Purity Wine is a winery dedicated to organic and natural wines and the Study, the affiliated wine bar, expands on that dedication. The Study offers not only Purity’s range of pet nats, roses, red, and orange wines, but also bottles from some of their fellow natural winemakers making wine onsite, such as TyTy Wine and Gearhead Wines. The spot also welcomes winemakers from further afield, such as an event with Manuel Moraga Gutierrez of Cacique Maravilla in Chile.

Banter Wine is finally open after a few bumps in the road, but the El Cerrito community is welcoming this new wine bar with open arms. Expect wines from France, Italy, Spain, Mexico, and South Africa, skewing toward sustainable, organic, biodynamically produced wines from smaller wineries.

Both tasting room and wine bar, Riggers Loft offers tasty pours with unbeatable bay views. The tasting room for R&B Cellars, Riggers Loft also regularly features wines from Carica Wines, Wachira Wines, Prima Materia, and more. There is a menu of Limited Reserve and Library Wines, and they also offer ciders from Far West Cider Company (for any wine-averse tag-alongs).

Snail Bar has become a local favorite for those exploring the natural wine scene in Oakland, with in-the-know folks following chef Andres Giraldo Florez from his time at Saison (and Mugaritz and WD-50 before that) to this corner spot. Though there have recently been some issues with neighbors and a now-resolved controversy around service charges, the wine bar has continued to offer an ever-changing menu of bites meant to go alongside the extensive bottle and by-the-glass selections.

DAYTRIP opened in 2021 with a wine selection as funky as their food menu. Jenny Eagleton (formerly of The Punchdown Natural Wine Bar) oversees the beverages, and the carefully curated selection runs the gamut from a red rice sake to a Lambrusco pet nat. The small wine shop corner shows prices for take-home and dine-in, and with most bottles under $50, Daytrip offers the chance to discover a new wine (or sake, or cider) without splashing out loads of cash.

One of the Grande Dames of the Oakland wine scene, Ordinaire has been an East Bay favorite since opening in 2013. Like other Oakland wine bars Ordinaire shines a spotlight on natural wines and those who make them, with a rotating selection of by-the-glass offerings to complement the extensive bottle selection in the shop.

Couple Josiah Baldivino and Stevie Stacionis started this Oakland wine shop and bar in 2014, serving wines and small plates in a comfortable setting. If you’re intimidated by wines, the shop offers tastings on Saturdays, and blind tastings on Sundays, if you’re really looking to dig deeper into the various styles.

It’s easy to switch into an experimental mode with the wide selection at the Punchdown. Fresh off a 2022 James Beard Foundation award nomination for outstanding wine program, this is one of the best spots in the East Bay to do a deep dive into the world of natural wines. By the glass pours are available in addition to bottles, and a happy hour wine menu makes exploring the world of natural wines a bit more affordable for those new to the scene.

CoCo Noir is placing BIPOC- and women-led wineries front and center at its wine bar and bottle shop in Oakland. Order a flight of wine and learn about businesses such as the McBride Sisters, Mela, Kumusha, and Where’s Linus?

If minimo’s aesthetic is minimal its wine selection is anything but that. A frequently changing by-the-glass menu is available daily, and any bottle in the shop can be enjoyed on-site for just a $10 corkage fee. On Fridays and Saturdays they offer a featured flight, a great opportunity to explore some of the natural wines they have on hand, which span the globe from California to France, Georgia (the country) to Slovenia.

The name is a tribute to owner Dianah Rodriguez’s late father, Pastor Virgilio Remorca, but don’t expect a holier-than-thou attitude when it comes to the drink selection at this Alameda wine bar and cafe. The approachable menu covers both Old World and New World favorites, with flights of red, white, rose, and sparkling available. And with no glass over $16, The Preacher’s Daughters is a great spot to enjoy quality wine without breaking the bank.

If you’re looking to extensively explore Italian wines alongside a selection of classic Italian antipasti, Locanda Wine Bar is more than willing to oblige. Get a selection of meats and cheese, while drinking a glass of rosé or pinot grigio of your choice (or whatever else you’re feeling at the moment). There are special events to attend, such as wine dinners and live music nights, plus a cocktail menu for those who perhaps aren’t as enthusiastic about wine.