Au Domaine, 802 N Fairfax St., Alexandria

[Sthitch]

Rick Raunswinder formally of Rick’s Beer and Wine on Duke has opened up a new store called Au Domaine. The store specializes in estate bottled wines exclusively from Europe. Absent from the shelves are Parker or Wine Spectator talkers instead Rick can tell you about each wine himself.

[Nichole]

Au Domaine is fantastic. We worked with them over the summer on a fundraiser for my friends' team for the Breast Cancer 3 Day. They were wonderful to work with and really went above and beyond, working with a la Lucia to organize the event (which was a rose tasting, with bites from a la lucia, held in a la lucia's tasting room). As a fundraiser, I've planned a lot of events, but this one was one of the most enjoyable experiences I've ever had. Rick and Allison took a personal interest in our cause and helped us create a really fun and unique event. I can't rave about them enough!

They also have "free and informal" weekly tastings (on Thursday, Friday and Saturday), which everyone should check out if they're in Old Town.