Chelsea Wine Vault

Chelsea Wine Vault
75 9th Ave
(between 15th St & 16th St)
New York, NY 10011


I have mixed views on Chelsea Market. Their wine selection across the Old World/New World is pretty solid, and I have had positive experiences with most of the sales staff who have a thorough understanding of the wines they sell. (Especially the old guy, who spent five minutes talking with me through the nuances of New Zealand Pinot Noir.) Their tastings are decent, but don't come close to the selection and quality of Eataly and Le Du Wine (which regularly pours $40+ wines on Saturday afternoons like it is liquid candy).

However, Chelsea Wine Vault occupies some prime real estate in the eponymous Chelsea Market, and this is clearly reflected in the prices.

For example, I bought a Francois Pinon Vouvray "Silex Noir" 2008 for a blind tasting for a wine exam upon the recommendation of one of the sales staff. Although they had only two Vouvrays on the shelf, it was clearly the right choice, with the off-dry, honeysuckle, and mineral flavors emblematic of Chenin Blanc from that region in the Loire Valley. However, I was shocked to see that same wine retail for $21.99 at Chamber St. Wines, one of the more expensive stores in the city. (CWV retail price = $26.99).

Life is too short to buy cheap wine, but it still long enough where you should consider how you spend your money.