At first glance, Shmoné Wine Bar feels like a new entrant into the Greenwich Village dining scene, but a closer look reveals its long-standing reputation for quality and luxury. The latest venture by acclaimed chef Eyal Shani and SAGA alumni Yonatan Chaitchik, Shmoné Wine is an intimate wine bar right next to the Michelin-starred restaurant, Shmoné, in Greenwich Village. Opened in February 2025, they offer an exclusive selection of small batch wines and inventive small plates in a cozy, refined setting.
The wine list, curated by Yonatan Chaitchik—formerly of the acclaimed fine dining spot SAGA—features selections from small, family-owned producers across France, Germany, Italy, and beyond. Yonatan recommended a sampling of wines for us to try during our visit, and let’s just say – you trust him with everything.
The first wine we tried was an effervescent Pinot Noir – called “Blanc de Noir” as it’s a sparkling champagne-style white wine made from just Pinot Noir grapes. It’s made by Borell-Diehl winery in Pfalz, Germany. A “zero-dosage” wine (meaning there’s no sugar added to the final product), the glass was incredibly refreshing and energizing, while not at all bitter or heavy. It’s exactly what you want in a summer evening wine, and its unique qualities left us eagerly awaiting the next selection.
Our second wine was a Riesling from Peter Lauer winery in the Saar Valley in Germany. Named “Senior” after the vintner’s grandfather, this dry white wine has an almost savory flavor that the region is known for. After the bubbly, fresh taste of Blanc de Noir, this wine was the perfect appetizer for our meal and would pair excellently with many foods.
The third wine Yonatan brought us was our favorite – an orange wine from Oregon, by Maloof Wines’ Oak Ridge Vineyards. With notes of “black tea, rose petals, and sea salt with a lemonlike acidity”, this wine was one of the most unique I’ve ever tried. It had that classic orange “funky” flavor, but the citrus notes that came through delivered a flavor reminiscent of a Negroni! The cocktail-esque taste of this wine took it to the next level.
While wine is the centerpiece, Shmoné Wine’s menu of small bites complements the beverage selection. The night we visited, Fresh Roll Man sushi partnered with Shmoné chef Orianne Shapira to offer freshly made handrolls. We tried the Spicy Tuna, Yellowtail, Toro, and Salmon and Ikura rolls – the latter of which, we ordered 3 more. The freshness of the fish paired with the Chef’s culinary instincts created out-of-this-world delicious handrolls. You need high-quality food to stand up to high-quality wine, and Shmoné Wine exemplifies that!
A trip to Shmoné Wine this season is a must – I’ve already got 5 more trips (at least) on my summer bucket list. Chef Shani and Chaitchik do an excellent job of selecting top-quality wines and highlighting small-time producers. There’s no better place in the city we’ve found to understand all that wine has to offer, and appreciate its complexity.