There may be only one place in the state for black bears and Brazilian wine.

Which is why “Nothing like us!” is the right slogan for Wine in the Woods www.westmilford.com/Wine_in_the_Woods, the inviting retreat in West Milford. Pick from the six to ten daily pourings selected by owner Allan Capalbo, and relax an hour or two with a complimentary platter of fruit, cheese and crackers.

In winter, you relax inside by the lounge in the fireplace, cozy like a ski lodge. In spring, you hang out in the courtyard that backs onto a cliff, surrounded by trees and flowers. This being Sussex County, bears sometimes amble by, says Allan’s wife Hsin.

The rotating wines by the glass usually feature a theme—Australian wines, for instance, or chardonnays from different parts of the world. If you prefer, select a bottle from the well stocked shop that includes a syrah from Brazil. Yep, Brazilian. They are just beginning to arrive in the United States, and some wine critics say quality is comparable to the wines of Chile 20 years ago.

Or, sip one of the 27 single-malt scotches. There is also an extensive selection of añejo tequilas and high-end vodkas. We loved the hand-painted bottles that “The Jewel of Russia” vodka comes in, a 300-year old tradition (www.jewelofrussia.com).

Hsin also imports rare teas from her native China.

Wine In The Woods. It’s a store and a bar. A nice place to shop, sip, and maybe even spot a bear.