Old-school wine lovers congregate among the couches and ta- bles of The Wine Therapist in East Dallas. It’s a place where genera- tions can gather and find common ground over a curated wine list of global selections. If you have a cool aunt or uncle, they’re defi- nitely regulars here. Also, every week, they host a variety of local talent. Ampelos Wines 411 W. Eighth St. Ampelos is the only wine bar in Dallas to sell natural wines exclu- sively (meaning the wines haven’t been manipulated with additives or preservatives). There are daily features of sparkling, red, white and rose varietals, plus snacks that can be enjoyed inside or outside on the patio. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, there are four wine flights available for $15 each. The bar doubles as a bottle shop, so you’ll likely leave with a bottle or two. Bodega Wine Bar 6434 E. Mockingbird Lane Bodega Wine Bar is a favorite hangout when looking for quality pours or flights from serious sommeliers. While the exterior remains unassuming along with the rest of the shops in Lakewood Village, the interior is cave-like, resembling a cozy wine cellar, and it can feel like you’ve stumbled upon a hidden gem. The menu is divided into two columns of expertly curated flights: whites and reds. Flights are a perfect way to get a little taste of everything; otherwise, you can order any listed wine by the glass or check the chalkboard for the sommelier picks. And to top it off? There’s plenty of parking. Neighborhood Cellar 246 W. Davis St. A family-owned favorite of residents and visitors in Bishop Arts, Neighborhood Cellar is a go-to for its comprehensive wine collec- tion and competitive prices. The menu has six different tastings among sparkling, rosé, white and red varieties, each of which has a quirky name to match. We tried the “Daddy chill, what the hell is even that?”, a flight of three, chillable red wines that are light, fruity and perfect to beat the heat. If you plan to stay a while, you can or- der by the glass or two, or choose five wines for a tasting. The laid- back atmosphere and knowledgeable staff make this a comfortable spot to land no matter the occasion. You may even walk away with a bottle or two from the Cellar’s aisle of bottles from around the world. Barcelona Wine Bar 5016 Miller Ave. Bringing the laidback Mediterranean vibe to the North Hender- son area, Barcelona Wine Bar serves up an extensive wine list high- lighting Spain and South America alongside an endless array of tapas and charcuterie combinations. It’s one of the largest Spanish wine selections in the U.S. with more than 400 wines available by the bottle. A full page of wine highlights sparklings, reds, whites, rosés, as well as dry and sweet sherry varietals. You can order 3-ounce glasses if you want to try many and still walk out upright, 5 ounces for a couple of your favorites or commit to a bottle from the master wine list. Wayward Coffee Co. 1318 W. Davis St. and 2025 E. Irving Blvd. Did you know this boutique cafe with outposts in the Bishop Arts District and Design District has a wine program? Sure enough. Wayward Coffee Co. has a great natural wine program and club called Lucky Draw. They spotlight three wines per month, which are available by the glass. They also curate events around their selec- tions. For example, on March 29 they’re pairing a Lucky Draw Wine Club pick with a pop-up from Oak Cliff pizza and sandwich shop, Cenzo’s. You can join the wine to gain access to their picks, which are hard to find elsewhere, which is actually a steal. - provided by Desiree Gutierrez DALLAS OBSERVER • CRAVE 2025 45
