Hélios, the sun-yellow cellar of Greek-born natural wine merchant Estelle Thalassinos, nestled in Paris's 20th arrondissement. Living wines, shared bottle by bottle. A terrace beneath the linden trees. And a brand-new Book Club pairing rare vintages with fine literature.
“Wine is water filled with sunshine,” Galileo is said to have written. It is hard to find a better motto for Hélios, the little yellow cellar run by Estelle Thalassinos—a wine merchant of Greek origin, nestled on Rue Sorbier in the 20th arrondissement. Having honed her craft at Les Enfants Perdus and Les Grappes, she shares the story of every bottle and every winemaker with contagious warmth, serving pourings in glasses hand-engraved by Laszlo Badet.
Inside, or under the shade of the linden trees, guests can sip legendary nectars—chenin, pet-nat, cheverny—paired with green olives or a 36-month Comté cheese. With entry-level bottles ranging from €11 to €20, a modest corkage fee, and a welcoming terrace, everything invites you to linger.
And then there is the brilliant concept of the season, the Book Club: a curated theme, a selection of books, and an array of vinous and culinary gems to be shared.
