Last updated: May 21, 2024

In the Weeds

by Jacqueline Pennington

Wine focus: The selection is representative of the best examples in the most expressive form from regions around the globe
Wine value: Fair pricing for the high quality glasses and bottles available 
Corkage fees: None
By-the-glass list size: The small selection rotates – generally a sparkling, a white, a red and a rose or skin contact will be available
Food options: None

Walking into the Petit Philippe space in Myers Park for the first time is an experience for anyone who appreciates thoughtful design and ambiance. The floor-to-ceiling windows at the front of the store fill it with natural light and the stylish contemporary decor oozes class. Wine bottles line the wall where seating is available and you will inevitably see a smiling face behind the counter welcoming you in. People come first at this establishment and that’s clear as soon as you begin to chat with whoever is serving you a glass or coming around the counter to help you pick the perfect bottle from their carefully curated selection. 

Husband and wife duo Mark Meissner and Casey Hickey opened the original Petit Philippe location on Selwyn Ave in 2010 with the intention of being wine merchants who get to know their customers on a personal level. After 13 successful years in that location, they’ve transitioned to their new space on Park Road to continue their mission of sharing fine wine with Charlotte.

“What we try to do is bring you high expression wines that aren’t manipulated, that are small production made by honest people that are not big corporate machines,” Meissner says. There are a few options available by the glass or customers are welcome to choose a bottle off the shelf to enjoy onsite. In a place like Petit Philippe, it’s practically guaranteed that the glass that you are poured will be beautifully balanced and full of nuance. Taking a moment to swirl the glass and slowly sip to savor the aromas and flavors of the wine is essential. Here, wine is art, and it should be treated as such. 

Each patron’s wine journey is crucial to the staff at Petit Philippe. “Our job is to help expand your palate and make your mind explode a little bit with new sensory perceptions,” says Meissner, who exudes his love for the subject while guiding his customers to their next great bottle. “There’s a point of view here which is really bent on trying to ultimately take care of every client that comes in the door and bring them a memorable experience that’s authentic.”

While the mid-century furniture throughout the seating areas is perfectly conducive to cozying up, Petit Philippe is a place better suited for a quick stop when it comes to having a drink there. Whether that’s for a pre-dinner glass with a friend who is open to a small glass list or sipping on something special while moseying through the selection to pick up a bottle for an upcoming dinner party. Petit Philippe doesn’t offer any food options and is not a “wine bar” — a firm stance from Meissner himself. 

In comparison to many other wine destinations in Charlotte, the selection here is a level above. The neighborhood surrounding Petit Philippe is one of the wealthier areas of the city and the clientele can afford to come in and buy exceptional bottles on a regular basis. Some also use Petit Philippe’s La Cave wine storage service to safely store their collections. Meissner’s connections and experience in the industry lends to very special bottles being on the shelves. Lucky for us, Meissner, Hickey, and their staff don’t exhibit anything but genuine interest in whoever walks through the doors no matter what their desired price point is. 

Petit Philippe is named after a dear friend of the owners who managed to make new friends wherever he went — the type of person who values relationships and knows their importance. Those values are embedded in the business model of Petit Philippe. 

“If you can find those attributes and build it into something that becomes meaningful as a commercial enterprise, then I think you’ve accomplished something really beautiful and powerful,” Meissner says. For a wine-lover, there’s little more beautiful in Charlotte’s wine scene than the shelves lining Petit Philippe.