While you can always find a decent bottle at Total Wine or your nearest grocery store, there’s something special about shopping a well-curated selection with a knowledgeable staff who can help you find exactly what you’re looking for — or lead you to discover something new. Here are a few of my favorite places to shop for wine in LA.

Kippered (Downtown LA)

While Kippered is technically a “tinned fish and Champagne bar”, they offer all kinds of natural wines: bubbly, white, orange, pink, red — whatever you’re in the mood for, whatever your wallet can handle. You can purchase bottles of wine for 30% off of the menu price, but I’d definitely recommend staying for awhile to sample a few glasses, pop open a can or two of tinned sardines, and chat with the staff (who are some of the friendliest people in LA).

Monsieur Marcel (at The Grove)

What’s better than picking up some great bottles while shopping and munching your way through The Original Farmers Market? The wine shop at Monsieur Marcel focuses mostly on French wines, with great options at every price point. Their wine experts have never steered me wrong!

Stanley’s Wet Goods (Culver City)

Stanley’s is part shop, part wine bar. They’ve got a great selection of wines, including a solid natural wine section, plus spirits and artisanal snacks. The kind of place that’s dangerous to pop into.

Wine House (West LA)

If Food & Wine has called it one of “the world’s best wine shops”, there’s really not much more I need to say. Don’t be intimidated though: Wine House has an enormous selection neatly organized by region, with something for every occasion and budget. Whether you’re spending $20 or $2,000, you’ll have plenty to choose from. Bonus: free parking in their private lot upstairs!

Wine Stop (Downtown LA, Echo Park, Silver Lake)

Wine Stop is the definition of a neighborhood wine shop done right: friendly owner, carefully chosen selection of natural wines, and prices that will make you do a double take. The kind of place you pop in for one bottle and leave with three.