Kitsilano Wine Cellar

The best private wine store close to my home in Kits. Quite a large selection — from pretty much everywhere. Way more choices for less then most private stores.
Staff are friendly and knowledgeable. They often make good new product suggestions knowing my tastes. Can’t find a wine — they’re off to the back room to sleuth.
Tip — sign up for their bi-​weekly email for some great sales.

good selection… very good service

Their young employee was probably power-​tripping when he tried to ID me and my wife (we’re both 30+, white, not baby-​faced), saying (I quote directly here)…“you have to show me 2 pieces of ID if you look under 40. It’s the law”. Yes, that was not a typo. FORTY. All this law-​abidance after I’ve purchased wine there numerous times without being asked for anything. It’s been a few years since I’ve stopped carrying identification with me when I go out for liquor
If you (store owners) read Unilocal — spend a moment with your staff to educate them on the basics of BC liquor laws.
Me — I’ll be walking an extra mile to the gov’t owned store from now on. Rain or shine.

Living in the heart of kits makes this wine-​shop way too convenient for the wine-​o in me! ;)
Great private wine-​shop with a huge selection of vino from all over the world. Also impressive «bubbly» section for the champagne lovers in you!
Yes prices are a dollar or two more some of the wines — it’s a private wine shop, so I guess that’s the price we pay for convenience of location and later store hours than the public liquor store.
They have two sections with an impressive selection of «cheap wines». I’ve «sampled» a large selection of their cheap wines, and I think they’re delicious and well-​selected. The staff are knowledgeable of pointing you in the right direction of delicious wine. (I’ve even gone in and poorly described the labels of bottles I’ve left, and they’ve been able to help me hunt-​down my favorites).

I came here in search of a certain French wine that I found courtesy of Juergen Gothe — Château de Canada. I was interested in a French wine that could also double as a bit of an inside joke at another dinner party I was hoping to host in the coming month. Knowing that the Cellar has gone through a renovation since I last stepped in here to purchase something, I was interested to see how everything would be.
I came in at 10 at night and they have good selection though prices are inflated (20−40% markup compared to a BC liquor store on the same wines). The service is okay but slow — while I appreciate that I came in later at night, there was no one else in the store and they didn’t do a good search for the Bordeaux I was looking for, only going to check their computer catalogue after 5 minutes of thinking on whether they’d seen it on their shelves. They ultimately did confirm they didn’t have it, and to their credit did tell me where I could possibly call for better chances with French wines.
On the positives, I am impressed with their breadth of high-​end wines. Ranging from top end Rhone blends with the DRC appellation, to Verite wines from California, to Tua Rita from Australia, they are among the premier locales in the city to get those treasures that will only be mature once you’re years past being buried in the ground. They also had something nice for myself, an Occultum Lapidem from Chapoutier to give a shot since I am starting to get more interested in all manner of French wines. (Lapidem is one of the slightly pricier «bang-​for-​buck» wines from France, at about $ 30 but I’ve heard nothing but good things about it)
On the negative, the renovation is an utter fail in my opinion. It used to have the wooden, cellary feel that made it feel inviting and homely, but a bit of an anachronism (but you’re drinking a beverage where they think it’s smarter to leave a piece of packing material that’s more porous than styrofoam and tastes about as great, than to have it capped off in some other smart fashion to prevent spoilage, so doesn’t the setting fit the circumstance?) to a very modern, cold, metallic feel. In addition, it’s freaking DARK and you have to read your wine labels the way the traditionalists must’ve — by the dying lights of some pale blue-​green flourescent light that lines the fridge. Also, the organization of the store is fairly haphazard — why would you scatter your wines from regions? they do so to try to set out quality wines, but is being a «90+ wine» that important? If so, why don’t you at least put up the reviews for most of the wines to show people what’s good about them? There is no real rhyme or reason in the store — there is some from a region, then there’s the premiums, and the 90+, and the «selected wines» which I don’t think are different from the regional wines at all.
So, I could get lost and really enjoy the products, but I could also get a headache from the interrogation-​style lighting. If I’m going to be paying a premium for my wines as a result, no thanks.
It’s an OK store but there are so many stellar places in the city so I don’t see a point to coming back here unless I want the the absolute top-​quality wines. If I do, I’m just going to go to buy them in the States over a long holiday and bring them back while ensuring they’re under the customs limit, since you really don’t want to buy those in BC to start.

Decent selection, but the staff both times I’ve been in haven’t been very helpful or knowledgeable. The markup is quite high for the lack of service and sterile feeling to the store. Good selection, but not much else.

I have to say i had a similar experience as Robin M here. I have only been in there once, and it was last week, I just got in town and so still had my bright yellow North Face bag on my back and a small MEC one in front. First off, I was SO afraid to knock bottle over but that is TOTALLY my bad for walking around with a huge backpack. No worries. I was really careful.
Walked around the BC wines looking for something that I can’t get up north. They didn’t have Road 13 red which i love but they had some others. Prices were pretty crazy but figured, BC red, private store… fine. BUT i was looking for help. One guy was helping a couple and I was clearly waiting right next to them so that I could ask him for a suggestion once he was done. He walked away. GAH!
I wasn’t in the mood so got a red from a winery I knew well and was on my way. Cashier was fine but for a store with such a huge selection it would be great if they had at least one staff roaming to help people out. One woman was clearly on dinner break while the 2 other staffers manned the tills. Not much of a line up so not sure what the dealio was there.
But basically, much better service at a BC Liquor or Bimini’s down the street (although clearly less selection for the latter). Your choice.

Tough one, this place. Lawdknows I love me a good bottle of wine, so the consistant and extensive selection here is right up my grape-​cherishing alley. If only the staff were as predictable. Two separate occasions, and two very different experiences at Kits Wine Cellar.
Experience one: I’m dressed like an adult. In heels, make up on, looking like I have money, looking like I have a job. Experience two: I’m dressed how I normally would when hanging out on a hot summer’s day: cutoffs, a tank top, backpack, probably a bit sweaty from a bike ride. Experience one: the staff are so helpful, so friendly, so informative that I leave with two extra bottles. Experience two: I’m followed around the store without so much as a courtesy, «Can I help you find anything?» Then, after I make my decision on a bottle (without the help of a staff member) and bring it to the counter, I make a comment about the price of one of my go-​to French reds. The cashier proceeds to roll her eyes at me. Roll. Her eyes. After two floor employees follow me as though I’m a steal aaall their wines, the cashier rolls her eyeshadow-​in-​the-​summer eyes at me.
So: they’ve got an amazing selection of wines that aren’t offered at government stores… and I suppose that’s all they need?

this shop has a lovely selection of wines that are not listed at the BCLB, so a good place to go if you want to try something different. the staff knows their stock and is really good at pointing you in the right direction if you’ve got a basic idea of what you are in the mood for. as another reviewer commented, it’s a little disappointing to return to find the wine you fell in love with last time is no longer in stock, but i guess that’s the price you pay for their varied (and often speculative) selection.

I frequent this shop more than I should (my wallet is always quite a bit lighter when I leave). Partly because it is a lot closer to me than the government store and partly because it is a great wine store. Prices are steeper than at a government store, but the selection is much larger than at most BC Liquor Stores I have frequented. They have everything and I do mean everything. I always find the wine I am looking for here as the selection is fantastic. The BC selection is very healthy. I also appreciate the «budget» section at the front of the store (wines under $ 15 and under $ 30). And they have a great cider selection as well.
Staff here are friendly and knowledgeable about the wines they carry. Also, they always ID me. Which is starting to be flattering, really.

i had a similar experience when it came to service just last week. I was in 3 months ago and bought a: Burgans Albarino 2008 (Spain) for $ 10/​bottle. went back in last Sat and asked if they had any more 2008, as the 2009 they now had stock of was a WHOPPING $ 30/​bottle. The young (ignorant) girl at the cash was adamant that they never carried any other year and that i didn’t know what I was talking about. I was so frustrated with her I was ready to return with my receipt to prove my point! Silly girl, check your books on past purchases before you comment! Not impressed with the service to date.

A great selection! Went in to check out the new store its nice… but a bit bright and cold, sadly it has lost its «wine cellar» feel, all that nice wood is gone! I was looking for a change in what I usually drink and I was recommended a wine called «Basic» from the back of the store it was awesome! All around its still the same store just a little different looking the staff is still very helpful and knowledgeable.

One of my favorite wine stores in Vancouver. For such a small store, they manage to have a good selection of wines. One thing I don’t like is the lighting of the store, it’s so dim I have a hard time finding wines on my own.
The staff are quite informative and friendly. However when I asked one of them to recommend a rose for me, it wasn’t that good. The flavours and aromas of the wine was very limited and the finish was short. It’s good they have a wide range of prices and good selection to choose from.
A good choice for people who aren’t fans of BCLDB. No wonder they’re expanding their business.

I usually stop by here on my way home to pick up a bottle of red. The prices are fair, the selection is generous, and the staff is always knowledgeable, very friendly and very attentive.
There aren’t many wines here that you won’t find at a BCL, but since there isn’t a BCL within walking distance of the Vine area, Kits Wine Cellar is the next best option. Their wines are organized by location: BC, New Zealand, Australia, South America, France, Italy, Germany and the Mediterranean. They also have a good selection of ports and sparkling wines. The lowest price we’ve seen is $ 12/​bottle, and the highest, well… over $ 500 at one point. There’s a good range here.
We go here to find new wines, not pick up old favourites. In my experience Kits Wine Cellar tends to have a rotating inventory, and very few wines that we find here and enjoy are available a month later (such as Prospect Winery’s Rock Wren). As such, it’s a great place to discover new wines, but not necessarily the best place to pick up your usual bottle unless you know it’s one of the ones they always carry.
Good staff, good location, fair prices.

This shop is on 4^th and is big, spacious and nice on the inside. Their prices are a bit steep. Service was helpful but not so friendly. A tad pretentious. I got a nice drinkable bottle of wine though I think I paid too much for it compared to other shops. I would rather go to the neighbouring wine shops, and there are a few in the area on 4^th at Alma and along Broadway (one at Blenheim and the other at Macdonald). The service is less pretentious and the prices a bit more fair.

I have been putting off a review of Kitsilano Wine Cellar because it’s a real love/​hate relationship I have with them. If I want something specific they often don’t have it or anything like it and I’m not talking an obscure Loire chenin here. If I walk in to browse I can happily find 2 – 3 bottles to take home with me, it’s a big store and to totally miss the mark as often as they do for me is odd. Maybe it’s the Kitsilano palate.

On my last visit here I found the service brisk and terse.
Sure there was a snaking line leading from the cash (the only one that was open despite there being two registers). The two gents on cash and wrap duties had me leaving there within 30 seconds. Whether I wanted to or not. I was shooed away with looks as I paused to return my wallet to my purse. Just a little too coldly hurried.
The selection is okay and I found what I was looking for. The chilled wine section is varied: perfect if you’re dropping by en route to a dinner party. Nothing special and fine to stop by if you’re walking past. I won’t make any special trips to visit though.

Choosing wine can be overwhelming — even if you know what you like. I have experienced exceptional service at this store. You don’t usually spend too long in there before someone asks to help you. And if you know what you’re looking for they make things so easy.
For example, I went in and said «I need gift for my Dad and my uncle. I want to spend under $ 25 for a red wine for my uncle and around $ 50 for Dad. My Dad likes meaty reds and it would be great to get him something he can’t find in the liquor store.»
The salesman was so great. He immediately had suggestions and pointed out a few different wines that he knew and enjoyed. He spent time with me to help me choose a special wine that would suit my Dad. I’ve had similar service when I went in to buy a wine to take to a dinner party. Just tell them what’s for dinner and how much you want to spend. They know the rest.
If you’re more of an experiential shopper, they do weekly wine tastings in the shop Thursdays from 5:30 to 7pm. They do tastings by theme and often crack some pretty expensive bottles. So it’s a great time to taste some wines that might be out of your price range.

This would not be my top pick for a wine shop in Vancouver… the selection is fine but a bit limited compared to some others. the service was adequate. the gentlemen that helped me seemed like the typical pretentious Kits type. like his Superior wine knowledge was so vast and fantastic that I should be blessed by his presence.ummm.not so much…
I may give them another try… but like a cheap white wine… they have left a bad dry bitter taste in my mouth…

As I’ve gotten older, wine cellars and shops have become my candy stores. Since you cannot buy wine or liquor in grocery stores and whatnot in Canada, trips to this spot on 4^th are not only pleasant but necessary.
It’s been nice sampling the provincial pinots, which I rarely see in the Bay Area, and the bottles I’ve tried — including Chilean and local BC reds — have been quite satisfactory. In general, I’m obsessive about finding decently priced pinots in the $ 12 to $ 16 range, but I do like to spend a bit more on $ 30−45+ bottles, too, which have been very good here.
The people here are approachable and helpful, and when I’ve asked employees for suggestions, they pick out wines that do the trick.