Much like wine bars in Amsterdam, the city’s selection of independent wine shops seems to have ballooned in recent years. Amsterdam’s wine shops are understanding that consumers want more than a cheap tipple, and are starting to offer great advice about wine pairings, wine styles and more. Note that many of the shops mentioned below offer tastings and classes as well.
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10 of Amsterdam’s Best Generalist Wine Shops
Bilderdijk Wijnhuys
Along the busy Bilderdijkstraat in Amsterdam West, Bilderdijk Wijnhuys is a convivial neighbourhood shop known for its personal service and well-curated selection. Whether you’re after a well-known bottle or a hidden gem, Bilderdijk delivers quality and variety at a reasonable price. You’ll find traditional favourites like Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc and Burgundian Chardonnay, lesser known bottles like Gamay from the Savoie region or even Dutch whites from Limburg and Zeeland, plus a broad selection of refreshing rosé in summer. (Full disclosure: I also used to work there – please say hi to Mike from me!)
Grapedistrict
With a handful of shops scattered across the city – including De Pijp, Oud-West and the Jordaan – Grapedistrict strikes an admirable balance between approachable and well-curated, selling everyday drinking wines that don’t break the bank. Most bottles fall in the €8–€15 range, but they also stock some showstoppers for when you’re feeling flush. The focus is on small producers and lesser-known regions, with a good proportion of organic and sustainable wines in the assortment. Plus, the friendly staff don’t do wine snobbery – just decent, practical advice. I also appreciate the tasting notes and winemaker’s stories that appear on handy little cards next to each wine on the shelf.
Wijnhandel van Krimpen
A historic fixture since 1949, Wijnhandel van Krimpen (pictured below) is hidden away down the maze of small streets in de Pijp neighbourhood, and offers a diverse range of wines. Specialising in both European classics and new discoveries, the shop features silky Burgundy Pinot Noir, robust Tuscan Sangiovese, innovative orange wines, celebratory sparklings and everything in between. The expertise and enthusiasm of Van Krimpen’s knowledgeable staff make it a go-to for local wine enthusiasts.
Cave de l’Est
Tucked down Pretoriusstraat in Amsterdam Oost, Cave de l’Est is a charming treasure trove of a wine shop that specialises in French and other European wines. From robust Bordeaux reds to elegant Alsace Rieslings, their selection also includes more off-the-beaten-path finds, like a light, juicy Grenache or a funky orange wine. With its friendly and approachable vibe, Cave de l’Est is a great spot to explore exclusive wines that you won’t find anywhere else.
Hart’s Wijnhandel
Dating back to the 1800s, Hart’s Wijnhandel is one of Amsterdam’s oldest wine shops – handily located on Vijzelgracht in the centre of the city. Hart’s beautiful split-level building has a mezzanine floor that’s perfect for tastings, which means they host some very interesting events (including direct from the vignerons themselves). Hart’s is affiliated with Henri Bloem, so most of their wines come from this famous Dutch importer.
De Ware Jacob
Speaking of old wine shops, De Ware Jacob also dates back decades and certainly looks the part, with its polished wooden façade on the corner of Keizersgracht and Herenstraat (in the heart of the Canal Belt). As well as wine, De Ware Jacob specialises in whiskey and mezcal, with well-informed staff who can tell you all about them. Definitely worth stopping by during a stroll through the Jordaan.
Bâtard
In ritzy Oud-Zuid, Bâtard (pictured below) is a charming shop with ornate chandeliers and atmospheric dark-wood racks throughout. Perhaps because of the neighbourhood, prices are on the higher side, with the French wine regions being particularly well-represented (although you’ll also find wines from all over the world).
Wine & Roses
Back in de Pijp, Wine & Roses is a boutique wine shop that focuses on organic and biodynamic wines, predominantly from Europe. Their shelves are stocked with German pet-nat, oxidative amber wines from Georgia and organic rosato from Abruzzo – as well as many more traditional bottles from France, Germany, Spain and Italy. Owner Bart also organises monthly tasting events and has a WhatsApp group with hot-off-the-press new bottles that have just come into stock. With a commitment to sustainability and quality, Wine & Roses is a haven for eco-conscious wine lovers.
Chabrol Wines
Founded in 1991, Chabrol Wines has long been a favourite among Amsterdam’s wine lovers, thanks to its expertly curated selection of organic and biodynamic wines, drawn from underrepresented appellations around France as well as small producers across Europe. The staff are happy to guide you towards something you might not have tried before, and there are often tasting opportunities. Chabrol Wines now has two branches: the original shop on Haarlemmerstraat (next door to their sister restaurant Bistrot Neuf) and a newer store on Overtoom.
Vindict
With two locations in Amsterdam (one in the Jordaan and one in Noord), Vindict offers a diverse selection of wines, primarily from Europe but there are some New World wines as well. Vindict also carries a large collection of Dutch wines, which can be surprisingly hard to come across, even here in the Netherlands. At the Vindict in Noord, you’ll find not only their shop but also Wijnbar Vindict – a relaxed wine bar offering over 50 wines by the glass – give you the chance to try before you buy.
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5 of Amsterdam’s Best Specialist Wine Shops
Design & Wijn
Speaking of Dutch wine, you’ll find by far the biggest selection inside Design & Wijn on Haarlemmerdijk. Co-owners Rose and Diederik have bundled their love of design and Dutch wine to create a small but beautifully curated shop dedicated to products from the Netherlands. Whether you’re curious about elegant Auxerrois from Zeeland, juicy Pinot Noir from Limburg or even port-style fortified wine from Gelderland, Design & Wijn is the place to discover local terroir and support Dutch winemakers.
Wijnhuis.Amsterdam
Importing everything themselves, from producers with whom they’ve built personal relationships – that’s what the friendly folk at Wijnhuis.Amsterdam (pictured below) pride themselves on. So it’s perhaps unsurprising that they specialise in German wines – given that regions like the Mosel, Pfalz and Baden are comparatively close to the Netherlands. Most of their wines are low intervention, but not funky or faulty, and they regularly have bottles open to taste.
The Wine Spot
Located in the Baarsjes neighbourhood, The Wine Spot specialises in Portuguese wines, with a carefully selected range of bottles from well-known Portuguese regions and lesser-known producers alike. It’s a must-visit for fans of spritzy Vinho Verde, smooth Douro Valley red blends or steely Dao whites (to name just a few). But it also carries plenty of bottles from the rest of Europe, too. Of all the wine shops in this guide, The Wine Spot is probably the most affordable: it offers a huge range of wines for under €13 and plenty for under €9. Bargain!
Enoteca Sprezzatura
Enoteca Sprezzatura brings a slice of Italy to the Czar Peterbuurt, specialising in Italian wines from both classic and emerging regions. Whether you’re after a bold Barolo from Piedmont, a rich Amarone from Veneto or an ocean-spray Vermentino from Sardinia, this shop offers a carefully curated selection that showcases Italy’s diverse winemaking traditions. They also have their own importer, Verkerk Wijnimport.
De Wijnwinkel
On the always buzzing Negen Straatjes in the centre of the city, De Wijnwinkel has a hipster vibe with its strong focus on natural wines. Hailing from small-scale wineries from all over Europe, the shop’s wines are all imported directly by De Wijnwinkel, which also supplies many local restaurants in Amsterdam.
Looking for more wine in Amsterdam?
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