7 Best Wine Shops in Winnipeg Only Locals Know About
Good wine doesn’t always have to be expensive. I’ve always loved Merlot because its soft, fruity flavors pair well with various foods—and it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.
Even Paul Giamatti’s wine snob in Sideways can’t make me hate it. While the entire industry was busy changing labels, declaring that Merlot was dead, I was still getting bottles from my go-to wine shops.
Here, I’ve made a list of the best wine shops in Winnipeg that can help you choose the perfect bottle for any occasion.
1. Calabria Market & Fine Wines
— Media credit: calabriamarketandwine
Website: https://calabriamarket.ca/
Location: 139 Scurfield Boulevard
Phone: +1 204 487 1700
Opening hours: Mon-Thu 9 am to 8 pm, Fri-Sat 9 am to 8 pm, Sun CLOSED
Best for: Restaurants and personal collections
Calabria Market & Fine Wines is one of a few privately owned wine shops in Winnipeg that offers a more personalized service. With the help of their knowledgeable staff, you can easily pick a bottle that fits your taste and budget.
They have an excellent selection of wines, consisting of vintages, award-winning bottles, and more affordable alternatives for casual drinking. If you want first dibs on their supply, join their wine club.
What we like the most is that you can download the Calabria app for hassle-free ordering, perfect for lazy weekends. Still, nothing beats dropping by the store and finding a good bottle to match their excellent pizzas!
2. Jones & Company Wine Merchants
— Media credit: joneswinemerchants
Website: https://joneswines.com/
Location: 1616 St Mary’s Road
Phone: +1 204 948 9463
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10 am to 7 pm, Sun 11 am to 6 pm
Best for: Restaurants and personal collections
Jones & Company is the largest private wine shop in Winnipeg with 1,500+ wines on their shelves, each sourced carefully from winemakers all over the world. Most are also sourced exclusively so you won’t find them elsewhere in town.
Of their six qualified Sommeliers, three have WSET Diplomas, which means there’s no better place to get personalized wine service. Their in-depth knowledge can help restaurant owners find excellent wine pairings that can elevate a dish to new heights.
As a casual wine drinker, I thought the shop was a bit intimidating, but boy was I wrong! Their staff, always friendly and accommodating, will help you find simple, reasonably-priced bottles for a casual drink at home.
3. Madison Square Liquor Mart
— Media credit: manitobaliquormarts
Website: https://www.liquormarts.ca/retailer/liquor-mart/60
Location: 1600 Ness Avenue Unit P
Phone: +1 204 987 4060
Opening hours: Mon-Thu 10 am to 10 pm, Fri-Sat 9 am to 10 pm, Sun 11 am to 6 pm
Best for: Casual drinking
Are you looking for a satisfying bottle of wine that won’t break the bank? Whether you’re prepping for a dinner party or a Netflix binge, you can find a great selection of affordable wines at Madison Square Liquor Mart.
From light, fruity chardonnays to bold, full-bodied cabernet sauvignons, they’ve got a wine out there for every taste and occasion. The best part? Most of them cost no more than $20 per bottle!
Unlike the privately owned shops, you’re pretty much on your own when it comes to choosing wine. You can either wing it and settle for whatever you pick or do a little bit of research and make the most out of your purchase.
4. The Pourium
— Media credit: thepourium
Website: https://thepourium.com/
Location: 942 Portage Avenue
Phone: +1 204 783 463
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 9 am to 9 pm, Sun 10 am to 5 pm
Best for: Hosting and gifting
Located within walking distance from downtown Winnipeg, you can hit up The Pourium after an exhausting work week and get a bottle of red for some much-needed R&R (speaking from experience).
You can choose from a wide variety of wines from Italy, Argentina, Spain, and other parts of the world. If you need help navigating the shelves and finding the perfect match for your meal, just walk up to the staff and ask for some assistance.
5. Kenaston Wine Market
— Media credit: kenastonewinemarket
Website: https://kenastonwine.com/
Location: 1855A Grant Avenue
Phone: +1 204 488 9463
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 9 am to 8 pm, Sun noon to 6 pm
Best for: Hosting and gifting
From the citrusy whites to the bold reds, wine is always a great gift for special occasions, but with hundreds of options to choose from, it can be quite overwhelming. This is why we turn to Kenaston Wine Market for these situations.
They often have gift baskets prepped and packaged, making it so much easier for us to choose.
Depending on the season, they might offer a set of reds for summer barbecues or a holiday special with mixed varieties for all the dinner parties and events you’re hosting or attending.
We also like Kenaston because they’ve got a good selection of artisanal, organic wines that won’t burn a hole in your pocket.
6. Ellement Wine + Spirits
— Media credit: ellementwine
Website: http://www.ellementwine.ca/
Location: 1 Forks Market Road
Phone: +1 204 956 4613
Opening hours: Daily 10 am to 8 pm
Best for: Wining and dining
Situated at Winnpeg’s historic Forks Market, Ellement Wine + Spirit has been offering great wines and cigars since 1994.
It’s one of our go-to spots when we want to wine and dine at the Forks. We’ll usually grab a bottle to match our cravings, either Red Ember’s pizza or The Old Spaghetti Factory’s pasta, and then find a good spot outdoors to enjoy a hefty meal.
In the past few years, they’ve been focusing more on natural organic wines from all over the world, which are worth splurging on.
7. GJ Andrews
— Media credit: gjandrewsfoodandwine
Website: https://gjandrews.ca/
Location: 384 Academy Road
Phone: +1 204 487 7300
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 9 am to 8 pm, Sun noon to 5 pm
Best for: Hosting and gifting
GJ Andrews is a small specialty shop, offering incredible wine pairings for all occasions. They’ve got everything you need to build a gourmet meal from the comfort of your home, turning casual barbecues and dinner parties into a gastronomic experience.
From wild sturgeon caviar and homemade cheeses to high-quality meats, their artisanal treats can elevate your dining experience. And of course, they have a wide range of reds, whites, and sparkling wines that will bring out the rich flavors of your meals.
Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly bottle or a special wine you won’t find elsewhere in Manitoba, they will go above and beyond to find the right one for you.