Buying Wine Local

I've always been a big fan of buying local, be it wine or shoes. There is just something about supporting those small businesses that are working hard everyday to win your business that appeals to the entrepeneur in me. While the big box stores seem to sell every wine known to man, I've found that I can find not only a friendly face at my local wine stores but also some interesting finds.

Here in Seattle, I am blessed with a wide range of small stores from which I can share my earnings with. I've been able to explore just about every wine store in the sound thanks to my job with Asolana Imports, but theres a few notables that I try to share whenever possible.

Down in Federal Way, we spent many afternoons in the Wine Basket, a woman-owned shop tucked in a strip mall. While in West Seattle, we would make the drive to Kent just for the Grape Adventure, sometimes not just for the wine but for the baked Brie.

I miss the south sound days, but Seattle beckoned and the wine stores here don't disappoint. I have been trying to get away from the wine only stores like Queen Anne's McCarthy and Shiering, which has a great selection that is definetly worth the stop, but just rubs the young wine drinker the wrong way. Instead, I frequent small markets that try to cater to their specific neighborhoods and tend to carry wines I have never seen or heard of before.

Two of my favorites, Festivities Market Cafe (I swear this is the first time I ever noticed the name of it) on Queen Anne and The Shop Agora (also the first time I am noticed the name) on Phinney Ridge. Both places are tiny neighborhood stores, and both carry are great selection of wine AND foods supplied by small importers and distributors.

If you're in Seattle, check them out and help support the small businesses that are working to make our neighborhoods feel like neighborhoods yet again!

Festivities Market Cafe
1903 10th Ave W # C
Seattle, WA 98119-2854

The Shop Agora
6417 Phinney Ave N # A
Seattle, WA
206) 782-5551