With school out for summer and us parents juggling entertaining the kids and all of life’s responsibilities, having a grown-up outing for a glass of vino or a tasting sounds like a relaxing mini-retreat.  Check out our top picks for where to sip wine in Austin, from the laid-back and affordable to the more indulgent of varietals.

APT 115 via Yelp

APT 115
2025 E 7th St.
This adorable spot is known for its thoughtful selections of wine, cheese and charcuterie boards, as well as seasonal dishes.  They serve wine from all six wine-producing continents and focus on small-production and low-intervention wines.  The restaurant is small, so we recommend grabbing a reservation.


Aviary Wine and Kitchen via Yelp

Aviary Wine + Kitchen
2110 S Lamar Blvd.
Sip and savor boutique wines at South Lamar’s coziest wine bar. Aviary’s strong list suits any palate, and invites you to try something new and stay awhile.  If you’re looking for a low-key vibe that strikes the right tone for slow sipping and conversation, shoot on over to this wine bar.


Chardonnay Flight at Cru Wine Bar via Yelp

Cru Wine Bar Downtown
238 W 2nd St Unit 13
Cru Wine Bar has two area locations — in The Domain and the downtown 2nd Street district.  Cru pairs its wine with Napa-style foods and offers more than a dozen wine flights.  You can check out Cru Wine Bar’s happy hour deals, Pizza Mondays, and Champagne Thursdays here.


House Wine via Yelp

House Wine
408 Josephine St.
House Wine offers an extensive wine selection and a variety of cheese plates and wine-tasting classes.  They also have a dog-friendly patio, free WiFi, daily happy hour specials, as well as live music four nights a week.  You can book your reservation here.


L’Oca d’Oro via Yelp

L’Oca d’Oro
1900 Simond Ave
We’re big fans of this Mueller spot for its great food and wine selection. This is a prime location to go for a drink post-playdate with other families. Head in when the kids are worn out and order them something delicious from the children’s menu while you relax with a glass of vino.


Lenoir via Yelp

Lenoir
1807 S 1st St.
One of the most romantic spots in town, Lenoir is perfect for a special date night. In the backyard Wine Garden, you can enjoy several small and shareable plates as well as the wine menu. Happy Hour specials are Wednesday through Sunday, 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm, and you can get more info here.


Neighborhood Vitner via Yelp

Neighborhood Vitner
3663 Bee Caves Rd #4D
This chic Westlake wine shop and modern wine bar has tasting classes, happy hours, a wine club and more.  It’s a great little spot to have a delicious glass of wine – with their accompanying truffle chips – and have a chat with the other patrons.


Opa! Coffee and Wine Bar via Yelp

Opa! Coffee & Wine Bar
2050 S Lamar Blvd.
This family-owned and operated establishment offers a wide variety of unique wines, beers, a full bar, local coffee, and Greek-inspired food. Enjoy a glass of wine while sitting under the large oak trees, listening to live music on their spacious front patio.


The Austin Winery via Yelp

The Austin Winery
440 E St Elmo Rd A1
Austin’s first urban winery offers high-quality wine sourced from around the world. Their grapes are transported in macro bins to the Austin facility where they crush, de-stem, press, ferment, filtrate, blend, bottle, and serve you.  They also offer a variety of fun events from movie nights to yoga, which you can check out here.


Carillon via Yelp

The Carillon
1900 University Ave.
The Carillon recently launched a new wine program that is focused on value for rare and interesting wines.  Their Happy Hour is Tuesday through Saturday, 5 pm – 6:30 pm, and features half-off prices from their regular cocktail and wine list.  Walk-ins are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, and reservations can be made via OpenTable or by calling (512) 404-3655.


The Grove Wine Bar & Kitchen (Bee Caves location) via Yelp

The Grove Wine Bar & Kitchen
Four Austin Locations Here
Offering 10 wine flights, 50 wines by the glass, and 200 by the bottle as well as a full bar with craft cocktails. They also have Lola Savannah coffee shop adjacent to each of their four Grove Wine Bar & Kitchen restaurants.


Vintage Book Store and Wine Bar via Yelp

Vintage Book Store and Wine Bar
1101 E 11th St.
We listed this gem of a spot on our New Year Roundup of New Businesses in Austin. Settle into the “living room” at Vintage Book Store with a great glass of wine and a snack.  Their wine list features sparkling, whites, reds, rose, and orange, as well as beer and canned cocktails.


Wanderlust Wine Co (Downtown Location) via Yelp

Wanderlust Wine Co. 
Three Austin Locations Here
Wanderlust’s self-pour system allows you to choose from up to 60 wines from around the world, and you only pay for what you pour.  Serving from tap lets Wanderlust Wine Co. offer affordable prices for fresh and sustainable wines and is a perfect place to gather with friends to try new vinos.


More: