Frequently Asked Questions

Do you ship wine and spirits out of state?

Yes — we ship to 46 states. A handful of states restrict direct-to-consumer wine or spirits shipments by law, so if you're not sure your state is covered, check our full shipping list or call us at 203-857-1213 and we'll tell you straight away.

How much does shipping cost?

Flat $10 on any order of $150 or more. Below that, shipping is calculated by carrier based on weight and destination, shown at checkout before you pay — nothing hidden, nothing added later.

Do I need to sign for a wine or spirits delivery?

Yes. Someone 21 or older has to sign for the package — that's federal and state law, not a policy we chose. If nobody's reliably home during the day, shipping to a workplace is usually the easiest fix.

Can you find a bottle you don't have in stock?

Often, yes. We keep a shelf of allocated and hard-to-find bottles that turns over constantly, and we can also track down specific bottles on request. Call us at 203-857-1213 and tell us what you're after — we'll tell you honestly whether we can get it.

Do you ship in hot weather?

We're careful about it. During the warmest months we time shipments to avoid a bottle sitting in a hot truck or on a porch over a weekend, and we're happy to hold an order or ship it insulated if you ask. If you're ordering somewhere with a hot summer, mention it when you order and we'll plan around it.

Do you sell allocated and rare whiskey?

Yes — that's a real part of what we do, not just wine. Vintage Armagnac, single-cask and single-malt whiskey, limited releases, and the occasional bottle that costs more than a vacation all pass through the shop. If you're hunting something specific, call and ask; allocation and availability change constantly, so a phone call gets a straighter answer than the website will.

Where are you located, and what are your hours?

Black Bear Wines of Norwalk is at 123 Water St, Norwalk, CT 06854, in the Harbourside SoNo neighborhood. Call 203-857-1213 or see current hours and directions — hours shift around holidays, so the Google listing is the most current source, more current than we can promise this page will always be.