Stumbled upon this place while driving home--we really felt welcome here. Sat in the cellar, which is a very cozy lounge. We had the place to ourselves. Melissa was our server. She was great. We had the cheese plate, which was stellar. The grilled cheese and Tuscan sandwiches were delicious. Our wine was wonderful. Very relaxing, and most important, unpretentious! That will keep me coming back.
Review Source:Super nice, love the intimate vibe and smaller than Scottsdale setting. Â Nice simple food. Â It was a 5 stars for my first visit. Â Really nice folks, and a complete lack of douches and gold diggers.
Not perfect though. Â On my 2nd visit brought my wife along on her birthday for their Friday the 13th party. Â Fun event with major issues though like the paid wine tasting finishes at 8PM (which they didn't tell us) and they'd lost their cook that day so it took 90 minutes to get a minuscule flatbread. Â So we had to go to Carefree Station to get a 2nd dinner.
Lesson is don't expect to eat there during their big parties, especially if their cook is MIA.
This little wine bar is indeed a gem! Â The always-affable owner, Mike Hightower, has quietly put together a very comfortable and welcoming spot to sip a great selection of wines and tasty tapas-style nibbles. Â And his concept is all based on his "lucky" Number 13 - there are 13 whites and 13 reds on his wine-by-the-glass list; 13 menu items, and there are even 13 steps down to the cozy and attractive cellar / back patio. Â BTW - the cellar area is perfect for private parties - I hosted my Wine Club here recently and we had a thoroughly enjoyable time!
Don't miss the great Happy Hour (where wines and tapas are featured for the worthwhile price of 2 for $13), and stay for another glass on the front porch to enjoy a Carefree sunset or a fine cigar at the convenient shop next door if you're so inclined.
I have been going to this place since Mike opened a couple of years ago, it's always a very warm welcome from both Mike and his ladies Melissa & Maggie. The food is excellent if you want more of a tapas type meal, my wife always getting the grilled cheese at least once every couple of visits. If you are going to be up there my mind do yourself a favour and drop in. You will not be disappointed I promise.
Review Source:I have been a huge fan of Cellar since day 1. Â I stopped in prior to their official opening to catch the owners (Mike & Kelly) putting the finishing touches on the place. I quickly became a regular, enjoying great wine, tasty appetizers, beautiful sunsets and the occasional cigar (thanks Sam at Maduro) on their patio. Â
It's a great place to visit with friends or for a date. If you're going solo, there are always plenty of friendly people hanging on the patio to visit with. Â
Be sure to check it our for happy hour. You can get 2 menu items (food or wine) for $13 from 4-6. Â And definitely stop in on the 13th of every month for live music and wine tasting in the cellar. Â
Normally I don't have positive associations with the number "13," but Mike Jones has definitely changed my view on that matter.
Cellar 13 is awesome because Mike the owner gets it! He gets the idea that people like people who like people, and they like consistency! Â On any given day you will Mike (and Sam owner of the cigar shop next door) hangin' out on the patio with his patrons. Â It doesn't matter who you are, a stranger or not, you will feel welcomed. Â
He has a nice selection of wine and champagne, and great appetizers!
Nice ambiance. There are 3 main areas for seating: at the bar, on the patio, and in the basement. The basement is quiet, intimate and comfortably furnished with couch chairs. (this is where we sat) One can hang out in comfie couch chairs, sip on beautiful wines and snack on cheeses/other appetizers. We highly recommend this place and the cigar store next door.
Review Source:A buddy and I actually discovered the place while they were still under construction (we were on motorcycles and stopped in to the cigar store next to the place)! Â Mike, the owner, invited us in to see the work in progress... and even gave us a wine sample!
My wife and I have been back several times since they opened... to include sitting on the patio with Mike, smoking cigars, drinking his wine and eating his food.
It's a total hidden gem and worth the drive up! Â Not a bad food item on the menu (which is surprising for a wine bar)... and if you only take away ONE thing from this review...... make it: AMARULA.
Cheers!
We went as a small group to the wine tasting event they host every 13th of the month. Even though we were late, they allowed us to participate in the tasting. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. I fell in love with 3 Girls Wine. I would go again in a minute! It was a very relaxed atmosphere with a great guitar player out on the balcony and a cigar shop next door. It is a fantastic place to hang out with your friends for a night since they close at midnight!
Review Source:What a wonderful find in Carefree! Â Mike's wine bar/restaurant offers several different seating areas, so it's always easy to find a comfy corner for four. Â Great wines by the glass, and food that is really excellent and appropriate for a wine bar. Â Very, very easy to have a great evening, make new friends and not break your bank!
Mike personally takes care of guests, but his wait staff is even better. Â I've never waited for water refills, more wine, or additional food items. Â
If you want an experience where you are waited on patiently, the food exceeds your expectations, AND great wines at by-the-glass pricing, Cellar 13 should be on your path.
I had this on my list for so long! Â Looked so cute! Â What was with my luck tonite?! Â This place, then C4 down the street? Â WHY DID I DRIVE ALL THE WAY UP HERE?!
We walk inside, cute & tiny.  No one else  but us.  We sat at the bar and were attentively and promplty served by such a nice girl.  (That's were this "1 star" comes from.)
Had a nice glass of wine, but within minutes my eyes were stinging. Â I had thought, is it my makeup?! Â I never said anything, but eventually my husband's eyes were streaming and he said his eyes were driving him nuts! Â The server noticed and said, yes, it is the cook prepping oinions and garlic for the night? Â (as i said, tiny place, kitchen inches from behind the bar).
We moved to the furthest corner, still did not help.  There is a small front patio, which i asked hubby to ck, but it was a last ditch effort to go  out since it was well over 100 degrees.  As he peeped out, the owner (?  appeared as such) who was seated outside said, "O, is it the onions bothering you?  I can certainly smell them out here!" Â
Anyhow, we did move outside. Â Our eyes burning the entire time. Â My makeup in ruins. Â Eyes bloodshot. Â NOT FUN!
Footnote to the owner: Prep at a different time when customers are not present!!!! Â ie: night before !!!! Â or invest in a new exhaust system !
Cellar 13!!!! Great place great people just what Carefree needed.
Mike and Kelly the owners have done it right. Great wines  the food is perfect match with wines. Flatbread pizza and salads and other gourmet treats. Great band when Mike can sneak them in under Carefree stuffy holdouts. Easy to find on Tom Darlington road in Carefree, AZ
Do it! Check out cool cellar to hide out! Â I Do! Also Cigar shop next door.
Mike and Louann
CELLAR 13 Wine Bar officially opened.
Owner Mike Hightower has created an ideal wine bar located next door to Maduro's Cigar Emporium. Â
Wine + 2 Â outdoor patios + cigars nearby = CELLAR 13.
The small but mighty CELLAR 13 offers multiple seating areas. Â
A Â front patio (next to cigar shop), and two floors with bar seats, 13 steps down to the cozy wine cellar (leather club chair seating) AND another rear patio. Â Many cozy nooks to hang out and linger.
A simple menu with 13 items including the ultimate grilled cheese sandwich, salads and cheese plates.
Come drink wine in Carefree but, expect a couple of 'opening kinks'.
Warning =Major secondhand cigar smoke on front patio.
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