Vintage Wine Cellar

I've been a huge fan of this place ever since they first opened. However, with new Executive Chef Tom Landers, owners Kevin & Ingrid Howard have really taken the place to a whole new level. You absolutely can't go anywhere in Charlotte for a better meal. Tom is so original and creative with his dishes, everything he serves is a "can't miss". Then the staff pairs this amazing cuisine with an incredible assortment of fine wines from around the world. And you're buying the wine at wine shop prices rather than restaurant prices. BIG difference. Great food + great wine + great prices = the best value food/wine experience in Charlotte. If imitation is truly the sincerest form of flattery, then the other wine bars and restaurants in the area LOVE Vintage Wine Cellar as well. From the menu items to the wine events that Vintage has developed over the years, other local wine bars just can't help but copy what Vintage is doing. But no one does it better than the original. Pros: Best food/wine experience in Charlotte; MUST try this place Cons: none more

Very nice setting, includes a patio, several tables, 2 bars and a sushi menu tonight. Very impressive. Guys who run the place are attentive and personal. Nothing better than good food and good wine. more

We came to Vintage about 8 months ago while we were trying to sell our house and werent too impressed witht the quality of the food. HOWEVER, we just moved into charlotte, and after having been to every other wine bar in the city, we decided to give Vintage a try again. The food was incredible and the staff was awesome! The pork chop was delightful and the sea bass was to die for....did we mention it is the best food at any wine bar anywhere? We had a fantastic time chatting to the general manager, Justin, and if you ever want a delicious bottle of wine matched perfectly with your taste, he is the one to talk to!!! He also informed us that the menu would be changing soon for the spring/summer seasons. We cant WAIT to come back. Oh, and before I ramble on too much, the music on Friday night was the perfect touch to a great night! You HAVE to check this place out if you havent yet!!! Pros: Great service, great food, great atmosphere, a LOT of fun!!! Cons: Parking more

A fantastic wine bar with unique wines, great food and top-of-the-line service. Swanky, yet comfortable. I had my husband's 40th surprise birthday party at the Vintage. Kevin worked up a unique 4-course wine tasting/food pairing dinner and it was superb! He graciously accommodated my many special requests when tweaking the menu and wine selections. (I have not found this type of service with the many other restaurants that I interviewed) The price was an exceptional value to boot. The staff was very low stress, fun and made waiting on the 24 of us (hungry for food and wine) look like a breeze. The live acoustic music of Jeff Brown was an added bonus to the night, he played all of our favorites. I can't say enough about the Vintage and we plan to visit again, soon and often. Thank you Vintage for a very memorable evening! more

We actually only stopped in for a light snack. We were under the mistaken assumption that this place was similar to another wine and tapa place...we were so thankfully wrong! You actually can eat a meal here. It's not just a teaser and you leave hungry. The server knew her wines too and recommended one we just loved. Instead of grabbing a quick bite we ended up staying well over two hours. They has a musician that was great. Too loud inside, but since we sat outside we could enjoy the music and yet still hear each other talk. The chef brought the food out himself and chatted with us a while. Nice guy! You can tell he has a passion for what he creates. I hope that last for him because it really shows in the quality of his food. Pros: suprisingly good food in addition to the great wine list Cons: love to eat outside and unfortunately it's a bit of a traffic area more

My husband and I love Vintage. It's the little things that add up to make our weekly visit something we look forward to. First and foremost the owners as well as the staff are friendly, accommodating and knowledgeable. Whether you know what you like or just want to try something new they make every effort to find the perfect wine for you. And the wine selection is great. And it's not just the pricey stuff. They have many affordable wines that are wonderful and they are just as quick to recommend a less expensive wine if it meets your taste. And speaking of taste. The food - oh the food. We love the wine dinners at Vintage. Each time we think 'this is the best' then the next time is even better! Pairings are perfect. You can tell that they have a passion for what they do. It's a cozy little place not a big chain with and assembly line attitude and that's what I like. Pros: Cozy atmosphere, friendly service, excellent wine, great food Cons: Can't think of any more

I'm the furthest thing from a wine afficiando, however it's the food and people that have made Vintage one of the best, and friendliest places to dine and enjoy an evening out. Vintage is the perfect place to sit down and enjoy an amazing meal. You can tell the entire staff has a passion for not only wine and food, but also to make the patron's experience enjoyable and fun. Chef Jay is truly amazing. Not only are the wine pairing dinners a masterpiece, but the regular menu and weekly specials never disappoint. If you're looking for a cordial, friendly wine bar, Vintage has no par. Pros: Friendly, knowledgeable staff, amazing food Cons: None! more

This is the ONLY place in Ballantyne to go to if you want GREAT wine and GREAT food! I hesitated to write this review because frankly, I don't want others to know about this place!! But based on the reviews I have seen...it's too late. This is THE top wine bar in all of Charlotte! Justin and the entire staff is very gracious and kind... and the owners, Kevin and Ingrid, are just an awesome couple who have created a great atmosphere! My husband and I are out there just about every week now. Their wine tastings are fun, and the MEGA tastings each month are a blast.. And they also have an unforgettable wine dinner each month.....the wine and food pairings that Chef Jay, Kevin, and Justin come up with are "spot on"..literally the best I have ever seen in all of my travels! Pros: Everything about them! Cons: no cons at all! more

Great service. Very knowledgeable and helpful staff. Huge variety of wines. Delicious food. Highly recommend. more

My husband and I moved to the Charlotte area approximately one year ago. Although we actually live in South Carolina, we regularly come up to Charlotte for dining and social interaction. Fortunately for us, one of our forays was to Vintage Wine Cellar. That was about six months ago, and we have been devout customers ever since. The tastings are great (including the phenomenal monthly ?Mega tastings?), the monthly Wine Dinners are nothing short of superb (the Chef's creativity and presentation is as good as ANY restaurant in Charlotte), and the entertainment (Judson and company) is a breath of fresh air, and a wonderful respite on the weekends. For those things alone we would be ?regulars.? However, the thing that most ingratiates us (and the many others we have met there) is the amazing staff. The personable owners, Kevin and Ingrid, have managed to give Vintage a real ?Cheers? sort of atmosphere. They, along with Justin, Chef Jay and all of the rest, have always been extremely warm, friendly and yes, professional each and every time we have come there. A trip to Vintage is always like going to a friend?s house. We know we will feel welcome, we know we will have a relaxing, enjoyable time, and we also know we will usually meet new, interesting and engaging people, several of whom we now count as friends. Don't take our word for it--- check them out for yourself and meet some of the regulars--- and tell 'em Dan and Lori sent you! Pros: Outdoor patio area, excellent service, cozy bar, good wine selection Cons: Can be noisy on a crowded weekend more

I recently worked with Kevin (Owner) and Justin (Beverage Manager) on a wine tasting for our company. They met with me before hand to determine what wines would be available and what food they felt would accompany the wine best. When i arrived they were ready to help me set up. When our guest arrived they made them feel welcome by keeping their wine glasses full and mingling with our guests. They are so knowledable about wine and food. From the planning side - it was a pleasure to work with two professionals that understood what i was trying to achieve. I'm looking forward to going back to enjoy a glass in their swanky bar or among their cool couches and tables. I was also excited to get a wine membership that will offer me discounts on bottles. These are the kinds of wine that you can bring to a dinner party or holiday and feel good about! Pros: Service, Knowledge, Wine List, Unique food Cons: Small indoors more

Great location, wonderful wines and the atmosphere is cozy and comfortable! Fabulous selection and knowledge of wines! more

Amazing, i enjoyed a lot, thanks Jason, i hope my bussiness still working Great!! Thanks again..... Pros: A Lot.... Cons: None more

Very knowledable of the wines. The wines were not the "grocery store" wines. Very comfortable setting and they were most congenial in educating me on the wines they have. Only come for the enjoyment of wine and relaxation. Forgot to mention awesome food, but only for the slim and trim! more

From the first visit to Vintage, it was easy to see the owners (Kevin and Ingrid) were committed to make everyone feel welcome. These two truly appreciate your business. The staff (Darrick, Della, and Justin) is impeccable and has a can do attitude. I once had a group for a wine tasting with meats and cheeses, Jay (the chef) made sure we had everything we needed. Justin has a vast array of wine knowledge from old world wine and new. Many in the area have promised to make wine a dynamic environment. However, very few keep it fresh and interesting. Every week a new group of wines will be featured from a different region. Even some of their staple wines have changed, and new ones added. The tastings (Tuesday) are truly an educational experience. Even the music finds a way off the beaten old path of ol? wine shopia. Don?t be surprised to catch a bluegrass or hip-hop song every now and then. In a world where wine can be intimidating and uncomfortable, Vintage offers an atmosphere of appreciation and education with a can do attitude. I have spent a lot of time in many wine shops and bars in Charlotte, and I highly recommend Vintage! Pros: Service, Wine Selection, Atmoshphere, Wine Storage, Low Corkage Fee more

My husband and I recently attended one of Vintage's incredible Mega Tastings. We fell in love with the place and the experience. We have been back several times since. Each time the food, wine and service has been top notch. Its the perfect place for lunch or to wind down after work with friends. The staff has been so approachable and informative, we have stopped by several times to buy bottles for our home and for gatherings with family and friends. Vintage is hip and retro with a great atmosphere, but still amazingly friendly and down to earth. It is equally enjoyed by the wine enthusiast and the novice. My husband also loved that they had a nice selection of beers as well. We love sitting out on the patio and relaxing with a great glass of wine. You have to try something from their great menu while you are there. The food is to die for! This is our new favorite place in Charlotte!! Pros: Amazing food and wine in a hip spot that's friendly and not intimidating. Cons: Can't think of one!!!! more

I just returned from one of Vintage's Mega Tastings yesterday! This place is fabulous and like none other in Charlotte. This was my 5th time there and I had yet another fantastic time! Whether stopping by for lunch with a friend, a glass of wine after work , to pick up a case or to attend one of their weekly tastings or monthly mega-tastings, I've always left eager to return. Their staff is extremely knowledgeable yet approachable and down-to-earth, something lacking in other wine locales that can make them more intimidating. The decor sets the tone: chic, sophisticated with a dash of retro, yet comfortable, warm and welcoming. From the stools at the bar, to the couches in front of the flat screen, & the nice patio seating, there's a comfortable place for you depending on your mood. The food is a special treat: the menu holds a nice variety of tapas style dishes with unique ingredients and wonderful flavors carefully crafted by Chef Jay who clearly puts his heart into every delectable bite! The wines by the glass are unique as well -- not your typical list of cabs from big Napa wineries, but some less known gems from a range of locales. They also have a changing list of wines by the glass offered depending on the region featured that week. My favorite option at the bar though would have to be their flights -- you can order one of theirs or create your own -- served in these awesome wooden carved frames which hold 4 stemless glasses. They didn't skimp on a thing here! Finally, the retail area is second to none -- the owners have carefully selected unique wines from around the world -- something for everyone, from the collection of 15 Wines under $15 to the exclusive wine cellar in the back. The helpful staff will assist you in finding exactly what you want based on your likes,dislikes and budget. I'm so excited Charlotte finally has a wine destination like Vintage! I eagerly await my next email with their list of upcoming events and wine tastings. Pros: ambience, wine selection, friendly/helpful staff, FOOD! Cons: none! more

We recently stopped by Vintage for a good glass of wine. The staff was extremely friendly and spent a good deal of time chatting with us. We found out that we had missed a big wine tasting earlier in the day so we decided to sign up for their email list. The wines we had were decent but nothing to write home about. The atmosphere was comfortable and we will definitley give it another try. Pros: Not Crowed Cons: Limited wines by the glass more

Vintage Wine has a relaxing 'feel good' atmosphere. The staff and owners are very friendly and attentive. And...the wine is excellent. The food is equally so. Take advantage of Vintage WIne Cellar. It has certainly become our favorite wine cafe!! Pros: Excellent wine, selection and food. Staff is friendly and helpful! Cons: N/A more

Vintage is an alluring, smart, sophisticated, yet fun wine bar. Anything but typical. This creative piece of ingenious invites one to relax in the lounge or on the patio with creative descriptions of wine on the menu just begging you to venture out of your comfort zone. The tapas menu is very nicely put together. We tried the olives and a cheese and meat combination with freshly baked bread. We couldn't decide what we enjoyed most! It was all so lovely and fresh.... My girlfriends and I have made Vintage our new home for enjoying wine!! more