Berman's Wine and Spirits was incorporated in 1909 (yes, you read that correctly). We're located 12 miles NW of Boston and 4 miles from Cambridge in historic Lexington. The business began over a hundred years ago when Joel Berman's grandfather drove a horse drawn wagon up and down Massachusetts Avenue, selling meat door to door. The wagon eventually became a storefront, then a full grocery/dry goods business and finally, after prohibition, a licensed liquor store. Joel Berman relates, "The town fathers came to my grandfather and offered him the first available liquor license in town due to his kind consideration of, and generosity to, those who didn't have enough money to pay him during the depression."In 1959, Berman's moved diagonally across the street to a larger location on Massachusetts Avenue. This is where the shop currently resides. Joel Berman began working at Berman's in 1962 and through decades of hard work, passion, and love, built Berman's into the space that we all love today. By studying, tasting extensively and traveling to European vineyards, Joel establishing contacts with both Italian and French grower/winemakers, increasing his wine knowledge and enhancing his reputation both at home and abroad. He studied French, then Italian, and speaks both languages fluently, which is a tremendous aid in ferreting out excellent albeit obscure wines. Joel bought out his uncle's interest in the business in 1972. In 2009, Joel needed a little help around the shop. He didn't know quite what he was looking for but he took a chance on a young kid named Alex Bluhm who was just hoping to learn more about wine and get a "foot in the door" of the wine industry. Alex had a passion for wine, intelligence, and an impressive work ethic but he lacked experience in a retail environment. Little did Joel know that Alex would freaking LOVE it! Alex did a little bit of everything at the shop and did it with a smile. With a lot of mentoring from Joel, he eventually worked his way up to Wine Director and General Manager and has been running the shop since 2012. The shop was owned solely by Joel Berman from 1972 until August of 2024 (what a run!). At that time, Joel felt it was time to step away. Desiring to keep this important small business in the community and to keep the Berman's legacy of quality and service intact, Joel sold his interests to Alex. He knew Alex loved the business, loved the community, and loved wine and knew he had found the right steward to move Berman's into the future. He was the right man for the job. Berman's is especially noted for carrying highly regarded, limited production wines from around the world, in addition to most popular favorites. The bulk of our producers are artisanal, family-owned and operated wineries, many of whom grow organically or biodynamically. Alex and his passionate team carefully source and select wines based on decades of tasting experience and a hands-on approach to learning the palates of their customers. By directly importing many of our featured wines, excellent price to quality ratios are maintained. The always changing portfolio at Berman's definitely represents a passionate old-world feel, but continues to explore all regions where wine is produced. The Berman's email newsletter highlights many of the exceptional values and discoveries available at the shop with an analysis of trends, vintages and specific regions. In every blast, our team identifies best buys from select growers with in-depth analysis and tasting notes. The focus covers wines from all over the globe and allows you to learn about wine from the classics all the way to the newest styles/producers around. Our team's passion for wine is evident in all of our emails but they are not condescending or pedantic, instead they are educational and insightful.Our team of experienced wine professionals pride themselves on assisting individual customer choices, for intimate dinner parties, larger affairs, or wines to cellar. Special order wines not stocked are gladly researched.
