Published by Jeremy. Last Updated on October 22, 2024.
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We are always of the mindset that Pittsburgh needs more wine bars and bottle shops, and, thankfully, our wine scene is improving with each passing year.
In 2024, Lawrenceville’s wine scene got a new addition- Solera Wine Co.
Not only is this one a wine bar offering an array of wines by the glass, but it also offers an on-site bottle shop, small bites, and a modest cocktail program, too!
Go for a glass, leave with a bottle? We’re okay with this.
Solera Wine Co Offers a Bit of Everything
You’ll have no doubts that you’re in a wine bar after stepping foot inside Solera Wine Co. The bar takes up a prominent place within the building, tables are plentiful, and whatever space that is not used for seating is filled with dozens upon dozens of bottles available for purchase (for both on-site consumption for an additional corkage fee and to go).
During our visit during Solera’s opening week, the wine menu offered quite the spread with a mix of sparkling wines, white, orange, rose, and red wines available by the glass- roughly two to five in each specific category.
While Solera does not have a specific theme when it comes to wines that are featured, the menu during our visit had one word come to mind- approachable. The wines run the grape and flavor spectrum, including many regions you may not necessarily be familiar with (Chilean Pais or Portuguese Sousao, anyone?), but comes together for a wine list of many glasses we could enjoy on their own or with food.
The small plates side of the menu here feels very Spanish tapas style with flavor combinations that, naturally, work out quite well with the wines available by the glass. Think bites like roasted Marcona almonds, marinated olives, Valdeon stuffed dates wrapped in Speck, Pimento cheese, Serrano ham, and more.
The stuffed dates were the highlight of the plates we were able to sample, as the slightly funky cheese provided a nice counterpoint to the rich date and Speck, which contributed a nice spike in flavors with our two red wines in particular. Even if you’re heading out for a dinner reservation after your visit (as we were), do not overlook a snack or two as an appetizer to match your wines as it will elevate the experience considerably.
Going beyond the small plates and wine, Solera Wine Co. offers a modest cocktail menu featuring craft cocktails, high balls, and Spritzes.
On the high ball and Spritz front, think a base spirit with a flavored soda (fino sherry and yuzu, anyone?) and on the cocktail front you have house takes on classics like the classic Daquiri, Martini, and Vespa- the latter of which was made with rye, Pedro Ximenez sherry, fig, and bitters which was delightfully rich with a perfect sweetness to finish.
Of course, before heading out you’ll do well to peruse their bottle shop collection and consider picking up a bottle to go. The bottles available on the by the glass list are, naturally, readily available as well as numerous others that we hope to see on the menu for a pour soon.
Being able to grab a bottle of a wine you tried and liked can’t be easier, and with our area’s changing liquor laws, we are here for the ease of access.
Overall, our only regret with Solera Wine Co. was that we couldnt try more in a single visit. Whether you are visiting for an aperitif before a dinner reservation, as a night cap after a meal, or making a night of it at the bar, this one has a little something for everyone that will have us going back again and again.
Now we just need to decide what bottle(s) we want to buy to take home for later. Always the hardest question, but thankfully one that can be answered readily by a trusty bartender just steps away.
Solera is located at 4839 Butler Street in Lawrenceville.
