Share a Bottle at These Cozy Twin Cities Wine Bars

Domaćin Restaurant & Wine Bar

This cavernous, moody wine bar is located up the hill from Main Street in Stillwater, a half-hour’s drive from the metro. The cellar is stocked with more than 600 wines from many regions, but Domacin puts a special emphasis on northern Italy and pinot noir, particularly those from the Willamette Valley in Oregon. There’s also a swanky food menu of beef tenderloin, duck breast, risotto bistecca, and more.

Dutch Bar

Cozy, new(ish) Central Avenue spot Dutch Bar, from former Modern Cafe owner Patty Grell, offers a thoughtful, tightly curated selection of French, Spanish, and Italian wines, plus a choice Oregonian pinot noir and a Slovenian orange. A simple menu of cold cuts, cheese, small plates (think marcona almonds; egg soufflé with tarragon) and entrees (jambon and beurre sandwiches; pimento cheese toasties) complements the wine list (and the cocktails). The warm, pared-back interior feels like a hybrid wine bar/cafe — it’s well-suited for a casual date night or an evening spent alone with a book.

Bar Brava

Bar Brava’s natural wine list infuses the Minneapolis wine scene with a bit of delightful funk. With a dedication to organically farmed, unfiltered, wild-yeasted, and unfined wine, this space is truly one-of-a-kind. Modern finishes like subway tile and Edison bulbs round out the Brava aesthetic, and small plates like pan con tomate and orange wine roast pork make for excellent pairings.

Maison Margaux

Maison Margaux’s dramatic basement bar, outfitted Moulin Rouge-style with red velvet and marquee lights, emphasizes French wines, with three sommeliers in-house — chef David Fhima has been collecting wines for more than 45 years. Of the restaurant’s 860 selections, 35 are served by the glass.

Milly’s Wine Bar & Bistro

This classy new wine bar in a historic Mill District building is seriously pretty, a date night dream setting outfitted with a cozy fireplace, velvet couches, brick walls, Parisian bar stools, and large windows. The menu also offers the chance to challenge yourself with guessing games — or test your date’s wine knowledge — if you so choose. Either way, the list by the glass is both extensive and verbose, making it easy to land on something you’d enjoy best.

Troubadour Wine Bar

This Uptown staple has a bit of romantic charm — sandwiched between storefronts on busy Hennepin Avenue, it almost looks like a portal to a hip French quartier on the other side of the world. The energy is decidedly laid-back, the wine menu eclectic and approachable. Order by the glass or by the bottle, and stop by on weekends for live music and poetry readings.

The Tasting Room

The Tasting Room’s pared-down, lightly industrial vibe keeps the focus on the wines. Host and noted sommelier Nico Giraud was raised in the French regions of Champagne and Provence — after eventually landing in the Twin Cities, he directed the wine program at both Meritage and, later, Spoon and Stable. The Tasting Room’s selection features wines from its sister winery, Coursey-Graves, in Santa Rosa, California. Pair a glass with an assortment of French tapas.

Meritage

St. Paul’s Meritage has all the lovely trappings of a French brasserie, including an extensive list of French wines. Director Desta Maree Klein’s selection changes with the season, but count on earthy, full-bodied Bordeaux, crisp Chablis, and plummy, spicy Côtes du Rhône. The bright and airy dining room, sleek oyster bar, and European-style terrace offer three distinct atmospheres for sipping.

Joan's in the Park

One of St. Paul’s best restaurants, this white-tablecloth, from-scratch establishment doubles as a wine bar. Wood and stone accents add warmth to the small and inviting space. Grab a seat at the bar if you like, but the best way to enjoy Joan’s at the Park’s approachable wine list is to opt for the wine pairing with the four-course meal.

TERZO

Terzo’s wine menu — organized by region — highlights traditional Italian wines, including some of the country’s most iconic producers. With more than 300 selections, it can be hard to choose between the Chiantis, Toscanas, and Piemontes: Narrow it down to something from the ever-changing “by the glass” menu for an easier selection. Terzo also serves an excellent menu of contemporary Italian cuisine.

Bojae’s

Bojae’s, nestled into a snug storefront at 50th and France in south Minneapolis, offers a breadth of international wines, highlighting reds from Italy, South Africa, Spain, and the West Coast; whites from France and Portugal; an orange wine from Austria; a German riesling. Charcuterie boards are popular here; as are the flatbreads.