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Walking into the Crossroads Plaza shopping center in Cary usually means you’re either there for a specific mission at Target or you're about to lose an hour of your life browsing the massive aisles of Total Wine and More Cary. It is big. Like, "warehouse-sized-but-better-lit" big. If you've lived in the Triangle for more than five minutes, you probably know that this specific location is a bit of a local landmark for anyone planning a wedding, a backyard BBQ, or just trying to find that one obscure Italian amaro they tried on vacation.
The North Carolina alcohol landscape is a weird one. We’ve got these strict ABC laws for the hard stuff, meaning Total Wine can’t actually sell you a bottle of bourbon or gin. They can, however, provide basically everything else under the sun. Honestly, the Cary location at 440 Crossroads Blvd stands out because it manages to handle the massive foot traffic of one of the busiest shopping hubs in the state without feeling like a total disaster on a Saturday afternoon.
What People Get Wrong About the Selection
Most people think a big box store just stocks the "hits." You know, the stuff you see commercials for during football games. But Total Wine and More Cary is surprisingly deep. If you actually talk to the staff—many of whom have been there for years and have specific certifications like WSET—they’ll point you toward small-production vineyards that don't get national distribution.
The wine section is divided by geography, which is standard, but the "Winery Direct" program is where the value actually hides. These are bottles where the store buys directly from the producer. Is it a marketing tactic? Sure. Does it result in a $15 bottle of Bordeaux that tastes like it should cost $40? Often, yeah.
The Beer Aisle is a Museum of North Carolina Brewing
Cary residents are spoiled. We live in a state with over 300 breweries. While you can go to a bottle shop downtown and find some hyper-local releases, the sheer volume of NC beer at this location is staggering. You’ve got the heavy hitters like Trophy, Burial, and Ponysaurus, but they also stock the stuff from the mountains and the coast that usually requires a road trip to find.
They have a "Build Your Own 6-Pack" section. It's legendary. Or at least, it’s the best way to try a weird sour or a high-gravity double IPA without committing $18 to a full four-pack that you might end up hating. Just watch the dates on the cans. With a selection this large, even the best inventory systems miss a stray IPA that’s been sitting there since last season. Check the bottom of the can; freshness matters for hops.
Navigating the North Carolina Spirits "Problem"
It confuses newcomers every single time. "Where is the whiskey?"
Because of the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Commission, private retailers cannot sell spirituous liquor. You are only getting beer, wine, cider, and some low-ABV "spirit-based" drinks (like those tiny canned cocktails that are mostly wine or malt-based).
However, Total Wine and More Cary has basically cornered the market on everything else you need for a bar. Their bitters selection is better than most boutique kitchen stores. They have actual Luxardo cherries, not those bright red neon ones that taste like plastic. If you're building a home bar, you go to the ABC store for the base spirit and then come here for the vermouth, the glassware, and the mixers.
Actually, their vermouth selection is vital. Most grocery stores keep one dusty bottle of Martini & Rossi on the shelf at room temperature. Total Wine has Carpano Antica and Dolin. Pro tip: keep your vermouth in the fridge after you open it. It's wine. It spoils.
The Experience: Classes and Tastings
One of the more underrated aspects of the Cary store is the classroom in the back. Before everything went sideways a couple of years ago, these were packed. Now, they are back in full swing. They do these sit-down tastings that aren't just "here is some fermented grape juice." They actually teach you about soil types and fermentation processes.
It’s a smart move. It turns a chore—buying booze—into a hobby.
If you just want to taste something without a full class, check the schedule for their weekend pouring stations. Usually, between 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM on Saturdays, they’ll have someone pouring samples of new arrivals. It’s a great way to discover a Greek white wine or a local cider you would have otherwise ignored.
Logistics: The Crossroads Factor
Let’s be real. Crossroads Plaza is a nightmare to navigate on a weekend. The parking lot was designed by someone who seemingly disliked cars.
- Best time to go: Tuesday or Wednesday morning. It's quiet. You can actually talk to the wine managers.
- The App: If you hate wandering, use the app. It tells you the exact aisle and bin number.
- Curbside Pickup: This is the pro move. You order online, park in the designated spots, and they bring it out. It saves you from the temptation of buying a $100 bottle of Champagne when you only came in for a case of pilsner.
Why the "More" in the Name Matters
It isn’t just a slogan. The "More" covers a lot of ground. We're talking about a humidor that is surprisingly well-maintained. For a place that isn't a dedicated cigar shop, their selection of Arturo Fuente and Padrón is respectable. The humidity levels are usually spot-on, which isn't always the case with big retailers.
Then there is the glassware. If you're tired of drinking out of mismatched coffee mugs or cheap plastic cups, they carry Riedel. It makes a difference. Seriously. The shape of the glass changes how the aromatics hit your nose. Is it snobby? Maybe. Does it make a $12 Cabernet taste better? Absolutely.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Visit
Don't just walk in and grab the first thing you see. To get the most out of Total Wine and More Cary, follow this blueprint:
- Check the "90+ Point" Tags with Caution: Scores from Wine Spectator or James Suckling are helpful, but they are subjective. Look for the "Winery Direct" yellow tags for the best price-to-quality ratio.
- Talk to the "Wine Pros": Look for the staff in the specific vests. Ask them, "I like [X wine], what's something similar but from a different region?" They love that question.
- Download the App for Coupons: They frequently have $5 or $10 off deals that only trigger through the app or their rewards program. It’s worth the 30 seconds of setup.
- Explore the Local Shelf: There is a dedicated section for North Carolina-made products. Supporting local breweries like Bond Brothers or Cotton Blossom (located just down the road) keeps the local economy humming.
- Check the Clearance Endcaps: Sometimes they discontinue a specific vintage or a craft beer seasonal. You can find absolute steals here, sometimes up to 50% off, just because they need the shelf space for the next shipment.
Total Wine and More Cary remains a staple because it balances the efficiency of a corporate giant with a genuine nod to the local North Carolina beverage scene. Whether you are a connoisseur or just someone looking for a decent box of wine for a party, it's hard to beat the sheer scale of what's available at Crossroads. Just remember to breathe through the parking lot traffic; the selection inside is worth the minor headache.