At Fawn Wine & Amaro Bar, experience the tasting menu with bubbles and a trio of opening bites. Photo By Morgan Wagoner Campisi
EL VIÑEDO LOCAL
South American wine takes center stage at this laid-back Midtown favorite, where Argentine reds and crisp Chilean whites pair with shareable small plates and plenty of reasons to stay for another glass. Settle in around the 20-person communal table, grab an organic espresso sourced from South American growers or make a night of the weekly Sip and Spin Vinyl sessions. The best part? A warm, unfussy vibe that makes becoming a regular dangerously easy. elvinedolocal.com
FAWN WINE & AMARO BAR
From Terry and Jenn Koval, the duo behind The Deer and The Dove, Fawn Wine & Amaro brings a sultrier sensibility to Decatur with volcanic wines, Amaro-forward cocktails and dry-aged seafood in an intimate old-world-meets-new-world setting. Small plates from the Michelin-recognized kitchen make lingering easy, but the housemade spaghettini with uni and caviar practically demands another glass of wine—and perhaps a reservation for the chef’s tasting menu next time. fawnwineamaro.com
LUCIAN BOOKS AND WINE
Books, bottles and a seriously good dinner make Lucian one of Buckhead’s most effortlessly cool places to settle in for the evening. Husband-and-wife duo Kate Barringer and Jordan Smelt pair an art-filled, London wine bar-inspired setting with a curated library, more than 450 wines and a menu worth lingering over. The combination has earned national attention, including a spot on The New York Times’ list of America’s best restaurants, but the mood remains intimate, inviting and perfect for a long catch-up over a great bottle. lucianbooksandwine.com
Palate Atlanta Tasting Room. Photo Courtesy Of Palate Atlanta Tasting Room
MADEIRA PARK
From the team behind Miller Union, Madeira Park is a high-energy neighborhood wine bar in Poncey-Highland with a list built for lingering, not showing off. To match the pours, the kitchen serves up exceptional food that keeps regulars coming back, whether it’s pulling up a stool at the bar for a quick glass or grabbing a table on the patio to settle in for a long night ahead. madeiraparkatl.com
PALATE ATLANTA TASTING ROOM
Formerly known as WineShoe, this boutique tasting room in Atlanta’s Castleberry Hill neighborhood focuses on small-batch and independent producers from around the world, creating an experience that reflects craftsmanship, culture and connection. Built on the belief that exceptional beverages bring people together and that every sip tells a story, tastings, classes and immersive events allow visitors to slow down, ask questions and walk away knowing more than when they sat down. palateatlanta.com
Commune’s chic environs. Photo By Ilya Zobanov
VIN ATL
Consider Vin ATL your excuse to become the friend who always knows which bottle to order. Dwight Cunningham’s intimate Edgewood wine shop and tasting room has just 15 seats inside, giving curated flights and tastings a decidedly personal feel. There’s also a patio for settling in with a glass, while an approachable team makes exploring something new feel refreshingly low-stakes. Come curious, find a new favorite and leave with a bottle worth talking about. vinatl.com
VINOTECA
A quick wine run has a habit of turning into an afternoon at this Inman Park favorite. Vinoteca fills its shelves with artisan, organic and biodynamic bottles from small producers around the world, while daily tastings offer three rotating pours for discovering something new. On weekends, local musicians take to the sidewalk, giving you every reason to open a bottle, stick around and let your errands wait a little longer. shopvinoteca.com
Dining and Cooking