Our Story
Small producers. Serious expertise.
A world of craft, poured in Ridgewood.
We built a team of specialists — not generalists — so every bottle on our shelves has been chosen, not just stocked.
Our Approach
We shop like collectors, not distributors.
Public was built around a simple idea: the best bottles rarely come from the biggest labels. We seek out small-production, independent winemakers — the growers and cellars too particular, too limited, or too far off the beaten path for most shelves — and bring them home to Ridgewood.
Our team works directly with both Old World estates and New World pioneers, which means our shelves hold an international range you won’t find assembled quite the same way anywhere else in town.
Meet the Team
Expertise in every category
Wine, beer, and sake each deserve their own depth of knowledge — so instead of one buyer covering everything, we built a team of specialists in each.
In-House Wine Sommelier
Wine, curated with rigor
Our sommelier evaluates every bottle before it earns shelf space — sourcing from independent, small-batch winemakers across both Old World regions and emerging New World producers.
Beer Connoisseurs
Craft beer, taken seriously
Our beer team tracks down independent breweries doing genuinely interesting work, prioritizing craft and character over what’s easiest to distribute.
Sake Sommeliers
A rare depth in sake
Few shops carry a dedicated sake specialist. Ours brings a trained palate to a category most stores treat as an afterthought.
Sourcing
Old World heritage. New World energy.
We don’t chase trends or big-label allocations. Our relationships run directly to independent winemakers — producers who farm their own vineyards, make their own decisions, and answer to no one but the bottle.
That means a shelf that spans storied European appellations alongside ambitious producers redefining what New World wine can be — an international set of offerings, chosen bottle by bottle.
Right Here in Ridgewood
A world-class selection, for a world-class town.
Ridgewood draws people from throughout Bergen County — and we think its wine, beer, and spirits shop should match that. Our team’s job is to bring the world’s independent producers to this one corner of New Jersey, so you don’t have to look far to drink well.
Come taste the difference expertise makes. Visit us in-store, or shop our curated selection online.
Shop Public Wine