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Liberty Wine Merchants
Categories: Arts & Entertainment Wineries Food Wineries Food Beer, Wine & Spirits Wineries, Beer, Wine & Spirits [Edit]
1660 Johnston StVancouver, BC V6H 3S2
Neighbourhood: Granville Island/False Creek
(604) 602-1120
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 9:30 am - 8 pm
Fri 9:30 am - 9 pm
Sat 9 am - 9 pm
Sun 9 am - 8 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
18 reviews for Liberty Wine Merchants
18 reviews in English
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Review from K T.
Vancouver, BC
1/22/2012
Being a regular patron of Liberty Wine Merchants on Granville Island, I have to say, I am shocked to read some of the recent reviews of this particular store. This store has been one of my "go to" stores for unique wines both from boutique BC wineries, as well as many international wineries. They carry a very wide selection which I appreciate as I attend numerous dinner parties and various functions in the Foodie world and am always in need of a wine for every occasion. In fact, Liberty carries some of my "go to" wines that I can ONLY find at this particular store. Those ones just happen to be from Chile and Italy so I appreciate the fact they always have an abundant and diverse international selection.
The staff are all very friendly, well-versed in their trade, and always willing to lend their knowledge on what are the best wine pairings for any dish, or for any occasion. I have been shopping at this store for the past 5+ years as quite simply, they never disappoint. I will continue to enjoy shopping here and I recommend anyone looking to find some unique wines in a friendly, knowledgeable atmosphere, to shop here as well. -
Review from Melissa E.
Vancouver, BC
1/8/2012
Free wine tasting!! I see a trend...
I really like these guys as I can find a few bottles that sell out fast (Kettle Valley pinot gris) and others that are simply hard to find (Languedoc reds!). This time we also got a yummy tasting of 2 wines, 3 cheese and 2 breads! Hello!
Only bad thing is I've usually got bags from the market when I come in and apparently have an inclination to follow in my mother's steps and be a bit of a bull in a china shop. The aisles are very narrow so I often come close to spilling a weeks worth of wine in about 5sec. I'm talented like that.
Otherwise, great place to find the rarer wines that aren't found at the Liquor Store.Comment from Robert S. of Liberty Wine Merchants 1/20/2012
Thank you for your review! More » -
Review from F. K.
Gibsons, BC
1/27/2012
I think in the past few months the store has actually been improving, contrary to what other Yelpers are saying. The BC selection is fantastic, the gov store's got nothing on them... in fact, the government stores I find are carrying less and less products each time I go in. I want variety! They carry some very interesting, hard to find wines (and Ports!) and their location is amazing. I always get excellent reccomendations from the French fellow that works there. I'm happy to have this wine store here.
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Review from Tom B.
1/23/2012
Probably not the place to come to find a bargain, but definitely a great place to come to find a good wine, or even a great wine, that's been well cared for, and will be explained to you by enthusiastic staff who know their products, their industry, and their stock. The prices aren't exorbitant, they're just not bargain basement. The stock is a good mix of North American and overseas selection, with a nice emphasis on west coast choices. Glad this place is here.
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Review from Malcolm S.
Vancouver, BC
1/20/2012
Fantastic Store, but certainly seems to be more disorganized the past few months.
I Have noticed throughout the last few months the store has seemingly become chaotic and erratic with its selection of products becoming BC heavy, and certainly some more of the regular products not on Display.
I do agree with Constance that it is now becoming a more BC heavy store, this is a shame if a decision has been made to be more BC specific. The variety of the products on offer is what appeals to me as a consumer. These issues are something I have not witnessed before, and I feel is an issue that the other stores do not seem to encounter in my eyes.
As for the staff, there are some familiar faces such as Jessica, Graham and Tony who encourage me to return as their knowledge, attitude and professionalism is always an A+.
I feel a review on the way the store is being run would probably be a good idea, as I see it would be a very sad shame to watch this fantastic store lose its shine. -
Review from Edel F.
Vancouver, BC
1/20/2012
Just got back from Liberty Wine on Granville Island. I'm there at least once a week and that's got everything to do with the selection, warm welcome and service available at this store. There are two outlets on my doorstep that would be easier to visit but it's always worth the trip to see Pierre and team on the Island. I heard about a bad review today and couldn't believe it...someone was really having a bad day I think...and I don't mean LGI!
It's a small store but it's crammed full with product. Kind of reminds me of the quaint little shops in Europe where any number of great finds can be discovered. I particularly like the Spanish and French bottles that can be had for under $20...so many tasty treats and I haven't found a bad one yet. I always rely on the team onsite for new suggestions...they never steer me wrong. I am greeted by name and provided that I don't show up on a busy weekend afternoon there are always great knowledgable staff on hand who will spend loads of time with you whatever your budget.
Don't miss this gem on your next trip to Granville Island...it's a keeper! -
Review from Pastis S.
Vancouver, BC
1/20/2012
Response to Constance J,
Dear Constance,
The fact that the photos you included were taken on the one day of the year when the staff cleans shelves and reloads for the Christmas Holiday Season, seems unfair. Generally, the shelves are bursting with product.
The Liberty Granville Island staff always does their best -they have a smaller store than other Liberty locations and do a great job with excellent selections working within the constraints of limited floor space. This is almost always a busy store, what with the market just a hop away and it seems crowded at times, but there is no way to control the amount of guests in the store at one time. The other locations you mention are much larger and have more free space- hence the ability to keep items in stock. Best sellers are just that: they get shipped once a week, like all liquor deliveries in Vancouver, and they sell out fast. If you want something special ordered, any of the Liberty locations can accommodate you. All you have to do is ask.
Regarding your BC wine experience, Granville Island is the #1 most visited tourist attraction in Vancouver (after the airport) and the clientele requests BC wines as take home items. They do have a great selection of wines from other regions and I have always found that if I ask for the manager (Pierre) he really listens as do all the staff there. They really know their stuff.Sometimes I have to be patient, it is a busy sore. I have never been given a bad bottle- ever.
Maybe you should go in and talk with them when it isn't too busy.
Just sayin. -
Review from Constance J.
Vancouver, BC
1/18/2012 2 photos
I have shopped here as it was so convenient for me to pick up my groceries in the market and then stop in for some great advice on a wine pairing. The staff has always been friendly and well versed in their wines and selections. I looked forward to trying new, interesting and unique wines every week. Over the last few months, this place has gone downhill. The shelves are beyond bare, the selection has diminished to just a few products and they are always out of stock of what they call their best sellers. If they are your best sellers, then why are you ALWAYS out of stock? Has management thought about simply ordering more? The store is now encased in almost all BC products. I love to support our local economy, but I always looked forward to the unique wines that they used to carry and everytime I visit the store, they push only BC products on me. I wonder sometimes if they make commission off of selling certain wines because the manager is always pushing BC wines on me, even though I tell him that I would like a wine from Italy as an example. I have since started going to the other locations (Commercial Drive and Point Grey) where the selection is more, the shelves are stocked and the managers provide me the service I look for in a fine wine shop.
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Review from J A.
Vancouver, BC
10/20/2011
This is a wonderful location to sell wine. Not a wonderful location to buy wine. That is the difference.
I find the staff perfectly friendly - just go and speak to them. They are enthusiastic, but in my experience they have little tasting experience. Enthusiasm, yes. Overall, my wine purchases at Liberty have been extremely poor experiences. As a gross generality, the wines the staff have recommended have had a very thin nose. For less than 1/2 the price, I can find much very more interesting and aromatic wines at the BCLDB, sorry to say.
Liberty tends to carry wines not carried by the BCLDB, and of course I understand that completely. But the markup is atrociously high for overall substandard wines. I've found the value to be very poor indeed. I just up-ended two bottles from Liberty, highly recommended by the staff, in the sink tonight, after just 1/4 glass from each - now that's disappointing. They do have a wide selection - too bad the focus is on profit over quality.
Most of the pleasure of a good wine, to a trained nose, is in the aroma, not on the palate, though of course a good palate is a bonus. I will avoid their wine like the plague. Too bad. The staff is enthusiastic, and senior staff Pierre is of course knowledgeable, but the younger staff could really do with some proper wine training - after which their noses would rebel at the poor values.
It could be a good place. As it is, a tourist trap with fearsomely overpriced wines.Comment from Robert S. of Liberty Wine Merchants 12/5/2011
Firstly, let me thank you for taking the time to review your… More » -
Review from Ernesto G.
1/31/2011 1 photo
I like Blue Mountain Wines and you can find them here.
Picked up two bottles of the Blue Mountain Char Stripe Label today for $34 each. Saves me from having to drive up to Kelowna.
Nice. -
Review from Alexa Z.
10/27/2010
Everytime I come to Canada, I always stop by Liberty Wine Merchants.
They have a great selection in their little shop and I always find an interesting and wonderful tasting wine that you don't see in the States. They also have a wine cooler if you are looking to drink a white or champagne right away.
The staff is very helpful and will recommend wines to you to try out. I would not have found some of my new favorite wines if they hadn't told me about them!
I also really like their house brand waiter's double-stop wine opener. It is under $10 and has rubber grip on the handle for comfort. I've been through a lot of waiter corkscrews that don't work very well, and this has been my favorite so far.Listed in: Oh, Canada!
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Review from Chantal I.
Vancouver, BC
10/24/2010 2 Check-ins Here
While Liberty carries a good selection of wines, I've experienced a wide variance in service here.
Usually looking for a specific label; Young & Wyse which I read about in Edible Vancouver magazine, or Tinhorn which I also came across through an Edible post on facebook, I am usually specific with my questions, and a quick low-maintenance customer.
This recent visit however, I was on a quest for a bottle from Tinhorn, and some advice. There was only one other person in the store, also not engaged with a staff member. After a few minutes of looking around, quite obviously looking for something specific, I found a $40+ bottle from Tinhorn, and wanted to ask for some advice.
Three people were working, none of whom even said hello or made eye contact, let alone offered assistance. After a minute or so of standing around and looking towards the staff huddled over a case wine, I just put the bottle back and left. I'm not interested in giving my business to folks who don't seem remotely interested.
Great selection though, and I'm sure I'll be back, but hope management remind staff who actually pays them.
I do want to love them, because Granville Island has long been in my top favourites for Vancouver neighbourhoods, and I spend loads of time there. -
Review from Lady G.
Okanagan Lake, BC
7/12/2011
I have to agree with another reviewer's statement that this place is good but doesn't have the best service from its staff. It wasn't busy at all when we went in recently , we were obviously looking for a specific wine and no one there made eye contact or offered a simple 'hello' or welcome.' Poor service. Maybe they feel they have cornered a certain market so they don't even have to try to be pleasant, welcoming or offer that little thing called service. After a one week trip to the States, I wish more Canadian businesses would get 'it.' "It" being service or at the very least a head nod 'welcome'!!!
Comment from Robert S. of Liberty Wine Merchants 9/21/2011
Thank you for reviewing our Granville Island store. At… More » -
Review from Mercedes G.
Vancouver, BC
11/21/2008
There is no need to be intimidated by purchasing wine at Liberty Wine Merchants. The staff have dedicated much of their lives to the gaining of wine knowledge so you can be sure that they will answer any questions you may have, regardless of how silly you think you sound.
I spotted Liberty Wines while perusing Granville Island and I was overcome by a craving for a lovely rose'. At first, I took a gander around the store and later decided on asking for assistance. My understanding and knowledge of wine is tolerable but it is nowhere near the genius of the the staff here, so why not take advantage? A friendly gentleman assisted me in finding a chilled bottle of rose', created locally and within my budget. He was even kind enough to offer me a sample of a French rose' but in finding out that it had been opened too many days ago, he decided that it was not good enough for me. How nice of him to test it out for me!
When I arrived home, I toasted up some French bread and poured myself a glass of Wild Goose Blanc y Noirs rose. I could get used to this! -
Review from Sheila W.
BC
11/11/2008 2 photos
This very convenient wine shop is right across from the Public Market on Granville Island making it the perfect place to grab a bottle to accompany any delights that fill your shopping bags.
It is a compact wine shop with a world-wide selection of bottles. There is a small refrigerated section on the back wall near the tills where you can grab a bottle of chilled white or some bubbly. The staff is very knowledgeable and eager to help you choose the right wine.
Liberty also hosts some wine tasting events and has a wine school for those who take Happy Hour seriously.
This is a great place to go for a bottle for a special occasion. But for people on a budget, there are few wines below the $20 mark. -
Review from Ross E.
5/9/2011
Great wine selection, knowledgeable staff. I was impressed.
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Review from Lee N.
Vancouver, BC
7/6/2009
Pretty small space, ok selection.
OK staff, I was treated to a spiel about a Rhone the guy knew nothing about, if you don't know, and don't know me, be careful what you say, you can look really foolish.
Has a good selection of wine of the Alsace.
I take a look now and then.Listed in: Wine
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Review from Anthony C.
11/30/2009
Despite the prices, Liberty has a darn good selection of tasty vintages, especially on the high end. This location has some incredible Bordeaux 1st growths, including Petrus. While slightly, and by slightly I mean extremely, out of my price range, it's still kinda cool to see a $1500 bottle in the case.
They do still have wines I'm open to, especially from BC - the real ones from BC, not the ones with grapes bought elsewhere and bottled here and then labeled British Columbia wine. Luckily, there are new labeling laws to help us consumers choose those that are authentically from our province.
Not only do they have a good selection from decent to the worlds best, but the staff are very helpful and happy to sell me what I want. When I ask for a bottle within a certain price range exhibiting certain characteristics, the knowledgeable sales clerks direct me to exactly what I'm looking for without trying to upsell - much appreciated.
While I prefer Marquis on Davie, when I'm on Granville Island shopping for Sunday dinner ingredients and need some wine, Liberty hits the spot.
