Purity Wine is a winery dedicated to organic and natural wines and the Study, the affiliated wine bar, expands on that dedication by offering 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 a recent event with Manuel Moraga Gutierrez of Cacique Maravilla in Chile.

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).

Wine So Cru’s owner and Certified Sommelier Nu-Beer Putthongvilai has put together a well-crafted selection of international and domestic wines at her Berkeley wine shop and bar. The list is exceedingly approachable and affordable for those looking for memorable bottles for celebrations. There are plenty of bottle options under $30 as well, along with a by-the-glass list for those who want to sit and sip awhile.

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.

Up in the hills of Oakland’s Montclair Village neighborhood, Perle Wine Bar leans heavily on some of the most well-known wine regions in France and California for the bulk of a wine menu that complements its French-tinged food. Wines are available by the glass and bottle, with some high-end bottles ready and available in case you wanted a unique wine option.

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.

Although Slug is cut from the same cloth as its sister spot, Snail Bar, pouring glasses of natural wine alongside small plates, think of this as perhaps a harder partying younger sister. At night, this downtown Oakland spot features a gliterring mirrorball and a DJ spinning tunes, as you shimmy along in your seat and sip a glass of pet-nat.

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.

An offshoot of Cordial Bottle Shop, Cordial Cellar and Lounge offers a curated selection of wines by the glass alongside small bites in a sleek basement level space in the Castro Valley Marketplace. The by-the-glass menu pulls heavily from California wine country, with select appearances from international wineries. Education is a big component of the experience at Cordial, also, with various wine flights always on the menu and guided Wednesday night tasting experiences, wine suppers, pop-ups, and more.

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.