🍇 Pittsburgh’s best wine bars

🏙️ Downtown Offices Turning Into Housing

Developers recently presented plans to convert the 120-year-old office building at 4 Smithfield St. into affordable housing — the latest building conversion proposal to help Downtown attract more residents and rebound from the pandemic.

• 🚧 Other projects are in the works for the iconic Gulf Tower and former FHL Bank Building, and five more building applications are waiting for city approval. [Axios]
• ✨ Downtown is getting a glow up! Learn about renovations to Market Square, Point State Park, and more. [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]

🚑 EMS Union Sues City Over Residency Requirement

The union representing Pittsburgh paramedics and EMTs filed a lawsuit to challenge the rule requiring emergency personnel to live within city limits. City officials said they would not challenge the lawsuit; city police and fire unions have already had their residency requirements lifted to help with recruitment and retention. [TribLive]

🦟 County Starts Spraying for Mosquitos

Allegheny County Health Department is treating wetlands, storm drains, and catch basins in the city and surrounding boroughs to limit mosquito breeding grounds and prevent the spread of diseases like West Nile Virus.

• 📞 Report any stagnant water, such as unused swimming pools and clogged gutters, to the Health Department online or call 412-350-4046. [Allegheny County]

☕ La Prima To Open in Oakland

La Prima is opening its fifth cafe at 3400 Fifth Avenue sometime this May, right next to Sciulli’s Pizza and a soon-to-be life science research center. [La Prima / Innovation Research Tower]

• 😋 Yinz have to try a pistachio latte from the new Yemeni coffee spot in Oakland! [📝 Hey Pittsburgh]

Pittsburgh’s wine scene is growing — and it's worth exploring! — thanks to a passionate network of local importers, sommeliers, and educators making sure everyone has something exciting to sip.

Discover the Burgh’s Jeremy Jones and culinary educator Kanika Rautji (aka @theindiansomm) recommend starting with what you know and asking your somm or waiter for recommendations.

“If I can guide you to something that becomes your new favorite in the moment or breaks your preconceived notions about a flavor, I consider that a success," Rautji tells City Cast Pittsburgh.

So where should you get a glass in Pittsburgh?

Mary’s Vine

📍Rankin

A restored church turned fine dining and wine destination. Beautiful ambiance, extensive bottle list, and a speakeasy-style lounge below. Fit for a fancy night out.

Refucilo Winery

📍Allegheny West

Argentinian-owned and operated, this small winery offers estate-grown wines from Mendoza in a warm, welcoming tasting room. Don’t skip the delicious small plates!

Nine O’Clock Wines

📍Lawrenceville

Tiny but mighty. This boutique shop inside Lawrenceville Market House specializes in natural wines and rare finds. Check out their regular free tasting events and ticketed wine classes.

G’s On Liberty

📍Bloomfield

Once a month, this cozy neighborhood bar and restaurant hosts a wine-tasting event with visiting experts. It’s an evening of “big fun” and lively chats with owner Grainne.

Dish Osteria

📍South Side

A longtime staple of Pittsburgh’s wine-and-dine scene. Southern Italian cuisine with a deep, thoughtful list of Mediterranean wines.

🍇 Find casual and creative wine bars, upscale tasting experiences, boutique bottle shops, and more impressive wine menus around the Burgh.