About Us

Henry Street Wines & Liquors is a cozy neighborhood wine and spirits shop on the border of Cobble Hill and Redhook in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn. Under the stewardship of Francisco Villaronga and Giuseppe Monastra, Henry Street Wines & Liquors has become a destination for a global selection of fine, off-the-beaten-path wines and spirits. We focus on small family owned estates with limited productions and respectable, minimalist viticulture and winemaking practices.

History

Henry Street Wines & Liquors was founded in October 1989 by life-long Carroll Garden’s resident, Dominick Tutrone. With experience as a bartender in a luxury Manhattan hotel and in retail sales at neighboring Scotto’s Wines and Liquors, Tutrone decided to open a wine-focused store on the first floor of his family brownstone. The space had previously been a barbershop, a social club, an events space, and a produce shop. Being that most wine and liquor stores in the area were focused on spirits, Dominick’s wine-centric approach was novel. Thus, Henry Street Wines & Liquors was born. 

After two and a half decades as owner-operator (and often sole-employee) of the shop, Dominick decided to retire. He didn’t want to sell his store and life’s work to just anybody—but rather leave it in capable hands. 

Through word of mouth, two long-time friends and wine and spirits industry professionals, Giuseppe Monastra and Francisco Villaronga, heard about Henry Street Wines & Liquors up for sale. 

Monastra and Villaronga, were colleagues in fine wine import/distribution in New York for many years. They have additional experience that includes numerous years of wine bar and wine retail management and ownership. They are well read and well abreast of the dynamic and ever-changing world of wines and spirits, with certificates from the Court of Master Sommeliers as well as a certification as “Specialist of Wine” from the Society of Wine Educators.

In 2014, after years working with some of New York City’s best restaurants and wine shops, they decided to exit the fine wine import/distribution world and to go into business together, taking the reins at Henry Street Wines & Liquors!

Today

After revamping the wine and spirits selection, Henry Street Wines & Liquors boasts over 1000 wines and spirits to choose from that over deliver in their categories. Henry Street Wines & Liquors is host to weekly events with winemakers and other industry professionals that are always relaxed, fun, and informative.  Of course, we are always around to help with your questions! We hope to see you soon!