Fine Wine Shopping Near Skin Spa Asheville: Beyond the Basic

When your day of relaxation and rejuvenation at Skin Spa Asheville comes to an end, why not continue the luxury experience with a visit to Metro Wines? Located just minutes away at 169 Charlotte Street, Metro Wines offers an exceptional fine wine shopping experience that perfectly complements your spa day. For over seven years running, we've been voted Asheville's #1 wine shop, and our commitment to providing big shop selection with small shop service makes us the perfect next stop on your journey of indulgence. See these press features and more here!

The Metro Wines Difference: Where Expertise Meets Excellence

At Metro Wines, we believe that wine shopping should be as relaxing and personalized as your spa experience. Our philosophy centers on community, family, and friends – values that shine through in every interaction with our customers. When you walk through our doors, you're not just another customer; you're joining a community of wine enthusiasts who appreciate quality, value, and exceptional service.

Our pricing isn't just competitive with online retailers – it's often better. We like to say "we got that!" and if we don't have exactly what you're looking for, we'll make every effort to find it for you. This commitment to going above and beyond is what sets us apart from basic wine shopping experiences.

Expert Staff Guidance: Always a Sommelier on Duty

One of the most significant advantages of shopping at Metro Wines is our unparalleled staff expertise. Unlike basic wine shops where you might find yourself browsing alone, we always have a sommelier on duty – professionals with both retail and restaurant experience who can transform your wine shopping from guesswork into a guided journey of discovery.

Meet Our Wine Experts

Andy Hale, CSW serves as our Director of Sales & Education, bringing nearly two decades of wine industry experience to every customer interaction. His background includes working as a sommelier at the 5-Star, 5-Diamond rated Sanctuary Hotel at Kiawah Island. As a Certified Specialist of Wine and first-level Sommelier, Andy co-founded the Asheville School of Wine and teaches wine classes through UNC Asheville and AB Technical College.

John Kerr, our co-owner, brings a unique perspective born from his Napa Valley roots. As a graduate of UC Davis and Chartered Financial Analyst, John combines deep wine knowledge with business acumen. His extensive teaching background spanning over 25 years means he can explain complex wine concepts in accessible ways.

Catherine "Cat" Lavezzo, our Wine Buyer, is an Asheville native with certifications as a Beer Server and in cocktails from Bar Smarts. Her passion for food and wine pairing drives her constant quest to broaden her knowledge, making her an invaluable resource for customers seeking the perfect bottle for any occasion.

What Expert Guidance Looks Like

Our sommelier-led service goes far beyond basic recommendations. When you visit Metro Wines, you can expect:

Personalized consultations that take into account your taste preferences, the occasion, and your budget
Food pairing expertise that can elevate any dining experience, from pizza night to formal dinner parties
Educational opportunities where staff explain the why behind their recommendations, helping you develop your own wine knowledge
Seasonal guidance that introduces you to wines perfect for current weather and upcoming holidays
Collection building advice for those looking to start or expand their wine cellars

Our experts understand that the right pairing can make or break a special evening, and they're equipped with the knowledge and experience to ensure your wine choice enhances every moment.

Personal Shopping Assistance: Tailored to Your Unique Needs

At Metro Wines, personal shopping assistance isn't a premium service – it's our standard approach to every customer interaction. Our staff takes time to understand your specific needs, preferences, and goals, creating a truly personalized shopping experience that you simply won't find at basic wine retailers.

Understanding Your Wine Journey

Every wine enthusiast is at a different point in their journey, and our personal shopping assistance adapts accordingly:

For Wine Beginners: Our staff excels at making wine approachable and non-intimidating. They'll guide you through fundamental concepts like wine body, tannins, and acidity while helping you discover your personal preferences through careful selections and tastings.

For Developing Enthusiasts: If you have some wine knowledge but want to expand your horizons, our team can introduce you to new regions, varietals, and styles that align with your established preferences while gently pushing your boundaries.

For Serious Collectors: Our experts can help you source rare and collectible wines, provide storage advice, and suggest strategic additions to your cellar that will appreciate in value and drinking pleasure over time.

Specialized Personal Shopping Services

Wedding and Event Planning: Kristen Calloway, our General Manager and wedding coordinator, specializes in pairing the best wines for the best price with any menu. She works closely with couples to select wines that almost everyone will enjoy and finds the perfect sparkling wine for special toasts. Her approach focuses on creating lasting memories while managing budgets effectively.

Corporate and Group Needs: Our team can assist with corporate events, wine club selections, and group purchases, ensuring that every participant's preferences are considered and budgets are respected.

Gift Selection: Whether you're shopping for a wine novice or a serious collector, our staff can recommend gifts that will truly impress. They consider the recipient's known preferences, the occasion, and your budget to suggest options that show thoughtfulness and sophistication.

The "Wine Please" Concierge Service

For the ultimate in personal shopping convenience, Metro Wines offers our innovative "Wine Please" text service. This membership-based program provides:

Profile-based selections where we store your wine preferences and desired price point
Rapid response with delivery typically within 1-24 hours of your text request
Hand-selected cases chosen by our knowledgeable staff based on your profile
Flexible options allowing you to specify red/white combinations and bottle averages starting at $11.04 per bottle
Convenient delivery with free delivery within 3 miles and reasonable rates for extended areas

This service embodies our commitment to making fine wine accessible and convenient while supporting small, local business practices.

Custom Ordering Capabilities: Access to the World's Finest Wines

While our in-store selection is extensive, Metro Wines' custom ordering capabilities truly set us apart from basic wine retailers. Our relationships with distributors and importers worldwide mean that we can source wines that might seem impossible to find, bringing the world's finest bottles directly to Asheville.

Rare and Allocated Wine Access

Metro Wines has established relationships that provide access to some of the world's most sought-after wines. Our custom ordering capabilities include:

Cult California Cabernets: We can source legendary wines like Harlan Estate, Bond Estate, and Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon – bottles that are extremely difficult to find through traditional retail channels.

Prestigious Bordeaux: Our network includes access to first-growth Bordeaux like Château Cheval Blanc and Château Mouton Rothschild, wines that represent the pinnacle of French winemaking.

Italian Icons: From Giuseppe Quintarelli to Antinori Tignanello, we can source the Italian wines that have achieved legendary status among collectors and enthusiasts.

Rare Dessert Wines: Seeking the famous Château d'Yquem Sauternes? Our custom ordering capabilities extend to these rare and precious sweet wines.

How Custom Ordering Works

Our custom ordering process is designed to be straightforward and reliable:

Initial Consultation: Our staff works with you to understand exactly what you're seeking, whether it's a specific vintage, a wine from a particular region, or bottles for a special occasion.

Research and Sourcing: Using our extensive network of distributors, importers, and industry contacts, we locate your desired wines and provide pricing and availability information.

Transparent Pricing: We provide clear pricing that often beats internet retailers, with no hidden fees or inflated markups.

Secure Ordering: Once you approve the selection and pricing, we handle all aspects of ordering and ensure proper handling throughout the process.

Expert Storage: Until pickup or delivery, your custom-ordered wines are stored in optimal conditions to preserve their quality.

Special Collections and Vintage Searches

Our custom ordering capabilities extend to building specialized collections:

Vertical Collections: We can source multiple vintages of the same wine, allowing you to explore how a particular wine evolves over time.

Regional Focus: Whether you want to explore Burgundy, Barolo, or Rioja in depth, we can curate collections that showcase the best of specific regions.

Vintage Year Wines: Celebrating a special anniversary or birth year? We specialize in locating wines from specific vintages, including older bottles that require careful sourcing.

Investment Grade Wines: For serious collectors, we can source wines with proven track records for appreciation in value, helping you build a collection that's both enjoyable and financially sound.

The Metro Wines Experience: Beyond Basic Wine Shopping

What truly distinguishes Metro Wines from basic wine shopping is our comprehensive approach to wine education and community building. When you shop with us, you're not just purchasing bottles – you're joining a community dedicated to wine appreciation and education.

Educational Opportunities

The Asheville School of Wine: Founded in 2014 by our team, this educational initiative offers classes ranging from practical topics like cellar setup and proper decanting to advanced studies of geography, regions, and famous wines. Our curriculum serves both enthusiastic consumers and food and beverage professionals.

Ongoing Tastings: We always have a bottle open for tasting, allowing you to try before you buy and expand your palate with guidance from our experts.

Wine Tours: Metro Wines offers multiple guided wine tours to France each year, providing immersive educational experiences in some of the world's most important wine regions.

Community Connection

Our commitment to community extends beyond wine sales:

Local Charity Support: We donate generously to local charities, understanding that strong communities enhance everyone's quality of life.

Employment Opportunities: We provide local employment and ensure our profits, taxes, and investments support the Asheville community.

Industry Leadership: Our team's involvement in wine education, blind tasting leagues, and professional development helps elevate Asheville's position as a culinary destination.

Convenient Location and Accessibility

Located at 169 Charlotte Street, Metro Wines is perfectly positioned for visitors to Skin Spa Asheville. Our location on the way to the Grove Park Inn offers several advantages:

Easy Access: Just minutes from Skin Spa Asheville, making it convenient to combine your spa day with fine wine shopping
Ample Parking: Free, close, and easy parking eliminates the stress of finding a spot in downtown Asheville
Strategic Location: Our position allows easy access whether you're staying at area hotels or heading home to other parts of Asheville

Conclusion: Elevating Your Wine Shopping Experience

After a rejuvenating day at Skin Spa Asheville, continue your journey of indulgence with a visit to Metro Wines. Our combination of expert staff guidance, personalized shopping assistance, and extensive custom ordering capabilities creates a wine shopping experience that goes far beyond the basic.

Whether you're seeking the perfect bottle to commemorate your spa day, building a collection of fine wines, or simply exploring new tastes with expert guidance, Metro Wines provides the knowledge, service, and selection that transforms wine shopping from a routine task into an enriching experience.

Contact us today through our website or visit us at 169 Charlotte Street, call (828) 575-9525, or text "Wine Please!" to discover why we've been Asheville's #1 wine shop for seven consecutive years. At Metro Wines, we don't just sell wine – we create experiences, build relationships, and help you discover the perfect bottles for every moment that matters.

Come see us. A friendly face will be waiting. And we always have a bottle open to taste @MetroWines!