A Wine Shop with "Spirit!"

The Wine Bin, located at 8390 Main Street in the town's once-active 1930 Firehouse, will surprise and perhaps even delight you with its impeccably designed space, number of wines, and hip product presentation.

Proprietor and Co-Founder, Dave Carney, explained to me that the least expensive wines are up front in the first bay--the interior was divided historically to house the City's fire engines--and, as you move toward the back, become increasingly rare and expensive. Still, The Wine Bin, stocks about "500 wines, with at least 200 selling for under $20," Dave explained. "Good wine doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg."

The Wine Bin's philosophy is to sell high-quality wines at a fair price. Typical packaged goods stores may know less about good wines because they are "the same mass-produced corporate wines." The idea behind The Wine Bin was to open a different kind of store, one featuring small production and fine quality wines from around the world.

March is Malbec Madness Month. This reviewer must admit she had never even heard that name, certainly has not tasted that wine! The store is offering 5% off all Malbecs this month and 10% off when you buy 6 or more Malbecs. "Malbec," Dave told me, "is one of the traditional "Bordeaux varietals." It has a taste somewhere between Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Malbec is the major red varietal planted in Argentina.

In the Community. Working near the cash register, I met a friendly and articulate volunteer, Jim Newton, who was eager to tell me about the store's association with "Voices for Children," an advocacy group.

Dave added, "It is our philosophy that we should give back to the community. Too many companies just take the cash and run." I learned that Dave Carney has been an active member of “Voices for Children” for the past 17 years and served on the board for The Friends of Howard County Library for six years. He has been involved with the Catonsville/ Ellicott City Coldwell Banker Cares Foundation and has chaired for the St. Agnes Hospital Spring Gala for the past three years. The store's Co-Founder, Giuli, has been a member of “Voices for Children,” served on the Committee for the St. Agnes Hospital Spring Gala and is an active member of NACE.

Jim and Dave showed me something called The Charity Wine Bin Bag. The Wine Bin bag is a reusable, six-pack wine bag that sells for $6.95. Proceeds from the sale of each bag will be donated to “Voices for Children.” You get a 5% discount on an initial purchase, as well as every subsequent six-bottle purchase made when you bring in the bag. Every Wednesday is Charity Wine Night. The Wine Bin will donate 5% of all sales to a charity, which varies from month to month. You are encouraged to bring a group to support your favorite cause!

Hours

Monday through Thursday 10am to 8pm.

Friday & Saturday 10am to 9pm.

Sunday 11am to 5pm.

Phone: 410-465-7802

E-mail: wine@winebinec.com

Web page and photos by Kay D. Weeks