On August 1st, USA Today published a list of its choice for the Ten Best Wine Shops in the country. Virginia’s wine shops were Crush Pad Wines on the Downtown Mall in Charlottesville (#5), and Katbird’s Wine & Gourmet Shoppe in Abingdon (#7). Interestingly, Virginia tied with Illinois as the state outside California for having two stores on the list.
Crush Pad Wine is a wine, bourbon, & champagne bar located at the historic downtown mall in Charlottesville with a small plate & charcuterie boards menu. Crush Pad was opened in 2021 by Vincent Derquenne and Co., who also presides over Bizou and Bang! restaurants nearby in Charlottesville’s Downtown area.
Serving Southwest Virginia since 1995, Katbird’s is the area’s largest established fine wine retailer. Their dream is to bring a taste of Europe to the beautiful mountains of the area.
“These 10 shops — selected by an expert panel and voted by readers as the best in the U.S. — provide a sense of discovery and intimacy, often hosting events and offering recommendations that cater to individual tastes, making each visit a bespoke experience. Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or new to the world of wine, these local gems are sure to enhance your appreciation for the finer sips in life,” says USA Today in the piece, at https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel/best-wine-shop-2024/.