How we count. A place is proven when there’s evidence on file that it pours natural wine: its own site says so, its wine list names natural producers, named press, or natural importers list it. Bars, restaurants, cafés and bottle shops all count. Of the 24 proven records we can list here, 14 wine bars and bars, 6 bottle shops and grocers, 3 restaurants, 1 cafés. “Just carry some” means our only proof is one importer’s stockist list.

Chicago needs 26 more proven places to reach deep funk. Know one we missed? Tell us · The levels · The Chicago guide