Occupying an English basement on the busy Divisadero strip, Fool’s Errand specializes both in old world low-intervention wines and locally-made hazy IPAs — and remarkably succeeds at both. Owner John Dampeer oversees an impressively curated list of wines by the bottle, with a heavy focus on France as well as an impressive selection of Rieslings and Gruner Veltliners form Germany and Austria. Dampeer is forever excited to talk about all things fermented, so start with a glass from the short by-the-glass list – or a pint of something juicy, and grill him about his favorite bottles.

With two locations — a wine bar in Hayes Valley and a bottle shop in the Castro — Fig & Thistle provides some much-needed natty in some more conventional-leaning ‘hoods. The bar, which was opened in 2012 by Angel Davis and Nguey Lay, is fun and funky — share the bunkbeds with friends for a more intimate experience — and the wine list is small but thoughtful, with a focus on California. The market is a meet-cute of a neighborhood bottle shop, candlelit bar, and succulent garden: A surprisingly quiet retreat from Market Street’s normal clamor.

The newest cool kid on the block, Elda – a “Californian, but Latin” bar and restaurant on the corner of Guerrero and 16th – is a bright, airy, and impressive first effort from Eric Ochoa, Alvaro Rojas, and Jay De Natale. Their wine list is small but mighty: three wines on tap and ten by the bottle (all of which clock in at a supremely reasonable $45/bottle) showcase an impressive breadth, with representation both Old World and New. Each bottle on the list has a brief, approachable description, including tasting notes, producer details (one is described as a “musician, firefighter, and rad winemaker”), and process – a novel way to coax folks away from an enticing cocktail menu.