Grape Vine Market

Sadly, this location has CLOSED FOR BUSINESS. Round Rock location may still be open however.

Went to the Round Rock Grapevine Market to place our very large wedding order for alcohol. The woman we worked with was awesome, organized, great communication. Then she was fired a week before our wedding and they had the wine specialist handling the order. We transferred the order to the Austin store who handled it very smoothly. They separated out a few cases of beer so we could have a few for Friday. They even called us the day of the wedding after they noticed we didn’t have enough tequila. They added it to the order with no problem. Only a $ 25 delivery charge anywhere in Austin. Delivered on time. No complaints. They do NOT have kegs if that is an issue for your event. Despite the drama, Grapevine was still a breeze to work with.
Also, just an awesome place to shop for beer.

This is an adult candy store, for reals! Even tho I’ve been here many times, I always get that same Chucky Cheese excitement whenever I walk in the door. Today I went in for Golden Monkey beer, and walked out with also Ace Pear Cider, a very inexpensive Argentinian Malbec, and a Burgundy Pinot Noir, oh and not to mention lunch, too!
Everyone has always been so nice and helpful here, but today I had the pleasure of meeting Byron who has the monthly wine tasting classes ($ 10ish for an hour of tasting… duh, how have I not known about this!!!). He helped me pick out said Pinot and was very knowledgeable about the French wines. He was picking out wines for his Bordeaux class this week, in fact. I said «Byron, your job does NOT suck.» He proceeds to tell me he doesn’t really work for GM, just does the classes. He’s retired railroad something or other. I said «Byron, your retirement does NOT suck.» He’s my new hero! I wanna be a Byron when I grow up!
Also, I got two wraps and some hummus from the deli. Note to self: you order the deli food at the store register, so don’t go and buy all your booze and pay for it and THEN decide you want something to eat. My wrap was great! It had hard spicy salami, greens, sun dried tomatoes, pepperoncinis, pine nuts, and some tangy dressing on it. The hummus was good, altho sweet from the red pepper mixed in, and it was sposed to come with hummus chips but came with tortilla chips that could not hold up to it’s density.
You can find all kinds of interesting things at this store! They have everything from gourmet chocolates, to jarred olive juice (mmmm, for mexi-​marts), to marshmallow pizza candy. I’ve always been so enamored with the booze selection, I don’t think I even knew they had food! Also, I can always count on getting cute Christmas gifts here for my boozey friends and hubby… like martini glass ornaments. Cause isn’t that what the holidays are all about!!!
PS I was just reading the other reviews, and really? I have never had a problem getting help here, and sound advice too! I was greeted when I walked in the door by the checkout girl and Byron walked up to me and just started talking. Prior to today, I’ve had plenty of help in the beer section too. And even tho I love me some Specs too and they probably are cheaper, I appreciate the personal approach here and the hometown business of GM. I’m just glad they are not too close to my house cause I would lose my utilities to this place!

In advance, I am probably more of a Specs person than GrapeVine Market.
Ive stopped by a few times now and again when Im looking for some odd beer that I cant find in the normal places (conv stores, HEB, or the like)… Ive found that while their selection is quite impressive — so are the prices. I suppose that should be expected. I do like the ability that the last time I was there they had quite a few beer «singles» with the ability to mix and match. That way if one gets a dud you arent stuck with 5 more of its partners.
Their liquor selection and wine selection is also pretty vast; however, it always seems like they have just a few less than specs for the things I shop for. The prices are somewhat inline, but for 1.75s of Vodka they seem to be more on the cost side.
Looking over the wine, they seem to have a good selection. I tend to opt for the 10 – 20 dollar bottle of wines, so Im probably pretty worthless to judge here… since HEB, World Market, and Spec have my needs here covered.
The food side is pretty good… Ive seen cheeses and other weird food items than no one carried. I think the last time I was there one of my coworkers was raving they had «his brand» of coffee that he couldnt get anywhere else… I dont drink coffee, so I took his word for it.
I like the atmosphere there quite a bit more than Specs however. It feels less «alcohol supermarket» and more quaint. Sort of reminded me of a dimly lit Wiggys but larger.
Overall, a good place but not hands over fist better than anything else in the same genre.

Régime change has not helped this store. The level of knowledge lost across so many of the old employees and managers has for the most part been lost with them. Not that the top 2 or 3 guys are dumb, but the rest of the staff is just collecting a paycheck. Now, the palates are not as refined and I won’t take a recommendation on a new or different wine that I wouldn’t normally pick off the shelf anymore. Before, I was always guaranteed an education about a new good blend or varietal even if I didn’t particularly appreciate it enough to add it to my collection. Now I am more likely to drink a flawed or unbalanced wine that confirms my initial reservation or aversion.
Even the deli seems to have suffered in their selections somewhat. No longer a bright beacon in the National nor Texas wine and food scene, it is still a valuable resource, especially the Round rock location that is the only source of finer wines, spirits and gourmet foods in the area. Spec’s is a close second and usually a less expensive alternative, but it doesn’t have the selection and does have the same service problems with the everyday help that is there mostly to cashier.
Some of the tasting events still are at the high standards set previously and should not be missed. Even the more mundane ones are much more worthwhile than an evening at a yuppie wine bar like Cru.
We were so blessed for so long. Now Austin can only cherish the joyful memory of the original store and the revelation it was for so many new to fine wine and spirits, and even those well experienced.

One of my favorite places in town to pick up beer. They have a really nice selection of singles for testing out new beers. They also just have an all around excellent selection of beer with several harder to find beers (especially in Texas) at pretty reasonable prices.
Most of the staff is focused on wine and liquor but there are several employees who know a lot about beer and can be very helpful in making selections. But in general all of the employees are extremely nice and try to help out. If you are in and run into James the beer buyer he is an awesome guy.
If you can make it out for lunch they actually have some pretty good food and it is reasonably priced.

Easily one of the best kept lunch secrets in Austin.
Pay at the register as you walk in and then head to the counter in the back to pick up your sandwich or pizza.
I usually get the «autogrill» which is a simple sandwich of salami and cheese on a baguette. If you’re there with a group of people, be sure to get an order of dolmas.
They used to have fancy cheeses out for taste testing while you waited, but they seem to have stopped doing that (or I show up before they put them out).
I’ve deducted points because even though it’s a best kept secret, I have to say that the store layout is a bit annoying and they usually only have one or two people on the counter which means if you want to run in-​and-​out on a quick lunch break either show up before noon or wait until after the rush.

Dear Grapevine: Your beer and wine selection makes me swoon. Your cheese isle makes me dizzy with pleasure. I even read your weekly newsletters and show up to your events like a good soldier. Unfortunately, Grapevine, you always make me feel like I’ve got something in my teeth. That is to say– even my most routine questions are met with the 1000 yard stare.
Everyone I know raves about your legendary service. They get the guy «who answered all their questions and wasn’t snobby.» I get the apathetic lunkhead who only momentarily pauses broadcasting his shitty taste in music to his bored co-​workers to ask me if my lunch companion «is related to George Bush.» Are you fucking kidding me? I know I should quit you Grapevine, but I keep on coming back.
I think it’s time we had the talk.
UPDATE:
No Baby, forget what I said before-Don’t go! It will be like it was when we first met. I promise.

I felt a little ashamed that I had never been here before, but I’ve always been a beer drinker. Now that my tastes have changed, my diet is better, but my desire for a head buzz is still intact, I have reason to visit this store. My sweetie had a gift card burning a hole in her pocket and the hunger for wine also.
So we made our way into this grocery store of wine, which also sells a good assortment of all other things.
«Would you like to try some Southern Comfort? It’s really good!» Memories came flooding back to me of a songs we used to sing in college that made mention of SoCo, and all the times we tied one on after a club meeting, but I spared her my long winded stories.
«No thanks.»
Trust me when I say, she was spared some stupid stories.
We searched the aisles for a nice complement to dinner. We were asked if we needed help, and not chided when we realized it was Fat Tuesday and that was the reason all the associates were wearing beads. My sweetie chose since I was really along for the ride.
It was a painless experience with no snobbery from a helpful staff. I was able to flex some knowledge about my favorite champagne, and look at all the pretty labels, and even recognized some wines that we’d already shared. Most importantly I was able to set my sights on some things that I would like to try. There were helpful blurbs and a lot of things on sale.
The crackle of the giant grapey sign sent us on our way, and we left with two nice bottles that we will be sure to enjoy courtesy of one special Houston Unilocaler. Thanks Gina M.

Thanks a lot, everyone in the world, for setting my expectations of this place to impossible standards.
I was convinced… CONVINCED… that Saturday tastings were going to be heaven on Earth (pause for 80’s song «Ooh baby, it’s a place on Earth! They say in heaven, love comes first! We’ll make heaven a place on Earth! *guitars and drums*)
It’s not that. It’s good, yes (take all of this in the Larry David/​Curb Your Enthusiasm tone of voice «Eh, yeah, it’s good but…») and that’s what it is.
It’s a giant liquor store, great selection, they had two stands tasting Scotch, which I am surprised to say I liked. They also had a tasting bar in the back with about five wines to try… nothing too spectacular. We tasted Cristaliano Brut and Ramspeck Pinot Noir if that gives you the price range (think $ 6 to $ 15 per bottle on what was sampling) and the little food section in the back, which admittedly had some good choices for European delights I can’t normally find in the States (marzipan, Nutella, British candy, Swedish cookies), but it still didn’t really wow me. I could probably find everything I found in the food section at Central Market. One more thing to mention, the staff really is friendly — but if you’re just trying to browse, being offered help every 2 seconds gets to be a little much. If you go in wanting help though, by all means, it’s for you! If you’re the type who likes to browse (or at least gets in those moods like me today), you’ll be a little annoyed.
Of the samples, they carried Abrazo, which has makes a life changing Tempranillo-​Grenache blend. Central Market carries that blend and the standard Grenache (both under $ 9 or so), and has an extensive Spanish/​South American selection. I combed through these sections at Grapevine today, hoping to find the blend, but found that the Spanish selection here matched that of the microscopic Fresh Plus Grocery store (which also carries the Abrazo Grenache only, not the fancy blend, and at a similar price point).
Do I dislike Grapevine? No.
Do I think you should avoid it? Absolutely not!
Do I think you should go in with adequate expectations, not expecting it to be the GREATEST-​THING-​IN-​THE-​WORLD-​EVER? Yep, that’s what.
Do I honestly overall recommend it and find it a great store to visit for liquor and/​or wine? Yes!

The shit.
Everything you ever wanted and if you can dream up something they don’t have, they can get it.
Very knowledgeable staff and there’s this one guy there (will try to insert name here later) who always recommends the best wines.

I can’t wait to go back! I went on a Saturday afternoon, when they were offering tastings of several wines and liquors. The staff was knowledgeable and fun, and the cheesemonger was so helpful. When my friend and I asked about a particular cheese, he immediately offered us a taste and unwrapped a chunk of it for us to sample. That’s a great way to get someone out the door with a basketful of cheese!
I didn’t even get to check out the beer selection, and you can bet that I will be checking it out again soon!

I know nothing about sake, which is why I enlisted the help of the peeps at Grapevine Market for the sushi party we threw last night. The employees are very friendly and they know their stuff. The guy recommended Wandering Poet and I was not disappointed. I’m guessing that the sake I’ve had in the past hasn’t been the greatest, because this stuff was more than tasty and was incredibly palatable.
I also came in a couple weeks ago to use the gift card left by Jack N. in the Unilocal Living Scavenger Hunt… I was on a mission to find summer beers. They have a plethora and the employee, once again, was very knowledgeable, to the point of being slightly annoying and overbearing.
I’ll be back. Oh yes, I’ll be back.

Beer. Heaven.
I stopped in here the other day on the advice of another brew freak who said they had a «pretty good» selection. Talk about damning with faint praise. They have a phenomenal selection of beer from all corners of the world, a lot of it kept cool and ready to imbibe. I hadn’t planned on buying anything (right), I just went in to check out the selection (honest). I got out for under 20 bucks so I consider myself fortunate. Damage could have been worse. This is the first place I’ve seen with English chocolate at the check out as an impulse item. Sneaky bastards got me there too. Oh yeah, they have wine and cheese also.

How can you NOT adore this place?
Wine selection: fabulous, literally thousands to choose from in every major (and not-​so-​major) wine region of the world. Whether you’re looking for an obscure vineyard in South Africa or a run-​of-​the-​mill pinot noir from the northwest, they have it. And if they don’t, I think they’ll be happy to order it for you!
Food/​lunch:
So, I was picking up a rather large lunch order for a group today and was miserably late. The café gets an extra star b/​c although it was TOTALLY my fault I couldn’t judge traffic patterns, I was over a half hour late to pick up my stuff. Well, they re-​heated several of the orders so it would be «palpable» and let me tell you, my pizza was so good that i would have eaten it cold off the floor. Well, not really especially since it went to a medical facility and I would have left with MRSA or something worse like ebola. Anyway, my point is the food was great and their attention to detail did not go unnoticed.
Best time for a visit:
SATURDAYS! this place is hoppin’! My husband and I went to re-​stock before the obligatory family visits over the holidays (wine makes it more tolerable, snatch!) and loaded up this past Saturday. Well, let me tell you that we tasted several wines and bought them as well as had the option to do some scotch tasting (no thanks but he liked it) and several local gourmet snack~makers were peddling their wares around the store. Chocolate, cheese wafers, etc. It was a fun afternoon to say the least!

You can split a six-​pack and get singles.
They have samples of, like, every kind of tasty treat.
Sometimes, they have 1.75’s that are cheaper than the liter price. Oh yeah. AND! They have Hangar One Vodka, which any Bay Area resident will swoon about — try the Buddha’s Hand Vodka.
While I’ll still probably head to Costco for my cheap cheap handles, Grapevine is the palace of all things beer, wine, liquor, and deli. They could use a better selection of beer glasses, but shopping here is a delightful wonderland. Thumbs up, Grapevine.

If there are two things I love in life, that I would take to my grave if I could, they would be wine and dogs, and lots of each.
Grape Vine doesn’t have lots of dogs, but it does have lots of wine. Prices from $ 5 a bottle to (I imagine) 500, from every region imaginable. They aren’t about selling you the most expensive bottle, but they are about helping you learn. They have incredibly knowedgeable staff. Last year we got wine for an event from Grapevine. The staff member we worked with spent at least a half hour helping us choose wines. We got what we needed under our budget, ended up with six great wines for our guests to choose from, and had just enough left over for ourselves to stay very happy for a few weeks.
Back to the dogs: Grape Vine is charity-​friendly, and especially dog-​friendly. One of the managers used to do development for the Humane Society, and now they have semi-​annual fundraisers for the HS. They also heavily discount wines for other animal charities, and probably charities in general.
Finally, the Friday and Saturday tastings. Awesome– they provide a great group of wines at a range of prices. Its the best way to learn about new wines, not to mention get a free buzz on the way home from work on Fridays…

Yes, of course, you go to Grape Vine Market for the amazing selection of wine and beer. However, that is not the only reason to make the trip. They have an amazing selection of goodies from cheese to caviar. They also have Grape Vine University. It is a class once a week designed to teach the amateur about wines from all over the world. You get the opportunity to try some very expensive and rare wines. These classes are taught by the educated staff. I looked for something similar when I moved to Dallas… but was sorely disappointed by the wine tastings here.
Any boozer, whether a true wino or an occasional taster would love the Grape Vine experience. I highly recommend taking an afternoon to swing by and soak it all in.

Dear My Liver:
I know that there are times when you’d just as soon be left to your own devices. I’m sure that the regular interruptions don’t help. But in fairness, do you have any idea what I’m up against here?
You see, Liver: Grape Vine Market tends to make it pretty tough to keep from getting in your way. A cadre of craft and specialty beers, yummy wines from all over the big marble, a sizable humidor *and* high end liqueurs (single malt, anyone)? Wow. Easily the cream of the proverbial crop in Austin.
If it makes you feel any better, I had a similar discussion with my wallet.
Thanks for understanding,
–k

This place is beer geek heaven. The beer guru they have there tries to get every beer that is shipped to Texas, and everything they have can be bought in singles. If you’re looking for an obscure beer, this is your place. To top it off, their prices are among the best in town on both their spirits and beers. This is the ONLY place I do my shopping for libations.

On Saturday afternoons this place does wine tastings. Not only wine tastings, but chocolate vodka, champagne, cheese, salsa. Seriously y’all. Ive gotten tipsy on more then one occasion at this fine establishment. Not to mention they have just about every different kind of wine you could possible imagine. And some that you couldn’t even feasibly conceive of. And to make things even better, they have a café with yummy tasting food (though service is slower.)
Come here cause your thirsty, or for a good deal, or to occupy your Saturday afternoon. Or really, just to walk around. Many interesting things can be found in this store. And the staff has some serious wine knowledge, and will tell you all of it, even though some of that goes waaaaay over my head.