Did you know there are over 11,000 wineries in the US alone? And each of those wineries is likely producing multiple varietals of wine, across vintages, meaning that there are theoretically many tens of thousands of options when choosing a wine—lots of which are coming from boutique producers. Sadly, the best boutique wines really are theoretical for most of us, because we simply don’t have access to them. The reality is that a handful of behemoth producers are making and selling the vast majority of domestic wine, from a quantity perspective, and most of those thousands of other options are flying under the radar. Not all of those are boutique wines, but many of them are.
What is Boutique Wine?
So, what does it mean to be a “boutique wine”? Let’s discuss.
The generally accepted definition of a “boutique” winery is one that produces 10,000 cases or fewer annually. For perspective, Barefoot Cellars (consistently one of the best-selling US wine brands) produces over 20 million cases per year. You’ll find Barefoot Wines in almost every wine store, grocery store, and even at gas stations and CVS. On the other hand, boutique wines are rarely found in stores outside their local areas because distribution models heavily favor the big producers, thanks to the “three-tier model” of alcohol distribution. Set up in the US after the repeal of Prohibition, this model dictates that producers can sell their products only to wholesale distributors, who then sell to retailers, and only retailers may sell to consumers.
The problem for small wineries is that each layer of this system takes a cut, such that the winery sees only a small fraction of the price you pay at the store. These wineries simply aren’t designed to be able to absorb that because they’re not using mass-production methods—which is also what makes their wines so special. These winemakers aren’t trying to make as much wine as possible, to make as much money as possible; they’re making wine because they have a love, a passion, and a mission—all of which is reflected in their wines and helps them make some of the best boutique wines available. They are also able to have a positive community impact, embracing causes such as sustainability, community engagement, and more.
How to Buy Boutique Wine
So now that you know what it is, how do you find boutique wine in the sea of mass-produced bottles?
Go to a Local Winery
There is at least one winery in every state, so take a look—there’s probably a small winery closer to you than you think! Most of the 11k wineries in the US are smaller production, and you are likely to have a few around you that are easily accessible.
Find a Small Local Wine Shop
Local wine shops are more likely than grocery stores or large chains to sell wine from local and boutique wineries. While many of them still carry the larger wine brands, you may be able to find limited production and unique wines.
Buy Online
There are plenty of online wine shops, but it can be hard to pick out boutique brands from the mass-production ones when shopping at large-scale online retailers.
Best Boutique Wines to Try
Here are some of the favorites we’ve tried this year. Enjoy!
2016 Waits-Mast Family Cellars Pinot Noir
Oppenlander Vineyard, Mendocino County, CA
Waits-Mast Family Cellars’s specialty is single-vineyard pinot noirs from small, independent growers in Anderson Valley, Mendocino County, and Mendocino Ridge. This 2016 Oppenlander is a full-bodied wine with a beautiful deep ruby color. It has blackberry and cedar on the nose with a palate of black cherry, fresh raspberry, and hints of clove and dried coconut.
Cases Produced: 145
Wine Enthusiast Rating: 94 Points
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2017 Ser Winery Cabernet Pfeffer
Wirz Vineyard, Cienega Valley, CA
Cabernet Pfeffer is an extremely rare variety with less than 12 acres grown in California. The Cabernet Pfeffer vines from Wirz Vineyard are 100 years old, grown on a hillside of granite and limestone soils. This bottle has earthy aromas with notes of cranberry, pomegranate, and as the name suggests, white pepper. This is carried through to the palate giving you a light, fresh, and age-worthy wine.
Cases Produced: 125
Wine Enthusiast Rating: 94
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2017 Anaba Chardonnay
Dutton Ranch, Sonoma Coast, CA
The grapes for this chardonnay were grown in the cool, foggy climate of the Sonoma Coast yielding a nice acidity and citrusy flavor in the wine. This bottle has elements of lime and lemon zest, with orange blossom and an elegant minerality on the nose. It’s complex, well balanced, and will appeal to a wide range of tastes.
Cases Produced: 273
Wine Advocate Rating: 92
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2015 KIND Syrah
Mount Veeder, Napa Valley, CA
Each KIND vintage tells its own story in the subtlety of its aroma, texture, and finish. Big, bold, and bottomless, the 2015 KIND Syrah is a behemoth! This bottle has huge, dark fruit aromas and flavors that are concentrated and characterized by blackberry, boysenberry, and mulberry fruits permeating with sweet, spicy, and balanced toasty oak and voluptuous tannins.
Cases Produced: 375
Wine Advocate Rating: 95
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2017 Red Tail Ridge Estate Dry Riesling
Finger Lakes, NY
Red Tail Ridge makes small batches of handmade wine with minimal intervention. This Dry Riesling has aromas of lychee, melon, and limestone with flavors of Asian pear, citrus, and honeysuckle. Its persistent acidity elongates and lengthens the finish with lingering hints of lemon.
Cases Produced: 838
Wine Enthusiast Rating: 90
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2019 Patton Valley Vineyard Estate Chenin Blanc
Tualatin Hills, Willamette Valley, OR
The grapes for this Chenin Blanc were grown on a tiny plot of just over ⅓ of an acre. The Chenin Blanc clusters provide ample fruit, acid, and a kind of unique punch that makes this wine hard to resist. The nose is all citrus, lime blossom, and chalky, wet cement minerality, while the palate is brisk and fresh with acidity, opening up to a magnolia, grapefruity, and herby creamsicle. This wine is complex enough to mull over but fresh enough to gulp thoughtlessly.
Cases Produced: 160
Wine Enthusiast Rating: 91
Click here to order a bottle
Final Thoughts on Boutique Wine
Shopping boutique may be a little different than what you’re used to, and the price tag may be a little higher, but trust me, it pays off. By skipping the three-tier model and buying wine directly from boutique wineries or by shopping on a site like Sip Wines, you’ll be getting a much better bottle for your dollar. Your money is going directly to the winery owners and winemakers who then put it back into the land and process that creates your wine. By shopping boutique, you’ll know your bottle is hand-crafted, unique, and made with purpose and passion. Think about it like buying a burger from your local mom-and-pop restaurant instead of from a fast-food chain. Now grab a bottle and try for yourself!
