Awards & Accolades

"Wine and spirits distributor K&L has developed an in-house sommelier that's a vino expert without ever having taken a sip."
"The AI-powered oenophile can answer all of K&L's customers pressing vino questions."

The Messenger (September 2023)

"With three retail wine stores spread out between the Bay Area and Los Angeles and two more slated to open early next year, plus a large online sales operation, K&L Wine Merchants is one of the best-known names in retail wine in California and also one of its most dynamic."

Wall Street Journal (July 2023)

"This mainstay focuses on fine wine with an element of discovery. Its buyers keep an eye out for what's new and exciting, but you'll also find plenty of old favorites from Napa, Sonoma, Burgundy, Bordeaux and Champagne. If you're in the market for something really special, check out the auction lots."

Wine Enthusiast Magazine | America's 50 Best Wine Retailers 2021 - Best Top-Shelf Shops (November 2021)

"Old-school wine authority K&L has been around since 1976, and has 4 brick and mortar locations across California in addition to its sprawling online marketplace. It's noticeably less flashy and voicey than a lot of newer sites you can buy wine from, but that certainly doesn't take away from the staggering breadth of K&L's inventory. They've also got a rather impressive old and rare wine collection, if you're looking to add something special to your cart."

Food & Wine | 10 Best Online Wine Shops (March 2021)

"Established in Millbrae, California in 1976, K&L Wine Merchants runs retail stores in Redwood City, San Francisco, Hollywood and Culver City. But it is the family-owned company's online presence that is the cornerstone of the business today. K&L Wines has an impressive selection of old and rare wines plus latest-vintage domestic and international wines. The company's mission statement is to offer the world's finest wines at competitive prices, priding itself on its customer service."

Decanter (January 2021)

"Northern California stalwart K&L Wine Merchants, founded in 1976, remains one of the best places to buy wine online. The company directly imports many of its offerings, with California, Italy and Bordeaux its strong suits."

Wine Enthusiast Magazine | Best Place To Buy Wine Online (March 2020)

(Nominated - 2019 Retailer of the Year) "Founded in 1976 by Todd Zucker and Clyde Beffa Jr. and still owned by their families, this is one of the best places to buy wine, whether online or by visiting one of the 4 stores in the Redwood City, San Francisco, Hollywood and Culver City, California. K&L employs a large staff of buyers who travel the world to remove the middleman by directly importing many of their offerings. The shops are most famous for their California and Bordeaux selections and also have one of the U.S.'s most comprehensive selections of Italian wine. Wine collectors know K&L for its wide variety of rare and collectible wines, and also take advantage of the online store's ongoing auctions."
Wine Enthusiast Magazine (2019)

(Nominated - 2018 Retailer of the Year) "With stores in Redwood City, San Francisco, Hollywood and Culver City, K&L is a champion for California wines, but it also covers the world and emphasizes the classic, collectible wines of France, Italy, Germany and other regions. Founded in 1976, K & L developed a team of buyers who taste, purchase and write about what they find. The company buys direct whenever possible. Its experienced, knowledgeable salespeople deliver reasonable prices and a wealth of rare and old wines, now available via an online auction system."
Wine Enthusiast Magazine (September 2018)

(Winner - Best Wine Shop) "Already a well-established outpost for value and splurge-worthy selections, K&L recently moved a few blocks from its original SoMa location, and we're happy to report that things got better. K&L, which has stores in Hollywood and Redwood City, finds itself in that happy medium between the watered-down booze empires dotting suburbia and the dedicated yet small speciality shops we hope to find in all neighborhoods. Their mojo is direct imports, and virtually everything they offer is a few dollars less than everyone else at least. Pair this with a staff that drinks everything they opine about — K&L's website is extensive with both in-house and professional reviews — and you'll need a hand truck to get out of the place. California is covered well, but K&L truly stands out with its European offerings. Start in England with sparkling wine you didn't know existed, head east to Bordeaux for 10-year-old wines under $20, and then maybe swing through Rioja for something with more age at $15 or less. Ever tried an orange wine from Hungary, Georgia, or Slovenia? Or a Zinfandel from Croatia? Now's your chance."
SF Weekly (2016)

(Nominated - 2013 Retailer of the Year) "With 4 storefronts in California (Redwood City, San Francisco, Hollywood and Culver City) and a flourishing online business, K&L has become the go-to retailer for collectors of fine and rare wines, as well as for those just looking for a great everyday bottle."
Wine Enthusiast Magazine (October 2013)

"A good wine shop -- say, K&L Wine Merchants in Hollywood -- ages well. The selection doesn't become stagnant, the choices are varied. There are always stellar surprise finds and some "Oh wow, this is a great deal" familiar wine bottle moments. And as the seasons change, the wines subtly change, too... well-edited and regularly-changing selection of wines from around the world. Staffers routinely taste wines, and even better, post their sometimes conflicting opinions online (flavor is subjective, after all). That means there is always an impressively broad range of wines here... And sure, if you happen to have an impressive collection of cellared wines you want to auction off, or have the budget to "invest" in Bordeaux and such (lucky you), you can do that, too. This is as much a rare wine find shop (Read: More expensive than our monthly rent) as it is one with some great bargains. But even when an inexpensive mass-produced wine hits the shelves here, it's because the vintage is good and the staff gave it a thumbs up. We've seen big French wines at K&L one year, gone the next, then back again... Despite all those library wines, we are firm believers that K&L's strength is in the $10 to $25 category (the price range search engine is on the bottom left of the website). Sure, there are wines under $10 here. And we've snagged some we've liked. But if you can spend $12, occasionally $18 or so, this is a wine geek's Candyland."
LA Weekly (May 31st, 2011)

"From soup to nuts, this (KLWines.com) is the best wine Web site in the U.S. Visiting it is like dropping into an outstanding wine store with plenty of time on your hands to browse. Inventory is real-time -- the site shows how many bottles are available at which location -- and there is plenty of commentary, both from the store's staff and critics, about each wine. There are pictures of bottles everywhere. The site is easy to navigate but not cluttered. Delivery is painless."
Wall Street Journal (April 10th, 2009)

Named one of the Top 500 retailers on the Internet, as well as listed in their "Hot 100" list of best retail web sites... "With its roots in the wine business going back more than 30 years, K&L Wine Merchants has long-established connections with wineries around the world... Many of K&L's long-time customers are wine experts who come to its web site knowing what they want. But a recent site redesign makes shopping easier for a broader range of shoppers."
Internet Retailer (Top 500 Guide 2008 Edition)

"An excellent place to shop"
Smart Money (December 2007)

(Article: 10 Best Online Wine Shops) "Serious wine lovers have been turning to this California retailer for more than 30 years. K&L's wine buyers not only hunt down the best from nearly every region in the world, but also sell hundreds of direct-import wines at great prices. The Web site shows real-time inventory of just how many bottles of, say, 2004 Domaines Schlumberger Saering Grand Cru Riesling ($20) are still available. Tip: Direct-import sparkling wines include terrific bargains such as Tarlant Brut Zéro Champagne"
Food & Wine (June 2007)

"When you want service from someone who knows Petrus from plonk... Insiders have rightly called K&L a mecca. At first glance, you'll figure this enormously comprehensive inventory includes everything from everywhere, but don't think it's not selective. Plus, from its well-traveled buyers to its sociable, encyclopedic-minded sales folks, the staff is carefully chosen, too. K&L's 30 years of experience really shows."
San Francisco Magazine (June 2006)

"Good for novices or serious collectors, it gets the basics right and has all the bells and whistles, too. Big selection, short but detailed descriptions, fair prices, reliable delivery. Clean navigation and search functions. Shipping policy and real-time inventory notice right up front. A "you may also be interested in" feature shows wines similar to the one you're looking at; a keyword-matching program shoots you an e-mail when the store adds a wine you might be looking for. Good blog: Recently, it was live from Bordeaux."
Wall Street Journal (April 28th, 2006)

"One of California's most renowned wine retailers... The store's success lies in part in its incredibly wide selection, ranging from Bordeaux's top growths to obscure cult bottlings. Anything in the store's inventory is available online... It's a little like having a personal sommelier; the only thing missing, of course, was a sample sip. "
Des Moines Register (March 16th 2006)

"California-based K&L serves up a rich Web site with a vast selection of wines--from rare to common table wines--at good prices. While the selection of wines from around the world is strong (particularly in Italian and French wines) the site distinguishes itself by the breadth of West Coast wines offered... There is lots more here, including wine reviews, monthly wine clubs that automatically send you wines every month at reduced prices, wine e-mail alerts, which notify you of new wines or if a wine you are waiting for becomes available, and a free wine newsletter."
Forbes.com (Best of the Web, 2005-2006)

(Winner: Best Online California Selection) "This Northern California-based retailer has a notable list of international wines, but its domestic selection has few rivals. Known for small production and rare California bottlings, K&L's prices aren't bad, either."
Chow (November/December 2005)

"Knowledgeable but non-snooty staff members able and willing to share their wine enthusiasm with people at all levels of experience."
Inc.com (Best Places to Buy Wine Online -- August 2005)

"Comprehensive selection with competitive prices and a large Italian selection." (listed as only San Francisco entry in their "country's greatest wine shops" section)
Vitals (Fall 2005)

"California-based K&L is understandably strong in West Coast wines--from the Napa Valley heavy hitters... to lesser-known gems. Not that it's a slouch in other world wine regions; its French and Italian offerings are also particularly fine. K&L's generally competitive pricing looks even better when you click into the inventory clearance area... Also helpful: the excellent information on regions, subregions and microregions shown with each wine description."
Forbes.com (Best of the Web, 2004-2005)

"I'd say it's definitely worth cultivating some personal contacts with serious San Francisco retailers such as K&L."
Jancis Robinson (January, 2005)

"Best Web Site Award"
Publishers of The Wine Spectator (Market Watch Awards -- September 2004)

"Here's one of those little things that makes living in San Francisco worth all the hassle: One of the most notable wine merchants in the nation is headquartered here. While our friends in other parts of the country are left to peruse the K&L Web site (awesome in its own right), we can stop in and read labels, talk to real people, and taste. Sure, wine snobs still go to Napa Valley, Sonoma, or down the coast to shop for vino. But who wants to brave that kind of traffic every time you throw a dinner party? For more specialized needs, customers can consult with K&L's various wine specialists. The store also produces a list of vintages coming into stock, and allows customers to join a wait list to be notified when their favorites are in the store. The prices are outstanding, and because K&L imports from small producers as well as the big houses, there are great deals to be had on some terrific wines that you'd never otherwise find. For the more serious fancier, the shop buys old and rare wines from collections in California and Europe, so this is a good place to find a special addition for your cellar."
SF Weekly (May 14, 2003)

"A well-known wine retailer in California, K&L Wine Merchants in San Francisco and Redwood City, is considered by many to have the best online wine site in the country, with a notable list of California, Oregon and Washington wines, as well as just-released and rare vintage French, Italian and German wines. It has terrific prices and a highly informative Web site as well."
New York Times (October 18th, 2002)

"Great for rare and hard-to-find wines."
"Good value and selection."
Time

"Internet's Best Wine Site."
"Plenty of information for oenophiles and novices alike."
Money

"Best wine e-retailer."
"Will help you speak about vino like an afficianado."
InStyle

"An extraordinary list."
The Wall Street Journal

"Industry Winner... best online wine site."
Forbes ASAP

"One of the nation's top 10 wine retailers."
Publishers of The Wine Spectator

"klwines.com is the cellar to search first."
"Full-bodied reviews"
Smart Money

"One of the great internet wine shops, K&L is considered to be among the elite of all wine shops across the country."
"K&L carries a large an impressive line up of both domestic and imported wines. Their selection of Italian and French wines is one of the best I have seen in California. They also carry some outstanding German and Spanish wines along with an abundant domestic selection. On top of all this there selection of older and rare wines is a feast for sore eyes! Truly incredible."
"They respresent good value and quality to the consumer. Check them out, you won't be sorry."
West Coast Wine Network

"San Francisco-based K&L Wine Merchants takes Internet commerce to the next level."
Working Woman Magazine

"Lowest prices in cyberspace."
Money.com

"Choose something for tonight's dinner, or browse the extensive selection of old and rare wines from Bordeaux and beyond."
USA Weekend

"One of Northern California's best-known and best-loved wine retailers."
"An abundance of interesting information and twenty-five years of experience backing it up."
Wine & Spirits

"Get friendly with well-connected wine sellers. K&L Wine Merchants in San Francisco is a great store that has an appealing Web site."
Business Week

"One of the San Francisco Bay Area's noted wine retailers, with two local stores and a corresponding website. The site is packed with readable wine descriptions. Whether you're buying a (value-priced?) bottle of white to complement the entrees of the next company luncheon or the rarest bottle of Bordeaux ($3,999) to send to your best client, the selection will be easy."
Fortune Small Business (12-1-2002)