North Berkeley Imports

North Berkeley is a full-service retailer and importer that specializes in fine wines from France and Italy. We work very closely with wine producers, who in general are small, artisanal wineries that bottle to our strict quality specifications. We offer artisanal wines to retail and wholesale customers across the U.S., and can ship where state laws allow. Retail and wholesale offerings include grower Champagne, a second-to-none Burgundy portfolio, top wines from the Loire and Rhône valleys, leading Italian producers, as well as our own California selections, wine samplers, gift certificates, rare collectibles and wine clubs. What's the history of NBI? North Berkeley began in 1979 as a small, neighborhood wine shop, just down the block from Alice Waters' Chez Panisse in Berkeley's "Gourmet Ghetto." Some years later, David Hinkle and Gregor Dixon, two former colleagues with extensive experience as both retailers and importers of artisanal and European wines, decided on a grander vision for the business. They started importing wines from France, with a special emphasis in Burgundy. Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate in 1996 named North Berkeley its "Importer of the Year," an important moment in our history-it solidified our resolve that our unique way of selecting and importing was resonating with people who truly appreciate and seek out fine wine. In 1999, a mutual friend introduced Billy Weiss to David Hinkle during a fishing trip on the Henry's Fork River in Idaho. Sharing similar passions and goals, these two hit it off instantly. Just a few months later, Weiss arranged to purchase North Berkeley Imports from the original owner. Combined with a dedicated team of employees and Hinkle's unrelenting quest for perfection, this acquisition allowed North Berkeley Imports to expand and refine its goals of importing artisanal wine. Today, we represent many of Burgundy's leading winemakers, as well as some of the top producers from the Loire and Rhône valleys. We work only with micro-production Champagne houses, ones that also manage their own vineyards, to ensure the highest quality. In Italy, we have great partnerships with producers who are pioneers in organic cultivation and native, ancient grape varietals. What's more, we also carry outstanding domestic wines, from California and Oregon, that fit our overall philosophy. What's the philosophy of NBI? What sets it apart from other wine importers? We want every customer to have the same tasting experience out of bottle that we have when we taste wines in barrel. What does this mean? It speaks of authenticity, of wine that resonates of terroir and pure fruit. We want each bottle we import to be as close to the truest expression of an individual site as we can possibly capture. We have great partnerships with our winemakers; some of them we've been working with for more than a generation. This close, personal relationship gives us an advantage in securing the best and most unique wines. How does NBI chose its producers? North Berkeley wines are selected from winemakers who truly know and care for their land and their vines. We look for independent growers who work exceptional vineyards (with good soil and older vines), and who ideally farm their land naturally (often organically or biodynamically). Our partnerships are important. Even when a grower has outstanding vineyards, we won't work well together if we don't share the same vision. Above all, we're serious about the responsibility we have to our customers to select the finest, most distinctive and natural wines possible. Why does North Berkeley Imports specialize in wines from Burgundy? We import and purchase Burgundy (for our own cellars) because we simply believe it is the most exciting wine in the world. While there are many great wines, the spark that Burgundy gives is a charge like no other-akin to the deepest passion, the most profound bliss. Centuries of history-from monks who carved vineyard plots as inspired by their palates to today's innovative winemakers who ably marry tradition and technology-give added weight to our convictions. The recent surge in popularity of Pinot Noir only adds to this; it is one of our many quests to better educate people about Burgundy, this noble grape's true home and region where it is most ably expressed. We are fortunate to work with producers who share our passions and work with us to bring our customers top-quality Burgundy, every vintage. Many bottles of wine from NBI carry the label, "Cuvée Unique." What does this mean? "Cuvée Unique" is a term we created for wines that North Berkeley selects exclusively for our customers. With the assistance of the producer, we'll choose out of an entire cellar a few lots of wine, whether in tank or barrel, to make a unique, custom blend bottled exclusively for North Berkeley. North Berkeley selections are often bottled earlier, unfined and unfiltered, and with as little sulfur as possible. While we don't do this with every winemaker we work with, it is something that our producers appreciate. It shows them that we're as passionate about their craft as they are. For more about our selection process, see "What is 'Cuvée Unique?' The selection process." There seems to be some sediment in my wine. Can I still drink it? Many North Berkeley Import wines are often bottled unfined and unfiltered (in French, non-filtré). Fining and filtering are processes that remove particulate matter from wine before it is bottled, to prevent a wine from appearing "cloudy." While we appreciate when a wine looks good, we're more concerned that it taste good. Our experience has shown that unfined/unfiltered wines will often taste fresher, with more purity of fruit, than wines that have gone through this process. We also believe that this natural sediment helps to nourish wine over time, which can help it age gracefully while in your cellar. We work with our producers closely to determine the best course of action for each cuvée, each vintage; and if needed, will test a small batch of wine to see how it reacts to the fining or filtering process. In short, however, we seek first and foremost natural wines, which is why you'll find many unfined and unfiltered wines in our portfolio. How do I contact North Berkeley Imports? For retail inquiries and to receive our free newsletters and mailings, call toll-free 1-800-266-6585, Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. To 6 p.m. PST., or email retail@ northberkeleyimports.com. For wholesale and distribution inquiries, please email piluso@ northberkelyimports.com. To sign up for our free weekly emails or special offers, please go to northberkeleyimports.com/contacts.