The Humble Gourmand

Chevy Chase Wine & Spirits

Chevy Chase Wine & Spirits

Chevy Chase Wine & Spirits

Chevy Chase Wine & Spirits

Chevy Chase Wine & Spirits

Washington, D.C., is a city of many institutions. Whether public or private sector, human or bricks and mortar, there are entities that stand the test of time and become fixtures in the community.

Chevy Chase Wine & Spirits is such an institution … and thankfully so. Its upper-Connecticut Avenue storefront is unpretentious but intriguing. (While you’re there, try to guess the number of wine corks piled up in the window.)

The business began in another location as Stop & Shop Liquors, just after the end of Prohibition. In 1956, Izzy Weitzman bought the store and his son, Buddy, joined that business in the mid-1960s. Twenty-two years ago, Buddy sold it and purchased Chevy Chase Wine & Spirits. Today, the store remains a family affair: Buddy is an active owner and manager; his wife, Nanci, runs the office and keeps the books; and Ian — the third generation in business — is well into his second decade, now the store’s wine manager, consultant, and much more.

With a functional, well-organized layout, Chevy Chase Wine & Spirits maintains what Ian told me is the third largest collection of beer in the U.S.— an average of 1,200 beers. The wine inventory is extensive as well, with about 4,000 different brands. A complete selection of spirits brings the total number of items in the store to 6,000-7,000.

Yet the real story is not in numbers alone, but in the people and their philosophy. The entire staff is welcoming and friendly. It’s not a place for dashing in and dashing out while mumbling your thanks to the cashier. I joke that going to the store is more fun — and much cheaper — than joining a country club because I enjoy lively conversation across many topics with people I consider pals.

In speaking with Ian, I learned that the feeling is mutual. He said he enjoys interacting with visitors to the store. Ian indicated that he spends a great deal of time listening to customers. The goal is to find the right wine match for food that is to be eaten (and with what he knows of the customer’s tastes). Sometimes that means helping the customer understand a wine better. It also requires an intimate knowledge of the hundreds of wines in the store — which Ian gained by reading widely and tasting the wines himself.

Over time, relationships — friendships — develop, and Ian is able to suggest a new wine from the store’s extensive inventory that a customer might want to try. Thus the consuming public benefits from his commitment and interest in enjoying and learning about the wines that fill the walls and basement of the store. It makes the whole experience a genuine pleasure for the consumer.

When you check out, the pleasure continues. The counter staff and porters could not be a more cheerful and engaging group. Everything from D.C. history to world affairs to sports commentary can be found in talking to this crowd.

Along with the notion of a pleasant experience, it’s important to note that there are no high-pressure sales tactics used in the shop. From my own observations and from the store’s stated philosophy, the clear, unequivocal goal is to never sell an item the customer doesn’t want. The same goes for an item that’s out of someone’s price range. The integrity of such an approach is indeed refreshing in 2008.

One other point about price: There’s something for every price range in the store. I generally don’t spend more than $7 to $9 for a bottle of wine; on special occasions, I might range as far as $15. I’ve never been disappointed here. There’s almost always something on sale, and it’s an authentic sale — not one where the prices were artificially raised so that they could then be “marked down.”

So there you have it. Chevy Chase Wine & Spirits is a place to explore, talk, learn, and enjoy. A store with a vast inventory, knowledgeable and friendly staff, a history and track record in the community, and a place where, as on the old TV show “Cheers,” everybody knows your name. Stop by. I’ll see you there.

Chevy Chase Wine & Spirits
5544 Connecticut Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20015
(202) 363-4000
Web site

1. chasfjr

   October 3 8:59 a.m. 1

   I am an avid flyfisherman. Whenever I travel to a new location, I rely on local guides to direct me to the hot spots where success may not be guaranteed but more, possible dependent on my own skill to stalk the trout. I feel the same way when I walk into a large wine shop. I know what I like, but which vintner and wine maker has a similar palate? It sounds as if Hal has discovered my kind of wine shop...friendly and knowledgeable staff are key to the wine store experience (just as it is with a fly fishing guide). Patience is part of the equation and I look forward to my upcoming visit to Chevy Chase! Thanks Hal.

2. Tessa

   October 3 3 p.m. 2

   What is especially fantastic about Chevy Chase Liquors is that they sell really unique beers by the individual bottle. They have microbrews and international selections. You can shop there for a beer tasting party, or even snag a bottle of delicious delirium without plopping down over $13 for a six pack.

3. HalHail

   October 6 11:45 a.m. 3

   @Chasfjr's analysis is absolutely correct: finding the right wine shop is akin to locating that perfect fishing spot that matches the character and approach of the individual. This is where the knowledge and friendly nature of the people at Chevy Chase really shine; they can significantly aid in making that match.

   The point about the beer selection and the sale of singles is also significant. It's a genuine treat to explore different beers from around the nation and the world. The ability to sample a bottle of a new brew is a real service to the consumer as well as a delight for the beer enthusiast. I've found many interesting beers this way.

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