Wine Tasting in Dublin: 10 Places You Have to Try
Dublin is the capital and biggest city in Ireland and is one of Europe’s most interesting and exciting destinations. Set by the River Liffey, Dublin is part of the Irish province of Leinster and is the center for culture, industry and education in the country. Additionally, the Irish capital boasts a rich literary history and a wide range of attractions for sightseeing, which is why millions of travelers from all over the world come to visit the city.
The city of Dublin also has a reputation for its buzzing drinking scene; after all, it is the birthplace of the world-famous dry stout known as Guinness. From the traditional Dublin pubs and breweries to the trendy Temple Bar area, there is no shortage of options when it comes to drinking. And while the city may be best known for its beer and Irish whiskey, Dublin also has its fair share of places where wine lovers can enjoy a glass or two.
Dublin has an up-and-coming wine and dine scene, as evident in the range of wine bars that have popped up across the city. Regardless of your preference, you are sure to find a spot in the city where you can enjoy a fine glass of wine. To help narrow down your options, we’ve picked our top places in Dublin for wine tasting. This list includes not just wine bars but also winery tours, guided wine tasting tours, and other wine-related events held in the city.
Before stopping to drink and discover, drop off your bags and large items in a Dublin luggage storage spot for a more convenient and hassle-free experience. And if you find yourself looking for more activities after getting your fill of wine, check out this guide of top things to do at night in Dublin.
La Cave Wine Bar
You cannot talk about Dublin wine tasting without including La Cave Wine Bar in the conversation. Located not too far from Grafton Street, in the heart of the city center, La Cave has been in operation since 1987 and is the oldest and (arguably) the most recognized wine bar in Dublin. The French-themed wine bar has an elegant atmosphere but don’t let that fool you; La Cave’s wine selection is relatively affordable despite the quality.
La Cave Wine Bar boasts more than 350 individual wines to choose from, 40 of which are available by the glass. This allows you to try multiple labels without having to buy the entire bottle. The wine bar also serves delicious gourmet French food, which pairs well with its wine selection.
Apart from the wine bar, La Cave also has an on-site wine cellar and a wine school where you can learn about the wine making process or join a wine tasting event. There is a function venue located on the wine bar’s first floor, which is available for events such as exclusive gatherings, corporate parties, meetings or private wine tastings.
Address: 28 Anne St S, Dublin 2
Ely Wine Bar
Another one of the earliest and most popular wine bars that real Dubliners enjoy is Ely Wine Bar. Established in 1999, the gorgeous basement bar found in Ely Place has an amazing selection of over 500 different labels, both local and international. Some of the varieties you can find here include iconic wines such as ArPePe and Henschke to more obscure options such as Mencia, originating from the Ribeira Sacra wine region, and Assyrtiko sourced from Crete, Greece.
If you don’t feel like finishing a bottle, the bar serves about 100 varieties of wine by the glass, including classic options such as Givry and Chianti. Ely Wine Bar also has a food menu that features mainly fish and meat dishes as well as a few vegetarian-friendly options. The staff are also extremely helpful in answering customers' questions and can even help you pick which wine to enjoy in case you are overwhelmed.
The wine bar accommodates private events and gatherings and they also sell their wines through their online store. As well, they regularly hold wine tastings and other wine-related occasions, some of which are hosted by the actual winemakers. You can keep an eye out for the upcoming happenings at Ely Wine Bar through their official website.
Address: 22 Ely Place, Dublin 2
Piglet Wine Bar
Despite being located within Temple Bar, Dublin’s iconic nightlife district, Piglet Wine Bar is still much of a hidden gem as it is tucked away in the area’s quieter side. Featuring an authentic Italian atmosphere, thanks to the owners who are natives of Italy, Piglet has become one of the go-to places in the Irish capital for high-quality wines.
The carefully curated wine selection at Piglet focuses mainly on natural and biodynamic wines from different parts of Europe. The labels here are mostly Italian coupled with some French vintages; you can find classics such as Riesling or Pineau des Charentes mixed with some unknown and eclectic labels, all sold at a reasonable price.
Piglet also has a food menu that features dishes like cotes de boeuf, seafood, pasta, and other Italian specialties. You can buy wines by the bottle or taste a range of labels from the 14 wines available by the glass. The wine bar also hosts occasional dinner events, wine tastings, and pop-ups that are worth checking out.
Address: 5 Cow’s Lane, Temple Bar, Dublin 8
Loose Canon Cheese & Wine
Loose Canon Cheese & Wine is a no-frills wine bar that exclusively serves wine, cheese and other small bites of charcuterie. Located along the trendy Drury Street, the quaint bar is beloved by both locals and tourists and is known for its well-curated selection of natural wines that are showcased in the bar’s walls.
We recommend that you order a glass of vino and pair it with the wine bar’s famous cheese toasties. On Wednesdays, Loose Canon also hosts wine tasting sessions, which are open to everyone and need no prior booking in advance.
Address: 29 Drury Street, Dublin 2
Green Man Wines
A Dublin institution, Green Man Wines is a well-respected wine bar and shop owned and operated by David Gallagher. Considered a pioneer in the Dublin wine industry, Gallagher has extensive knowledge about wines and is ready to help customers with whatever questions or concerns they have.
A spot that only the locals knew about once upon a time, Green Man Wines has now built a reputation as one of the go-to spots for high quality natural and classic wines. The wine bar also has a limited food menu where you can order small bites such as cheese to pair with your drink. Green Man Wines also has its own subscription-based wine club and hosts a number of events every year.
Address: 3 Terenure Road North, Dublin 6
Monty’s of Kathmandu
Founded in 1997, Monty’s of Kathmandu is an authentic Nepalese restaurant that also happens to have an interesting selection of international wines, making it the ultimate food and drink destination in Dublin.
Situated in the Temple Bar district, this beloved restaurant’s wine list is champagne-centric and features labels sourced from all over the world – from the fancy Krug Clos d'Ambonnay to the Grüner Veltliner from Austria. If you are feeling adventurous, Monty’s offers “flights” options, where you can sample multiple varieties of wine that will take you on a journey around the globe.
Address: 28 Eustace Street, Dublin 2
Fish Shop
Found along Benburb Street, on the north side of Dublin’s city center, Fish Shop has slowly built a name for itself as a destination for wine lovers.
Originating as a fish and chips shop, the restaurant and wine bar is now known for its range of natural, organic and biodynamic wines (available by the bottle or glass), which features classics such as California Pinot and Riesling. Fish Shop also has a wine club held every Monday, where they open valuable labels and serve them by the glass.
Address: 76 Benburb Street, Dublin 7
Dublin Wine Trails
As its name suggests, Dublin Wine Trails is a tour company that hosts a range of wine tasting tours across the Irish capital. This option is suitable for guests of all kinds – from wine lovers to newbies who have little knowledge about wine. This excellent tasting tour leads guests through some of the top Dublin wine bars, where they can sample different labels and food pairings.
Dublin Wine Trails is focused on introducing both classic and new wins, allowing participants to form their own opinions about each label. While the tour is meant to educate, what makes it different from other wine tasting tours is that it doesn’t dive too deep into the technical aspect of wine making (unless requested). All in all, Dublin Wine Trail’s tour is more about having fun and enjoying quality wine in the city.
Address: Depends on the tour but is usually in the Dublin 2 area
A Wine Idea
If you are a wine enthusiast or simply want to broaden your knowledge about wine, then you should consider booking a wine tasting experience with A Wine Idea. Founded by viticulturist and wine expert Sevgi Tüzel-Conghaile, A Wine Idea is a company based in Dublin that hosts wine tastings and offers wine consultancy for all levels.
The company offers regular wine tasting across various locations in Dublin. Additionally, they also accept corporate or private wine tastings (e.g. stag or hen parties). Professionals and wine enthusiasts can also book with A Wine Idea and learn from Sevgi’s extensive knowledge and expertise, such as the different safety practices and quality standards in the wine industry. You can book one of the many wine tasting events held by the company through its official website.
Address: At your residence or off site
Wicklow Way Wines
If you want to steer clear of the tourist trail and would like to discover what entails the wine making process, you should consider booking a guided wine tasting tour at Wicklow Way Wines. Located in County Wicklow, approximately 15 minutes away from South Dublin, the award-winning wine tasting winery is best known for producing Móinéir Irish wines, one of the most popular varieties of wine in the country.
Often regarded as one of the most fun Dublin tours, Wicklow Way offers a wine tasting tour held in the winery’s very own tasting room. During the tour, guests can try and savor the different flavors of the Móinéir – namely Irish Strawberry, Raspberry and Blackberry. During this tour, guests can also learn about the unique features of each wine and what sets them apart from other varieties of local wine. The wines are also expertly paired with chocolate or artisan cheeses that perfectly complement each variety of wine.
Wicklow Way also offers personalized winery tours, led by the co-founder himself. By joining this winery tour, participants can visit the site where the wines are made, discover the process of wine making and appreciate the passion and attention needed to create the batches of the Móinéir wines. As well, the co-founder himself will demonstrate how each wine is bottled, sealed and labeled according to the small batch it belongs to.
Address: Unit 8, Newtown Business and Enterprise Centre, Co. Wicklow
Dublin Winery Tours and Wine Tasting
Wine tasting may not be the first thing that comes to mind when visiting Dublin but it can easily be a wonderful experience if you know where to go.
Luckily, the city has no shortage of wine venues where you can have a great time with friends or family while enjoying some of the finest wines from across the globe. In case you have more time to spend in the Irish capital, check out our guide on spending 3 days in Dublin and make the most out of your trip.
