You’ve probably seen them. Shimmering on a sun-drenched wooden table in an Instagram ad or tucked neatly into a minimalist kitchen cabinet on TikTok. They look like jewels. Honestly, the first time I held one of the Our Place wine glasses, specifically the Night Moves set, I was mostly worried I’d break the delicate-looking stem. But then you realize they aren't actually that fragile. They have this weirdly satisfying weight to them.
Most people buy glassware because it looks pretty, and yeah, these definitely do that. But there is a whole world of difference between a glass that just sits there looking "aesthetic" and one that actually makes your Tuesday night Pinot Grigio taste like you aren't just drinking it to forget a long meeting. These glasses occupy a strange, middle-ground space in the market. They aren't the $80-a-stem hand-blown crystal you find in Michelin-star dining rooms, yet they are a significant step up from the clunky, thick-rimmed stuff you find in the "dorm life" aisle of a big-box store.
They’re made from soda-lime glass, which is basically the workhorse of the glass world. It's durable. It's dishwasher safe (mostly). But Our Place did something interesting with the proportions.
The Design Logic Behind Our Place Wine Glasses
Design is where this brand usually wins or loses people. If you look at the Our Place wine glasses, you’ll notice they don't look like your traditional Bordeaux or Burgundy stems. They have a flatter base and a more vertical side profile. Some call it "architectural." I just think it looks less like something my grandmother would own.
Why does the shape matter? Well, traditionalists will tell you that you need a massive bowl to aerate red wine. That’s true if you’re drinking a 2012 Cabernet that needs to "breathe" for an hour. But for most of us? We’re opening a bottle and pouring a glass while we make pasta. The tapered rim of these glasses is designed to concentrate the aroma right toward your nose. It’s a functional trick disguised as a style choice.
The colorways are really where the "lifestyle" aspect kicks in. You have options like Dusk (a moody blue), Dawn (a soft pinkish-orange), and the classic Clear. Hand-blown glass often has tiny variations. You might find a microscopic bubble here or there. That’s not a defect; it’s actually a sign that these aren't just being pumped out of a high-heat industrial press by the millions without a human eye on them.
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Does the stem height actually change the taste?
Not exactly. But it changes how you hold the glass. If you hold a glass by the bowl, your hand warms up the wine. If you’re drinking a chilled Sauvignon Blanc, that’s a tragedy. The stems on these are elongated enough to keep your warm paws away from the liquid but sturdy enough that they don't feel like they’re going to snap if you set them down a little too hard on a granite countertop.
Putting the "Dishwasher Safe" Claim to the Test
We’ve all been lied to by brands before. "Dishwasher safe" often translates to "it won't melt, but it will get cloudy and scratched in three washes." With Our Place wine glasses, the reality is a bit more nuanced. Because they are colored glass—not painted glass—the color won't flake off. That’s a huge deal. Cheap glasses are often clear glass with a film on top; these are tinted through and through.
However, heat is the enemy of all glass. If you cram them into the top rack next to a heavy ceramic bowl that’s going to rattle against them during the rinse cycle, they will chip. It’s physics. Honestly, if you want them to stay sparkling for three years, hand wash them with a soft microfiber cloth. If you’re tired and just want to go to bed, the dishwasher is fine, just give them space. Don't let them touch other dishes.
I’ve talked to people who have owned the "Night Moves" set for over a year. The consensus? They hold up better than the ultra-thin Zalto glasses that cost three times as much, but they aren't indestructible like a coffee mug.
What Most People Get Wrong About Glassware Quality
There’s this misconception that "heavy" equals "quality." In the world of fine wine, it’s usually the opposite. The thinner the lip of the glass, the less it interferes with the transition of the wine to your palate.
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Our Place wine glasses strike a balance here. They aren't paper-thin. You can feel the rim. For some wine snobs, this is a dealbreaker. They want that "invisible" feeling. But for the average person who occasionally knocks a glass over or has a cat that thinks everything on the table belongs on the floor, that extra bit of thickness is a godsend. It provides a level of durability that makes them "everyday" glasses rather than "special occasion" glasses.
- Materials: Lead-free soda-lime glass.
- Capacity: Usually around 12 to 15 ounces depending on the specific collection.
- The "Vibe": They fit perfectly with the "Our Place" aesthetic—earthy tones, matte finishes, and a certain "lived-in" luxury.
Comparing the Options: Stemmed vs. Stemless
Our Place offers both. The stemless versions are basically glorified juice glasses that happen to be shaped well for wine. They are great for picnics or for that one friend who always spills things. But if you care about the ritual of wine, get the stems. There is something psychological about holding a stem that makes the wine taste... more expensive? It’s a trick of the brain, but it works.
Also, the stemmed versions stack. Well, "stack" is a strong word. They are designed to be space-efficient, which is a major pain point for anyone living in an apartment with tiny cabinets. Most wine glasses are the natural enemy of shelving. These are a bit more forgiving.
The Sustainability Factor
Our Place makes a big deal about their packaging and sourcing. The glasses are often made from a portion of recycled glass. While "sustainability" is a buzzword that gets thrown around a lot in 2026, it’s worth noting that glass is one of the few materials that can be recycled infinitely without losing quality. By choosing a durable glass over a disposable or super-fragile one, you’re essentially reducing your "glass footprint."
Why You Might Actually Hate Them
Let's be real. No product is for everyone. If you are someone who strictly drinks heavy, oaky Chardonnays or aged Barolos, you might find the bowl size of the Our Place wine glasses a bit restrictive. These are generalist glasses. They are the "all-season tires" of the glassware world. They do everything well, but they don't do anything perfectly.
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If you have very large hands, you might find the stems a bit dainty. If you prefer the classic "balloon" shape of a traditional wine glass, the angular design of these will feel "off" to you. And then there’s the price. You are paying for the brand and the design. You can find functional glass at a restaurant supply store for five dollars. You buy these because you want your table to look like a curated art gallery.
The Real Cost of "Aesthetic" Glassware
You’re looking at roughly $50 to $60 for a set of four. Is that a lot? It depends on your perspective. If you compare it to the cheap sets at a discount home goods store, it’s double the price. If you compare it to high-end crystal, it’s a bargain.
The value comes from the frequency of use. If you use them every night and they make your kitchen feel more like a home, the "cost per use" drops to pennies very quickly. Plus, they make a killer gift because the box they come in is actually nice enough that you don't really have to wrap it. Just slap a bow on it and you’re the "classy friend."
Actionable Steps for New Owners
- The Vinegar Trick: If your glasses get that white, cloudy film from the dishwasher (mineral buildup), soak them in a mix of warm water and white vinegar for 15 minutes. They’ll look brand new.
- Temperature Shock: Never take a glass straight from a hot dishwasher and pour ice-cold white wine into it. Soda-lime glass is tough, but thermal shock can cause micro-fractures.
- Storage: Store them rim-up. While many people store glasses rim-down to avoid dust, the rim is the most delicate part of the glass. Storing them on their base is safer for the long term.
- Pairing: Try these with a sparkling wine. Even though they aren't flutes, the narrow opening keeps the bubbles from dissipating too quickly, and you actually get to smell the grapes, which a narrow flute prevents.
Ultimately, these glasses are about making a mundane moment feel a bit more intentional. They aren't going to turn a $6 bottle of gas-station wine into a vintage Bordeaux, but they will make the experience of drinking it a lot more enjoyable. They look good, they feel good in the hand, and they survive the occasional bump against the sink. For most of us, that's exactly what a wine glass should do.
Check your cabinet height before ordering, especially if you have older shelving. The stems are taller than they look in photos. If you've got the clearance, the Clear or the Dusk shades are the most versatile for different table settings. Stick to those if you're worried about them clashing with your plates.