But for the rest of us, and for true winos needing to stock up, there are a ton of options in the $10-$15 range, and plenty of closeout bottles for even less than that. For the ballers, this place has plenty of nice European stuff you can cart home by the case. This no-frills, value-oriented wine store in an industrial space in SoMa boasts something that none of these other spots have, which definitely makes it a fun place to shop: a self-serve tasting bar. Eve Bateyģ201 Fillmore Street (at Greenwich) and 4011 24th Street (at Noe)

But his ethos still stands, as both have a solid selection of highbrow and accessible wines, as well as a helpful, attentive, non-snooty staff. Now, don't expect Gavin ( who went into rehab for alcohol abuse in 2007) to wait on you when you hit either location - though Newsom's mission statement of 'demystifying the wine buying experience and removing the intimidation factor' remains on the site, he sold off all of his shares in the SF business when he was elected mayor. The business grew into one that encompassed wineries, cafes, clothing, and far more, but the OG Fillmore wine store (and another in Noe Valley that opened in 2001) are still going strong. Anyway, Gavin opened the Marina outpost of PlumpJack Wine & Spirits in 1992, with backing from family friend and local rich person Gordon Getty. Eleven years later, Gavin's running for Governor and I'm still at SFist, but I never have to go to Sacramento and am not wearing hair gel so jury's out on who won that one. When SFist launched in 2004 we made much hay of SF's 43rd mayor, Gavin Newsom, the founder of PlumpJack Wine & Spirits. Photo from inside PlumpJack's Marina store: PlumpJack Added bonuses: a small wine bar at the back that hosts weeknight and weekend tastings of all kinds, and a big selection of high-end bourbon, Cognac, and other booze. The staff and owners are also extremely attentive, knowledgable, and friendly. But there are also plenty of higher end California reds to impress your next dinner party hosts, including a large selection of Pinot Noir. There's always an interesting, rotating array of whites, reds, and rosés to look over, and there are plenty of bottles that clock in under $20, making this place a far superior alternative to grabbing a cheap bottle from a corner market on the way home. Tucked up on 19th Street away from a lot of the Castro foot traffic is this fantastic neighborhood wine shop has been around since 1978, specializing in small-production California wines and having been one of the first stores in the city to do so, it has established long and deep relationships with California wineries. Caleb Pershanģ84 Hayes Street between Franklin and Gough Streets Their staff - Ian Becker and Gretchen Buck - are there to make sure you get your best, and yes, that's a whole wall of wines under $15 to choose from. That's because, if you don't snag the one table within this small storefront next to the associated Arlequin Café, you can sit out back where a lovely garden patio awaits. If you've got your eye on a bottle at this Hayes Valley wine merchant, it's well worth the corkage fee. Below, SFist's picks for the dozen best and best-loved wine shops around town, some of which even boast their own wine bars inside, for immediate tasting. When it comes to wine, the quality and broadness of the selection might be subjective, but a well curated store with a staff that can guide you through it is a serious amenity in any neighborhood, because otherwise you're stuck with dusty, corked bottles from the corner store, or you're trawling through BevMo without a clue. A good wine store requires several things: broad selection, outside-the-box options, value, convenience, and knowledgable, unpretentious staff.

Third street wine shop