12/27/08

This location is closed - so is the Upper West Side location.

by brooklyncraps

I went by this location on Dec 22, 2008, and it was closed. The shelves were empty, and a sign said thanks for 10 years SOHO - please visit us at our upper West side location.

I trekked to the Upper West side location later that day - it was also closed up completely - with a space for rent sign in the window. Does anyone know what happened? Their website implies these locations are still open, I'm telling you they are not.

• Pros: was great when it was open - I'd change the ratings
• Cons: its closed with no information. Closed I tell you, closed!

08/29/08

Delightful classes, classy wines

by Benning

We have attended two classes at Vintage, one on Champagnes and one on Rieslings. The professionals were very interesting and informative. A variety of wines were served in each category to represent the range. The other attendees were serious wine lovers whose questions and comments added to the experience. As a bonus, we were served delicious "bites" from the restaurant upstairs. At the end of the class, I felt like buying more wine than I could carry, visiting the vineyards mentioned, and making a trip to the restaurant.

• Pros: Knowledgable staff, easy access, attractive decor, excellent wine

08/19/08

a waste of time

by rlmmg3

As a wine professional in the service industry who's lived in NYC for 16 years, I'm appalled by the unprofessional behavior of the Vintage store manager. Any small praise I would have given to the store's selection of NY State wines is overshadowed by this employee. During a wine tasting at the store, he was rude, impatient, and arrogant, cutting me off as I tried to describe what wines I wanted to taste, barking at his staff in front of me, complaining about the dirty wine glasses leftover from the previous shift, making my overall wine tasting experience incredibly uncomfortable. I'm a believer in second chances and I'd have chalked it up to him having a bad day, if it were not for a second run-in with the manager over the phone, where I was met with the same tone and decibel while finalizing a wine event order. There are far too many wonderful wine shops where quality and service are unmatched. While they may not have the extensive selection of wines from NY State, Astor Wines, Pour, Frankly Wines, Chamber Street Wines all have a limited but very good selection from Hudson, Long Island, and The Finger Lakes. NY State wines can also be purchased online. Bottom line: Don't waste your time at Vintage.

• Pros: NY State only wines
• Cons: service, ambience, prices