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Monday 10am - 7pm Tuesday 10am - 7pm Wednesday 10am - 7pm Thursday 10am - 7pm Friday 10am - 7pm Saturday 10am - 7pm Sunday 12pm - 6pm

Pinnacle Wine and Liquor, 1720 Monroe Avenue, Rochester, NY (2025)

04/07/2025

Katie came back from France to a pile of wines in the store… also from France! Quite frankly (see what I did there?!), our natural section is looking gorgeous right now. Fully stocked with the coolest wines you can find. Come visit or peruse our natural section on our website!

04/04/2025

Matt and Christine had a great time last night at , tasting delicious Portuguese food and wine in a class put on by . chose such great pairings and is a phenomenal educator. We highly recommend keeping an eye out for future events!

03/19/2025

Chillable red lovers, it is our time! This delicious Grenache/Syrah blend from the new gen of Chateauneuf-du-Pape greats Mas de Boislauzon is made for a warm day like today.

The domaine, located in Orange, in the north of the appellation Chateauneuf-duPape, covers 11 acres of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 19 acres in Côtes du Rhône Villages and 2 acres in Vin deFrance. All vines have been organically farmed since 2012.

The sixth generation of winemakers in the family, Joris, Arnaud and Quentin, are adding their own spin to the domaine's wines making the sort of easy-going red they want to drink. Rouge a Croquer (roughly "I could eat you right up" red) is 90% Grenache, 10% Syrah, this red is easy, fresh, fruity, like a Cotes-du-Rhone meets Beaujolais.

Get this bottle at the link below or in-store!

https://www.pinnacleliquor.com/wines/Mas-de-Boislauzon-Mas-de-Boislauzon-Vin-de-France-Rouge-a-Croquer-2023-w163656089

03/15/2025

Remember our Black Friday Mystery Case Sale?

You’ve been asking for another one for months, and Matt FINALLY made it happen.
Introducing the $11.29 Spring Mystery Case Sale!

Finding deals at this price point is nearly impossible these days, but after weeks of hunting, negotiating, and pulling every string we could, Matt crushed it. This is the best deal we’ve ever been able to pull off. And we don’t say that lightly!

Here’s the Deal:
-When: March 20th at 12 PM sharp (text subscribers get first access — sign up at the link at the bottom of this post!)
-How: We’ll send a special link via text
-What’s Inside? 12-bottle cases featuring:
-6 whites
-2 dry rosés
-4 reds
-The Surprise: The wine identities stay secret to protect pricing, but trust me—you’re getting some serious steals.

P.S. We love showing off my favorite local businesses, which is why I'm including 25 x $15 gift cards from Jen's Artisan Bread in our spring mystery cases! If you don’t know Jen, she makes the best bread in Rochester — no contest. Yesterday, she told us about how she used to wake up at 2 a.m. to bake for the farmer's market, sell out, come home, and do it all over again. That’s true dedication — and you can taste it in every bite. Her bread puts the standard grocery store baguette to shame. With 120 cases available, you’ve got a 1 in 5 shot at landing one of these gift cards — good luck! Make sure you sign up for our text list at the link below to get your best shot at securing a case:

https://widget.smsinfo.io/v2/aa6331c76d036394e687f81d1d1fe7b9?st-lid=12651020

03/13/2025

It's BAAAAAACK! Time for more wine drinking and merry making at our second BYO Blind Tasting on Tuesday, March 18 at 6PM with the Pinnacle Staff!

Sign up at the link below! There is no event fee to sign up; this just helps us get an accurate sense of how many people are coming.

https://www.pinnacleliquor.com/events/i4837197lu

How It Works:
On March 18, purchase ANY bottle in the store that you've been eyeing and itching to try
Lyndsay from Pinnacle will serve each of the wines "blind" to all of the staff and guests
See, smell and taste what's in the glass and discuss with the group to see if you can arrive at the wine's origins -- region, grape varietal, even a specific producer (!)
A fantastic way to try a bunch of interesting wines to see which suit your palate and open your eyes to new wines you never knew about before...all alongside your friendly and fun Pinnacle staff!

The Kicker:
Lyndsay will guarantee to open something very special each tasting as her blind bottle - that you get to try for free!

03/11/2025

Virginia’s wine scene is evolving, and if you haven’t explored the exciting projects coming out of the Shenandoah Valley, now’s the time. Small producers are pushing boundaries, crafting wines that highlight both grape diversity and the passionate people behind them.

Two standout bottles I’m (Jonas) thrilled to have in the shop right now:

Co-Fermented x Lightwell Survey - Sylvia
A Petit Manseng & Vidal Blanc co-ferment (with a touch of Traminette & Riesling) infused with young Virginia pine cones. Bright citrus, salted almond, and brioche notes with vibrant acidity and a smooth, lingering finish. Named after LGBTQIA+ trailblazer Sylvia Rivera, a portion of sales supports Co-Fermented’s mission of elevating q***r voices in wine.

Common Wealth Crush x Jahdé Marley - Love Echo
A beautifully oxidative wine reminiscent of Jura-style winemaking, blending Vidal Blanc & Petit Manseng for a nutty, floral, and decadently textured experience. With each bottle sold, $1 supports the Black Farm Fund, uplifting Black farmers in the Northeast through community wealth and sustainable agriculture.

These wines are part of a larger movement redefining Virginia winemaking. Lightwell Survey sources fruit from lesser-known Shenandoah Valley sites, crafting ever-evolving co-ferments with Petit Manseng at the core. Common Wealth Crush is Virginia’s first custom-crush and winemaking incubator, providing small producers the space, resources, and community to thrive.

From innovative sourcing to championing inclusivity and sustainability, these producers are shaping the future of Virginia wine, with exciting parallels to the community-building we see here in the Finger Lakes. Come grab a bottle or get yours at the link below and see why we’re so excited!

http://bit.ly/4kIpf7t

03/05/2025

Thanks to everybody who came out last night to the phenomenal tasting at ! I loved seeing so many Pinnacle customers there; you guys are the best 😊. Extra thanks to for getting this picture of Mitch, Katie, and the legendary .

03/04/2025

Germany has long been synonymous with Riesling, but a quiet revolution is underway—one that’s putting German Pinot Noir (Spätburgunder) on the map as a serious contender among the world’s best. Join us Tuesday 3/11 from 7-8 PM for an exclusive seminar exploring the compelling and distinct expressions of Pinot Noir from two of Germany’s most exciting producers: Günther Steinmetz in the Mosel and Thörle in Rheinhessen.

Guided by Cameron Mills of David Bowler Wine, this intimate tasting will showcase how Germany’s unique terroirs—ranging from Thörle’s limestone-rich grand cru vineyards in Saulheim to Steinmetz’s historic, slate-laden parcels in the Middle Mosel—shape wines of remarkable depth, elegance, and precision. Whether you're a longtime Burgundy lover or simply curious about this emerging category, this is an opportunity to taste the future of German Pinot Noir!

Limited to 12 seats—Reserve yours now! Tickets are available for $25 per person (refundable with the purchase of any featured wine). Sign up at the link below:

https://www.pinnacleliquor.com/events/i68215487u

02/28/2025

Thank you so much to everyone who came out last night for our first ever blind tasting event! We had so much fun, and the lineup was serious incredible. Our customers have impeccable taste :)

Don't worry if you missed out— these will be a monthly event that we will continue to advertise on our social media.

02/25/2025

Over the past five years, one of Austria's most exciting new natural wine projects has emerged out of potentially Central Europe's oldest area for viticulture.

The Weinviertel, northeast of Vienna and close to the Slovakian border, has seen 7,000 years worth of agrarian activity and is currently home to 14,000 hectares of vines (about half the size of Burgundy). While not one of the current hot Austrian wine regions, this region of alternating plains and hills is deeply agricultural and home to the Schödl family, a group of three siblings — Viktoria, Matthias, and Leonard — making some seriously good wine.

After seeing the natural wine movement emerge in Vienna, Viktoria approached her brothers and father and suggested they try employing these practices on their familial vineyards in the eastern village of Loidesthal. The family spent a few years converting these vineyards to organic farming, and in 2018 they released their first sets of wine. Their 18 hectares of vines are now biodynamic, and the Schödls have added trees and hedges to their parcels in accordance with the principles of agroforestry.

It's probably no surprise that they keep things simple in the cellar, too, and for that we're grateful, because this Sankt Laurent really sings. We've long been huge fans of this grape (if you've been around for a while you've seen our posts of former employee Tyler and his obsession with the grape), and this is a gorgeous expression of it.

This Sankt Laurent was taken from a single vineyard, and according to importer , "10% of fermentation was done whole cluster, 90% whole berry; it was fermented in a large neutral oak fermenter for about ten days. Afterward, the wine had 14 days of skin contact, then was pressed off into 300L oak barrels for seven months' worth of aging on lees."

So how does it taste? Fruity, with notes of black raspberry and yogurt-covered blueberries, but with a savory underside, meaty and herbaceous and earthy. Bright, seriously drinkable, but still complex and alive.

Grab this bottle at the link below or in-store in the natural section!

https://www.pinnacleliquor.com/wines/Schodl-Schodl-Sankt-in-Natura-2023-w9484194qr

02/21/2025

We are super excited to be the retail partner for our friends' upcoming wine
dinner! Pax Mahle is absolutely legendary, and we're so excited he will be here in Rochester and at this awesome event.

The dinner will take place at 6pm on Wednesday, March 5th at Jackrabbit Club (40 Anderson Ave). Dinner will be served at 6:30pm. Ticket price includes a 5-course dinner with wine pairings, hospitality and tax. You can get your ticket at the link below!

Pax Wines defies what we know about California winemaking. In a land dominated by big wines and big production, Pax seeks out and celebrates those who challenge the expected. Join us alongside winemaker Pax Mahle in discovering the small side of California wine, including rare varietals, hand and foot crushing, native yeasts and minimal impact. Wines will be served alongside five courses of inspired cuisine from Chef Dan Martello.

https://www.exploretock.com/goodluck/event/533710/from-root-to-bottle-a-pax-wines-dinner

02/18/2025

Blind taste with the Pinnacle crew!

Lyndsay is starting a monthly blind tasting event in our backroom, where you can taste with Pinnacle staff and other customers. The first will be Thursday, February 27, and you can sign up at the link below! (There is no ticket fee, but we want to get a sense of how many people are coming.)

https://www.pinnacleliquor.com/events/i2262038x2

Here are the details:
- On Thursday before the event, purchase ANY bottle in the store that you've been eyeing and itching to try
- Lyndsay from Pinnacle will serve each of the wines "blind" to all of the staff and guests
- See, smell and taste what's in the glass and discuss with the group to see if you can arrive at the wine's origins -- region, grape varietal, even a specific producer (!). This will be a fun, lighthearted discussion, so don't be intimidated!

This is a fantastic way to try a bunch of interesting wines, see which suit your palate, and open your eyes to new wines you never knew about before...all alongside your friendly and fun Pinnacle staff! I know at least four staff members who are planning on attending.

The Kicker: Lyndsay will guarantee to open something very special each tasting as her blind bottle - that you get to try for free! And speaking as someone who has been on the receiving end of Lyndsay's generosity before... you don't want to miss that!

02/14/2025

Sonya is here pouring some of our favorite V-Day wines until 6!

P. S. She brought 🥰🥰🥰

02/11/2025

Join us Tuesday, March 4th at 5:30 PM, for a special walk-around tasting at Bonnie & Clyde, Fairport's newest restaurant in the beautifully restored 1928 Bank of America building. This unique tasting will feature renowned winemaker Pax Mahle from Sonoma, along with selections from some of the world's finest producers. Throughout the evening, Chef Greg will serve carefully curated appetizers to complement the tasting.

Featured Producers:
Pax Wines (Sonoma, CA)
Anthill Farms Winery (Sonoma, CA)
Domaine Rolet (Jura, France)
Finca Torremilanos (Castilla y Leon, Spain)
Carlo Giacosa (Piedmont, Italy)
Castello di Cacchiano (Tuscany, Italy)
Marc de Grazia Selections (Italy)
Nashville Barrel Company (United States)

And more!

Location: 58 South Main Street, Fairport
Parking: Available behind and beside the building
Price: $40 per person
To Reserve: please purchase tickets at the link in our bio or the link below! There are only 100 tickets available, so if you're interested, buy yours ASAP. All ticket sales are final.

We hope to see you there!

https://resy.com/cities/fairport-ny/venues/bonnie-and-clyde/events/bonnie-clyde-present-wine-spirits-tasting-2025-03-04?seats=1&mc_cid=88dd4568fe&mc_eid=48c5e3f292&date=2025-02-11

02/07/2025

Something very cool is happening in the Obermosel.

This region of Germany, close to the border with Luxembourg and a bit under 100 miles from the more famous Mosel area, is home to one of Germany's most exciting young winemakers, Jonas Dostert. He is primarily working with Elbling, which thrives on the gentle slopes and limestone soil in the Obermosel. While the grape used to cover most of Germany and Luxembourg in medieval times, it's now the 23rd most planted grape in the country (bet you can't name 23 German grape varieties!). It is high in acid and low in alcohol; the best description I've read for the role it plays in the area is that it's like Aligoté's relationship to Chardonnay in Burgundy.

Dostert is harolding in a new age for Elbling, showing its enormous potential. The grape is usually made into refreshing, pretty neutral bottles; not in Dosert's hands. He studied under Leflaive in Burgundy and he still uses fûts from the region to age his wines. He picks his grapes earlier than others, presses directly and then puts the wines directly into barrels for relatively long periods of élevage. The wines are then bottled with no filtering and minimal use of sulfur.

Dostert's Pure Dolomite cuvée is a blend of Elbling (40%) and Chardonnay (60%). It's got the fleshiness of Chardonnay balanced by the stoney, minerality of Elbling. The slightly rounder texture of this wine makes it more elegant and austere than you would expect. If you love high acid wines like I do, you'll be thrilled with this!

You can get this in-store (German and natural sections) or online at the link below:

https://www.pinnacleliquor.com/wines/Jonas-Dostert-Jonas-Dostert-Pure-Dolomite-2022-w8570924ko

02/05/2025

Fourth gen winegrower Jean-Francois Debourg () tends 40 hectares of organically certified vineyards in southern Beaujolais's Saint-Germain Nuelles. While his family has grown grapes since 1850, Jean-Francois only began making his own wines in 2016 under the mentorship of natural wine producer Francois Ecot ( L’Insolent Négoce).

His Numero MMXVIII cuvée, named for his son Clément, showcases the potential of carefully farmed Gamay. Following natural winemaking principles, the grapes ferment with indigenous yeasts and age for 30 months on fine lees in large wooden vats without added sulfites.

The resulting wine is softly textured and generous, offering beautiful notes of black currant, cherry, raspberry, and forest floor. This is a classic, slightly rustic French bistro wine to me. We got this wine through the teeny tiny distributor (kiki.et.romeo.selections), so you won't find this one in too many spots. Have it with friends, have it at family dinner, have it whenever!

You can get this wine in-store in our natural section or at the link below:

https://www.pinnacleliquor.com/wines/Jean-FranA-ois-Debourg-Jean-FranA-ois-Debourg-NumA-ro-MMXVIII-2018-w0786307e6

02/04/2025

Here are this week’s Cooks’ World/Pinnacle Liquor Cocktails of the Week from the Libation Lounge Blog: Three delicious, low-alcohol cocktails using one of the best Spanish vermouths you’ll ever taste.

Pinnacle recently added another sherry vermouth to its shelves—Navazos Palazzi Vermut Rojo—and I’m really enjoying this expression! It’s an excellent, moderately sweet oloroso sherry infused with botanicals including savory, coriander, elderflower, juniper, and bitter orange peel. On the palate, this vermouth is full-bodied and fruit-forward, approaching the richness of a ruby port or even venturing into cream sherry territory. It’s incredibly delicious!

To learn about the vermouth and get the recipes, click through to the complete blog post. You’ll also find links to sources and some interesting background information: https://libationlounge.com/2025/02/02/cocktails-of-the-week-old-hickory-friends/

For a little Vermouth 101, also visit this Libation Lounge post: https://libationlounge.com/2023/09/13/i-know-why-you-dont-like-vermouth/

Get your ingredients here at Pinnacle Wine & Liquor and the cocktail tools and glassware you need from our friends at Cooks’ World!

01/30/2025

Last week, Matt had the privilege of tasting through a portion of 's direct import portfolio. This is when living in the state of New York pays off, as these wines are normally not available through regular distribution channels.

His close friend and sommelier extraordinaire Brian Butterfield (, ) joined him for this whirlwind one-day trip to New York, where he tasted through 22 wines selected by Erica Sigler, Kermit’s New York Wholesale Manager.

Erica and Matt go way back—she was one of the first reps to truly invest in Rochester when she represented the portfolio years ago, and we've always admired her commitment to giving so much of her time to restaurants and retailers here in Western NY. Matt credits her with introducing him to so many of the producers we love and rely on today.

Thanks to our direct partnership with KLM, we are excited to offer Matt's favorite wines from this tasting at some amazing prices. This sale has everything from a dry Muscat to an old vine Etna Rosso to Sciaccarello from Corsica (as well as some classic Kermit staples, like Rhone and Burgundy beauties).

Access the sale at the link below! We brought in 30 cases total; if we had to guess, they'll be gone by tomorrow morning.

https://www.pinnacleliquor.com/topics/Kermit-Lynch-Sale-g2721866hu?mc_cid=0cd853bec2&mc_eid=a8ecf706b5

Pinnacle Wine and Liquor

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Monday	10am - 7pm
Tuesday	10am - 7pm
Wednesday	10am - 7pm
Thursday	10am - 7pm
Friday	10am - 7pm
Saturday	10am - 7pm
Sunday	12pm - 6pm