Fine Wines The World Over
Since its founding in 1979, North Berkeley Imports has sourced authentic, expressive wines from France and Italy, destined for leading restaurants and wine shops as well as private cellars across the country. With a retail store in Berkeley, California and offices in Europe, our team is dedicated to providing customers with the finest wine selections the world over. And in 2019, we were named “Importer of the Year” by Wine & Spirits Magazine. Here’s our story.
Wine & Spirits Names Top Barolo, Barbaresco
Our partners Fratelli Alessandria in Verduno, Piero Busso in Neive, Tiziano Mazzoni in Ghemme and La Briccolina in Serralunga d’Alba are firing on all cylinders, making some of the finest Nebbiolo wines of their careers.
Vesselle ‘Petit Clos’ A “Stellar Champagne”
What makes a bottle of Champagne “stellar?” Tom Hyland of Forbes magazine has a couple of ideas, three in fact — and one that stands out for us, is Domaine Jean Vesselle’s exemplary, rare ‘Petit Clos.’
Chablis’ Marie-Ange Robin A Female Grower Pioneer
A new generation of women are taking control in Chablis and leading the industry to even higher heights. In this recent Forbes article, our partner Marie-Ange Robin is profiled as one of a growing number of female winemakers who are setting a new level of quality for the region.
Turgy Champagne Highlighted In Forbes
Thrilled to see our long-time partner Jean-Michel Turgy featured in this Forbes article! For more than a century the Turgy family has crafted gorgeous Blanc de Blanc wines in Mesnil, and his non-vintage wine is a favorite.
Voerzio Barolo Offers “Superb Sense of Place”
Another insightful piece by Forbes wine writer Tom Hyland! This time he’s exploring one of our very favorite places on earth, Piedmont — and in particular, the Baroli of La Morra.
“Tre Bicchieri” Winners Announced!
Gambero Rosso has officially awarded its “Tre Bicchieri” (Three Glasses) awards to the top Italian wines of 2020 — and a good many of our partners made the list, many not for the first time, either.
Wine & Spirits Names North Berkeley “Importer of the Year”
We are so humbled and proud to be named Importer of the Year by Wine & Spirits Magazine for 2019!
Top Champagne, Barolo, Barbaresco in Wine & Spirits
The hits just keep on coming — these notes and scores will appear in the upcoming December publication of Wine & Spirits (not yet in stores) which lists the year’s top Champagnes, Barolo & Barbaresco, plus new Imports.
Top Somm Tips Hat For Boyer Bourgogne Blanc
Fred Dex MS heaps praise on our favorite Bourgogne Blanc from Boyer-Martenot. A baby Meursault!
Skerlj Malvasia “Wine Of The Week” At W&S
Lovely writeup and hat tip to Skerlj and the family’s 2015 Malvasia, named “Wine of the week” in the most recent online version of Wine & Spirits.
2008 Egly-Ouriet Millesime Hits The Highest Mark
We say it constantly, and we’ll say it again: Egly is THE reference for grower Champagne. And we were there from the beginning as one of Egly’s first importers to the U.S.
Madone Beaujolais-Villages in Wine Advocate
It’s refreshing to see serious critics treating great Beaujolais as seriously as it should be, thus the review of our partners Domaine de la Madone and the scores their wines have warranted is reason to celebrate.
Wines from Italy
From the rolling, romantic hills of Piedmont to Sicily’s fiery volcanic slopes, Italy is a sensualist’s dream and a wine lover’s heaven. Nowhere else in the world will you experience such a rich selection of native grapes, each with its own character and flavor, than in Italy. Our partners from the bel paese are small family farms, many of which have roots that reach back centuries. Discover our Italian wines.
Wines from France
Our partners in France are true artisans, looking toward the future while respecting the traditions of the past. We’ve worked with not only mothers and fathers but also sons and daughters—who, after traveling the world, have come home with new ideas. Many of the regions in which we were first pioneers, are today household names—yet we’re still scouring the gorgeous French countryside for the next must-have wine. Discover our French wines.