Fine Vineyard

Markups are higher than normal, perhaps due to the convenience factor?
They’re good in a pinch with an okay-​ish selection (read: see my last review and Biz Markie reference). That said and like I just said, markups are abnormally high (esp on liquor) and with Avenue just a short jaunt south from Unilocal MKE HQ on Howell, it’s rare I find myself at Fine these days.

A decent go-​to spot for some quick liquor pick up.
They have a nice wine room tucked in the side (look for it) along with the wooden racks in the center of the store. I still wish the selection was a bit bigger, however. But, I suppose not too shabby.
They are always open, too.
The guys who work the counter are very nice. Sometimes a little flirty but thus far, in an acceptable enough manner.

Strip mall domination/​monopoly!
Conceivably, the establishments inside this gas station/​liquor store/​pizza place/​Indian restaurant are owned by the same extended family, but that’s purely speculative. I’m just saying that based on how people were moving back and forth seamlessly — it’s not entirely out of the question. This review applies only to the Fine Vineyards. Date of most recent visit: October 15, 2013
Location: 4 out of 5
Aside from the Circle K down the street from me, in the third ward, this is probably the closest liquor store. It’s less than a mile away, which means that walking isn’t entire out of the question especially if I make a «day» out of it and go to Colectivo first, or if I hit up O’Lydia’s afterwards. It’s a quick bike ride to the plaza and close enough that I don’t feel obligated to get huge volumes of items at once. Parking is free and plentiful, and like I said — if you also need gas or pizza or Indian food while you’re there, lucky dog!
Cleanliness/​Organization: 4 out of 5
The store was clean, well-​lit, and the placement of merchandise flowed nicely. Beers along the walls in the coolers or on the floor along those aisles, and wine racks throughout the rest of the store. I didn’t see any prominent stains or misplaced merchandise, which is always a plus.
Customer service: 3 out of 5
The guys working there were nice enough — textbook zeroth or first generation immigrants probably working their tails off every single day so that their kids can be born into middle class like it ain’t no thang. I get it, and I’m sympathetic because by having a wide variety of items that would attract different types of people, they probably get um… different types of people in the store, not all of whom share the same socioeconomic bracket. Like I said — nice enough, not outwardly charismatic like the guy I always see working at the Circle K, but it’s fine.
Spectrum of items offered: 5 out of 5
Holy craaaaaap. I’ve NEVER been in a liquor store where I’ve seen the nasty small bottles of cherry limeade colapinada UV vodkas in the front, IN ADDITION to the little plastic 2 oz bags of «spirits» (excellent for cooking, though I doubt that’s who goes in and buys them). Beer selection amused me. Equal amounts macro «cheap» (Schlitz, Beast, Blatz, PBR, High Life LIGHT, etc. but interestingly, no PBR Light) and regional/​domestic/​import micro ranging from your favorites like Amstel and Corona to Big Bay, NG, Muddy Waters, Horny Goat, Capital, Lagunitas, etc. The wine choices were also interesting — they had a little selection devoted to Wisconsin specific wines (nice shoutout, but… eh, perhaps not so successful from a monetary or practical standpoint), and in addition to what I would consider to be house reds and whites, they had moderately priced bottles between 14 $ and 25 $ that consistently rank pretty well in those wine guides. Sadly, I didn’t really take a look at their hard liquors, but to notice the selection at the front.
Also, you could buy cases of Steel Reserve. I kid you not. If I were kidding, would I have made a brand new paragraph?
Value: 5 out of 5
Can’t argue with a good deal. 12 packs of PBR cans were 8.50, as were a good deal of the craft microbrew 6 pack bottles. They run a deal where if you buy a 12 pack of Schlitz, you can get a free glass, and if you get a 12 pack of Horny Goat, you can get a coupon for a free flight tasting at the HG brewery/​eatery.
Overall: 4 out of 5
Will return in the future. Much closer than making the trek to the Pig, more beer variety than the Circle K, and much cheaper than the Public Market.

This place is pretty good. They have a good, possibly great, but not awesome selection of beer in six packs and some 22oz. bottles. The staff is nice enough, but not too friendly. They have a lot of wine too, but I’m not really a wine guy so I can’t tell you if it’s a good selection.
It is in the same strip as a gas station, an Indian restaurant, a pizza place, and a chocolate shop. If you need beer or wine and are here anyway, it makes sense to stop. You are not likely to be disappointed.

So when you think liquor stores attached to gas stations you probably think camouflage cans of Hi-​Life and Boone’s farm. The Fine Vineyard liquor store will definitely change your tune. They’ve got a great selection of wine, liquor and beer. I saw some micros that you rarely ever see in even the best «in-​the-​know» specialty shops. This place does well as a neighborhood liquor store, as well as when searching for something special.

A liquor store next to a gas station isn’t expected to have a great selection, right?
Well, Martha’s Vineyard EXCEEDS your expectations with the GREAT selection found in their walk-​in wine cooler!
AWESOME selection and the prices are generally FAIR… yet another surprise!
Great beer cooler too and plenty of selection in the hard liquor section also!