If you are a wine lover and visiting Greenbrier County, Village Wine Shop in White Sulphur Springs should be your first stop. It’s located in downtown beside Road Hog’s BBQ and Big Draft Brewing. Annie Slonaker, the manager, and Clay Elkins, the proprietor, are very welcoming and have extensive knowledge regardless of your varietal preference. They can save you time by sharing suggestions based on your stylistic biases. Plus, they have a lot of wines to taste and purchase. This is the only boutique wine shop in White Sulphur Springs and it’s no wonder it’s becoming a popular destination in the valley. BONUS: The shop offers gift baskets and invite you to join their Wine of the Month Club!

If you are a wine lover and visiting Greenbrier County, Village Wine Shop in White Sulphur Springs should be your first stop.

No matter when you visit, expect some type of sampling or tasting event.

Open since September, 2020, they carry a diverse selection of bottles from all the major wine-producing regions of the world. You’ll find wine favorites as well as lesser-known adventures on the racks. You can also purchase fine meats, cheeses, and other accompaniments. Some village favorites are Murray’s Cheese from Greenwich Village (NYC), balsamic vinegars from Italy, local honeys, Grecian EVOO, and olive oil refills by Ariston. There’re also fine mixers such as Mother Shrub, Hawk Knob Cider, White Claws, and specialty beers. If there is something specific you are looking for, chances are pretty good they can get it for you. Just ask!

Clay is a certified sommelier and enjoys sharing his knowledge, enthusiasm and love for wine.

Clay is a certified sommelier and enjoys sharing his knowledge, enthusiasm and love for wine. He is originally from North Carolina and has been a resident of Greenbrier County for 15 years. Annie is an advanced wine enthusiast and sommelier. She has lived in the area for three years, from northern Virginia and is a retired mixologist/flight attendant. She has been employed by The Four Seasons, The Homestead and Lansdowne Resort. Together they make a great team because their focus is on handselling, which are personal recommendations. There is not a wine in the shop that Annie and Clay have not tried.  They are also big proponents of wine education to keep patrons updated on the latest vino. Annie tells us, “Many people know exactly what they are looking for when it comes to wine, but others feel a bit confused in the world of wine. Fear not, we have you covered.”

The backstory of The Village Wine Shop is a love story.

Annie says the backstory of The Village Wine Shop is a love story. Clay and his wife, Suzanne opened the doors of the shop in early September 2020, amidst the covid chaos. The shop’s location was a barber shop for 56 years and not much inside has changed, yet! A remodel is planned for the near future expanding their inventory to over 300 labels. There will be lots of updates including lit shelving, fresh paint, and an all around cozier shopping experience.

No matter when you visit, expect some type of sampling or tasting event. They stay open late every 3rd Thursday as the town bustles with locals and visitors. The hours of operation are Tuesday-Saturday, 11a-5p. If you cannot make it during regular hours, call for after-hours (by appointment only), 304-536-0013. During WSS Third Thursdays, the shop’s hours are extended until 7p.

“…The future looks very bright! Thank you for your continued support!”

Annie and Clay say they would like to thank their patrons for supporting small business. Annie says, “We appreciate you all for laughing with us, crying with us, and making this shop a reality! We share a common goal to make White Sulphur lovely again and a destination, not just a ‘town I drove through!’ The future looks very bright! Thank you for your continued support!”

Stop in the Village Wine Shop the next time you’re in the area. Their address is 713 Main St. E. White Sulphur Springs. To learn more, visit yourvillagewineshop.com and follow @yourvillagewineshop on facebook and instagram for the latest updates. For questions, call Annie at 304-536-0013 or text 540-686-5291.

– HashtagWV City Paper #133. July 2021.