Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Premier Destination for Curated Fine Wines in Seattle
Established in 1972, University Wines has been a trusted purveyor of fine wines in Seattle's Laurelhurst neighborhood. Our legacy began with founders Mike and Mike, who built relationships with small European producers to offer rare, high-quality wines. Under Gordon McIntosh's leadership from 2011, we expanded our global selection while maintaining a commitment to direct partnerships that ensure exceptional value. Today, owner Michelle Schaber continues this tradition, combining decades of expertise with a passion for wine education and community engagement.We specialize in curating wines from family-owned estates, emphasizing sustainability through initiatives like cork recycling. Our team travels annually to Europe to taste wines directly from barrels, ensuring only the finest selections reach our shelves. With free weekly tastings, a dedicated wine club, and personalized service, we cater to both seasoned connoisseurs and newcomers exploring their first bottle. Our store's history, combined with modern accessibility, makes us a neighborhood cornerstone for wine enthusiasts seeking authenticity and discovery.
Services
Wine Tastings
Wine Club Memberships
Curated Wine Selection
Cork Recycling
Wine Education
Details
- Year established: 1972
Highlights and features
- We offer over 50 years of expertise in curating fine wines.
- Our direct partnerships ensure exclusive access to small producers.
- Free weekly wine tastings to explore new selections.
- Sustainable practices with cork recycling.
- Personalized assistance from knowledgeable staff.
Services
Wine Tastings
Weekly free tastings featuring rotating selections from global vineyards. Expert staff guide guests through flavor profiles and pairing suggestions. Events highlight both familiar varietals and rare discoveries, fostering community engagement and wine education.
Wine Club Memberships
Monthly curated wine packages with four tiered options for red, white, or mixed preferences. Members receive exclusive discounts and early access to limited releases. Packages range from introductory to premium levels, emphasizing exploration of unique terroirs and winemaking traditions.
Curated Wine Selection
Handpicked inventory from small, passionate producers across Europe and beyond. Focus on organic, biodynamic, and heritage vineyards. Staff provide personalized recommendations for pairing wines with specific dishes or occasions, emphasizing quality and authenticity.
Cork Recycling
Eco-friendly initiative accepting used wine corks for recycling through Ridwell. Encourages environmental responsibility while maintaining product quality. Demonstrates commitment to sustainable practices within the wine industry and local community.
Wine Education
In-depth knowledge sharing about winemaking processes and regional traditions. Owner Michelle Schaber and team provide context on vineyard histories and tasting notes. Educational materials and direct producer relationships enhance customer understanding of wine origins and craftsmanship.
People
Michelle Schaber
Owner
Former educator with 25 years in Montessori programs. Took ownership of University Wines in 2020 after developing a passion for wine through collaborations with previous owner Gordon McIntosh. Combines organizational skills with wine expertise to maintain the shop's legacy.
Gordon McIntosh
Former Owner
Led University Wines from 2011, expanding its global wine selection. Known for storytelling through photo albums documenting wine regions. Mentored Michelle Schaber before retiring, ensuring continuity in the shop's mission and customer service standards.
Questions
What wine club options are available?
We offer four packages: Two to Taste ($50), International Essentials ($75), Continental Collection ($150), and Prestige Imports ($225) monthly subscriptions.
Are wine tastings free?
Yes, free wine tastings occur every Saturday from 10am-6pm with rotating featured selections.
Can I purchase wines online?
Wines are available exclusively in-store. We can set aside bottles for pickup upon request via phone or email.
Do you recycle wine corks?
Yes, we partner with Ridwell for cork recycling. Bring used corks to our store for environmentally responsible disposal.
How are wines selected?
Our team travels to Europe annually, tasting wines directly from barrels to ensure quality and authenticity before adding them to our inventory.
What areas do you serve?
Primarily Seattle's Laurelhurst neighborhood, though customers from across the Pacific Northwest visit our store for curated selections.
Reviews (7)
Cynthia Bishop
Nov 12, 2020
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These people care about wine, and making the best suggestion for you irregardless of price; they don't push the most expensive, that aside, they have a lovely selection.
Cant say enough, I regularly travel out of my way to go there.
Cant say enough, I regularly travel out of my way to go there.
Max Boyd
Oct 29, 2019
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How wonderful is the owner of this business. My husband and I were at an appointment and had our three week old daughter with us. We parked in front of his shop, When we came back he came out and gave us a bottle of Rose congratulating us on the birth of our daughter. It absolutely made our night. We will definitely be back to shop there.
Todd Laughery
Jun 06, 2019
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Not only is the selection of wines broad and exceptional, I leave having gotten another education in all things French wines. Stop by on the right day and try free samples. I'm a huge fan of Gordon, his team, and his love and knowledge of good wine.
Terry Munson
Jun 01, 2018
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Whenever I want a distinct, small-producer wine to share with my wine-loving friends, University Wines remains one of my top choices, especially if I'm seeking something from the Burgundy region. The staff is impressively well-informed about wines and we often find ourselves picking up additional wines--there are some fantastic bargains--before we reach the register. I highly recommend checking out their Facebook page and following them for updates regarding new arrivals and free tastings on weekends.
Tobin Booth
Aug 19, 2017
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Excellent location to find a variety of French wine and champagne styles. The sales staff is extremely knowledgeable and is helpful.
Marc Shaw
Nov 06, 2015
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My wife and I lived in Europe for 17 years and traveled extensively in 30 countries there, including the great wine countries of France and Italy. What a serendipity to discover University Wines when we moved back to this area, with such a great selection of European wines at super prices. The owner, Gordon, really does travel annually to make selections and knows his stuff. Do yourself a favor and visit U-Wines. You'll find something you really like and you'll be happy with the price and the service.
Spencer W.
Jan 19, 2013
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Guess I can't check in from where I am...but I just placed an order for 6 bottles with Gordon. Excellent service, super friendly and so not your typical snobbish wine merchant. Gordon knows his stuff. He knows it so well, I tell him what I like and he recommends 6 wines for me to try. This is my second batch of 6 and I usually tell him to surprise me. I'm in the Vancouver, BC (Canada) area. Wine is not cheap here. In fact, to get the level of wines I'm seeing at University wines, I'd have to pay through my teeth. I have some friends heading down and I placed the order. A day later, the selection
