Houston's 10 BEST Wine Bars

and their vibe

Let’s take it from the top.

In no particular order, here are my fav places to drink wine within a 10 mile radius.

Sonoma Wine Bar
The feeling of community and the dictionary definition of neighborly combined with a modern aesthetic. There is a clear emphasis on service and quality above everything. The things this business has seen and been through. I’m hoping Farrah writes a book at some point. Don’t quote me, but I believe it is THE longest standing true wine bar in Houston. A family-friendly front patio and an adults-only back patio (with a fireplace when it’s cold.) Dogs? Hell yeah. Inside and outside. It’s in the heights, everyone loves dogs here. Also 3 TV’s which makes this a great place to classily watch any sports games without the crowd or frat energy of a sports bar on 19th. There’s also an 1800 bottle cellar and rotating list of interesting wines by the glass and a $15 wine flight of 3 wines that changes daily for Happy Hour. No substitutions, you get what you get, which is half the fun. 30% off all to-go bottles and 40% off if you buy 6 or more. Get the Daily cheeseboard - it is seriously the best selection (Houston dairy maids) and most aesthetic in Houston. Also, lots of educational wine classes every single week. Haven’t been in a while as I’m not allowed, but I love the crew. Here’s to killing with kindness.

13 Celsius
An institution. One of the big 3 left. Sonoma, Camerata & 13 all started around the same time. Wine bars have come and gone, but these still stand. This is where I’d go when I first got into the wine game and was very well received by the staff. They took me under their wing (shoutout Thomas who taught me the art of blinding very early on. I’ll never forget the excitement of calling Oregon Pinot Noir and getting my first blind correct.) Also extra shoutout Thomas for crafting an excellent beer list. Probably the best at any wine bar. I don’t drink beer so I I don’t know what I’m talking about, but he’s definitely put some work into it. This place was an old laundromat that was redone, but floors, walls and ceiling were kept intact. It is just so damn cozy in there. I haven’t made it to france, but this is what I imagine it would feel like. I love it particularly in the evening. After a long day of working at a wine bar, it’s the only wine bar I would go to because I could shut off and play chess on my phone or vent to Thomas, Harold, Zach or Jorge (RIP — he’s not dead, just not at 13 celsius anymore). This is an “old world” wine bar, with an emphasis on French and Italian wine. They offer many more regions than that, but if you’re a francophile, you’ll particularly love their list. Funny enough, Adele has been the GM for 13 years (ha!) and her palate is flawless. I seriously don’t think I’ve ever had a bad bottle on that list. If you’re single, take a date there and get the smore’s. Thank me later. If you’re married, take your partner there on a date night after dinner. If you can’t find a date order an españa panini and an off dry white. There’s a couple of couch areas, and small tables for 4 that make for close conversation. This is meant to be a place to zen and slow down. If you’re in a rush or craving prisoner, try olive garden.

Padre’s
This was begun as an homage to (owner) Will’s father who lived a good life and drank great wine. I’ve got a soft spot for this story as I love my dad. This is my daytime wine drinking spot. Computer work? Padres. Quality wines at a great price? Padres. Want to be poolside, but don’t have a pool? Padres. They don’t have a pool either, but they may as well. Something about this place just makes me want to show up in swim trunks, chanclas and a pool noodle and hit that back patio. The staff is always upbeat and smiling and their wine list is riddled with fresh, high-acid whites — my fav. Don’t sleep on the food. Funnyuns and caviar, ice cream with olive oil and caviar, tacos, oysters, hot dogs!? Try them all. GM Nick was one of the OG’s at kata robata and a few other name-droppable concepts and it shows. Will also has an import company called contraband imports which focuses on South American wines, mainly from Chile and Argentina. Since the majority of those wines in the market aren’t great, he’s made strides in convincing everyone otherwise by bringing in more of the underrepresented, niche producers and different grapes other than Malbec. He’s recently started his own wine label too. His chilean Sauvy B is a mouthful of summer. Their retail shop has a bunch of off-the-wall producers and very interesting wines. You are bound to find something that will pique your interest and the prices are insanely fair. The patio is everything here. Unfortunately for me, I hate sitting on a patio in Houston, but it sure does look nice and I love it in the 2 weeks of winter (they have blankets) with a slightly chilled carbonic red.

Reata Cellars
This is a new one to me. Tucked away next to Baso, you’d miss it if you’re not looking for it. I could never time this place just right. It seemed everytime I tried to go they were closed. I was also working industry hours at the time and was off Mondays and Tuesdays 2 of the 3 days that they were closed (Sunday is the other). Finally, the stars aligned and my friend was heading there and invited me to go with him. “The owners are really cool. They love wine and it’s just a bunch of locals and it’s like drinking in your living room. It’s a great time there.” It did not disappoint. A great time was had. We started with champagne, then more champagne, then whites, then reds and wine just kept coming from idk where. Oh wait, it was Mary and Sandy, the owners. They know how to keep a party going. It was truly like drinking with your friends in the living room. Very homey, and there is some really awesome stuff on the shelves. Lots of Hirsch (LOVE Hirsch), red burgundy, white burgundy, Italian, French, and champagne. Oh, the champagne. Yum. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting out of here, but it blew me away and I’ve been back many times since. I got to meet Barnaby Tuttle from teutonic a few weeks ago and they just came second in the Big Sangria competition. Sandy and Mary know what’s up. If they’re not slinging wine, then sandy’s husband is pouring. Open Wednesday - Saturday as they are the only staff. Make the trip. You won’t be disappointed.

Montrose Cheese & Wine
Is owned by Goodnight Hospitality and shares an underground cellar with March, and Rosie Cannonball. All curated by Master Sommelier, June Rodil. The selection is insane and MC&W has great pricing for hard to find producers. The bottle selection always rotating, so you never know what sort of goodies they’re going to have, but it’s always very fun to go here if you’re on this side of town. They also have a great cheese selection + some pastries and espresso machine. Go on a pretty day as you’ll end up in their quaint covered patio surrounded by some bushes a few plants and a great conversation, this spot makes for a great lunchtime wine drinking session.

Camerata
Paulies’s + Camerata are connected. Same owners and it’s a great date. Eat at paulie’s, enjoy some Italian food and then walk over to camera and have some wine! Camerata has a daily rotating wine list. That’s right. DAILY. Every time you go in there will be a different list. Don’t ask me how, GM Elise assures me it’s not that hard. Scotty and Alberto have also been there for a while and they help out with the list too so maybe that softens the blow. It is just very hard for me to fathom. If you are a creature of habit, you will hate it here. If you like trying new and interesting things, this will be a wonderland. Most of the sommeliers have worked here for many years. Many notable sommeliers in Houston have also learned the ropes here, so I definitely recommend going here if you want to interact with people who know very much about very niche regions and producers, if you want some sake, or if you want to rub shoulders amongst a plethora of geeky wine people. It’s all love here.

The Library
This might be the newest bar on the lineup, and they are killing it. Aptly titled the library as there are countless books on wine filling every nook, cranny and bookshelf. Also a double-entendre as they have a ton of wine, particularly interesting back vintage wine at really great prices. I had a 2011 Bruno Clair for less than $100 if I remember correctly. I wish I could remember the village, but it was stellar. Industrial, but quaint. A few booths, a larger seating area, patio and a fun glass bar top. Glassware here is some of the best and you’ll see the staff vigorously polishing glasses the entire time you’re there.

The Post Beer & Wine Garden
A sleeper. Most people I’ve told about this place have never seen or heard of it. Usually I say “It’s the White House right in front of lei low” and everyone says “oh, that place?”. Go. It’s grungy and divey, but they have a stellar wine list and one of the best burgers in Houston. Also, darts and board games. They have a large TV and depending on who’s behind the bar you’ll be watching anything from horror to goodfellas to ace Ventura. Sounds strange and it sort of is? But it’s a great time every time.

Stella’s
In the post oak hotel. My only dig on this place is that it is valet only and most of the time I feel I am not in the right tax bracket to be parking my chevy Colorado next to 8 rolls Royce’s and 3 Lamborghinis, but before a steak dinner when you’re dressed to the nines and feeling good or after a big win, pull up in an uber black and just pretend. This is a great place to go and order some delicious juice. Lots of big name producers meddled in with smaller, unheard of producers. Master Sommelier Julie Dalton runs this bar program and if you’re able to catch her on a weekday, she is an encyclopedia of information and a joy to talk to. She loves to educate and ask her what wine she’s the most excited about right now and place no boundaries on color or region and you will probably have your new favorite wine. Last one she gave me was an alvarinho from Portugal and my mouth is salivating thinking about that beautiful acidity.

Eden Plant Co.
One of these wine bars is not like the others. Eden started off as a plant + coffee shop. They outgrew their space multiple times and ended up back at POST Houston (not to be confused with The Post Beer & Wine Garden from earlier). Their claim to fame outside of a wonderful crew of people, delicious coffee, and selection of plants is their Jazz in the Jungle. Which features artists from around the world in a stage setting with acoustics and the best sound production money could buy. Owner Irving Chavez has put his heart and soul into this as he comes from a media/AV background. This combined with his marketing know-how makes for a very successful enterprise. There is no one I want to see win more than him as he hires his family, close friends and people who never had any second chances in life and he shows them the ropes. Sam & Davy clothing also has a pop-up and you can meet Chris & Gem + their daughters Sienna & Alora who are 5 and 7 and the hardest workers in the room. There is also a floral shop operated by Taiba and her sisters. This place is communal and magical and produces such good energy. They even host a church service every Sunday. Full transparency, Irving hired me to build out his wine list as he was having some trouble figuring it out. I won’t sit here and brag about this wine list, but I’ll briefly explain how I chose every bottle. Organic and biodynamic producers that focus on caring for the soil, giving back to the land and take care of their team. Most of the wines picked also have a beautiful or attention grabbing label since there isn’t anyone there day-to-day to talk in detail about each wine. The idea is that you could be a sommelier or someone that doesn’t know anything about wine and both will be very satisfied with the list. Come by, grab a bottle from the shelf and enjoy surrounded by the foliage of plants or take it with you and sit on the heralded POST rooftop. You won’t find any of these bottles at total wine and we’ve also started doing classes and wine events every Saturday, so stay tuned!

There you have it. Top 10. “but you forgo-” no, I didn’t.

Happy Drinking

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