We import directly from small, family-owned wineries that focus on quality so that we can offer our customers premium wines at an exceptional value. We import directly from small, family-owned wineries that focus on quality. At our preferred wineries, the focus is on quality. University Wines has cultivated close relationships with independent, family-owned wineries in France.
We believe that small producers that hand-pick and hand-select the grapes that go into their wines, maintain a better handle on the quality of the vintages they offer. To learn more about our special relationships in France, visit Our Producers page. We recently visited Champagne and met with several smaller producers growing some of the best grapes in the region.
We believe that small producers that hand-pick and hand-select the grapes that go into their wines, maintain a better handle on the quality of the vintages they offer. To learn more about our special relationships in France, visit Our Producers page. We recently visited Champagne and met with several smaller producers growing some of the best grapes in the region.
Services
Our friendly, knowledgeable staff travels to France each spring so that we can tell you more about the wines we offer. Gordon McIntosh is the owner of University Wines in Seattle's Laurelhurst neighborhood. Before purchasing the wine shop, he was a customer of La Cantina for more than 20 years.
As Mike D. and Mike B. neared retirement, Gordon didn't want to see this neighborhood wine retailer disappear, so he agreed to take over ownership on one condition: that Mike D. and Mike B. continue to work at the retail shop part time.
As Mike D. and Mike B. neared retirement, Gordon didn't want to see this neighborhood wine retailer disappear, so he agreed to take over ownership on one condition: that Mike D. and Mike B. continue to work at the retail shop part time.
University Wines, formerly La Cantina, has been bringing quality European and French wines to the Seattle area since 1972. We have long-established relationships with small, family wineries in France so that we can bring you premium vintages at an exceptional price. Our staff travels to France every year to visit our independent producers so that we can provide you with knowledgeable, friendly service about every wine we carry.
When you visit our shop, you may notice that we don't have much in the way of the biggest names from Champagne. This is in keeping with the shop's more general philosophy to provide the best quality for the value. If we can offer an excellent product that comes from next door to some of the highest rated and most renowned Champagne houses at 1/3 the price, then we've done our job.
Reviews (7)
Cynthia Bishop
Nov 12, 2020
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Max Boyd
Oct 29, 2019
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How wonderful is the owner of this business. My husband and I were at an appointment and had our three week old daughter with us. We parked in front of his shop, When we came back he came out and gave us a bottle of Rose congratulating us on the birth of our daughter. It absolutely made our night. We will definitely be back to shop there. 😊
Todd Laughery
Jun 06, 2019
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Terry Munson
Jun 01, 2018
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Whenever I want a distinct, small-producer wine to share with my wine-loving friends, University Wines remains one of my top choices, especially if I'm seeking something from the Burgundy region.
The staff is impressively well-informed about wines and we often find ourselves picking up additional wines--there are some fantastic bargains--before we reach the register.
I highly recommend checking out their Facebook page and following them for updates regarding new arrivals and free tastings on weekends.
The staff is impressively well-informed about wines and we often find ourselves picking up additional wines--there are some fantastic bargains--before we reach the register.
I highly recommend checking out their Facebook page and following them for updates regarding new arrivals and free tastings on weekends.
Tobin Booth
Aug 19, 2017
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Marc Shaw
Nov 06, 2015
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My wife and I lived in Europe for 17 years and traveled extensively in 30 countries there, including the great wine countries of France and Italy. What a serendipity to discover University Wines when we moved back to this area, with such a great selection of European wines at super prices. The owner, Gordon, really does travel annually to make selections and knows his stuff. Do yourself a favor and visit U-Wines. You'll find something you really like and you'll be happy with the price and the service.
Spencer W.
Jan 19, 2013
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Guess I can't check in from where I am...but I just placed an order for 6 bottles with Gordon. Excellent service, super friendly and so not your typical snobbish wine merchant. Gordon knows his stuff. He knows it so well, I tell him what I like and he recommends 6 wines for me to try. This is my second batch of 6 and I usually tell him to surprise me.
I'm in the Vancouver, BC (Canada) area. Wine is not cheap here. In fact, to get the level of wines I'm seeing at University wines, I'd have to pay through my teeth. I have some friends heading down and I placed the order. A day later, the selection
I'm in the Vancouver, BC (Canada) area. Wine is not cheap here. In fact, to get the level of wines I'm seeing at University wines, I'd have to pay through my teeth. I have some friends heading down and I placed the order. A day later, the selection
