Willow Park Wines & Spirits

Willow Park Wines & Spirits is a great shop with a huge space and ton of selection. I really like how they have spaced out the various products so that they are easy to find. Looking for expensive wines… Head to the cellar. Looking for sparkly wines there’s a section for that as a matter of fact there is a section for everything including glass wear and accessories.
One of my favorite things here however is their tastings. There is always a ton to choose from. Everything from educational tastings to fun and food. You can pick up the event catalogue at the store or look online at their website which makes buying yoyr tickets super easy. The events are always excellent. Never oversold there is lots of room to move around and enjoy all the sampling. Many of the events also include food and can be found for as little as $ 40 per ticket. I would definitely recommend checking them out!

I love this store. The selection is amazing. If you super expensive old scotch (they have a $ 25,000 bottle in a locked case) or a great bottle of wine… this place is awesome. Incredible selection of wine. And the renovation they did this year looks awesome! Love the new flooring. I’d say their prices are just a tad higher than some stores. Pretty tough to have cheap prices like Costco and Super Store liquor but at those places you don’t get as much selection as willow park. Employees here are super knowledgable and courteous. Always lots of samples!

I’ve always loved this store. They have an amazing selection of wines, and all things wine-​related (Glasses, decanters, wine passports etc.). Their renovations have kept it looking fresh and beautiful, and the staff are as knowledgable as ever.
«I’m looking for a Falanghina»
«Sorry, we don’t have that but… here’s 6 – 7 different wines that will satisfy your palate in a similar way, and every bit of information you could possibly want to know about the grapes used in each one»
Beautiful, love it.
My experience here this last time turned into a bit of a beer-​off with their beer specialist. It was kinda fun. He was impressed by my knowledge of MOA beer (an NZ brewery) and so for 15 minutes we had a «Yeah? Well have you had this beer??? No? How about this one??? This one they use these hops. this one they use these malts. Yeah? You’ve had that?» Unfortunately I was missing their Beer Night by like two days, but man it could have been fun to hang out with that guy a bit longer. He had all the beer knowledge. It was awesome.
Anyway, if you’re looking for something unique beer or wine wise — definitely look here. They have some amazing New Zealand craft beers stocked, Evil Twin brewing from Brooklyn (my Brooklyn fav!), Quebec beers I’ve never seen or heard of before. Tons to choose from.
Worth a pop by if you want to explore some new territory in beer or wine, or just have a friendly knowledge-​off with the staff.

Selection is great. Prices are not too competitive much of the time. The employees are terrific.
Today’s awesome person was Samantha. She wandered with me for 15 minutes pointing out wines to try. That’s an incredible help, and will keep me coming back.
Don’t be an idiot like me, and push the cork into the bottle. Now I have to finish the bottle. Oh… darn?

Just newly renovated. It is seriously how I would picture heaven, after I die. The selection of beer, wine, liquor, etc. Is second to non. It is amazing!!! Great customer service ta boot. 5 stars is way too low.

It’s official, I’m abandoning all desire to build my own fully stocked bar and wine cellar, I’m moving out of my house and moving into Willow Park Wines.
They’ve got an incredible selection. Being as ginormous as they are, Willow Park never needed to make the choice whether they were going to carry the run of the mill garbage for the masses, or high end wine, craft beer, or should their strength be in whiskey? Their strength is everything. Just everything.
For those stops when you need a bottle of Japanese single malt and watermelon Bacardi breezers: Willow Park. Actually, that’s a lie. Nobody needs watermelon Bacardi Breezers. Nobody.
But, say you’re under the impression that you need Bacardi Breezers, the staff here would both be able to find you what you think you want, as well as point you in the direction of a much better and hopefully not watermelon flavoured alternative that will still suit your tastes.
What’s also cool about Willow Park is the community they grow with their event space in the basement. I’ve been to several events here — wine tastings, galas, scotch classes, and most recently a prosecco cocktails competition. So fun!
They’re also right by the train so you can make it home safe after. :)

For me, this is a «last resort» destination, when searching for something obscure or hard to find. The selection is fantastic, the staff not so much. I’ve been there a handful of times, and every visit I’m met with snobbery or bafflingly off-​base recommendations… that is if I can find anybody to help me in the first place.
For example, one time I was simply stopping in to get the necessary ingredients for rum and cokes. I found the rum, but when I mistakenly asked one of the wine experts where I might find some cola, I was scoffed at and given a terse «no» before he simply walked away. Every visit has been a similar experience. I only go back if absolutely necessary.

What a fantastic place! If you’re into wine or just becoming familiar with the culture, this is the place to start your journey. Excellent, helpful staff that understand the world of wine, can make great recommendations for pairing and the cellar, oh my gosh the cellar! This place is absolutely fantastic. I recommend heading down if you haven’t already had the pleasure.

On the last visit, the staff on the floor were extremely helpful and fun to talk to. The cashier was still rude, as noted in my original review. Without the rude cashiers, the unparalleled selection and knowledgeable staff would result in 5 stars.

When in doubt about what to bring for a friend’s party, last minute gathering, birthday, etc: Willow Park Wines & Spirits.
You can find the perfect booze for even the pickiest person, and the staff is well versed in their inventory. I always find something new here, something fun, and someONE fun! Everyone that works here is so friendly and willing to talk shop. If you’re fleshing out your home bar, you can find any number of potions here that will get company talking and tapping their glasses for refills.
I’d visit more, but I always wind up getting talked in to spending way more than I intended, hehe.

This is by far the best wine store in Calgary. What makes it really special is the experts on the floor to help you find the perfect libation. Thanks Gerry!

Over the years, I’ve found myself spending more and more time down at Willow Park. Whether it’s for a wine tasting, a mixology class or whiskey tasting, or even to find some obscure alcohol that I’ve been trying to hunt down, I haven’t been disappointed yet.
It’s a bit of a drive for me to head down to the south to visit them, but I try and keep up with the events and goings on. It seems like there are events and liquor-​related mini festivals every night of the week! And usually great bang for your buck too. Typically 2 hrs long or so, nice pours to taste the most out of the product and a lot of info and time for Q&A.
Whatever your alcohol needs, I’d start here first!

Hands down best liquor store in Calgary. Massive selection and very good prices. Best beer selection that I have seen, with lots of microbrews and imported beer. The only downside is that the parking lot and the inside of the store get pretty crowded, especially on Saturdays. However, the check-​out process is usually pretty quick.

I have been on a mission to find a French apéritif wine, Lillet for quite some time now and each place I have tried has been unsuccessful. So while shopping at Southcentre mall I thought to myself, why not try Willow Park Wines?
Well now… I didn’t expect this store to be such a gem! There was at least 4 – 5 tastings going on at once, every section had its own expert staff for the product and after talking with a couple staff members I noticed that they were very knowledgeable and friendly (they even introduced themselves by name and ask for yours)
This customer service was enough for me to be impressed but it didn’t stop there! Willow Park not only had Lillet but also a very wide selection at really good prices. I ended up getting a lot more than what I went in for.
Guess where I will be going when I need to restock my liquor shelf? Yup, Here.

It’s probably bad to say I love a liquor store, but I do! When I lived in the area I would buy all my booze here, but since moving I generally don’t go down this way, unless I’m on the hunt for a certain booze. Like lychee sake.
I was given a generous GC when I bought my car and had been saving it to a wine run. Totally forget about it until New years, and decided to buy all the champagne for the people I was having over.
The store is huge! Two levels of everything you can think of. I like the layout, it makes sense. Champagne is one area, hard alcohol by type and then wines, including specific ones on another level.
I generally plan for a while in the store as there is so many options, which is good when you are looking for something new or going for your fave type.

I can’t say enough good things about Willow Park Wines and Spirits. I love this place and should check out more of their events and connect with them online.
In my past reviews, I’ve come here to pick up odd wines no one would care to carry elsewhere or if they did, carry scant selections. I also love the broad beer and hard liquor selection this place has. And just by looking at their wine shelves, I’m glad I’m not a vino nerd otherwise this place would own my credit card!
In my last visit I experienced great customer service. I planned an event that required a liquor license. I usually get it at the nearby liquor store by my house but my experience with their obnoxious manager sent me to willow park in a marching rage. But my frustrated rambling was met with a level headed approach. They simplified the facts I needed to know about getting a liquor license, while identifying the risks liquor stores are liable for if they sell it to the wrong person.
Not that I was in the wrong in the first place, they just re-​affirmed my notions, I’m ALWAYS RIGHT!
I’ll be sure to come back here not only to pick up booze, but to get more knowledge on all boozy things.
Unilocal’s 30 Day Challenge ²⁷⁄₃₀

Although Superstore’s Liquor joint is right down the way, Im going to be a snob and admit that I like Willow Park better because its classier. They have staff on hand with tons of knowledge on all their products. I remember one time looking for a bottle of Scotch for a boyfriend. The staff scotch «connoisseur» was tied up, so they had a regular client, who I must say was the cutest older gentleman, help me and not only did he tell me the ENTIRE history of Scotch, my bf looooved what I ended up purchasing.
On Thursdays they have samples of different drinks, and I have to admit not only have I gotten tipsy off these samples, it made me buy more wine than I initially intended to. GENIUS tactic.
They have classes offered here, as well as events… and is yet another one stop shop, as they are right next to Sprinkbank Cheese, Papa Chocolat (Bernard Callebaut’s new shop) Meez (organic, healthy to go food) Cobbs Bread, and Starbucks… EVIL…

Willow Park is terrible.
For my wallet, that is. When confronted with such vast selection and such obvious decorative sex appeal, how does one refrain from partaking of the bountiful brews, the wonderful wines, the superfluous spirits? Guess what Riddler-​era Jim Carrey. You don’t. You pull out a few shekels and happily invest in a tasty treat/​possible future headache.
But guess what beer lovers. There’s more. Hate disrespecting your body temperature by having to make crucial consumptive choices while indecisively languishing in the polar conditions of a walk-​in fridge? As do I, as do I. So don’t. Head over to Willow Park and choose from the cozy side of the refrigerator door. For those of us that don’t subscribe to the «drunk = cheapest = best» mentality and therefore actually take time to pick out a beverage that either fits the occasion or is something untried, not having to freeze your nips off while you search is definitely a plus.
Ignoring the wines and spirits in this review would be a mistake, although as various beer is my preference it sort of takes priority. However, Willow has no shortage of helpful staff to help you make wine choices for all types of occasions and preferences. Also, if you feel like learning more about the wines you are choosing from, check out Willow Park’s Sommelier Program and the various wine education classes offered. Cool beans, right?
So in the wise words of Parks and Recreation’s Tom Haverford, «Treat Yo Self.» Go scope Willow Park Wines and Spirits.
Happy (safe) drinking.

I love the selection here. This is my liquor store of choice when I’m looking for something specific because I know they’ll most likely have it on the shelf. They constantly have different things going on in the store and the staff are always available to help or make a suggestion.

I love Willow Park.
No, not just the shopping centre … when I say «Willow Park,» I am usually specifically referring to one location:
…my favourite place in the city for beer, wine and liquor.
With a large array of selection and a (usually) friendly, knowledgeable staff, this place is perfect if you are looking to get a unique «adult beverage» gift for someone, or if you just want to get your regular ol’ drink on.
The beer department is the best. Not only is the selection great, but the prices are fairly standard and the «beer dudes» are always willing to help you find something in your taste (or recommend their current personal favourites).
The young & jolly, bearded «piratey» guy is the best. If he notices you are scoping the case, he loves to make small talk and share his love for (what MUST be his favourite subject …) beer.
Although I no longer live nearby, this place will always be my «regular» stop for when I want to find some good beer, wine or liquor.