WineStyles

Winestyles is a GREAT addition to West Portal! I live nearby, and frequent alot of the restaurants… and stopping in at Winestyles makes sense before or after dinner depending on the time… the only draw back is this place is only open til 8 = o (Last call is at 7:45. James and Gail were super nice and knowledgable! This place is 1000 times better than Que Syrah (their West Portal wine bar rival) Parking in the ‘hood is hit or miss… it’s either super easy or difficult… persistence pays off! Thursday nights they do tasting, highly recommend attending! Usually the other people tasting are fun too, which makes it all the more enjoyable! Check this place out!

Not really a wine dude. I mean don’t get me wrong, it gets you drunk so it will always have a place in my heart but I can’t really say I am a wine snob, more of just a wino. As muni was yet again taking a nap or whatever those people do while I’m waiting 45min for the L to appear, my accomplice and I wondered out of West Portal and into Wine Styles. It’s really nice! Clean, well organized, and the owner on duty was massively welcoming to my wine connoisseur pal! He cut her some slack on pricing, and treated her with respect and dignity as a fellow wine enthusiast. They have a nice table area to enjoy a bottle, and are more than willing to hold your order for you to pick up at different time. I liked the vibe in this place, and if I ever find myself putting down the Bourbon and picking up the vino, this will be my first stop.

The selection and layout is very strange.
I went to a wine tasting and felt that the fellow doing the pouring was arrogant and not very knowledgeable (a very bad combination). I had pretty specific questions and needs and he was very indifferent to me.
I tried to talking to the female owner and she seemed bored with me or the wine, I’m not sure what was happening.
Believing that you should give people another chance or two I’ve been back and it was the same — maybe it’s because I don’t look like Walnut Creek and they do. .. .I don’t know, but I know I won’t go back.

First off, let’s start with the people who operate this place. You could not meet a more friendlier, down to earth, and just downright genuine couple to run this place. James & Gail have taught me to expand my palate and get out of my usual Chardonay comfortzone and have really turned me on to some wonderful and delicious wines. John takes over on occassion to let James & Gail, and the suggestions are always spot on when he’s there. Just great people. .. they alone are worthy of your support!
The wines are great. .. you’re not going to break the bank at this place, and you’ll find a wonderful selection of in-​expensive, yet quite delicious bottles of wine to try on a lark. Stock up with their 6 for $ 60 special, and have yourself a wine tasting with friends…they’ll never know that these 6 bottles set you back only $ 60 bucks. For those who insist, there is the «if you insist» section. .. a nice selection of higher-​end wines that are fairly priced with the other, big box sellers.
The store is comfortable and quaint, with great displays that makes it kind of fun to shop their selection. There’s enough wine accompaniments to appeal to those who may need a gift or two to go with their bottle, but it’s subtle and adds to the environment. But this place is all about the
The wine club is a great deal with a wonderful selection each month. Their Thursday and Saturday tasting events are fun and reasonable, and FREE if you’re a member, a few bucks if not.
Give these guys your support, and enjoy some wine you’ve probably never had. . you won’t be disappointed.

I organized a wine-​tasting here with 10 girlfriends. James, the owner, was very friendly and helpful during the reservation. When we arrived, the wines and cheese and crackers were ready and the choice was excellent. Great tasting wines for a good price. We spent about 50 minutes tasting and chatting and then headed over for dinner at Roti, just a few doors down.
Great fun — will definitely come back.

Hooray!
I finally got to venture into «WineStyles» the other day. I’ve been meaning to for like 6 months, I pass it by damn near every day on the «L» train in West Portal.
Love the set-​up, wines are catergorized by «Style» (hence the title of the store, ha!) versus Region or Grape.
Fruity Reds, Bold Reds… etc.
Makes it very easy to buy wine that you like by how it TASTES.
I am a self proclaimed wine snob, and I loved the set-​up, great for novice to advanced.
I picked up a Montepulciano for $ 12…and it’s damn good.
They were running a 6/​$ 60 sale (certain bottles only) so I am going back soon to restock my wine rack.

Ok so I’ve been back now about 10 times and that iffy girl, um, well I haven’t seen her so I’m happy. The owners are always there when I come in and are super nice and helpful. Also they pre-​order for me the West Portal «Crack» as they call it, for me by the case each month and hold it until I come pick it up– it is an Argentinian New Age white that when served poured over ice and with a slice of lime is heaven!!! They can’t keep it on the shelves and I can’t keep it in my kitchen! Try the wine, it is awesome! Even my non drinking friends like it.
So the owners are awesome and they store is a perfect addition, and I will be quite selfish to say that I’m quite happy that West Portal has something that can appeal to my age and interests (ie, not married yet with children)

We came here right after the wine tasting session had ended, and wanted a nice clean wine for dinner. We were gonna eat at Spiazzo, and my GF wanted a light white wine. So the «sommolier» suggested we get a Reisling and save it as a dessert wine. We enjoyed the Werner and Sohn 2006 and had a great dinner!
Although its a national chain, I wouldn’t mind buying wine from here again!

I received the worst customer service I have ever experienced at Wine Styles! I went to purchase some wine last summer and this blond lady that works there didn’t even acknowledge me. She was attending to a customer (the only other one in the shop) with the devotion of a small terrier. The customer she was waiting on was very pompous
(He might have even been an investor) however that being said you would think she would at lest said hello or even smile at me I picked out a few nice bottles and when I went up to the counter to pay she left me standing there without a word, then finally ran into the back room to get someone to ring me up. Mind you I was only buying a few bottles, but my partner was a member of their wine club and we were regular customers. I expected better. I now by my wine on line!

I’m with the group who wonders where the negative reviews are coming from. I am a huge fan of James and Gail, the owners, and their store. It’s completely different from SF Wine Trading Company on Taravel (which I also love, btw); the presentation and wine selection are quite different and there’s room for more than one wine store in the neighborhood.
WIne tasting nights are social events and while I don’t love every wine, I always find something memorable and DO like and/​or love quite a few of them. I have never seen a customer ignored; even when things are hopping during events, James or Gail do their best to greet each newcomer and give them help if it’s wanted.
EZ FREEZY… OH, Please-​y…

Beware of those who gave this amazing store a poor review. I don’t know what their problem is but I have nothing but positive things to say. I visited with a friend a while back to get a gift. I myself don’t drink but frequently buy wine as gifts for others. The store was actually closed (I had no idea) and there was an impromptu gathering inside. After wandering inside they helped me pick out a great wine for a friend. Staff was very kind and engaging and treated me with respect.
Definitely coming back!

I like this place.
They have great wines. Lots of local stuff… and one of my favorites Toadhall!
The pricing is moderate to cheap.
The owners are really nice and friendly and helpful.
I noticed their sign for the wine club and wine tastings… which is great prices, but I can’t afford another expensive habit right now. lol

why I like this place:
If you join their wine club, you get $ 1 tastings– Non member price is $ 10. A $ 9 savings! K&L doesn’t offer a tasting discount.
The 6 for $ 60. specially marked bottles are reduced to $ 10 if you buy 6. good deal.
Owners. Met Gail. She gave me a tour of the store, a description of the styles and that stuff. Really nice.
I think Wine styles is a nice addition to the West Portal hood. I wish they would have some Sunday hours.

Wow I was surprised to see some of the poor reviews for this place. I stop in now and again on my way home from work to pick up a drinkable bottle of wine that I won’t feel guilty opening up when I’m by myself, on a Tuesday night, over a frozen pizza. If that’s what you are in the market for (drink NOW wine), then the selection is good; and if you want the $ 100 Grgich Hills Cab — they got that too.
Staff is friendly and knowledgeable. No doubt they will ask you if you need help as soon as you walk in, but will leave you alone if you say you are just browsing. Yes — the accessories they have are cheesy — but are you really going in there to buy an apron that says «I love wine» or whatever? I was surprised to hear this was a chain — I had no idea! It sure doesn’t feel like a chain store.
To the person who said this place is the «final nail in the coffin» for the «yuppification of West Portal». Uhhh — no shit sherlock… when all the houses in the area are free-​standing single family homes that cost $ 1M (for starters) or close to $ 4k/​month just to rent — what do you expect?

3.5… easily rounded up for nice folks.
funny how people talk about the neighborhood changing. hey, i dont complain about it, things just happen. i remember when west portal was my stomping grounds in elementary school. i think its changed alot… for better or worse?
who the fuck am i to judge? i dont make the rules.
i just live in the 94 127.
picked up a few things here and there during my last couple visits.
organized by «styles».
better than sf wine trading up the street?
who cares, theres another wine shop in the area.
cant be a bad thing.
«flowers» pinot noir? liked.

This place is terrible. A mediocre chain store (yes — it’s a national chain!) should never have made it into this West Portal spot. The wines they sell are an uninspired lot and the various «made in China» wine gifts and accessories are lacking style. Not to mention the Disneyland décor.
If you want to check out a great wine shop in the neighborhood, walk up a few blocks to Taraval and Funston to the San Francisco Wine Trading Company. It’s a far superior store and they’ve been around for a very long time.

James and Gail are a hoot!~! Boy do they know their VINO!!!
This shop is an excellent addition to West Portal.
WineStyles has been in business One year this month.
The shop is gorgeous. Detailed rich mahogany? wood cradles the wine on the shelves. Gail told me their philosophy is to provide tasty interesting wines in the $ 10-​$ 30.00 range. And What a selection they have.
I purchased «Tre Donne» a Spumanti from Piemonte. Gail told me a lovely story of this vinter. The winery is old and historically owned by the men in the family. The father had produced no male heirs. He did not think women could make wine. Well he gave them 1 year and they surpassed all expectations and won awards. I had to buy this bottle.
I bought a Rasberry Dessert Wine. I was told it was excellent to pair with a rich Chocolate Cake.
WineStyles does have a pricer section for all you Brown Nosers. I saw some interesting bottles and they let me smell one burgandy.
They have a Wine Club
You can even sign up to hear about the weekly Thursday Night tastings.
There are also accessories, clothing, Compact Discs (Wine Music ya’ll) You have to check them out. They are convieniently located across the street from MUNI’s West Portal Station.
Have a drink on me… Hiccup… okay I am channeling an old AC/​DC song.
Salute Chin Chin Saude, Viva Down the Hatch.
Tell them Infodiva sent you. 94 127 is good for me ya’ll. West Portal is on the Come up.

I didn’t even know this place was part of a chain.
A great little wine shop near the ever busy West Portal Station.
You’ll find the working duo inside warm, friendly, and very helpful. Beside giving us their shpiel on only getting wines from small places, they also pointed out some of their favorites.
They had a wide range of price points that ran the gamut of novice $ 15 wine drinker all the way to the $ 100 wine enthusiast. I especially liked how the wine was organized by taste and then listed possible food pairings. I only wished we caught them on a day for tasting.
We ended up getting a bottle of bubbly and pinot and can’t wait to see how on point they’re suggestion were.

I love wines, especially affordable ones. This place used to be an antique furniture store until Wine Styles came in. I wondered what this place will be and boy was I surprised… a wine shop.
I occasionally drink wine when I make an Italian dinner at home and sometimes I’ll bring over a bottle to a friends house, whether its beer or liquor, wine is always good paired with food. The staff here are informative about what wines are good with what food.
As a wine drinker, it’s important to know what flavors and varietals are. Most places I’ve been to don’t know and I can’t blame that on them. Lack of funding can diminish the acquisition of such fine wine.
I am a wino!

What does one do in West Portal?
I guess you could walk around and check out the cute little shops or whatever, or possibly catch an indie flick or maybe enjoy a fine sit-​down meal.
All nice things, but basically youre not getting buck-wild…or any type of wild for that matter.
So you gotta settle for the more mellow stuff, which is fine so long as you dont have ADHD or get by on a steady diet of pills, redbulls and cigarettes.
…
So a friend and I walk out of the Muni station, stop to decide to go check out Philosophers Club and look immediately to our left and see this place Wine Styles. Nothing too fetching until we read the sign «Wine Tasting today — 6−8»…perfect.
$ 5 for wine tasting of wines from Italy. Honestly, kinda blah, and the dude who poured had a bushel of long thick nose hairs I couldn’t stop staring at.
There was one wine that was good Borolo, or something. The dude said it was the «King of wines, and the wine of Kings»
My thought: «sooooo the budweiser of wines?»
Anyways, everyone there was pretty nice, as is usually the case when wine starts-a-flowin’…noone under 45 though, so be prepared to yuck it up with a bunch of fake wine connoisseurs. Kinda fun though if you’ve mastered the art of bullshitting.
Come here for wine and a bunch of bullshit!