Wine & Spirits Premium Collection

What can you say about a state run liquor store — it has an adequate selection of merchandise sold in a space which has about as much personality as the prison visitation rooms seen in movies. PA liquor laws and sales are rivaled only by UT — they are incredibly arcane relics of a bygone era, and the legacy of a post-​Prohibition teetotaler governor who crafted the original rules to make it as hard & as expensive as possible for Pennsylvanians to imbibe … i.e., they’re what we’d call «Nanny State» rules today. That said, at least the clerks with whom I’ve dealt at this store are cordial and helpful… more typically at other stores, the staff embodies the stereotype of the government employee, and customer service is not on the menu.

One of my favorite wine stores in the PA system. They always have lots of Chairman’s Select to choose from.
The store is well laid out, although it’s not always easy to find things, even when I know they have the inventory in the store.
Staff could be better trained in the wines they carry, many don’t seem to drink wine.
I like their Spanish section, and their sparkling wines.
Sometimes the lines are longer than some of the other stores, but they seem to move quickly.

I haven’t been here since they remodeled so I was stunned when I walked in and saw the upgraded and classy new look they have going on at this store! I was very impressed and it seems that they have also expanded their wine selections as well as some of their premium alcohol selections. I was very impressed with the new dark wood shelving and the layout of the store with the new signage — it made it a very pleasant browsing/​shopping experience.
I appreciate that they offer a modest variety of organic wines, though I do wish that they offered more varieties because there are a lot of great organic wineries from the Pacific Northwest and from California that are not being offered, my favorite being the wines created by Organic Wine Works (Hallcrest Vineyards), which this store carried when they first opened. So it falls short of 5 stars for me because they could really do a better job of carrying a more diverse selection of organic wines rather than the standard 30+ bottles of Frey Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay/​Sauvignon Blanc which you can find at most of the smaller Wine & Spirit stores around the greater Pittsburgh area.

Best wine and liquor selection within the city limits and here is why:
About a year ago [August 2014] this store went through a full revamp in look and feel. Rather than the standard grocery style layout this store centers around the check out hub, an elegant, traffic controlling queue line that speeds you through the process and allows the outside wall space to free up for a greater selection.
This is primarily a wine rather than a liquor store, with a medium sized domestic and international selection and supplemented with a fairly large Chairman’s selection. For those who are not familiar with Chairman’s selections, these are [usually domestic] wines that have been purchased by the state in large quantities due to discontinuation and are being pushed through the sales channel. They are fantastically priced for a good quality trade off.
However, this store does hold it’s own in liquor. While they are do not hold a overstock of different, smaller liquors outside of the mainstream Diageo staples, this location deliberately makes a point of pushing the seasonal and new liquors to the PA market. Additionally, there are usually tastings for those more adventurous examples, and inside the displays you can find different types drink recipes. Definitely excited for when those come around.
The staff is friendly and helpful, especially when collecting feedback from their daily wine selection tasting station. They will move you happily along, chat with you when you work and overall leave you with a friendly disposition when you leave. [which you should anyways, after all, you just bought wine or liquor]
Love it.

Being from Texas I’m use to warehouse liquor stores. Upon moving to PA, i was sadly mistaken regarding the alcohol laws here. I feel like im living under a rock when it comes to liquor. This location however has given me a glimpse of hope. Although they have an abundance of wine which im unfortunately not a fan of, and the selection of liquor is still no where near what im accustomed to, its more vast than other Wine and Spirits in the area. Whatever they lack in selection is made up in the upscale atmosphere of the store. It is very clean, organized, and the service is top notch. I was approached by several employees asking if i needed assistance as i cluelessly wondered the store. Ill be back for sure

How can I not be a fan of the best selection in Pittsburgh? It’s hard to rate a government-​owned store with set prices, but overall it’s not bad, considering the constraints. Store is very clean and in a good location with easy parking. I am a bit disappointed with their bourbon selection. Even though they have a decent variety, I didn’t really see anything unique ont their shelf. Admittedly, I’ve had a lot of bourbons in my life, but usually I can find at least one I haven’t had at most stores. Unfortunately, there’s not a lot of small batch and limited edition bourbons and whiskey selections here. That being said, they absolutely have enough variety to keep a guy like me happy for many months to come until I travel somewhere and find other unique options. Seems like an excellent wine collection, and I like the fact that they offer a wine club «subscription» either at the Discovery ($ 25-​$ 35 per month for 2 bottles) or Aficionado ($ 40-​$ 60 per month for 2 bottles) levels. I may have to sign up just to see what they offer on the higher level. Overall, very easy to navigate and the prices are clearly marked. Wish they had a «value» section or some way to pull out their «highly rated» wines to highlight great values instead of making you search. Of course I will be back, since this is the Premium store! Oh… the benefits of being owned and operated by the government!

Place was clean and organized but really sparce. Hell, every liquor store after the holidays are. Very poor moonshine and Irish whiskey selection but a TON of wine. Add some craft IPAs and its a white peoples wet dream. Win, win situation!

Definitely a place where you can find the ideal wine

Classy, urban, great location and helpful associates… what more can you ask for when hunting for booze, right? Okay, I kid… I’m a classy lush that enjoys a nice glass of wine at home after a long work week. I also like variety which I why I’m so happy I found this store. I like how they have a huge clearance section with a bunch of selections. The wine is categorized by type like all of the other state run stores but this one is much larger, one of the reasons for the premium designation. I will be back, soon, uhhhh… like this weekend. Lol

I consider myself a tyro in the alcohol department. The only alcoholic drinks I have consumed (and can remember) are some typical college beer, shots of random liquors, mouth-​puckering dry wines that my dad fancies, and a small selection of my own daring picks of beer and wines. I can only «read» so much about other’s highly subjective remarks about the various kinds of beer and wines. To aggravate my problem, the list of alcoholic beverages and possible pairings is endless. This is when interacting with someone who really knows their stuff comes in handy! I’m not talking about playing Twenty Questions with an alcoholic. I’m talking about going to a Wine & Spirits Store (preferably THIS store) and asking one of the employees there. While they might not be certified sommeliers, they can offer their educated recommendations.
Now, about the store. This particular store is leaps and bounds above the other Wine & Spirits stores in Pittsburgh in terms of customer service, space, selections, cleanliness, and parking. I already mentioned how helpful the employees are. The store recently had renovations and expansions done, so the interior is larger and more spacious than it was over a year ago. More space means more room for shelves of wine and liquor! With the recent changes, I now have to spend twice the time browsing the shelves and finding what I want. Even with the larger space, cleanliness has clearly not been neglected. The entire store, from the floors to the ceiling and everything in between, is cleaner than my room (I’m a really neat and organized person, so that actually means something). Finally, the store is located at the top of a parking garage, so space is not a big problem. If you think it is, take a glance next door to the parking lot at Whole Foods Market, particularly in the late afternoon or the weekend. Quietly observe the chaos occurring there (open mouth optional) and return to your business.
So, if you ever need help choosing a good wine and more, definitely take a trip to this store! If you haven’t eaten yet, take a pit stop at the new Chipotle next door or at one of the great restaurants along South Highland Avenue.

This store is convenient for location, but as for variety you won’t find it here. I rarely go here because I like many different types of wine. Although if you’re looking to grab something real quick before you go home or on your way to a get together then this might be a good location for you. There is a lot of activity outside this location. There are many people coming in and out. On another note, I’m not sure how knowledgeable the clerks are about wine because I knew what I was looking for. I’ll make sure to ask next time if I don’t already have my mind made up!

Though I had come to this wine and spirits store once before, I did some serious browsing here this evening, looking for the perfect wine for the last First Friday at the Frick of the summer. I go to the Monroeville wine and spirits store pretty frequently, and though this location is a similar size, I liked their selection better. I am a huge fan of Gewurztraminers and saw a few here that Monroeville does not carry.

Since resent remodeling this place looks quite nice and has an extensive selection of wine. They also have better hours than most other wine & spirits and are open on sundays until 5. I am sure you will find what you are looking for and for a decent price.

This is one of the best W&S stores I’ve been to. This one in particular carries a wide (I mean really wide) selection of wines, liquors, and even absinthe. There’s even a dedicated wine cooler that sells prime wines that’s been aged for 5~10 years. I’m quite impressed by the selection of sake and soju they offer, as it’s rather difficult to find in most stores, granted they even sell them.
Whether you’re searching for a small treat for yourself or searching for a bottle of vino for a gathering, this W&S will not disappoint.

As far as Pittsburgh Wine & Spirits stores go, this one is probably the best. That being said, it’s so depressing to come to this store after buying wine in New Jersey for years. Sigh. In any event, the staff is generally friendly, and there are some decent tasting notes on the featured wines near the front of the store.
The selection is surprising as well, and I am able to get some of my favorite Napa Valley wines here without special ordering. They don’t have everything I’m looking for all of the time, but there are usually at least a few options, even when I’m looking for something specific.

This is by far one of the newest and nicest wine and spirits in the city. The selection is the best by far than any other shop in the city.
It is huge and well lit. I have to say that it was difficult to make a selection on wine in here because of the vast selection they had. Not only that, but how the aisles are set up. Some aisles end without explanation. You expect to reach the end of an aisle and walk to the next as you swing around the end of it. Not so in here. It appears that their specials for the week make up a makeshift wall, so unless you are a track star that jumps hurdles, you won’t be able to get past here without walking back down to the end of the aisle.
If you are in the mood for wine, they do have a section called the Cellar with chilled wines to choose from.
I also have to say that people mean business in here if they go shopping with a cart.

I think Pennsylvanians would bitch a lot less about their state’s alcoholic beverage monopoly if more stores were like this.
This definitely seems like a showcase, considering the other state stores I visited. To me, it’s comparable to a small BevMo.
Git your booze here.

It may be labeled in Shadyside but I say it’s in East Liberty.
This is a great store and as the clerk proclaimed the largest in the area. I was more than a little impressed by the selection. This Wine and Spirits is like the Home Depot of W&S. The attendants were super helpful and the store unlike many other locations is very well staffed.
My boyfriend actually had to pull me away from the store so as not to miss a lunch date.

This is among my favorite state stores around mostly because they have a large wine selection and usually an adequate supply of the current Chairman’s Select wines — which I’m always on the lookout for. My favorite is the one in Fox Chapel (duh!) at the waterworks but the East Liberty one is not that far below.
The atmosphere is more industrial as compared to the more upscale stores elsewhere (here I am talking about atmosphere at State Stores? WTF???) but they’ve got things organized really well and I never have trouble finding what I’m looking for. The staff has always been friendly and mostly knowledgeable. Mostly. And parking right at the front door makes carrying those boxes of delights to my trunk really easy!

As far as PA Wine & Spirits stores go, this one is my favorite in Pittsburgh… by far. They have a large selection, and the layout is very open and easy to navigate.
With a nice staff, the only real issue I’ve ever had with this particular store is trying to figure out which bottles of wine we want to get. Since my wife and I are used to the Southside wine & spirits location, walking into this location is almost overwhelming… in a great way!