Enoteca

An enoteca is a venue focused on wine, typically combining retail, tasting, and education. In its most common Italian use, an enoteca is a shop where customers can buy wines by the bottle or glass, often with a curated selection of regional or national producers. Many enoteche also host tastings, guided by staff or guest sommeliers, and may offer light snacks or meals. The emphasis is usually on wine appreciation and education rather than full-service dining.

Etymology: The term enoteca derives from Italian, from Greek en- meaning in, and theke meaning a storehouse, literally “a place in which wine is kept.” The word has long been associated with wine storage and display, and in modern Italian usage it denotes a specialized wine shop or tasting venue.

In Italy, enoteche range from independent wine shops to wine bars embedded in restaurants. Some municipalities or regions operate Enoteca Regionale facilities to promote local wines through tastings, educational programs, and curated libraries of regional bottles. The concept has also inspired government and industry-backed wine libraries and cultural centers that use the term enoteca to emphasize wine culture.

Outside Italy, the word is widely used to describe wine shops or tasting rooms that emphasize the Italian approach to wine and hospitality. In these contexts, an enoteca may function as a shop, a small bar, or a tasting venue rather than a conventional restaurant.