Profile

After ten years perfecting the cellars of Daniel—earning the restaurant a Grand Award from Wine Spectator and himself Sommelier of the Year from James Beard—Jean Luc Le Dû applied his passion for the grape to retail. In 2005, he opened this largely concrete, industrial-looking destination wine shop, which, although a hike from the nearest subway, has cultivated a neighborly allegiance with talkative shoppers via frequently scheduled (even impromptu) tastings, wine dinners with local restaurants, and especially a trustworthy stock which Le Dû assures has been handpicked to reflect his personal taste. — Alexandra Vallis