Business Details
19 Years
experience
Your Trusted Wine & Spirits Shop in Watertown, MA
Established in 2007, Magnolia Wine Company continues a family legacy that began in the 1930s with Izzy Faber's grocery and liquor store in Boston's Roxbury neighborhood. Our third-generation business evolved from McHugh's Liquors in Watertown to become a premier destination for wine, spirits, and craft beer enthusiasts. With expertise spanning decades, we curate an extensive selection of value-driven wines, hard-to-find spirits, and quality craft beers while maintaining a neighborhood-focused approach.Our knowledgeable team, including certified whiskey experts and European wine specialists, provides personalized guidance to customers ranging from novices to connoisseurs. We host monthly educational tastings and offer complimentary delivery to local communities, combining tradition with modern convenience. Through three generations, we've maintained a commitment to quality, community service, and making fine beverages accessible to all.
Services
Wine Selection
Spirits Collection
Craft Beer
Tastings
Delivery Service
Details
- Year established: 2007
Highlights and features
- Third-generation family business with 80+ years of combined industry experience
- Expert staff includes certified whiskey specialists and European wine specialists
- 10-20% case discounts on premium wine selections
- Monthly educational beer/wine tastings for customer engagement
- Complimentary delivery to Watertown, Belmont, and Cambridge residents
What people say
Expert staff guidance
Unique wine selections
Monthly tasting events
Free local delivery
Family-friendly atmosphere
Services
Wine Selection
Our curated wine collection features value-driven bottles from emerging regions alongside established vineyards. With expertise in European varietals and boutique distributors, we help customers discover quality wines that exceed expectations. Our selection caters to both casual drinkers and serious collectors seeking unique finds.
Spirits Collection
We offer premium spirits including rare bourbons, single-malt scotches, and artisanal gins. Our whiskey expert conducts regular tastings and maintains relationships with boutique distillers to source hard-to-find bottles. Customers receive personalized recommendations based on tasting preferences and occasion needs.
Craft Beer
Our craft beer selection spans local Massachusetts breweries and international microbrews. Knowledgeable staff guide customers through seasonal releases, limited editions, and classic styles. We maintain current inventory information for hard-to-find brews and support local beer education through tasting events.
Tastings
Monthly educational tastings explore specific regions, varietals, or spirit categories. Led by certified experts, these sessions provide hands-on learning about flavor profiles, production methods, and pairing techniques. Events create community engagement while helping customers expand their beverage knowledge.
Delivery Service
We provide complimentary delivery to Watertown, Belmont, and Cambridge residents for orders placed by 3pm daily. This service extends our community commitment while offering convenience for regular customers. Deliveries maintain product integrity through temperature-controlled packaging.
People
Jay Faber
Owner
Third-generation owner with 30+ years in the business. Specializes in undiscovered wine regions and value-driven selections. Maintains family legacy while modernizing operations. Holds wine education events and community initiatives.
Brian Ghallager
General Manager
Whiskey expert and spirits buyer with 15+ years in specialty retail. Conducts monthly tastings and curates rare bottle inventory. Develops staff training programs and maintains supplier relationships for exclusive releases.
Matthew Wright
Assistant Manager
20-year veteran specializing in European wines and boutique distributors. Wine buyer with deep knowledge of Old World varietals. Music educator who connects wine appreciation with cultural experiences.
Matt Bartley
Clerk
Craft beer specialist with decade-long tenure. Educates customers on emerging breweries and beer styles. Combines teaching experience with retail expertise to explain brewing processes and pairing suggestions.
Tim Leonard
Clerk
10-year employee and local resident with expertise in domestic and craft beers. Sports enthusiast who builds customer relationships through shared interests. Maintains inventory knowledge of both classic and innovative beer offerings.
Questions
What makes Magnolia Wine Company different from other liquor stores?
We combine three generations of expertise with a neighborhood-focused approach, offering personalized recommendations, educational tastings, and curated selections of undiscovered wine values.
Do you offer discounts on wine purchases?
Yes, we provide 10% off half cases (6 bottles) and 20% off full cases (12 bottles) on premium wine selections.
Are wine tastings available to the public?
We host educational beer/wine tastings monthly, featuring expert-led sessions on different regions, varietals, and pairing techniques.
Do you deliver wine and spirits locally?
Yes, we offer complimentary delivery to Watertown, Belmont, and Cambridge residents Monday-Saturday before 3pm.
Can I get help choosing wines if I'm not an expert?
Our knowledgeable staff provides personalized guidance for all experience levels, helping you discover quality wines that match your taste preferences and budget.
What craft beer options do you carry?
We maintain extensive selections from local Massachusetts breweries and international microbreweries, including seasonal releases and limited edition craft beers.
Reviews (6)
Brandon Wygant
Jan 10, 2022
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A small, well-organized shop, with surprisingly good beer selection and friendly employees. I will definitely shop here again!
Katie Dunn
Apr 26, 2021
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Great all around shop. Good wine selection, and the guy working there was really helpful in helping me select a bottle of scotch as a gift (I know zero about scotch, so needed guidance.) I gave him some info about the person it was intended for and what I knew they normally drank, and the bottle he helped me select ended up being a spot on choice for the person it was gifted to! Definitely worth a visit!
Jim McMahan Jr
Jul 12, 2020
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Great store all around. Owner is knowledgeable and helpful. Staff is great. Lots of great finds on wines and the prices are right in line. I really like tgis spot.
Bob Kelley
Jul 29, 2019
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Friendly staff and a good selection of beer, wines and liquors. I know nothing about wine so this is my go to spot when I need a few bottles to bring to someones house. They always have recommendations on something to go with what my host is preparing. On my way home tonight I picked up some Cisco whales tale to enjoy while watching the Bruins game.
Jean D.
Jun 04, 2019
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Small shop with great selection. It's less than 5 minutes from Mt Auburn street, near Cambridge - Watertown line. I like coming here to choose modestly priced wine with help from knowledgeable staff. I've also enjoyed going to a couple of their tastings.
Mathew Sowa
Aug 16, 2018
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Great and very knowledgeable staff. Wide selection of everything in a comfortable space. I've spent some time in there getting help from Brian when it comes to choosing fine scotches, he is fantastic. Highly recommend magnolia, it's the only place I'll go for wine, spirits, and beer. Well, other than a bar that happens to be right down the street, but that's for different objectives.
