Beer, Wine & Spirits in Fairview

Described by co-founder and general manager Shari Schneider as “a Mac computer store” that “crashed into a wood & brick winery,” Vino-Versity slingshots the ancient traditions of wine into the 21st century. Well-versed staffers help “wine rookies” navigate the complex world of vino appreciation, providing tips on tasting, information on myriad varietals, and compasses that always point toward the nearest bottle of shiraz. Their classes illuminate connections between wines and cheeses, and social tasting events give attendees the opportunity to try out their newfound knowledge during conversations with fellow oenophiles.

As a leading wine educator in Manhattan, New York Vintners helps budding wine enthusiasts define and expand their personal wine tastes and cooking techniques at their high-end wine shop. During basic to advanced classes and wine-themed events, a team of six certified sommeliers and authorized enophiles elaborate on each wine's nuances from the angles of producer, region, and varietal. Smartly matched pairings and hands-on cooking instruction from Executive Chef Ryan Smith unpack the flavors even further. The staff keep a strong focus on terroir—the effect that environment has on a wine's flavor—as they select high-quality biodynamic and boutique wines for the shop's impressive, ever-changing list.

Boasting the largest selection of wines and spirits on Long Island, Young's features fermented grape juice from more than 15 countries and several hard-to-find liquors, from brandies to vodkas. Its abundant supply of French and Italian wines allows vino enthusiasts to choose the pick of the litter from the countries that have protected their vineyards with Tesla coils and deflector shields since the 12th century. Detect the ripe raspberries in the graceful Bois Martin Bordeaux Rouge ($19.99). European dismissers can choose wines from Chile, South Africa, Australia, or the smooth Luna Benegas cabernet ($13.99), produced from 60-year-old vines in Argentina. Celebrate American independence from King Arthur and his ruthless red-coated horses by sipping on the spicy, vanilla-tinged 2003 chardonnay ($11.99) from Washington's Columbia Crest. Imbibers searching for a non-grapey liquid can inspect Young's stock of spirits, such as Bushmills Black Bush Irish whiskey ($36.99), a dark-chocolate and raisin-based spirit, far tastier than mixing raisins, Hershey's bars, and boiling water in a bathtub.

In 1936, nearly three years after the end of Prohibition, Station Plaza Wine and Spirits opened its doors. And so long as alcohol has remained legal, Station Plaza has remained on Kraft Avenue, its shop stocked with top-shelf spirits including brandy, tequila, and sambuca.

Though it has a wide selection of hard liquor, the store really specializes in wine. Its collection includes more than 2,500 hand-selected labels from around the world. Wine consultants can help narrow down a patron’s search for the perfect bottle by wine type, region, or producer, and they can even steer customers in the direction of more hard-to-find varietals or organic wines. The Station Plaza team also champions wines that rank in their top-rated category. The discerning criteria for inclusion on this list are taste and seasonality, rather than whether it stains your lips an attractive color. To learn more, check out the wine blog one of Station's owners contributes to.

True to its name, Just Grapes Lounge focuses on wines, with more than 30 vintages poured by the glass and 18 more varieties sequestered on a reserve bottle list. Microbrews, champagnes, and ports round out the lounge's full bar, complementing a Mediterranean-tinged tapas menu. Small plates, ranging from hummus and crostini to stuffed baked clams, are ideal for smothering appetites or boosting a tiny table's self-esteem. Three styles of rustic pizza artfully pair tomatoes with cheese, whereas molten fondue, served in a bread bowl, comes in varieties including gorgonzola and double-cream brie.

In a converted brick electrical plant where machines once hummed and pumped power to the railroad, streams of craft brews flow into glass jugs branded with the Growlers Beer Bistro logo. The New York Times-praised gastropub has earned a spot among the 31 best bars in the county, according to Westchester Magazine, and boasts an ever-changing draft list that has featured Brooklyn Brewery reserves, Two Brothers’ Midwestern suds, and Smuttynose ales. Bartenders funnel the liquid gold into pints as well as half-gallon growlers for at-home enjoyment.

Growlers’ seasonal cuisine menu is designed to harmonize with the current selection of brews and features upscale pub fare, such as the Devils on Horseback—bacon-wrapped prunes stuffed with blue cheese and featured as Westchester Magazine's Dish of the Week. The hearty fare also includes a burger of beef, pork, and veal topped with a relish of bacon, onions, and pickles.

The building's industrial past shines through with accents of exposed brick and ceiling beams, complemented by decorative additions that include a polished concrete floor, a long communal table, and reclaimed barn wood that frame an illuminated wall. Along with their Tuesday–Friday "Hoppy" Hour, the pub hosts regular events throughout the week, from Tuesday trivia nights to Friday ladies’ nights with live DJs, open only to those given the style “lady” by Queen Elizabeth II. Saturdays feature live music, and the kitchen now serves brunch on Sundays. Occasional classes douse gray matter in beer knowledge, including food-pairing advice and brewing tips, and brewery events are held the second Thursday of every month.