Free Tastings Across the City This Week — Thursday, June 19
Richmond has always been a city that embraces expression—through art, music, and now, wine.
There are a number of free wine tastings happening around town today, Thursday. It’s one of the best ways to dip into the world of wine without the sticker shock.
Wine culture can feel intimidating at first, full of jargon and cult bottles. But the truth is, it’s deeply personal. You might prefer something that the critics scoff at. Or you might not love the high-tannin red that wins all the awards. Wine tastings let you explore your own preferences—without blindly dropping $20 to $30 on a bottle that might end up collecting dust.
Think of it like visiting an ice cream shop: you sample the flavors before picking the one that feels right.
ed. note: Obviously, this isn’t a full list. If you have a wine tasting event you would like us to include you can send to hello@rvamag.com with the title ‘Wine Tasting’.
Church Hill’s Weekly Wine Routine
Second Bottle
324 N. 27th Street
5:00–7:00 PM
@secondbottlewine
Second Bottle is a neighborhood favorite for a reason. Erin Keene and her team create a warm, welcoming space with just the right blend of approachability and expertise. The Thursday tastings run like clockwork, drawing familiar faces and new converts alike. You might find yourself sipping a $50 bottle and learning about pairing suggestions, or chatting with a visiting winemaker. Tastings pause for summer soon, so make your visit while you can.
Union Market
2306 Jefferson Avenue
5:30–7:30 PM
@unionmarketrva
Just down the street, Union Market hosts their own tasting on the patio. The wines tend to be budget-friendly but still full of character—perfect for folks who want to drink well without splurging. It’s casual, a little social, and maybe even includes a chance encounter with a French bulldog under the table.
Friends Bar at Pizza Bones
2314 Jefferson Avenue
6:00–8:00 PM
@pizzabonesrva @friendbarrva
Next door to Union, inside Pizza Bones, Friends Bar curates a weekly tasting of natural wines—wines made with minimal intervention and no additives. Alex will pour while you sit at the bar, sharing stories of winemakers and regions. It’s intimate, unpretentious, and always interesting. Pro tip: pair your tasting with a sandwich from Union or a pizza from the kitchen.
Beyond the Hill
Dinner Party
3402 W. Cary Street
5:00–7:00 PM
@thedinnerpartyrva @tingaling.eats
Over in Carytown, Dinner Party is making a name for itself with themed tastings. This Thursday’s event celebrates Juneteenth with wines from Black-owned wineries and bites from Ting A Ling, a local Black- and women-owned Caribbean-inspired food company. Owner Annie Barrow is a walking encyclopedia of wine knowledge. Stay for the tasting, linger for the housewares and weirdly delightful finds—like dumpling-shaped candles and food pun stickers.
Oxford Cellars
2817 Hathaway Road
5:00–7:00 PM
@oxfordcellars @lestoriewines
Southside residents aren’t left out. Oxford Cellars welcomes Jose from LeStorie Wines, aka “The Wolf of Wine Street,” for a guided tasting featuring four styles: a zesty white, a fruity red, a crisp rosé, and a light, bubbly rosato. It’s a solid introduction to the diversity of European winemaking, and Jose makes it easy to ask questions without feeling like you need a sommelier badge.
Barrel Thief
5805 Patterson Avenue
5:00–7:00 PM
@barrelthief @macklesmiff
If you want jazz with your wine, this is the spot. Barrel Thief is hosting Michael Smith from Native Selections, who will be pouring a lineup of French natural wines. Michael’s energy is infectious, his knowledge deep. And while you sip, the Jason Jenkins Trio will be playing live. Come for the wine, stay for the groove.
Final Pour
Whether you’re wine-curious or already deep in the cellar, Richmond offers a Thursday full of chances to explore the grape. With no cost to sample, no pressure to buy, and plenty of character at each stop, this city is proving—once again—it knows how to raise a glass.
Written by Morticia & Gomez Adams
Photo by FriendBar at PizzaBones
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