Published by Jeremy. Last Updated on August 27, 2020.
Disclaimer: Our site uses demographic data, email opt-ins, display advertising, and affiliate links. Please check out our Terms and Conditions. Pricing, operating hours, or menus may have changed since our initial visit and may not be reflected in subsequent updates. Please confirm these directly with any business or attraction prior to visiting.
Apericena wine bar opened in late 2018 across from South Hills Village in Upper St. Clair. Serving higher-end wines in full pours or in flights, the bar had our name on it and we made our way to the South Hills to check them out shortly after opening.
Apericena is a Higher End Wine Bar for the South Hills
Apericena has a fairly impressive collection of high-end wines that you don't normally see available in many places in the region (both in terms of vineyard and grape varietals).
Roughly 50% of the wines are sold by the bottle, and 50% are available for flights and glasses- a good percentage in its own right but large in volume when you consider the collection.
During our visit we were able to sample five (two glasses and a three pour flight)- the August Kesseler Kabinett Riesling (German), the Black Cabra Malbec (Argentinian), the Domaine Pral Cuvee Terroir Gamay (Beaujolais), Le Salette Valpolicella Classico Blend (Italian), and the Domaine Thomson Explorer Pinot Noir (New Zealand).
Our favorite of the day was the Valpolicella blend as it had some really complex flavors that we don't normally associate with Italian wines we've had in the past.
The Beaujolais had an interesting flavor that was a bit muted by a somewhat funky bouquet.
The Argentinian Malbec and the semi-sweet Riesling were also really nice pours as well with nuanced flavor, and we really ended up with a nice tour of wine from around the world.
While reading the menu, be sure to note the critic scores, when available, as this was a great cue for us to pick our wines along with our server's recommendations (which sadly did not include as many tasting notes as we would've liked).
Apericena also offers small plates of charcuterie and flatbreads that sound quite appetizing, but as we had paired this with a lunch we were unable to order any (next time, we promise!)
Some Room for Growth at This Wine Bar
One of the downsides to Apericena is that for the wine you are limited to either full pours or three/four two-ounce tasters in a flight. While great on their own, with glass prices in the range of $12-$18 and a three pour flight at $18 there are few options for those wanting to have a budget tasting experience (such as individual one or two ounce pours).
For us, a flight and two glasses ran well over $50 with tip, and that may be a lot to give people a reason to pause.
Overall, Apericena is a really nice wine bar with a high-end offering and a great location in the South Hills. If you need a glass of wine after a busy day shopping at South Hills Village or simply want to try something new, you may want to consider giving this one a try!
Apericena Wine Bar is located at 100 Siena Drive in Upper St Clair, just across the street from South Hills Village.
Looking for more wine bars? Check out Spill in Bloomfield, Mary's Vine in Rankin, or The Wine Bar at Market Street Grocery in downtown Pittsburgh!
