19 of Denver’s Best Wine Bars

Expertly curated wine lists are no longer sideshows to meals at upscale restaurants in Denver, thanks to the city’s growing roster of stellar wine bars. At these local tasting rooms, passionate sommeliers and wine enthusiasts are pouring vintages crafted by a wide variety of excellent producers, from smaller, boutique vineyards to large-scale operations. Whether you’re a pét-nat connoisseur or don’t know a Chardonnay from a Sauvignon Blanc, there’s a wine bar in Denver that will satisfy your palate. Here, 19 of our favorite places to grab a glass or bottle.

Editor’s Note: This is a living list of the best wine bars, listed in alphabetical order, that was last updated on April 30, 2024. Did we miss your favorite? Email us at dining@5280.com.

New Wine Bars We Love

Barcelona Wine Bar

RiNo
Although this trendy Spanish wine bar has outposts in other big cities like D.C. and Nashville, don’t assume that if you’ve been to one, you’ve been to them all. At the Denver iteration, executive chef Daniel Lacounte puts a Mile-High spin on roughly 40 percent of the menu, meaning you won’t find dishes like lamb merguez atop tzatziki salad or pork belly drizzled in tangy ají amarillo sauce anywhere else. The wine menu’s 20 pages of bottles can be overwhelming, so we recommend turning to Barcelona’s well-versed staff to help navigate the options. Share your flavor profile preferences with your server and let them recommend unique varieties you haven’t tried before. But no matter what’s in your glass, we promise that an order (or two) of the whipped sheep’s cheese pairs well with everything. 2900 Larimer St.

Corsica Wine Bar

RiNo
If you started off the evening at Barcelona, you’re mere steps away from its new sister wine bar, Corsica, which just flew in from the Mediterranean and threw open its doors on April 24. This small-bites bar inspired by the rustic coasts of France and Italy is like Barcelona’s rebellious younger sibling. She’ll cater to the traditional wine snob with more than 200 European bottles (including some hard-to-find Corsican wines), but don’t put her in a box. She also serves a mean Lambrusco punch in a massive bowl plucked straight from your grandma’s cabinet and a Pastis-y Freeze that’s gunning to replace frosé as the boozy slushie of the summer. If we have one tip, it’s this: Don’t sleep on the shareables. From the black-truffle-forward farro risotto topped with crisp rosemary to the scallop crudo covered in lacelike shaved cauliflower, the menu is meant to be savored with all your senses. So take a page out of Corsica’s book, and order something that feels a little risky. 2801 Walnut St.

Golden Hour

LoHi
If you’re looking for a spot where you can sip wine and snap a new profile pic, this Instagram-worthy social club in LoHi delivers on both fronts. Dressed from floor to ceiling in preppy Palm Beach–inspired decor (think: plush pink velvet couches, palm leaf pendant lights, and bold wallpaper behind the bar), Golden Hour brings a splash of whimsy to the often uptight world of wine tasting. Although it only opened in December, the secret is out, so you’ll want to make a reservation to avoid a long wait. The lounge’s bottle list is lengthy, but we’d recommend letting the sommelier surprise you with the seasonal flight, which includes four half glasses of vino for $35. A nice touch: The somm was eager to find us just the right pour for our palate, so he brought over several samples from other bottles based on our feedback of the flight. 3282 Tejon St.

Room for Friends

Lincoln Park
There’s no room for uptight attitudes at Room for Friends. This eclectic bar in the Santa Fe Arts District is as quirky as its neighborhood. Mismatched furniture and serving trays that look like they were smuggled from your grandma’s house give this watering hole a homey, no-frills feel, almost as if you’ve popped over to a friend’s place for a dinner party. In fact, that’s exactly where Room for Friends originated. Owners Michael Vela and Heather David decided to open a wine bar after their weekly dinner parties grew too big for their apartment. Now, friends and strangers alike can reap the benefits of the couple’s hospitality in a cozy community setting. Don’t expect steak frites and Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon here. Instead, you’ll find approachable bottles and unconventional snacks like Cheez-It flights. Our pro tip? Go on Mondays for all-day happy hour and the best karaoke in the city. 846 Santa Fe Drive

Velvet Cellar

LoDo
This posh new wine bar and restaurant, which opened its doors in December, is breathing some much-needed life into downtown Denver. Slip away from your office early, and settle into one of the curved cornflower blue booths inside this industrial-modern space to score happy hour deals from 4 to 5:30 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, where the sommelier’s select white, red, and sparkling wines are only $10. Since this wine bar also boasts a full restaurant, you shouldn’t skip over the food. Order the Korean lollipops for tender chicken drums coated in a sweet gochujang sauce, or splurge on the sprawling charcuterie board (best split with a big crew). When the day’s stressors demand a little more than a Merlot, turn to Velvet Cellar’s impressive craft cocktails. If you spot us bellied up to the bar with a Best Kept Secret (their twist on an espresso martini) for a “work meeting,” mind your business. 1500 Wynkoop St.

Wolf & Wildflower

Wheat Ridge
Whether you’re a nascent oenophile or a somm-level expert, this boho haunt is a must-visit for happy hour. Every day until 6 p.m., patrons get $2 off all glasses of wine, making it the perfect place to try a new pour. For a more adventurous apéritif, opt for one of Wolf & Wildflower’s orange blends—a type of white wine fermented with the grape skin still on, which gives it an amber, slightly cloudy color. Since sipping here is a steal, you’ll likely want to indulge in more than one glass, so order a jarcuterie to snack on while you socialize. These pint-size Mason jars come filled to the brim with nuts, chocolate, meats, cheeses, and pickles—and they’re only $6 during HH. 7190 W. 38th Ave., Wheat Ridge

Old Favorites

Attimo

Ballpark
After Jon Schlegel fulfilled a dream to start a restaurant via the Colorado-based chain Snooze, he and his family headed overseas to attain another dream: living abroad. Schlegel landed in Italy’s Piedmont region in 2013, where he purchased a small vineyard and learned the business of winemaking. In 2020, upon returning to Denver, he opened downtown’s chicest wine bar, Attimo, which translates to “moment” in Italian—a reminder to pause and enjoy each experience. Attimo delivers a respite you can’t help but linger over, with its statement geometric tile floor, floating lights made from decanters, and images of the Italian countryside adorning the walls. Attimo wines, including the earthy, jammy Langhe Nebbiolo and the tart, apricot-forward Langhe Favorita, are made with grapes grown in Italy that are crushed and liquified before they are sent to Denver to be blended and aged in the barrel room, which your server will encourage you to peruse on your way to the bathroom. Request a flight of regional reds, whites, or a combination, and settle in with a charcuterie board to savor a moment of bliss. 2246 Larimer St.

Bigsby’s Folly Craft Winery

RiNo
Since 2017, Bigby’s Folly’s urban winery and tasting room has impressed lovers of affordable, easy-to-drink whites, reds, and rosés with vintages crafted for its brand in the Napa and Sonoma valleys (selected ones such as the Everyday Porch Pounder are also produced on-site). The business’ name is a nod to husband-and-wife owners Chad and Marla Yetka’s beloved late golden retriever, Bigsby, and the joyful and creative spirit of the Roaring 1920s—also known as “Années Folles” or “Crazy Years” in France.True cork dorks will want to take advantage of the cellar’s two new wine and food pairing experiences, which include five samples of wine and specially curated bites from the chef, all of which will change with the seasons. Keep it simple with the signature tasting ($39) or upgrade to the reserve tasting ($49) to try some of their most sought-after wines. The spring reserve lineup includes a bubbly California Brut Cuvée paired with a fluffy scallion blini coated in caviar; a crisp Grenache rosé coupled with prosciutto and orange-blossom-pickled melon; and a decadent Devil’s food cake you’ll wash down with a full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. 3563 Wazee St.

Blanchard Family Wines

Downtown
Dairy Block’s Blanchard Family Wines has shined the spotlight on Colorado-made wine since it opened in 2018. The California-based winery, which was founded by two brothers, Mark and James Blanchard, expanded to Denver when James, who had been stationed in Colorado with the U.S. Air Force, decided to make the Centennial State his permanent home. Though the wines are still produced in California, Blanchard makes two wines from fruit grown in the Grand Valley region—the Dairy Block Blend, vinted from Petite Pearl and Verona grapes, and the Rocky Mountain Rosé, made from Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Petite Verdot. Denverites can also taste a sampling of the local terroir via flights of wines from other Colorado wineries—many of which are made with cold-hardy varietals suited to the Rocky Mountain climate. Pair your tasting with a popcorn flight from Denver-based Kettle Head Popcorn, or local sweets like cake pops from Azucar Bakery or chocolates from M2 Confections. 1855 Blake St.

Carboy Winery

Speer and Littleton
Seven-year-old Carboy Winery has made a name for itself as a leader in Colorado wine, sourcing grapes from Grand Valley as well as its own vineyards in Palisade. In 2021, Carboy won the best in show award at Colorado Uncorked as part of the Governor’s Cup Wine Collection for its 2019 Teroldego wine, a dark, juicy red made with a quick-ripening varietal from northwestern Italy that thrives in Colorado’s hot summer climate. Though this award-winner is sold out, enthusiasts can taste Carboy’s other offerings at one of two metro-area locations—both of which welcome amateurs and connoisseurs alike with industrial-chic interiors, flights, and wines on tap. The daily happy hour (3 to 6 p.m.) features $2 off wines by the glass, and a $35 bottle and board deal, with an assortment of meat and cheese plates to choose from. Traveling west? Check out the Breckenridge and Palisade tasting rooms as well. 400 E. Seventh Ave.; ​​6885 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton

Deep Roots Winery & Bistro

 

RiNo
In 2021, five-year-old Deep Roots Winery & Bistro moved into a sprawling tasting room and production facility on Blake Street—an airy, industrial building it shares with Bierstadt Lagerhaus. Here, Denverites can imbibe one of the 15-plus house wines made on the premises from California- and Colorado-grown grapes, including a standout orange-and-honeysuckle-tinged Viognier and smooth, tobacco-scented Petite Sirah. A family affair, Deep Roots is a collaboration between two sisters, Carol Ann Edenburn and Teara Walters, and Teara’s husband, Steve. The siblings grew up stomping grapes for their grandfather and followed their passion to Colorado, where the Walters make wine along with vintner Camron Eidsness, and Edenburn runs the bistro kitchen, which serves pasta, pizza, and small plates. We like sampling a mix of whites and reds via the Vintner’s Pick flight, along with an assortment of bruschetta topped with savory-sweet accouterments like crème de brie, fig jam, and fried prosciutto or romesco with goat cheese and red wine reduction. For a special night out with the crew, call ahead and reserve one of the tables outfitted with frame-suspended, swinging chairs or the semi-private, round leather booths in the back. 2875 Blake St., Suite C

The Infinite Monkey Theorem

RiNo
If canned wine is the cornerstone of your home bar, you can thank 16-year-old Infinite Monkey Theorem for popularizing the picnic- and tailgate-ready innovation. Founder and former winemaker Ben Parsons introduced the company’s first single-serve canned moscato to the masses at the 2011 Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, a move that put the business on the map. Since then, the company continues to release new offerings, from robust Cabernet Francs to bubbly Syrah-based rosés, crafted with grapes from Colorado’s Western Slope and Texas’ High Plains. Now led by president and CEO Nicki McTague and an all-female operations team, the Infinite Monkey Theorem sells its cans and bottles online and wines on tap at the sprawling RiNo tasting room. In the warm-weather months, patrons can enjoy the winery’s flagship red—a Cabernet Sauvignon–Syrah blend that brims with flavors of cherries, blackberries, and currants—in the blossom-loaded Infinite Garden. This year, it is also partnering with local florist Rowdy Poppy, which will host special events such as seasonal flower sales and classes (think: yoga and bouquet design) in the green space. 3200 Larimer St.

La Bouche

Uptown
La Bouche might be the closest you can get to a Parisian wine escape in the Mile High City. At the cozy spot, husband-and-wife owners Alexis and Alexandra Tréton pour a curated selection of wines alongside sophisticated French bites like quiche, oeuf-cocottes (baked eggs), and croque monsieurs and madames—offerings best enjoyed during the newly launched weekend brunch. The duo moved to Denver from the suburbs of Paris in 2020, following their dream to open a French wine bar in the Rockies. The wine menu reflects this celebration of two cultures, offering over 40 bottles—all crafted in France or the United States—and six rotating wines on tap, available via glass or carafe. Idle away an afternoon at one of the bistro tables, reminiscent of a charming Parisian cafe, or soak up the sun on the adjacent patio. Or bypass the wine list and opt for a classic French cocktail like a kir, made with white wine with a splash of crème de fruit (passion fruit liqueur), or pastis, an anise-flavored spirit diluted with water and served over ice. 1100 E. 17th Ave.

Noble Riot

RiNo
The folks at this five-year-old wine bar in RiNo like the word “honest.” They use it to describe their grapes, eschewing “natural,” which is a contentious word in wine circles these days. For Troy Bowen, that simply means pouring wines that aren’t overly manufactured or have additives, like yeast or sulfites. Honestly, it doesn’t really matter: For the nonsommelier set, letting Noble Riot’s staff help you decide on a glass—or bottle—that will make your taste buds happy is what it’s all about. It’s true you might not see the name of even one vineyard you’re familiar with, but that’s part of the fun. In fact, nabbing a seat at the petite bar might mean the barkeep will ply you with tasters until you find something you sincerely love—and there’s nothing controversial about that. 1336 27th St.

Postino

Multiple locations
While the Postino Winecafe chain was born in Phoenix in 2001, all five metro Denver locations have their own charming Colorado spin. Case in point: The outpost on North Broadway—situated in the building previously occupied by the gay bar Compound Basix—honors its music-rich roots with a 300-square-foot wall installation made from hundreds of 1960s and ’70s playbills. The casual wine bars’ vintage-decor-bedecked interiors and sunny patios are ideal destinations for catching up with loved ones over a glass of vino and a bruschetta board (choose from 12 varieties to customize your own). As for what to drink, the Postino beverage team collaborates with small family winemakers across the world to curate a rotating list of by-the-glass, food-pairing-friendly vintages, many of which are crafted exclusively for the restaurant. Highlights from the spring menu include a refreshing sparkling rosé from Austria called Rare Air, a bright, easy-sipping wine that makes an ideal complement to the bruschetta topped with smoked salmon, whipped feta, and wild arugula. 2715 17th St.; 145 N. Broadway; 830 N. Colorado Blvd.; 1497 Park Central Drive, Highlands Ranch; 1468 Pearl St., Suite 110, Boulder

Sienna Wine Bar

Congress Park
While we love the glitz and glam of some of Denver’s swankier tasting rooms, we also can’t resist the charm of a quirky neighborhood wine bar. Sienna Wine Bar, which recently relocated just across the street to a slightly larger tasting room, is our go-to spot for a casual meetup over a glass of good grapes amidst royal-blue-painted and exposed-brick walls, gold-framed mirrors, and colorful, Bohemian artwork. With over 20 rotating wines available by the glass and nearly 70 bottles to choose from (30 percent off if you purchase them to go), Sienna’s menu has something for everyone, from fresh, bubbly cava to velvety, cherry-forward Carménère. Happy hour (3 to 6 p.m. daily and all day Sunday) features a selection of $6 glasses and discounted small plates. We like the smooth, creamy white bean dip drizzled with olive oil and served with soft pita bread and red, purple, and yellow baby carrots. In late spring or early summer, Sienna will relocate into a building across the street, which offers a slightly larger tasting room and a cozy patio. 3434 E. 12th Ave.

Sunday Vinyl

Downtown
Opened in December 2019, this kid sister to Tavernetta has grown up to be a confident, beautiful, independent hostess, who’s always at the ready to fill your glass. Like Tavernetta, which sits just across the alleyway on what amounts to the train platform at Union Station, Sunday Vinyl’s repertoire of grapes is thoughtful and well-curated. But it’s the ways in which Sunday Vinyl’s wine menu diverges that makes it worth finding a spot at the intimate horseshoe bar. First, it breaks out of the Italy-only box to also offer fermented happiness from places like Portugal, Spain, Slovenia, Chile, and Oregon, among others. Second, the by-the-bottle selection (with easily more than 350 choices) is broken up by flavor profile descriptions that are not only chuckle-inducing—e.g., “Brisk & Edgy,” “Ripe & Gushy,” “Spicy & Mineral & Crunchy”—but actually helpful. This playful vibe isn’t limited to the grapes, though. The spot’s other reason for existing (beyond great wine) is to spin good vinyl by which to quaff. Check out the restaurant’s public playlists on Spotify. 1803 16th St.

Trellis Wine Bar

Park Hill
In June 2021, longtime friends and real estate veterans Alisha Stoltz and Ilona Botton opened Trellis Wine Bar in Park Hill, fulfilling their dreams of owning a business together and sharing their love of wine with the local community. At Trellis, they pour about 40 offerings produced by lesser-known winemakers, all of which are available by the glass to encourage patrons to sample different varietals. Button, who earned her sommelier certification in 2008, curates the rotating menu, which is featured on a giant chalkboard in Trellis’ two-story, light-drenched space. Linger over a glass of French Crémant or Oregon Pinot Noir at the sleek bar adjacent to the glassed-in wine cooler or on lime-hued, velvet couches flanked by plants and an art installation embellished with leaves and the word “wine” in neon-lit letters. Check their calendar for events throughout the month, like the fan-favorite Flight Nights, which feature $15 flights based on a theme. 2868 Fairfax St.

Vin Rouge

Berkeley
Before Jenn and Jarrett Feinstein debuted their petite wine bar in the Berkeley neighborhood in June 2020, the hospitality veterans spent years exploring vineyards and tasting rooms in California’s Santa Barbara County, where Jenn also gained experience overseeing Sunstone Winery. At Vin Rouge, the inviting ambiance—furnished with hardwood floors and exposed brick; a sleek, marble-topped bar; and a jungle of plants—aligns with the warm hospitality the Feinsteins strive to provide. Jenn, a self-professed “wine whisperer,” is dedicated to using patrons’ preferences to help them step outside of their comfort zones and discover fresh, classic, and obscure varietals. The menu highlights boutique natural wines from across the world. Opt for the monthly wine flight, which are tailored to accompany the seasonal, locally sourced cheese and charcuterie board (a guided tasting takes place the first Tuesday of every month). Also save the date for Vin Rouge’s two-year anniversary celebration on June 17, a ticketed bash paired with bites from Boulder’s Blackbelly. 4412 Yates St.

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