DC residents drink more wine per capita than those of any other U.S. city. Join wine-loving locals at free wine tastings at restaurants and wine shops throughout the city.
Local Wines & Wineries
There are more than 100 wineries in Virginia, and nearly half of them are within a two-hour drive of DC. Plan your wine tasting adventure or book a wine tour package at virginiawines.org and discover for yourself why Travel + Leisure named Virginia one of the world’s top new wine destinations.
Or, take a day trip into Maryland, where you’ll find about 30 wineries, including several new and soon-to-open vineyards. Visit marylandwine.com for more information.
Wine Tastings at Restaurants
Vidalia
1990 M St. NW
(202) 659-1990
This M Street eatery serves up Southern classics, along with a complimentary guided flight of three wine samples every weekday from 5 pm to 7 pm. Ask the expert for insights on the selected wines, food pairings and advice for others you might enjoy.
Bistrot Lepic
1736 Wisconsin Ave. NW
(202) 333-0111
Georgetown’s Bistrot Lepic also offers complimentary guided tastings of two wines each Tuesday from 6 pm to 8 pm. The wines may share a common country of origin or they may come from the same grape – or they may just fit the whims of the sommelier.
Tastings at Wine Shops
Many of DC’s wine shops offer regularly-scheduled tastings. Call ahead to check schedules and availability.
Bell Wine Shoppe (1821 M St. NW, 202-223-4727): The mid-town wine shop offers complimentary tastings on Saturdays and occasionally on weeknights as well.
Best Cellars (1643 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-387-3146): A favorite among DC wine lovers, this Dupont Circle shop features free tastings Monday through Saturday from 5:30-8pm.
Calvert Woodley (4339 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-966-4400): This wine-lovers institution offers an ongoing slate of lectures and tastings.
Cleveland Park Wine and Spirits (3423 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-363-4265): Complimentary Friday and Saturday tastings.
de vinos (2001 18th St. NW, 202-986-5002): The wine boutique is conveniently open until 10pm, seven days a week.
Grape Legs (1905 9th St. NW, 202-387-9463): This Shaw neighborhood wine shops offers tasting of three different wines each day.
MacArthur Beverages (4877 MacArthur Blvd. NW, 202-338-1433): Wines from the country and around the world are sampled each Saturday.
Schneider’s of Capitol Hill (300 Massachusetts Ave. NE, 202-543-9300): This Capitol Hill shop features more than 10,000 selections.
Wide World of Wines (2201 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-333-7500): Located north of Georgetown, this fine wine shop offers tastings every Saturday.
The Wine Specialist (2115 M St. NW, 202-833-0707): Shoppers can sample specialty wines on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Wine bars
If you want to try unique vintages or unwind over a glass or two of your favorites, pull up a table at one of these wine-centric hotspots:
On Capitol Hill...
Sonoma Restaurant and Wine Bar
223 Pennsylvania Ave. SE
(202) 554-8088
Sonoma serves more than 50 wines by the glass, available in small and large pours.
In Downtown...
Proof
775 G St. NW
(202) 737-7663
A hip downtown eatery with more than 40 wines by the glass and 1,000 different bottlings.
Near Dupont Circle...
Urbana
2121 P St. NW
(202) 956-6650
Wine lovers can choose from a list of more than 200 distinctive bottles, nearly 30 wines by the glass, half a dozen quartinos, and eco-friendly wines from Italy, France, California, Oregon, Washington and Virginia.
Veritas
2031 Florida Ave. NW
(202) 265-6270
More than 70 wines available by the glass, plus half-price on select bottles every Monday night.
In Logan Circle/ Shaw...
Cork
1720 14th St. NW
(202) 265-2675
Created by neighborhood residents, Cork serves 20 wines by the glass and more than 100 varieties by the bottle, procured from small producers from around the world.
Vinoteca
1940 11th St. NW
(202) 332-WINE
Vinoteca pours dozens of wines by the glass; you can taste any of the wines on the menu for half the price of a full pour.
