Discover NERINA Greek Wine Classes in Greenpoint, Brooklyn—an intimate journey through Greece’s coastal vineyards, island varietals, and the art of connection, set within Brooklyn’s most transportive dining space.
Some nights in New York feel transportive—quiet, unhurried, and full of new conversation. That is how the evening of October 10 felt at NERINA, when I joined one of their Friday Greek wine classes and found myself surrounded by warm light, laughter, and the taste of sea air distilled into glass.
Autumn evenings in Brooklyn are made for discovery, and few places embody that spirit like NERINA in Greenpoint. Rooted in its elegant approach to Greek cuisine and inviting glow, NERINA has quietly become a destination not just for dining—but for learning.
This season, the restaurant’s Greek Wine Series transforms its intimate space into a gathering for those curious about Greece’s coastal vineyards, island varietals, and the stories poured into each glass—a true Greek wine tasting in Brooklyn that feels both educational and soulful.
NERINA’s wine classes are also featured in our Things to Do in NYC in October guide—an annual roundup of the city’s best seasonal experiences.
NERINA Greek Wine Classes: An Evening with the Whites of the Ionian
The October 10th class, Whites of the Ionian, unfolded like an evening on the islands—convivial, unhurried, and alive with quiet warmth. Beneath the soft glow of candlelight, guests gathered around a thoughtfully created family-style table arrangement, formed by joining smaller tables into one long communal setting. Crisp linens and gleaming glassware anchored the scene.
Elegantly designed placemats detailed the evening’s wines, the tasting menu, and a small map of Greece—a thoughtful touch that guided the journey ahead. The air cycled gently with voices and anticipation, a warmth that felt distinctly Mediterranean, even against the cool night just beyond Greenpoint’s streets.
The Pairing: Greek Cheese and Conversation
The evening began not just with wine, but with a thoughtful Greek cheese plate—a small feast that artfully framed the wines to come. Dolmades stuffed with rice and herbs, marinated olives kissed with orange zest and thyme, and a trio of cheeses showcased Greece’s range and depth:
- Kasseri — a semi-hard blend of cow and sheep’s milk from Trikala; sweet, nutty, and gently aromatic.
- Graviera — from Naxos, aged and complex with notes of caramel and almond.
- Manouri — a semi-soft, creamy cheese from Thessaly made with sheep and goat’s milk.
Each bite deepened the connection between the islands and the table—salt, sunlight, and craftsmanship expressed in every flavor.
The Wines: A Journey Through the Ionian
Led by sommelier Evan Poholchuk, the class unfolded like a story told in three acts—each wine its own chapter in Greece’s viticultural history. Evan guided us with both expertise and ease, weaving in the history behind each grape and suggesting pairings from the plate that brought out their best qualities.
We began with Kakotrygis from Nicoluzo, Corfu—bright, refreshing, and lightly textured, a vivid snapshot of Corfu’s coastal terroir.
Next came the Robola “Lacomatia” from Sclavos, Kefalonia. Organically farmed and expressive, delivering freshness and depth while capturing the rugged limestone slopes of the island. The tasting concluded with Zakinthino “Gold” from Petrakopoulos, Kefalonia—structured yet elegant, reflecting both the island’s sun-soaked character and the winemaker’s precise, artisanal touch.
My personal favorites were the Robola and Kakotrygis—each offered a glimpse of the Ionian coast in its own way, one crisp and mineral, the other wild and textured, both impossible to forget.
The Atmosphere: Learning, Connection, and Escape
The true beauty of NERINA’s wine classes lies beyond the bottles. It is in the intimacy they inspire. Guests lingered over pours, swapping impressions while Evan wove stories of geography and tradition into the conversation. It felt less like a class and more like being welcomed into a Greek home, where hospitality and history are shared in equal measure.
It is an experience that transforms education into something sensual—rooted in place, flavor, and feeling.
An Evening in Greenpoint That Feels Like Greece
📍Location: 35 Commercial Street — Greenpoint, Brooklyn | Wine Class Series: Fridays at 5:30 PM | Select Wine Dinners on Wednesdays | Reserve: NERINA Wine Classes + Dinners
What made the night memorable was the atmosphere. People chatted easily, exchanging impressions and questions. Some were familiar with Greek varietals, while others were tasting them for the first time. It felt less like a class and more like a shared dinner at a friend’s table.
There was laughter, curiosity, and that unspoken sense of togetherness that only good wine can summon. Evan Poholchuk’s guidance threaded through it all—warm, patient, and deeply knowledgeable—turning what could have been an educational tasting into something personal, almost communal.
Why NERINA Feels Like a Destination
Finding NERINA in Greenpoint feels like uncovering a quiet gem tucked between the water and the warehouses. Known for reimagining Greek cuisine with quiet sophistication, the restaurant has evolved into something more meaningful—a gathering place shaped by warmth and curiosity. Its Greenpoint, Brooklyn wine class series, invites guests to slow down, taste, and discover Greece one pour at a time. In doing so, NERINA has cultivated a community space where learning and pleasure meet, and where every glass feels like an act of connection.
Each class invites guests into Greece’s regional traditions, guided by hosts who weave history, geography, and sensory storytelling into the evening. There is structure—three wines, paired bites—but no pretension. It is the kind of event where you can arrive solo, find yourself mid-conversation with a stranger about Robola’s acidity, and leave feeling as though you have traveled somewhere new.
NERINA does not just serve Greek food. It celebrates Greek terroir—from soil to glass.
Upcoming Wine Classes + Dinners
Following the Ionian sessions, NERINA continues its exploration of Greece’s regional wines and flavors through the end of the year and beyond.
October 2025
Wednesday, October 15
Ionian Wine Dinner — A five-course tasting menu featuring small-production Ionian wines.
Reserve your seat on Resy
Fridays, October 17, 24 & 31
Wines of the Peloponnese — Three pours from the southern peninsula, served with light bites and storytelling.
October 17 — Reserve your seat on Resy | October 24 — Reserve your seat on Resy | October 31 — Reserve your seat on Resy
November 2025
Wednesday, November 5
Peloponnesian Wine Dinner — A one-night journey through the Peloponnese, from crisp mountain whites to bold coastal reds, paired with regional Greek dishes.
Reserve your seat on Resy
Fridays, November 14 & 21
Greek Beer Evenings — A shift from the vine to the craft breweries of Greece. Taste a selection of small-batch brews that showcase the country’s growing beer culture.
[NERINA will skip November 7 and Black Friday.]
NERINA Greek Wine Classes: Tentative 2026 Highlights
January: Xinomavro
February: Guest Winemaker Dinner
April: Sauvignon Blanc — Greece vs Sancerre
May: Ouzo
June: Santorini
July: Greek Rosé
August: Assyrtiko vs Chablis
September: Macedonian Wines
October: Xinomavro vs Barolo
Each event promises new conversation, new wines, and the same transportive warmth that defines the NERINA experience.
NERINA Greek Wine Classes: Why These Classes Matter
In a city where wine often feels performative, NERINA offers something refreshingly genuine. These classes are intimate, human, and rooted in curiosity. You are not expected to know; you are invited to discover.
For anyone who loves Greek food, wine, or simply the art of slowing down, this series feels like a small act of escape. It’s a way to taste a culture that prizes connection over spectacle. And perhaps most importantly, it transforms learning into pleasure and strangers into friends.
NERINA is not just another Brooklyn restaurant—it is a destination for the senses, a gathering place for those who believe that the best nights are the ones you did not plan to end early.
Plan Your Visit
📍 Location
NERINA — 35 Commercial Street, Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Easily accessible via the G train [Greenpoint Avenue] or NYC Ferry [Greenpoint Terminal].
Wine Classes + Dinners
Fridays at 5:30 PM — Greek Wine Classes
Select Wednesdays — Wine Dinners
Price
Wine Classes: $35 per person
Wine Dinners: $85 per person
The Final Sip
On October 10, what began as a simple Friday wine class became something more—a window into Greek culture, a gathering of kindred spirits, and proof that true hospitality is an art form.
NERINA is not just where you go to learn about Greek wine—it is where you go to feel its spirit.
To continue this journey of discovery, NERINA welcomes guests to its upcoming classes and dinners—each one a new chapter in the story Greece tells through its wines.
It is where knowledge meets warmth, and where every pour tells a story of place, patience, and devotion.
Reserve Your Seat
📍 NERINA
35 Commercial Street — Greenpoint, Brooklyn
🕰 Dates: Upcoming classes through November 2025
💻 Reserve your spot at NERINA Wine Classes
🌐 Nerina Website
📸 Instagram: @nerinanyc
