Best of the Best: Wine & Spirits to Sample
Johnny O’s Speakeasy
19 N. High St., West Chester
JohnnyOsWestChester.com
Top Chef alum Fabio Viviani made a big splash in the big converted bank building serving big- ticket steaks at 9 Prime last year. Although Fabio said farewell, this summer saw the opening of Johnny O’s Speakeasy, where a special key fob grants access to a members-only sanctuary in the lower level, Thursday through Saturday ($2,500 annual membership, guests permitted). It’s a place to enjoy an elevated classic cocktail menu, plus signature events, gourmet tastings. The public can check out the speakeasy, complete with bank vaults, safe deposit boxes in a low-light space with leather and velvet, Sunday through Wednesday. Small bites include caviar cones, foie gras, lobster rolls. Sounds right.
Casa Carmen Farm & Winery
49 Camino Way, West Grove
610-340-4335 / CasaCarmenWines.com
A family-owned Eastern Shore winery known for producing dry wines and Spanish-style vermouth from local grapes and sustainably farmed botanicals opened a new location in West Grove. Casa Carmen Farm & Winery is on a historic property once owned by William Penn, who was said to have brought the first wine-producing grapes to the New World. The tasting room (30 inside, more outside) combines the spirit of Argentine farms and Spanish bodegas with Pennsylvania charm and serves seasonal tapas and small bites paired with Casa Carmen wines and vermouth ($28 to $42/bottle), plus local beer and cocktails.
Turks Head Wines Tasting Room & Wine Lounge
120 N. Church St., West Chester
610-350-4183 / TurksHeadWines.com
West Chester’s bar scene got some polish (smart casual dress code) when Allison and Josh Owen opened the 10,000-square-foot Turks Head Wine Lounge last August. The concept is to enjoy the kind of experience available in a West Coast tasting room by sharing a glass, flight or bottle of Bordeaux-style wines sourced, produced and bottled in California. Sip and learn from sommeliers and wine educators at the elegant marble oval bar or in the tasting room, intimate Blue Room, larger Barrel Room or members-only CRU Club lounge. Pair with curated bites chosen to accentuate the wines. The onsite Bottle Shoppe will let you continue the experience at home or a nearby BYOB.
Village Vine
6 Park Ave., Swarthmore
484-471-3997 / VillageVineSwarthmore.com
Not every change of ownership in notable, but when a new chef creates the best thing Inquirer food critic Craig LaBan ate that week (in February 2024, apple dumpling with salted caramel cremeux), that’s worth a shout out. When Village Vine opened in Swarthmore in 2020, the focus was on eclectic wines and small plates. But early last year, new chef/owner John Hearn (West Chester’s Roots Cafe, Berwyn’s La Cabra Brewing) expanded the vision to bistro food for brunch and dinner, plus A cocktail bar. Try the crab and spinach fondue, prime rib French dip sandwich or hunter chicken (caramelized onion Bordelaise, Gruyère). Still plenty of good wine to enjoy.
Wayvine Tasting Room
217 E. State St., Kennett Square
610-620-5261 / Wayvine.wine
After years of operating their vineyard in Nottingham, Wayvine’s Wilson brothers opened a small tasting room in September on Kennett’s bustling State Street (former Hilltop Flowers spot), attracted by the town’s community spirit. In the warm, handcrafted interior with furnishings made from trees fallen on the family farm, sample 12 varietals — from unoaked chardonnay to field-blend rosé to cabernet franc — by the glass, bottle or in tastings, along with their vermouth or cocktails and beer. It’s a BYOFood spot, with plenty of options nearby — Patisserie Lola is next door and Letty’s Tavern a block away. Or take a bottle to Kennett’s many BYOBs.
Wallace Dry Goods
1 W. Lancaster Ave., Ardmore
484-413-2003 / WallaceDryGoods.com
If you joined Dry January, did Sober October or otherwise explored the NA world (non-alcoholic), then visit Ardmore’s Wallace Dry Goods, where they’re intoxicated by their craft, not alcohol, and source the finest boozeless refreshments to sip, savor and share. The tasting bar serves up samples, plus craft mocktails with “none of the alcohol, allllll of the vibes” as they skip the booze but keep the cocktail hour ambiance and community spirit. Check out their online Libation Library glossary — from ABV to zero-proof — and toast (appropriately) to their Best of Philly 2024 accolades for elevating abstinence.