Etna Nord, Sicily
Alberto Graci
Volcanic-soil reds and whites from the north slope of Etna. We share a long friendship with Alberto, built over decades of food, drink, and conversation.
The wines
A curated selection
Six countries sit at the heart of the shop. Italy from Piedmont to Sicily; France from Champagne to Languedoc; Spain and Portugal along with their islands; Greece, home to many undiscovered varietals, and of course, an extensive American selection.
We also offer wines from South Africa. Australia, New Zealand, Slovenia, Croatia, and Lebanon- to name a few.
The home table
Italy, from north to south.
Italian wines are a particular passion at The Clown. We carry a selection of cru Barolos & Barabarescos, top vintages of Brunellos, and unique regional specialities- not because they're trendy or timeless but because the producers are our friends and the wines we offer showcase specific grapes, distinctive terroir, or are especially delicious.
Volcanic precision
Greece and Island Wines
Greek wines are frequently overlooked in American wine culture, but not at The Clown! As a native Greek, Yorgo knows the regions and grapes so well. Many of our Greek wines are available exclusively at The Clown. You will find Xinomavros from northern Greece, old-vine Assyrtikos from Santorini, and niche producers from Crete, like Iliana Malihin and Yianni Economou.
For Collectors & Wine Enthusiasts
Library Wines
The Clown's library selections offer a collectors and curiosity seekers a range of key Napa Cabs, Premier Cru Burgundies, Grand Cru Bordeaux, cult producers from Greece, and verticals of top Barolo and Brunello vintages.
Bollicine, year round
Champagne and the sparkling shelf.
We offer Krug, Billecart-Salmon, and Bruno Paillard on the floor at all times. The rest of the rack rotates grower-producer champagnes, excellent crémants, and other sparklers from around the world.
We offer something for every occasion.
Closer to home
Domestic Wines
We are selective about our American wines. You'll find top producers from Napa and Sonoma, premier Oregon Pinot Noirs, and excellent-value Finger Lake whites in addition to quality expressions of more common varieties.
Producers We Love and Trust
Meet the makers
Beaujolais, France
Jean Foillard
Part of the famous "Gang of Four" producers who shunned industrial winemaking and brought Beaujolais to prominence with world-class, natural expressions of terroir.
Montalcino, Tuscany
Elisa Fanti
Elisa makes world-class Brunello, but also makes our top-value Sangiovese blend. If you catch a shipment of her estate olive oil, you'll be in heaven.
Mount Etna, Siciliy
Frank Cornelissen
A Belgian minimalist whose natural wines set a benchmark for experimentation and purity of expression.
Rethymno, Crete
Iliana Malihin
Starting at just 26, Iliana tamed feral vineyards of ungrafted centenary vines in her native Crete and introduced organic and biodynamic farming practices. The result are wines that authentically express the Cretan terroir.
Monforte d'Alba, Piedmont
Flavio Roddolo
The Hermit of Monforte. He farms; he ferments; he bottles. The wine is ready when it is ready. Flavio produces intense, introverted, structured wines with minimal intervention, spontaneous fermentation, and as much bottle-aging as he believes is necessary. Yes, those vintages dates aren't typos.