make customers feel comfortable. 

Horrocks Market

Horrocks Market in Kentwood is known for a lot of things: beautiful flowers, a grocery market with fresh produce, stylish home décor, and gifts. Did you know they also have a fantastic wine selection? 

Horrocks offers wines from around the world and has an entire aisle dedicated to Michigan wines. Talk to the staff at Horrocks and it's clear they pride themselves on being a local company that supports local. 

If you don’t see a wine you’re looking for, they’ll be happy to order it for you. 

The in-store tavern serves wine, craft brews, and cider, all of which you can enjoy while you shop. You can stop by the tavern to check out the wine selection before you hit the other aisles or sit down afterward and enjoy a drink at the bar. 

The market also offers complimentary wine samples of its featured wines, as well as a number of wine events, including monthly wine specials, wine pairings, wine tastings, and more. Check the Horrocks website or Facebook page for details.

Martha’s Vineyard ​

Thirty years ago, the store that’s now known for its vast wine selection, specialty groceries, and unique fresh produce began as a small stop-and-go liquor store. 

While Martha’s Vineyard still carries spirits, the business has grown and evolved with the neighborhood, and these days the shop’s focus is more on wines and gourmet foods.

When you step into the store, you’ll find wines anywhere from $7 - $100+ per bottle on the shelves. The selection ranges from wine regions in the U.S. to across the globe, with accessible options for wine newbies and avid connoisseurs.

The Martha’s team is always willing to recommend new wines within your tasting profile or special order a wine, if it’s available. They’re also happy to help you pair wines for your next meal, introduce you to a new wine region, or help you find your new favorite bottle.

Regardless of when you stop by, don’t miss the extensive deli with freshly prepared foods and the mouthwatering pastry items from Nantucket Baking Company next door. In addition, if you try a glass of wine at nearby Lyon Street Cafe, you may be able to find it in the store.

Grand Vin

“Real wine made by real people” is the guiding philosophy at Grand Vin, a downtown GR wine shop owned by married couple Tom and Kim Grimm. They specialize in offering wines made by smaller, family-owned producers that emphasize ethical and responsible farming practices. Tom Grimm is a certified sommelier who personally curates the 500 or so unique varieties of wine available in the store. Because many selections may be unfamiliar, Tom is quick with helpful suggestions.

Sharing knowledge is part of the Grimms’ mission to make wine approachable rather than intimidating. That effort extends to hosting guided in-store wine tastings and traveling to homes and offices for private wine tastings. The Grimms also spotlight new, seasonal and holiday-appropriate selections on their Instagram page.

Grand Vin carries everything from $12 bottles of wine that pair well with a Monday night pizza to treasured collectibles that retail for $400–$500 – many that you’ll find nowhere else in West Michigan. Champagnes and sparkling wines are a particular strength, and the store is well stocked in two categories Tom identifies as up-and-coming trends: canned wines and Rieslings.

There’s also a monthly wine club that lets members choose from all reds, all whites or a combination of the two.

Cherry Hill Market

Located in a renovated 1880s-era building, Cherry Hill Market has been an Uptown neighborhood destination for wine, beer, spirits and grocery products since 1997. The wine collection here isn’t as large as some of the other businesses on this list but you can find some very nice (and affordable) selections.

The Parlor at Cherry Hill Market serves hand-dipped ice cream creations from May-Labor Day. Stop by for a scoop and shop for wines while you enjoy your treat.

Post Off

Post Off is a neighborhood bar, also in Uptown GR, that focuses on small production, organically grown and made wines from around the world. They offer amaro – an Italian herbal liqueur made by infusing wine with botanicals – along with some creative wine cocktails, shots, ciders and even a handful of non-alcoholic selections.

The vibe here is distinctly casual – the proprietors don’t care if you show up in a suit or with a skateboard – but you can count on seriously informed recommendations from people who love sharing wine stories and discoveries with guests.

Stop in and relax with a glass or two, or go home with a bottle (or six) for your next party.

The Crushed Grape ​

On the second floor of The Crushed Grape, you’ll find an entire level dedicated to wine from every corner of the world – anywhere between 1,600–1,700 bottles of wine.

If that seems overwhelming, don’t fret. The helpful staff is happy to give you a short tour of the space to help you understand where to find what you’re looking for among the many wines. They love to meet customers, ask them questions about what they like, what occasion the wine is for, and help them choose an event-appropriate bottle.

If you prefer just to run in and grab a bestselling bottle of wine, The Crushed Grape also stocks about 100 “grab and go” bottles downstairs. They’re typically under $25, universally delicious, and varietally correct, meaning that a California Cabernet will taste like a California Cabernet.

In addition to choosing a bottle or two from the sizable wine selection, you can also purchase Michigan spirits and beers, fantastic cheeses, salamis, dips, and more. The Crushed Grape even carries a few Michigan craftsmen items, like steel laser-cut keychains and granite whiskey stones. 

Russo Ristorante & Mercato

Russo Ristorante & Mercato is the latest venture from a family that has been feeding and nourishing Grand Rapids residents since 1902. Opened on the grounds of Tanger Outlets Mall in 2023, it combines an Italian eatery with a market (mercato) filled with a large collection of quality wines from the best American and European producers. 

Visit the Russo website to sign up for their wine newsletter and enjoy engaging stories and articles about wine regions, grape varietals and food pairings, expertly crafted to enhance your wine journey. You’ll also stay informed on the market’s wine specials and the restaurant’s wine events. The knowledgeable market staff can also help you find just what you’re looking for.

The ristorante serves a delicious selection of authentic Italian dishes and offers a curated wine list to complement its food offerings. If you like your restaurant wine, stop by the mercato to take home a bottle (or case). The market is also stocked with a wide variety of Italian and Mediterranean grocery products.

GRNoir Wine & Jazz

GRNoir Wine & Jazz is a food and entertainment venue opened in downtown Grand Rapids in December 2020. The brainchild of married couple Shatawn Brigham, a Level II-certified wine sommelier and jazz buff, and Nadia Brigham, who owns a consulting firm focusing on racial equity and leadership, GRNoir was deliberately conceived as a diverse space that would make everyone feel welcome. It was also a step forward in the couple’s dream of making the wine industry more inclusive and accessible.

The Brighams have curated a global selection of wines for retail and on-site consumption, many from Black-owned breweries. They’ve also developed their own private-label brand, the GRNoir Collection, in partnership with a northern Michigan winery.

Try selections by the glass or via self-serve wine tap while you listen to live jazz in the club, then take home a bottle of your favorite(s). You can also join one of our different wine clubs that offer three bottles of wine each month plus assorted discounts.

Pursuit of Happiness Co.

A casual-yet-chic champagne bar and market in Uptown GR, Pursuit of Happiness offers “bubbles by the glass,” “bubbles by the bottle” and “bubbles & troubles” – a selection of spritz cocktails made with their very own champagne, a delicately dry Blanc de Noirs. An assortment of wine, beer, specialty cocktails and mocktails round out the beverage menu.

Care is taken to offer a good range of price points and the staff is eager to help educate people about their beverages, so they feel comfortable ordering a glass or going home with a bottle. Popular in-house selections include “Slap Me Twice & Call Me Sally,” which consists of a locally made Any Colour You Like popsicle swimming in Pursuit of Happiness bubbly (or non-alcoholic champagne.

Pursuit of Happiness is a woman-owned business emphasizing a positive, inclusive, respectful culture of celebrating, so come as you are.

Area Wineries

In addition to our many fabulous wine shops, Grand Rapids is home to a number of local wineries. Stop by Kayla Rae Cellars in downtown Rockford to enjoy the wine bar and tasting room there. Rockford is also home to a St. Julian Winery location, where you can sample a variety of wines, from dry to dessert wines, as well as distilled spirits and ciders. 

Robinette's Apple Haus & Winery on the north side of Grand Rapids is well-known as an apple orchard, but its winery, which opened in 2006, serves flavorful wines made on-site. Pink Barrel Cellars, the taproom inside Ed Dunneback & Girls Farm, offers a growing selection of their own handcrafted wines, by the glass and bottle. Cascade Winery at Sierra Rose Cellars boasts a selection of reds, whites, and unique fruit and dessert wines, available in their southeast-side tasting room and online. All of them offer non-wine alternatives to satisfy everyone in your party.