Jamie’s Wine Studio

Stopped by not knowing what to expect here. Lots of very noisy people at a bar in the back… rather rude woman at the front counter who thought our questions were not worth answering. Some interesting wines to purchase … Would consider a return visit IF that woman weren’t there…

Jamie was a great hostess, struck up conversation easily and never felt pressure to buy. Great selection of wine and booze, she introduced us to a couple of great catches. Definitely had the best Bloody Mary in Galena maybe even Illinois. will always stop here when in town

Went in expecting average bloody Mary’s. Little did we know, they would be one of the best we’ve had. Martini’s and wine were Outstanding as well. Never had such great service. Highly recommended!

First time and not my last time. Atmosphere is fabulous! The martinis are fabulous. Bloody Mary’s looked great. The wine selection seemed great.

Jamie is a wonderful host. When we went to Galena for the Nouveau weekend in spite of the snow, Jamie’s wine studio was very inviting, due to the lack of people in town. Her bar is beautifully decorated and we had a great time. Just enough people to enjoy great conversation and have a few glasses of wine — great variety here! Will always visit when we come back! Thank you to Jamie and her staff for making us feel so welcome Joe & Laura — Antioch

The most beautiful wines… in Galena’s most beautiful wine bar!
I love everything about Jamie’s Wine Studio! Cheers…

We went in to the studio to have a glass of wine and relax. Much to our surprise the wine «studio» charges a $ 20 corkage fee to open a bottle of wine purchased from their store. When we asked why they charge a fee to drink their own wine the bar tender was downright rude. She acted like we just crawled out from under a rock. When we explained that only byob places charge a corkage fee she said she had been in the business for 20 years and a corkage fee is perfectly reasonable. Will never ever go back! We walked out in a huff.

This review is long overdue. I love visiting Jamie’s and have been a patron for years, ever since my Aunt that lives locally sent me some wine from her shop for Christmas. It is my first stop every time I come to visit my grandparents, and one of the only places to stock up on awesome wine and spirits for miles. Obscure wine from Italy? Check. Spirits from my hometown of Alameda, California (St. George & Hangar One)? Check. My man’s favorite hard-​to-​find Whiskey? Check.
The patrons are usually lovely and social, and Jamie’s wide knowledge of varietals is outstanding and helpful. My fiancé tells me her Bloody Mary’s are the best anywhere (not a tomato juice fan, myself, but I’ll take his word). I prefer to sit and the bar and chat with others, but be aware that the space is small and there are only a couple of tables. Jamie’s dog April is also a cutie.
If you’re looking for a bargain basement bar drink, this place isn’t for you, (and we don’t want you there anyway!) If you want a Midwestern Oenophile (and Cocktail) Oasis in a place where most things in the vicinity are low-​brow and hick-​town, then pay her a visit.

Our first visit to Jamie’s was an enjoyable experience. The staff is very friendly and Jamie is a fantastic host. We met many like minded individuals in a friendly and elegant environment.
Highly recommended!

$ 14 for a Tito’s dirty martiini? I expect high prices in a toursty town, but I’ve never paid more than $ 10 for that (even in Chicago).

things have changed here. Jamie is still personable as ever, but the prices have gone thru the roof. A glass of a ok chardonnay was 24 dollars just this past weekend. 24 dollars? this isnt for Kistler or Château Montelone. i had a glass of white bordeux which was 15 dollars. these are wines which should be 12 dollar pours at best. i used to like going here but the price point doesnt make sense with the quality of wine.

We went in to get away from the heat and thank god they had their ac on full blast. We were looking for a tasting but they were too busy to do it. We sat down to cool off and try FUSE (cab). It was so good they were sold out of bottles. Apparently their bacon bloody Mary’s are a awesome if you like those.

An absolutely must wine studio. The Bloody Mary’s are so amazing and the attention that Jaime gives each client is attentive. Thank you again for having us and sharing of your passion.

Incredibly personal Jamie is the hostess to the world! She owns Queen of social and knowledge. She has stories that circle the continent. Must have the 3 vodka Bloody Mary any day! Time with her is like your best friends living room with amazing cocktails! Love Jamie’s!

We have never been in such an intimate, eclectic and friendly place! It was our first night in Galena and after dinner we were walking through downtown and we were ready to head back to our villa. We see Jamie’s and decide to stop in. It was late so the store in the front was empty, but we saw people in the back where the wine bar is and ventured in. We were greeted by David who was so nice and offered us seats at the bar. We immediately appreciated the warmth of the atmosphere. I told David my favorite kind of wine and he brought out a perfectly chilled moscato that was sublime! There were some other people in the bar that ordered Rum Chata Martinis so my fiancé ordered one and it was to die for! David told us even the whipped cream has alcohol in it! Never seen anything like that, pretty cool. The view behind the bar is exquisite.
We met Jamie and some of her friends and just stayed all night like we were regulars there just talking to everyone. We will definitely go back next time we’re in Galena!

Hmmm, so I feel obligated to update this.
This is a townie haven for people in Galena. Its jammed with people most of the time. The ‘bar’ area has about 8 seats and once people get one… they stay all day. Moreover, it only has about 2 – 3 tables in there. No food, cheese, etc… they do give you some snack mix if you sit down. The townies dominate this place… and not in a good way, if you know what I mean.
Dont expect amazing service… its really kind of poor. You might get someone to wait on you… but more than likely they will be chatting it up with other people. I think last time we were feeling good when we walked in here and made friends with everyone… but overall, I get a cold feeling from this place. Almost snobby? I dont get it.
I do think that her prices are a LITTLE high. I live downtown Chicago… I expect to pay a premium for stuff… when I am in Galena… I expect to pay less because even though its touristy, its boo foo IL. Most of her red wines by the glass are upwards of $ 20 – 30 PER GLASS. Yes, you read that correctly… per glass. The problem with this is… she doesnt have any by that glass that are ‘cheap.’ There was nothing on the red board that was less than $ 15 per glass… thats cra. I do think thats outrageous. The whites were more reasonable… but I loved her board. At a wine shop, it just says Prosecco… not what prosecco? HA! HILARS.
Her bloody is supposedly great… and $ 15…we didnt have anything so I really cant speak to it. I saw someone drinking it and for $ 15, its definitely a rip off. I expect LOTS of fixings for $ 15…not just the standard. Supposedly bacon or something… although I am pretty sure she uses a bottled mix… that is bacon flavored… eeekkkk.
I dont know… for me, its kind of a skip for next time.

Jamie will rock your face right off!
She is seriously one of the most fascinating people I’ve encountered in Galena and we immediately exchanged information in hopes of meeting up sometime.
The bloody mary’s will make your head explode and the bacon she uses (yes, I said bacon… in her bloody’s) is melt in your mouth, want to jump over the bar and rob her ass of all the bacon she has, kind of good.
I love the selection of wine, and to the haters out there writing piss poor reviews of her cost… you are crazy people. Do you only buy your wine from the bottom shelf at the grocery store? Don’t get me wrong, Im a bottom shelfer too for the weekday glass-​o-​vino, but her prices for GOOD F*****G wine can’t be beat. Get your heads out of your ass and don’t be so damn cheap. Its Galena from crying out loud… not some po-​dunk backwoods flea market.
Overall…Jamie is a rockstar and I will be back many many times to sit and listen to hear stories and pay for her ‘expensive’ wine. :)

Jamie’s is a great way to end a night in Galena. My girlfriend and I happened to stop in two times during our getaway weekend and enjoyed ourselves. I’m still deciding whether Jamie’s is a wine store with a bar in back or a bar with a wine store in front. Regardless, the fun atmosphere and the welcoming staff makes for a great night. They serve drinks and wine by the glass (beware, the typical glass of red is in the high teens to around $ 24 per glass) or if it suits your fancy, pick out your favorite wine and pay a corkage fee of $ 20 and drink to your heart’s (or liver’s) content.

Wandered into this place as my girlfriends and I were shopping, provoked by the street sign about «Bacon Bloody Marys». Best decision of the day! Delicious drinks, great staff, and amazing host, Jamie. We ended up staying for about three hours and only left because we needed to eat! I will definitely return to the place just to chat and look at the fabulous view in the tasting bar area. Very beautiful. Well done!

Word on the Main Street is Jamie’s is the place to meet others in town. So I took the locals up on the challenge.
While spending a weekend planning our wedding in Jo Davies County, my fiancée and I popped in to Jamie’s. Often are drawn to Galena’s various wineries like Galena Cellars (
), Rocky Waters (
), Massbach Ridge Winery (
). After several visits to each winery, you’re just scoping out a place to grab a glass of delicious wine, sit back, relax and pass the night away. Jamie’s is this kinda joint.
In the front is a shop packed with wines for purchase lined horizontally from floor to ceiling. Pass up the shop and squeezed in the back is a bar with a counter, roughly nine stools, two bartenders, and a couple of small tables. A great selection of red, white and sparkling wines by the glass are presented on a chalkboard. Behind the bar are large windows staring straight into the beautiful bluff on which downtown Galena is built into and perches.
With the space being so quaint, the Galena rumors are true. We met another friendly couple from our hometown of Chicago. By the time we were ready to leave, we continued our night strolling Main Street, while the couple tried to convince us to buy a summer home in nearby Elizabeth. It was truly memorable evening and we will be sure to come back.
Not to mention, Jamie’s mascot April took a liking to me, which I hear is rare (
). Maybe she knew I didn’t care for dogs and wanted to prove my heart wrong.