Where to Buy Wine Near Highland Brewing Company
After exploring the craft beer scene at Highland Brewing Company, you might find yourself craving a different kind of beverage experience. Highland Brewing has been a cornerstone of Asheville's beer culture, and the city's beverage sophistication also extends to wine.
Just a short drive away, at 169 Charlotte Street, Metro Wines offers an exceptional wine shopping experience that complements your appreciation for craft beverages with an equally impressive selection of fine wines.
Why Metro Wines is Your Perfect Next Stop:
- Voted Asheville's #1 wine shop for seven consecutive years
- Big shop selection with small shop service philosophy
- Expert staff who understand sophisticated beverage palates
- Seamless transition from beer appreciation to wine exploration
See our list of impressive press features here!
Local Expertise: Deep Roots in Asheville's Beverage Culture
Metro Wines isn't just another wine shop – we're an integral part of Asheville's thriving beverage community. Our local expertise extends beyond wine knowledge to encompass a deep understanding of Asheville's unique culture, dining scene, and the sophisticated palates that Highland Brewing has helped cultivate throughout Western North Carolina.
1. Understanding Asheville's Beverage Evolution
Asheville's transformation into a world-class beverage destination didn't happen overnight, and Metro Wines has been part of that evolution since our doors opened in 2013. Our owners, John Kerr and Gina Trippi, recognized that Asheville's growing appreciation for craft beer would naturally extend to fine wine.
Our National Recognition:
- Featured in The Wall Street Journal five times
- Recently highlighted in Wine Enthusiast magazine
- Established reputation as local experts with national credibility
2. Community Integration and Local Knowledge
Our local expertise manifests in several key ways that benefit Highland Brewing visitors:
Regional Food Scene Understanding Our staff intimately knows Asheville's restaurant landscape and can recommend wines that pair perfectly with local cuisine. Whether you're heading to a farm-to-table restaurant in downtown Asheville or planning a barbecue in the Blue Ridge Mountains, our recommendations are tailored to the local food culture.
Seasonal Awareness Living and working in Asheville means understanding how the seasons affect both dining preferences and wine enjoyment:
- Spring: Light, crisp wines perfect for mountain wildflower season
- Summer: Refreshing options ideal for brewery visits and outdoor dining
- Fall: Rich, warming wines that complement autumn's harvest abundance
- Winter: Bold, cozy selections perfect for fireside evenings
Event and Venue Knowledge We work extensively with local event planners, caterers, and venues throughout Asheville. This network means we understand the wine needs for:
- Intimate dinner parties
- Large celebrations
- Corporate events
- Wedding receptions
Tourism Insight Many Highland Brewing visitors are tourists exploring Asheville's attractions. Our staff can recommend wines that pair well with other Asheville experiences:
- Biltmore Estate visits - Elegant wines that match the grandeur
- Blue Ridge Parkway picnics - Portable, easy-drinking selections
- Downtown dining - Sophisticated options for Asheville's restaurant scene
- Mountain cabin retreats - Cozy wines perfect for highland getaways
3. Supporting Local Community Values
Like Highland Brewing, Metro Wines believes in supporting the local community that has embraced us:
- Generous charitable donations to local organizations that strengthen Asheville's community fabric
- Local employment creation that supports families throughout Western North Carolina
- Community investment through profits, taxes, and business relationships that keep money circulating locally
- Educational initiatives like The Asheville School of Wine that enhance the city's reputation as a culinary destination
Wide Selection: From Everyday Enjoyment to Rare Discoveries
One of the most significant advantages Metro Wines offers Highland Brewing visitors is our extensive selection that rivals much larger markets while maintaining the personalized service of a local shop.
1. Comprehensive Regional Coverage
Our wine selection spans the globe's most important wine regions, offering Highland Brewing visitors the opportunity to explore the same diversity in wine that they appreciate in craft beer:
California Excellence From Napa Valley legends to emerging regions throughout the Golden State:
- Napa Valley: Harlan Estate, Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon
- Sonoma County: Innovative producers pushing boundaries
- Central Coast: Value-driven discoveries with exceptional quality
- Emerging Regions: New areas showcasing California's diversity
European Classics Our European portfolio includes prestigious selections:
- French Wines: Château Cheval Blanc, Château Mouton Rothschild
- Italian Icons: Giuseppe Quintarelli, Antinori Tignanello
- Spanish Treasures: Traditional and modern expressions
- German Precision: Exceptional Rieslings and emerging varieties
Emerging Regions Just as craft brewing has expanded beyond traditional beer regions:
- Australian Innovation: Bold expressions from diverse climates
- South American Discoveries: Exciting wines from Argentina and Chile
- New World Pioneers: Unique selections from unexpected regions
Rare Dessert Wines
- Château d'Yquem Sauternes for special occasions
- Port wines perfect for contemplative moments
- Ice wines and late harvest selections
2. Price Point Diversity
Understanding that Highland Brewing visitors represent diverse backgrounds and budgets:
Everyday Drinking Wines
- Starting as low as $11.04 per bottle through our Wine Please service
- Excellent daily drinking options that don't sacrifice quality for affordability
- Perfect for casual weeknight enjoyment
Mid-Range Discoveries
- Carefully curated selections providing exceptional value
- Wines that compete with bottles costing significantly more
- Sweet spot for regular wine drinkers seeking quality
Premium and Collector Bottles
- Special occasion wines and investment-grade selections
- Rare bottles sourced through our extensive network
- Wines that appreciate in both value and drinking pleasure
Case Purchase Benefits Like Highland Brewing's approach to packaging beer:
- 15% case discount on all twelve-bottle purchases
- Makes higher-quality wines more accessible
- Perfect for stocking home cellars or entertaining
3. Specialty and Hard-to-Find Options
Highland Brewing visitors often appreciate unique and hard-to-find beverages:
Limited Production Wines Small producers who focus on quality over quantity:
- Boutique Wineries: Family-owned operations with distinctive styles
- Single Vineyard Expressions: Wines showcasing specific terroir
- Natural Wine Movement: Minimal intervention, maximum expression
- Biodynamic Producers: Sustainable farming meeting exceptional quality
Vintage Collections Our ability to source specific vintages allows:
- Vertical Collections: Multiple years of the same wine
- Birth Year Wines: Bottles from meaningful years
- Mature Wines: Properly aged selections ready to drink
Custom Ordering Capabilities When our extensive in-store selection doesn't include exactly what you're seeking:
- Global network of distributors and importers
- Access to allocated and rare bottles
- Special vintage searches
- Investment-grade wine sourcing
Expert Staff Guidance: Always a Sommelier on Duty
The most significant advantage Metro Wines offers Highland Brewing visitors is our expert staff guidance. Just as Highland Brewing maintains knowledgeable staff who can explain brewing processes and beer styles, Metro Wines always has a sommelier on duty.
1. Personalized Recommendation Process
Our expert staff guidance follows a systematic approach ensuring Highland Brewing visitors receive perfectly suited recommendations:
Step 1: Taste Profile Assessment
- Understanding current beverage preferences including favorite beer styles
- Identifying flavor profiles you enjoy in Highland Brewing selections
- Mapping beer preferences to wine characteristics
- Establishing baseline for recommendations
Step 2: Occasion and Food Pairing Consideration Context matters for wine selection:
- Casual Evening: Easy-drinking wines perfect for relaxation
- Special Celebration: Premium selections worthy of important moments
- Food Pairing: Wines that enhance specific dishes or cuisines
- Gift Giving: Impressive bottles that show thoughtfulness
Step 3: Budget Optimization
- Working within specified budget parameters
- Maximizing value at every price point
- Identifying when slight budget increases deliver significant quality improvements
- Suggesting alternatives that provide similar experiences at different price points
Step 4: Educational Component Like Highland Brewing's educational approach:
- Explaining why specific recommendations make sense
- Teaching wine characteristics and terminology
- Building confidence for future wine purchases
- Developing long-term wine appreciation skills
2. Specialized Guidance Services
Beer and Wine Pairing Expertise Our staff can suggest wines that complement the beer-focused palate:
- IPA Lovers: Wines with similar hop-forward characteristics
- Stout Enthusiasts: Rich, full-bodied reds with complementary flavors
- Lager Fans: Crisp, clean wines with refreshing qualities
- Sour Beer Appreciators: Wines with bright acidity and complexity
Food Pairing Mastery Understanding that the right pairing can make or break a special evening:
- Highland Brewing Food Menu: Wines that complement brewery fare
- Asheville Restaurant Scene: Selections perfect for local dining
- Home Cooking: Wines that enhance everyday meals
- Special Occasions: Pairings that create memorable experiences
Cellar Building Advice For Highland Brewing visitors interested in building wine collections:
- Storage Requirements: Proper conditions for wine preservation
- Aging Potential: Which wines improve with time
- Strategic Purchasing: Building collections systematically
- Investment Considerations: Wines that appreciate in value
Event Planning Support Whether you're planning events or need wines for celebrations:
- Beer and Wine Tastings: Coordinated selections creating cohesive experiences
- Highland Brewing-Themed Events: Wines that complement beer-focused gatherings
- Corporate Functions: Professional selections for business entertaining
- Personal Celebrations: Wines that make moments memorable
3. Educational Opportunities and Ongoing Support
The Asheville School of Wine Founded by our team in 2014, offering classes for all levels:
- Basic Wine Appreciation: Perfect for Highland Brewing visitors new to wine
- Advanced Sommelier Training: For serious wine students
- Food and Wine Pairing: Practical skills for entertaining
- Regional Studies: Deep dives into specific wine areas
Tasting Opportunities
- Always a Bottle Open: Try before you buy approach
- Guided Tastings: Professional instruction in wine evaluation
- Comparative Tastings: Side-by-side exploration of different styles
- Educational Context: Understanding what you're tasting and why
Continued Learning and Relationship Building
- Purchase History Tracking: Remembering your preferences and purchases
- Evolving Recommendations: Suggesting new wines based on developing tastes
- Seasonal Updates: Introducing wines perfect for current conditions
- Special Allocations: First access to rare and limited releases
Convenient Access and Service Options
Metro Wines' location at 169 Charlotte Street provides convenient access for Highland Brewing visitors while offering service options that accommodate various needs and preferences.
Location Benefits
Strategic Positioning
- On the way to Grove Park Inn making us easily accessible from Highland Brewing
- Central location allowing easy combination with other Asheville attractions
- Well-connected to major Asheville thoroughfares
Parking Advantages
- Free parking eliminating downtown costs
- Close parking reducing walking distances
- Easy parking removing stress from wine shopping
Service Flexibility
1. In-Store Shopping Experience
- Welcoming atmosphere encouraging browsing and discovery
- Staff available for guidance without pressure
- Comfortable environment for wine education
- Always a bottle open for tasting
2. Wine Please Text Service Our innovative membership program:
- Text "wine please" to 828-575-9525
- Hand-selected cases based on your preferences
- Delivery within 1-24 hours
- Perfect for Highland Brewing visitors wanting convenience without sacrificing quality
3. Delivery Options Comprehensive delivery throughout Asheville area:
- Free delivery within 3 miles
- $7.99 delivery for 3-10 miles
- $16.99 delivery for 10-15 miles
- Custom pricing beyond 15 miles
4. Custom Ordering Service When seeking specific wines or rare bottles:
- Access to global distributor network
- Sourcing wines that might seem impossible to find
- Special vintage searches
- Investment-grade wine acquisition
Conclusion: Your Next Asheville Beverage Destination
When your Highland Brewing experience leaves you wanting to explore more of Asheville's beverage sophistication, Metro Wines provides the perfect next step. Our combination of local expertise, wide selection, and expert staff guidance creates a wine shopping experience that honors the same values of quality, craftsmanship, and community that drew you to Highland Brewing.
Why Choose Metro Wines After Highland Brewing:
- Seamless Transition: From craft beer appreciation to wine discovery
- Expert Guidance: Always a sommelier on duty with Highland Brewing-level knowledge
- Local Expertise: Deep understanding of Asheville's beverage culture
- Exceptional Selection: Options for every palate and budget
- Community Values: Supporting local business and community development
Whether you're a Highland Brewing regular looking to expand your beverage horizons or a visitor wanting to take home a taste of Asheville's sophisticated drink culture, Metro Wines offers the knowledge, selection, and service that transforms wine shopping from a routine task into an enriching exploration.
Ready to Continue Your Asheville Beverage Journey?
- Visit us at 169 Charlotte Street
- Call us at (828) 575-9525
- Text "Wine Please!" for convenient delivery service
- Contact us today through our website – we're here to enhance your Asheville experience through the world of wine!
Come see us. A friendly face will be waiting. And we always have a bottle open to taste @MetroWines!