#barcelonawinebar
As one of the largest Spanish wine programs in the United States, we offer an extensive selection from Spain and South America. We serve 40 wines by the glass and approximately 500 by the bottle, spanning more than 100 regions. We are constantly expanding and refining our wine offerings.
Wine Store
Gretchen on Forbes.com
Wine Education Wine Blogs
The Barcelona Wine Bar wine program is a living, growing, ever-changing collection of wines of the highest quality from around the world– focused most specifically on Spain and South America. The list spans over 100 regions, hundreds of makers, and around 500 selections at any given time. There is a focus on makers that put quality and craft at the forefront– we do not chase brands or trends, but rather: patience, art, genius, and dedication. Biodynamic winemaking, women winemakers, small-producers, iconic wines of provenance and craft — whether 3 hectares or 3000, the vein that runs through ALL of our wines is a true love of earth and excellence.
The first Barcelona Wine Bar was opened by partners Andy Pforzheimer and Sasa Mahr-Batuz in Norwalk, CT in 1996, making it one of the first authentic Spanish restaurants in the US. Aiming to be a casual, eclectic, and a truly fun dining experience, the restaurant began expanding its dining room and kitchen over the years to meet the demand.
In 2007, Barcelona Wine Bar earned its first Award of Excellence from the Wine Spectator. By 2012, the award was upgraded to our first “Best Of” Award of Excellence, a notable honor for the Barcelona wine program and beverage team. Today, all eligible Barcelona Wine Bars have this highest honor.
In 2023, Barcelona was recognized as North America’s Best Organic Wine List 2023 by the World of Fine Wine. Our wine list has been also recognized year after year as a Three-Star List, the publication’s highest ranking. In addition to these three-star rankings, we have also been awarded Jury Prizes in recognition of our exceptional Spanish wine selection.
Every restaurant shares the same name and culture, but has its own Executive Chef who writes his/her menu nightly. We consider the concept chef driven, and the food inspired by simply prepared market fresh cuisine, like you would find in the food stalls of the Boqueria Market in Barcelona or Central Market in Valencia.
The wine list is largely the same in each of our restaurants, with some variations based on market availability.
Gretchen Thomas and Emily Nevin-Giannini are responsible for the expansive program:
Gretchen Thomas
Gretchen Thomas has obtained various levels of certifications from WSET, CMS, CSW and NOSA as well as being a certified Spanish Wine Educator from the Wine Academy of Spain, where she scored in the top 15 in the world. She is an award-winning beverage program authority, creator of several small production and custom wines, blender of Libélula Tequila, and currently the VP of Food & Beverage Innovations for Barcelona Wine Bars.
Emily Nevin-Giannini
Emily Nevin-Giannini is an accomplished wine educator and professional, focused on Spanish and South-American wines. She has earned an Advanced Certification from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust, is a Certified Wine Specialist, has a Master Certification in Rioja Wines and is a Certified Sherry Wine Specialist in partnership with the Regulatory Council of Jerez. As Beverage Director, she travels extensively to procure wines for Barcelona Wine Bar, focusing on small producers who are using the highest quality methods.
With the wine program as a banner, Barcelona Wine Bar is committed to not only showcasing the best of what Spain and South America have to offer, but simply giving our guests a sincerely fun experience. We believe that casual dining does not have to be a mediocre experience. We take the typical, traditional tapas bars in Spain and transplant their style and energy into our restaurants, preserving its casual tradition.
