Charm, Uncorked, and Cozy

Venture to Downtown Wilmington’s The Vine for good libations and tasty eats enjoyed amid cozy surrounds.

Photography by Josh Tyndall of The Heart First Agency

Tucked at the corner of Princess and 3rd streets in Downtown Wilmington, The Vine is an intimate neighborhood wine bar and eatery that has been pouring vino for friends and neighbors since 2019. While it’s a haven for wine lovers, this cozy spot also serves up a lineup of seasonal and “whatever-you’re-in-the-mood-for” classic handcrafted cocktails.

Behind the food-and-drink oasis is husband-and-wife duo Carrie and Jason Niloff. They took over the locally founded wine bar in 2023 — Carrie’s first-ever step into the restaurant world.

“When we took over, we saw the potential to transition The Vine from strictly a wine bar into a place with craft cocktails and a rotating food menu,” Carrie says.

She points out the bar’s standout bourbon program and chef-driven plates highlighting the freshest seasonal fruits and vegetables. Stay tuned for the fall menu!

“The food aspect makes us different from other wine bars,” Carrie says. “We wanted to capture a spot where there’s something for everyone.”

The Niloffs’ vision is for patrons not just to pop by for a drink or two, but to entice them to get comfy at The Vine all evening long.

“It’s so charming,” Carrie says. “It’s a cozy spot downtown with a lot of people coming in to have a good time. And that’s the feeling of The Vine — a nice evening.”

The Vine is but a quick stroll from Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts, with its hours purposely poised a bit later on Friday and Saturday evenings to entice theatergoers in for a pre-show meal or post-show nightcap.

While cocktails and curated plates are surely a draw, The Vine was founded on wine, and its curated list of whites and reds sourced from all over the world are the true heart of the experience.

To that end, The Vine touts a monthly wine club including two hand-selected bottles along with a “pick-up party” featuring charcuterie and a tasting for members.

Beyond that, there are often five-course wine dinners cooking up, along with a lineup of fun workshops and classes hosted in tandem with local artisans and creatives — think pasta making, watercolor classes and wine tastings, naturally.

“We want people to try something they wouldn’t typically find at a steakhouse or a normal restaurant,” Carrie says. “[Coming here] is an opportunity to see what other wines you might like.”

Catch the Vino Vibes
The Vine
25 N. 3rd Street, Wilmington
(910) 899-4001
thevinewilmington.com
Socials: @thevinewilmington