Author: Sabrina D’Alba

  • The Blending Table Brings Hands-On Wine Blending to Tampa Bay

    The Blending Table Brings Hands-On Wine Blending to Tampa Bay

    TL;DR

    • A hands-on wine blending experience is now live in Tampa Bay
    • Guests create their own wine blend and brand
    • Built for small groups and shared experiences
    • Tickets now available via The Blending Table
    • Use code LAUNCH10 for 10% off your first booking

    Wine events are a core part of Tampa Bay’s growing wine scene, offering regular opportunities to taste, learn, and connect. The Blending Table introduces a new format, bringing wine from observation into hands-on creation.

    The Blending Table now launches as a guided wine blending experience that puts creative control in the hands of the guest. Participants work with individual wine varietals, experiment with blend ratios, and decide what balance and style they want to create.

    The Experience

    The experience begins with a guided tasting of each varietal on its own, focusing on how to swirl, smell, and taste.

    Guests then enter a blending phase centered on experimentation. Teams test combinations, refine ratios, and finalize a blend guided by both creativity and strategy.

    Once blends are complete, participants create a name and label concept for their wine. Each blend is presented alongside its label for friendly judging by a wine professional, who provides feedback and selects a winning blend based on balance, style, and overall concept.

    Who This Is For

    Most Blending Table events are designed for 10–20 guests and last approximately 2 hours. Participants usually work in small groups, making the experience well-suited for couples and friends. Individual bookings are available, with solo guests paired up.

    The experience is guided in flow and structure, but creative decisions remain entirely with the participants. No prior wine knowledge is required.

    Where to Participate

    The Blending Table partners with local bars and restaurants in the Tampa Bay area, including St. Petersburg, Tampa, and Clearwater, to host its events. Venues and dates are announced ahead of time, with early access available to email subscribers.

    Venues interested in hosting a Blending Table experience can reach out at info@theblendingtable.com

    First Event and Early Access

    The first Blending Table experience takes place February 13 at 6:00 PM at Pour & Decor.

    Tickets for are now available at theblendingtable.com. Guests can use code LAUNCH10 for 10% off their first booking.

    For a wine scene that continues to evolve, The Blending Table introduces a new format: wine as something you don’t just taste, but actively build.

  • Rococo Steak’s Wine Program, Explained by Sommelier Aaron Warren

    Rococo Steak’s Wine Program, Explained by Sommelier Aaron Warren

    Rococo Steak’s wine list is large by any standard. With more than 1,280 labels, it stretches across current releases, mature vintages, and small-production wines that rarely surface on restaurant lists in St. Petersburg. The size is striking, but the philosophy behind it is what shapes how the program actually functions.

    Aaron Warren, Sommelier at Rococo Steak. (Alexa Loaiza)

    Behind the scenes, the list is kept in motion through constant tasting and evaluation. Sommelier Aaron Warren describes a routine built around repetition and study rather than seasonal overhauls. “As a sommelier team, we taste with distributors frequently, usually totaling around 100 different labels each week,” he said. “We’re also studying and reading about wine daily.”

    That pace feeds directly into how the list is priced and maintained. Rococo works with minimal markup, a structure that changes how wine moves through the restaurant. “Our focus is on selling the wine rather than storing it,” Warren explained. “We also offer rare and vintage bottles that most programs don’t carry.”

    Where the Pairing Philosophy Comes From

    Rococo’s pairing approach starts with Warren’s belief that wine should respond to the guest rather than follow a script. Instead of building fixed combinations, he structured the program around conversation and adjustment.

    “Pairing is truly guest-centric,” he said. “We love to match the intensity of the wine with the intensity of the food’s flavor.”

    (Rococo Steak)

    That idea plays out differently depending on the cut. Richer steaks like wagyu ribeye often call for bold, youthful reds with structure and tannin. For leaner preparations, the conversation shifts. “We might suggest a Right Bank Bordeaux with some age for a filet mignon,” Warren said, pointing to balance and texture rather than power.

    (Nutmeg Imageworks)

    For guests unsure where to begin with a list of this size, the starting point is familiarity. “We love to have a quick discussion with guests about wines they’ve enjoyed in the past,” Warren said. Because the list includes many small producers, those conversations often lead to wines guests have never tried before.

    Wine Service Behind the Scenes

    Rococo’s wine service blends classic technique with practical tools that support both older bottles and high-volume service. The list is available digitally to maintain accuracy, while equipment such as the Durand and improved lighting help with decanting mature vintages.

    “We utilize all the technology available while maintaining the tradition of humble wine service,” Warren said. “We use the Durand, improved lighting sources to aid in decanting, and the best polishing machines to properly clean and prepare stemware.”

    The focus, he noted, is consistency and care, especially when working with wines that require extra attention.

    What Guests Are Drinking Now

    Cabernet Sauvignon continues to dominate in a steakhouse setting, but Warren has seen guests branch out beyond the expected. “We’ve seen a notable uptick in the consumption of Syrah, Aglianico, and Nebbiolo,” he said. “All of which have regions with world-class production and still offer excellent value.”

    White wine is another area where the list often surprises guests. “White wine, in general, is often overlooked at Rococo,” Warren said. “We feature some of the best domestic and international producers on Earth.” Among those are a rare selection of early-2000s Chardonnay bottlings that challenge assumptions about ageability and placement on a steakhouse list.

    Rococo’s Role in St. Pete’s Wine Scene

    Within St. Petersburg’s wine community, Rococo functions as both a destination and a gathering place for industry professionals. Warren describes the list as one of the most valuable in Pinellas County, noting that sommeliers and buyers frequently cross paths here and at nearby wine-focused restaurants.

    “We have one of the most valuable lists in Pinellas County,” he said. “Many of our friends and fellow purchasers and sommeliers support one another, and we often meet up here and at Sauvignon [Wine Locker] with other vinophiles.”

    Those relationships extend beyond the dining room. Rococo maintains active partnerships with more than twenty alcohol distributors, which allows the team to source bottles that are rarely accessible on short notice. “This year, a guest needed a 1945 Haut-Brion,” Warren said. “In less than two months, we were able to bring it from France, despite tariff challenges.”

    What’s Coming Next

    Several new allocations are arriving in the coming months, continuing the list’s mix of established producers and limited-production releases. “We’re about to receive new allocations from Antica Terra,” Warren said. “Some 00 Wines are being delivered for the first time in our state this month. Checkerboard Wines have just arrived, along with several other exciting additions.”

    When it comes to seasonal buying or gift bottles, Warren encourages guests to look beyond reputation alone. “Just because a bottle is sought-after or expensive doesn’t automatically make it good,” he said. “Usually, small production wines make great gifts and often can be affordable too if you know the right producers.”

    At Rococo, the scale of the list sets the stage. How it comes to life depends on conversation, context, and the person guiding the experience.

  • 2025 in Review: A Defining Year for the St. Pete Wine Scene

    2025 in Review: A Defining Year for the St. Pete Wine Scene

    2025 marked a turning point for St. Petersburg’s wine culture. Across the year, new wine bars opened, familiar names returned to their roots, and hybrid concepts reshaped how and where people drink wine in the city. From women-owned projects to education-driven spaces and neighborhood-first bars, the year reflected a clear focus on craft, community, and longevity.

    Here’s how it unfolded.


    March

    Adult Therapy at Glass of Life

    Adult Therapy opened in March inside Glass of Life’s stained-glass studio in the Historic Uptown neighborhood, across from Round Lake Park. Curated by sommelier Jessica Arkwright, the women-owned wine retail concept pairs grower-producer wines with picnic provisions and Sip & Solder stained-glass workshops. The wine program focuses on terroir-driven bottles made with minimal intervention, no additives, and restrained sulfur use. 25% of profits are donated to local animal rescues and nonprofits offering adult art therapy services.


    May

    Neighborhood Wine Shop

    Neighborhood Wine Shop opened May 24 in the Grand Central District, quickly establishing itself as one of the city’s most structured retail programs. One of the few local shops offering online ordering and shipping, Neighborhood also launched a tiered wine club built around monthly themes. Co-owners Sydney Knowlton and Bryce Kennedy bring complementary strengths to the shop. Kennedy also shares regular context on new arrivals through the Neighborhood Wine Shop newsletter.

    Also in May: the St. Pete Wine Scene website launched, followed by social media going live in June.


    July

    Christiane’s Wine Bar

    Christiane’s Wine Bar opened in July in the former MUST Wine Loft space. Owner Christiane Hall brings more than 35 years of hospitality experience, including ownership of Sip on St. Pete Beach and five years managing Michelin-praised Il Ritorno. The wine program reflects her global certifications, while the space balances wine education with comfort-driven food, self-serve tasting machines, and take-home options.

    Lolita’s Wine Market Returns Home

    Lolita’s Wine Market reopened July 17 at its original Grand Central location after two years next to the Morean Center for Clay. Co-owners Kelly Rodriguez-Luereano and Chef Alex Rodriguez made the move to reclaim the intimate tasting-bar experience that defined Lolita’s early years. The return of the white rocking chairs, community tables, and first-come, first-served format signaled a shift away from full-service dining and back toward wine-led connection.


    August

    Savoir on Central

    Savoir on Central officially celebrated its grand opening on August 15. Co-owned by Sharon Mahoney and Christina Noordstar, Savoir centers wine education through guided tastings, sommelier-led classes, and curated wine club offerings. The space is best known for its weekly Wednesday wine tastings and has also become a popular venue for private events.
    Read more about Christina and Sharon here.


    September

    The Wine Cave & The Dutchman

    Opening September 2 in downtown St. Pete, The Wine Cave and The Dutchman introduced a wine-focused bar led by owner Harmen Rost van Tonningen. After more than 30 years in the hospitality industry, van Tonningen opened the space as a personal next chapter, bringing a background that spans country clubs, private dining, and sommelier certification through the Court of Master Sommeliers and the Society of Wine Educators.

    October

    86 Wine Bar

    86 Wine Bar opened October 10 on MLK North, bringing natural wine, small plates, and a vinyl-driven ambiance to a residential stretch of the city. Built by hospitality veterans Kendra Hardesty and Shane Richard Schuch, the bar focuses on low-intervention wines from small producers, paired with limited, rotating menus and a listening-room approach to music. The space reflects Japandi minimalism and a clear neighborhood focus.
    Read more about 86 Wine Bar here.

    Ruya

    Ruya opened October 11 in the Grand Central District as a Moroccan-inspired café and wine lounge founded by Sarah Aitcadi. Coffee and mint tea anchor the mornings, while Mediterranean wines, spritzes, and evening events define the later hours. The wine list leans toward Spain and Italy, with Mediterranean selections on the way, and the space regularly hosts yoga, sound baths, and food pop-ups from Drift Kitchen. Ruya reflects the continued rise of hybrid concepts where wine exists alongside wellness, hospitality, and all-day community use.
    Read more about Ruya here.


    November

    Bin6South Reopens

    Bin6South reopened November 21, just in time for its two-year anniversary, under new leadership with Wine Director Nanci Rosen and Executive Chef Joe Nelson. The reopening brought a renewed focus on fine wine, tasting nights, and technique-driven cuisine, along with expanded patio seating and early-bird common-table reservations.
    Read more about Bin6South here.


    Looking Back

    CellarMasters

    CellarMasters closed in October after five years, marking the end of one of St. Pete’s earliest natural wine bars and bottle shops. Opened in 2020 by Ryan Rugg and Kory Lynn, the hybrid retail-and-lounge space helped introduce many locals to natural and low-intervention wines at a time when few bars in the city were focused on that style. While hurricanes, increased competition, and declining sales ultimately led to the closure, CellarMasters’ influence remains visible in the natural wine programs and casual, community-driven spaces that followed.
    Read more about CellarMaster’s closure here.


    What’s Next

    Photo via @spitzwinebar

    Several new wine projects are already underway across the city. A closer look at what’s taking shape next will follow.

  • New Year’s Eve Sparkling Wine Guide 2025

    New Year’s Eve Sparkling Wine Guide 2025

    A New Year’s Eve sparkling wine guide with bottles you can find right now at St. Pete wine bars and wine shops.

    Top Picks

    Under $25 – Miguel Torres Santa Digna Estelado Sparkling Rosé
    Try Wine

    Under $50 – Ferrari Perlé
    Mazzaro’s Italian Market

    Under $100 – Cantina della Pioppa Lambrusco di Modena
    Bin6South


    Bar Chinchilla

    • Leclerc-Briant Réserve Brut – $33
      Champagne, Dry, Food-Friendly
    • Argyle Extended Tirage Brut 2013 – $60
      Dry, Statement Bottle, Food-Friendly
    • Lucashof Blanc de Blancs Brut – $35
      Blanc de Blancs, Dry, Crowd-Pleaser

    Bin6South

    • Mercat Brut Cava – $60
      Cava, Dry, Crowd-Pleaser, Food-Friendly
    • Cantina della Pioppa Lambrusco di Modena – $60
      Lambrusco, Fruity, Dry, Food-Friendly

    Book + Bottle

    • Henners Brut NV – $57
      Dry, Crowd-Pleaser, Food-Friendly

    Lolita’s Wine Market

    • Honey Bubbles Sparkling Moscato – $22
      Sweet, Fruity, Crowd-Pleaser, Under $25

    Mazzaro’s Italian Market

    • Pierre Moncuit Cuvée Hugues de Coulmet Blanc de Blancs Brut – $63
      Champagne, Blanc de Blancs, Dry, Statement Bottle
    • Lallier Réflexion R.021 Brut Champagne – $37
      Champagne, Dry, Crowd-Pleaser
    • Ruinart Blanc de Blancs – $89
      Champagne, Blanc de Blancs, Statement Bottle
    • Ferrari Perlé – $50
      Italian Sparkling, Dry, Crowd-Pleaser

    Mickey’s Café

    • Boschendal Brut NV – $52
      Dry, Crowd-Pleaser, Food-Friendly

    Neighborhood Wine Shop

    • Catherine & Pierre Breton “La Dilettante” Vouvray Sec – $35
      Dry, Food-Friendly
    • Clandestin “Les Revers” Brut Nature – $115
      Champagne, Bone-Dry, Statement Bottle, Splurge

    Pistil House

    • Sokol Blosser “Bluebird Cuvée” Sparkling Wine – $35
      Dry, Crowd-Pleaser, Food-Friendly

    Savoir on Central

    • Jean Josselin “Cuvée des Jean” Extra Brut – $64
      Champagne, Bone-Dry, Food-Friendly
    • Ayala Brut Majeur – $64
      Champagne, Dry, Crowd-Pleaser

    The Wine Cave & The Dutchman

    • Lucien Albrecht Brut Crémant d’Alsace – $38
      Crémant, Dry, Crowd-Pleaser, Food-Friendly

    Try Wine

    • Miguel Torres Santa Digna Estelado Sparkling Rosé – $19.99
      Rosé, Fruity, Crowd-Pleaser, Under $25

    Looking for more wine recommendations? Check out A Last-Minute Holiday Wine Buying Guide 2025.

  • Where to Drink and Buy Wine in St. Pete on Christmas Eve 2025

    Where to Drink and Buy Wine in St. Pete on Christmas Eve 2025

    If you’re still tying up holiday plans or need a last-minute bottle, a solid number of St. Pete wine spots are open on Christmas Eve. Below is the master list of where you can buy a bottle to go and where you can sit down for a glass, with confirmed hours for 12/24.


    Get a Bottle (Retail & Bottle Shops Open 12/24)

    These are your best options for grabbing wine for dinner, gifting, or a backup bottle when plans change.

    • Mazzaro’s Italian Market
      9:00 am – 2:30 pm
    • DeCosmo Italian Market
      10:00 am – 4:00 pm
    • Book + Bottle
      10:00 am – 5:00 pm
    • Savoir on Central
      11:00 am – 6:00 pm
    • Hostess
      12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
    • Hawthorne Bottle Shoppe
      12:00 pm – 8:00 pm
    • Try Wine
      1:00 pm – 9:00 pm
    • Neighborhood Wine Shop
      3:00 pm – 8:00 pm

    Get a Glass (Wine Bars & Restaurants Open 12/24)

    If stepping out for a drink is part of your Christmas Eve routine, these spots are open for service.

    • Ruya
      8:00 am – 1:00 pm
    • Bacchus Wine Bistro
      11:00 am – 9:30 pm
    • 86 Wine Bar
      12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
    • Bar Chinchilla
      4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
    • The Study
      4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
    • Sauvignon Wine Locker
      4:00 pm – 9:00 pm
    • Rococo Steak
      4:00 pm – 10:00 pm
    • Lolita’s
      Reservation only
    • Bin6South
      Reservation only

    Closed on Christmas Eve

    The following spots are confirmed closed on 12/24:

    • Pistil House
    • Exquisite Bistro
    • Adult Therapy
    • Christiane’s Wine Bar
    • The Wine Cave & The Dutchman
    • Smallbar
    • St. Pete Cellars

    Final Sip

    This list reflects confirmed Christmas Eve hours shared directly by venues or posted publicly. For last minute wine bottle picks, check out A Last-Minute Holiday Wine Buying Guide 2025

    For weekly wine happenings, tastings, and updated opening hours, follow along at @stpetewinescene.

  • A Last-Minute Holiday Wine Buying Guide 2025

    A Last-Minute Holiday Wine Buying Guide 2025

    Local bottles under $20 and under $50

    When time is short, availability matters. This guide focuses on bottles you can still find locally, even with limited shop hours this week.

    Bottles Under $20

    Cantine Colosi Nero d’Avola
    Sicily, Italy
    Mazzaro’s Italian Market
    $18

    Ackerman Bulle Royale Brut Crémant de Loire
    Loire Valley, France
    Book + Bottle
    $19

    Baron de Rothberg Brut
    Bordeaux, France
    Bar Chinchilla
    $15

    Zajc Cviček
    Dolenjska, Slovenia
    Savoir on Central
    $16

    Lucashof Pinot Noir Rosé Trocken
    Pfalz, Germany
    Savoir on Central
    $18

    La Kíuva Arnad Rouge de Vallée
    Valle d’Aosta, Italy
    Neighborhood Wine Shop
    $20

    Castello di Querceto Chianti Classico Riserva
    Tuscany, Italy
    Mazzaro’s Italian Market
    $20

    Tolaini Al Passo Toscana
    Tuscany, Italy
    Mazzaro’s Italian Market
    $20

    Louis Jadot Bourgogne Blanc
    Burgundy, France
    Mazzaro’s Italian Market
    $20


    Bottles Under $50

    Castello di Camigliano Brunello di Montalcino
    Tuscany, Italy
    Mazzaro’s Italian Market
    $43

    Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco
    Piedmont, Italy
    Mazzaro’s Italian Market
    $48

    Ferrari Perlé
    Trentino, Italy
    Mazzaro’s Italian Market
    $50

    Bussola Valpolicella Ripasso “Ca’ del Laito”
    Veneto, Italy
    Neighborhood Wine Shop
    $35

    López de Heredia Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva
    Rioja, Spain
    Mazzaro’s Italian Market
    $50

    Domaine Duseigneur Châteauneuf-du-Pape “Matteo”
    Southern Rhône, France
    Book + Bottle
    $48

    Leclerc Briant Réserve Brut Champagne
    Champagne, France
    Bar Chinchilla
    $33

    Champagne Palmer Brut Réserve
    Champagne, France
    Savoir on Central
    $30

    Château Cos d’Estournel “G d’Estournel”
    Bordeaux, France
    Savoir on Central
    $46

    Domaine Maire Côtes du Jura “Grand Héritage” Tradition Rouge
    Cotes du Jura, France
    Savoir on Central
    $31

    For tastings, events, and pop-ups happening now, head to This Week in Wine.

  • Pasadena Liquors & Fine Wines Announces Storewide Sale as St. Pete Remembers Jim Valenty

    Pasadena Liquors & Fine Wines Announces Storewide Sale as St. Pete Remembers Jim Valenty

    Pasadena Liquors and Fine Wines has begun a storewide sale as the business prepares to close its retail doors. The store is now 25% off everything, and there is still a wide range of bottles available across wine, spirits, and specialty selections.

    Valenty’s Lounge remains open, and customers have been stopping by to share memories and spend time in a space that meant so much to Jim and to the neighborhood.

    A view inside Pasadena Liquors & Fine Wines, a neighborhood fixture built over more than fifty years.(The Valenty Family)

    Honoring Jim Valenty

    For more than fifty years, Jim Valenty worked beside his brother Bob and carried forward a family business that began with their father, John and mother, Josephine, known as “Momma V” to many. Pasadena Liquors became a fixture in South Pasadena because of the way Jim treated people. He built a place where customers felt known, where staff felt like family, and where the door offered more than a transaction. It offered connection.

    His daughters shared that the store became a second home for him. His generosity shaped every corner of the business. He regularly donated bottles to local fundraisers, gave freely to silent auctions, and supported a multitude of causes, with an emphasis on charities benefiting foster children, pediatric cancer, and youth throughout the community.

    Jim Valenty. (The Valenty Family)
    Bob (left), Momma V (center), and Jim Valenty (right). (The Valenty Family)

    A Local Legacy

    Pasadena Liquor holds decades of stories. Customers sought out the wine room for the selection, but even more for the people behind it. Wine expert Peter Celli has spent twenty years guiding customers through bottles and vintages and is one of the most familiar faces in St. Pete’s wine community. Mike DeSalvia has shaped the wine offerings with the same care, and he plans to open a new wine bar with retail in the same plaza. More information will be shared as that project develops.

    Mike DeSalvia (left) and Peter Celli (right).

    Last year’s hurricanes, Milton and Helene, caused unexpected damage to the shop, but the response from the community showed how deeply Pasadena Liquor is woven into the fabric of St. Pete. Neighbors, friends, and longtime customers rallied to support the staff and family as the store rebuilt. It reopened because people wanted it back. It meant something to them.

    After last year’s storms, the wine room once again became a place where customers came to restock, reconnect, and support the staff who brought it back to life. (The Valenty Family)

    Valenty’s Lounge

    Valenty’s Lounge has always been an essential part of the story. Since 1989 it has served as a neighborhood living room, the kind of space where people settle in, greet one another by name, and stay longer than they planned. Many describe it as St. Pete’s real life version of Cheers. The friendships formed here, and the comfort the space provided, are central to Jim’s legacy.

    Although the retail shop is closing, the lounge will remain open for now and continues to welcome anyone who wants to stop in and remember Jim.

    Storewide Sale Details

    The storewide sale is currently 25% off everything. Inventory is moving, so anyone who wants to visit the shop or support the family during this transition may want to stop by soon.

    The retail shop will close once this process is complete. Valenty’s Lounge will continue operating for now, offering a familiar place for the community during this time of change.

    (The Valenty Family)

    Continuing the Story

    Pasadena Liquor reflects the work and heart of three generations. It holds the values Jim lived by and the relationships he nurtured across five decades. The Valenty family welcomes anyone who would like to visit, support the sale, or spend time at the lounge as the community remembers a man who gave so much to St. Pete.

    St. Pete Wine Scene will share updates on Mike’s upcoming wine project as more information becomes available.

    For ongoing updates, follow St. Pete Wine Scene on Instagram or Facebook.

    (The Valenty Family)
  • Looking Back at St. Pete’s First Wine Bar: The Story of A Taste for Wine

    Looking Back at St. Pete’s First Wine Bar: The Story of A Taste for Wine

    How It All Began

    Before Central Avenue was lined with wine bars, tasting rooms, and bottle shops, two women opened the very first one—in a downtown most people were afraid to visit.

    What began as an idea sparked in Europe became A Taste for Wine, the bar that introduced St. Pete to wine by the glass in 1995.

    “I would find myself in these bars in France and Holland that had wine by the glass,” Rochelle said. “And I was like, wow, that is really cool. We didn’t have anything like that in the States.”

    When she returned home, she wanted to bring that experience to St. Petersburg. She teamed up with her friend Erin Shim, whose IT background and MBA balanced Rochelle’s hospitality instincts. “She had an MBA. I just drank well,” Rochelle laughed. “Your IT is going to come in handy, girl.”

    Together, they built the business plan that would become A Taste for Wine, the first true wine bar in St. Pete.

    Rochelle and Erin inside A Taste for Wine during its early years on Central Avenue. (Erin Shim)

    Finding a Home on Central Avenue

    Finding a location wasn’t simple. Landlords thought the concept was too risky. Prices were unrealistic. Prospective spaces fell through. But one afternoon, everything changed.

    “We looked up and saw the wrought-iron balcony,” Rochelle said. “We went, huh. Let’s check it out.”

    The address was 241 Central Ave, the upstairs space that now houses Sauvignon Wine Locker. In 1995, it was a worn-out office with fluorescent lighting and old carpet—but the balcony felt full of potential. Their soon-to-be landlord believed in them and gave them what Rochelle calls “a running start.” With that support, and no outside loans, the foundation was set.

    The balcony at A Taste for Wine once ran through what is now St. Pete Tattoo Company. (Erin Shim)

    Building a Wine Bar From Scratch

    The space needed everything. They tore out walls themselves, hauled sinks out of an old dinner theater, bought mismatched furniture at auctions, and improvised wherever possible.

    “I had a picture of Erin and I taking the first whack at the wall,” Rochelle said. “We were covered in dust and dirt.”

    Permitting was just as chaotic. The city required a minimum number of seats that far exceeded what the space could reasonably hold. “We bought plastic chairs just to satisfy the city,” Rochelle said. “It was ridiculous. We were this big and they wanted how many people to squish in here?”

    One city staff member eventually toured the space and went to bat for them. “That really helped,” Rochelle said. “Suddenly things opened up.”

    What Downtown Looked Like in 1995

    Opening a business downtown back then was a gamble.

    “Downtown was scary,” Rochelle said. “People didn’t want to go. The benches were used by the homeless, the development was tied up, and no new businesses were opening.”

    Central Avenue was dotted with gaps, boarded buildings, and only a handful of restaurants. But the businesses that were there welcomed the wine bar.

    “They didn’t look at us as competition,” Rochelle said. “They looked at us as another reason for people to come into the area.”

    Creating St. Pete’s First Wine Culture

    A Taste for Wine brought an entirely new model to St. Petersburg—one focused on curiosity, accessibility, and warmth at a time when wine still felt intimidating.

    Some of the innovations they introduced long before they became common:

    • Half pours
    • Clear, approachable tasting notes
    • Boutique wineries producing 2,000 cases or less
    • Small grower Champagne decades before it became trendy
    • Microbrews “because Erin liked beer”

    “People loved that we remembered them,” Rochelle said. “‘Hey, glad you’re back—I know you liked this white wine, here’s another I think you might like.’”

    Much of what they introduced, small producers, micro-curated by-the-glass lists, and approachable education, now forms the backbone of the modern wine bars that fill St. Pete today.

    A Balcony Full of Stories

    The wrought-iron balcony wasn’t just the bar’s signature feature, it became a stage for moments that shaped the bar’s legacy.

    Rochelle and Erin on the wrought-iron balcony that became one of A Taste for Wine’s most memorable features. (Erin Shim)

    Some stories, though, captured the spirit of the place. One night, a young man handed Rochelle an engagement ring and asked her to hide it until his girlfriend arrived. She ushered the woman outside with champagne as he waited on one knee.

    “There are stories I could tell you that shouldn’t shared here,” Rochelle laughed. “People did some wild things on that balcony.”

    “We could see it through the window when he proposed,” she said. “She said yes.”

    There were mystery theater nights, washboard bands, powerful cheese tastings, and the early, unpredictable First Fridays that nearly paid the rent each month.

    “It never felt like work,” Erin said. “We brought people together. Those are some of my best memories.”

    Nearly 20 Years on Central Avenue

    For nearly two decades, A Taste for Wine helped shape the foundation of what would become a thriving wine scene.

    Erin eventually moved out of Florida around year twelve but remained central to the business—managing IT, paperwork, taxes, and printing—while Rochelle ran day-to-day operations. In the later years, Renee joined the team and became an important part of the bar’s rhythm.

    When the founders sold the business, it eventually evolved into what is now Sauvignon Wine Locker, a modern wine bar operating in the same second-story footprint they once built from scratch.

    The interior of A Taste for Wine in the early years—inside the second-story space at 241 Central Ave. (Erin Shim)
    A modern interpretation of the stone wall inside Sauvignon Wine Locker today, with an updated look in the same upstairs space A Taste for Wine once called home.

    “I’m proud of what they’ve done,” Rochelle said. “They took it to new heights. When I walked in the first time, I had chill bumps on my arms. It felt like home.”

    A Legacy That Lives On

    Today, Rochelle works part-time at Savoir on Central, contributing her decades of experience to one of St. Pete’s most respected wine education hubs. Her presence there quietly links the city’s wine past to its wine present, which is another example of how far the scene has come.

    Rochelle at Savoir in 2025, where she continues to share her experience with St. Pete’s wine community. (Maggie Stevens)

    Erin lives out of state but carries the memories closely. “It feels like it was a wonderful chapter,” she said. “I’m proud of it. I don’t have anything bad to say about A Taste for Wine.”

    What They Started

    St. Petersburg now has 20 wine bars and counting—an astonishing number for a city its size. Rochelle and Erin don’t take credit for the boom, but their influence is undeniable.

    “We were fortunate to be at the time we were,” Rochelle said. “St. Pete supported us. That’s what made it work.”

    Looking back, the legacy of A Taste for Wine isn’t just about being first. It’s about two women who saw what St. Petersburg could become, and built something nearly twenty years ahead of its time.

  • What St. Pete Wine Spots Recommend for Thanksgiving

    What St. Pete Wine Spots Recommend for Thanksgiving

    I asked shops and wine bars around St. Pete what they recommend for a Thanksgiving table. Here’s what they shared in their own words, with wines that fit turkey, cranberry, casseroles, and everything in between.

    Neighborhood Wine Shop

    Owner Bryce Kennedy recommended one white and one red. He said the Riesling is medium bodied, has a “nice acidity,” is “charming,” and works well because it’s dry with “a lot of density on the palate and enough acidity to cut through the fatty foods.” The Burgundy is an easygoing, red-fruited pick for turkey and sides.

    Picks at Neighborhood Wine Shop

    • Josef Fischer Riesling Federspiel Ried Steiger – $38
    • La Soeur Cadette Bourgogne Rouge – $36

    Pistil House

    Owner Anthony Diaz and Carly Dauscher chose a single Thanksgiving pick. Anthony said the wine has fruit with “great acidity,” an “off dry component,” and enough balance to offset the sweet elements on the table.

    Pick at Pistil House

    • Hyland Estates Old Vine Gewürztraminer – $23

    Book + Bottle

    Andrea Hatton, wine lead at Book + Bottle, said they “love Grüner with greens.” She recommended two bottles, calling the Gobelsburg their go-to Thanksgiving white with a “pepperier texture.”

    Picks at Book + Bottle

    • Barbara Öhlzelt Grüner Leader 1L – $22
    • Gobelsburg Grüner Veltliner – $22

    Bar Chinchilla

    Bartender Nico Leeper said his picks are “not far off from what I am actually doing for Thanksgiving.” He added that “Riesling and Pinot are the classic pair for the holiday,” since Riesling’s acidity cuts through casseroles and Pinot works well with turkey.

    Picks at Bar Chinchilla

    • Lucashof Blanc de Blancs Brut – $45
    • Gunderloch Nackenheimer Rothenberg Riesling Grosses Gewächs – $26
    • Pas de Problème Pinot Noir – $32

    Savoir on Central

    Owner Sharon Mahoney said the wines they picked are “delicious, bold, and perfect for Thanksgiving.” Robert shared the three main bottles with pairing notes.

    Picks at Savoir

    • Terralibero Insieme Verdicchio del Castelli di Jesi 2023 – $27
      • Robert suggested pairing it with string beans almondine.
    • Domaine Ozil Gourmandise VdF Rouge 2022 – $29
      • He said to try a bite of turkey with cranberry sauce and follow it with a sip.
    • Delinquente Roko il Vagabondo Montepulciano 2024 – $27
      • He said it works from roasted vegetables to casseroles through dessert.
    • Sokol Blosser Bluebird – $31

    Mickey’s Café & Organics

    Owner Mickey Paleologos said their reds are “bold and heavy and great with cranberry sauce.” Their full Thanksgiving lineup is half off during Thanksgiving week.

    Picks at Mickey’s

    • Old Road Wine Pepper Wind Limited Release Syrah – $96
    • Old Road Wine Co Pinotage The Fat Man – $50
    • Old Road Wine 12 Mile Syrah – $40
    • Intellego The Pink Moustache – $80
    • Babylonstoren Viognier – $66
    • Boschendal Brut NV – $52

    The Wine Cave & The Dutchman

    Owner Harmen Rost van Tonningen picked a red and a white. He said the Pinot comes out with a raspberry flavor and works well with cranberry, white meat, sweet potato, and French bean casserole. He added that the Sauvignon Blanc has “a little oak treatment” and stands up to buttery sauces because “that fattiness needs to come together.”

    Picks at The Wine Cave & The Dutchman

    • Pascal Jolivet Pinot Noir Attitude – $51
    • Bella Union Sauvignon Blanc – $54
  • Beaujolais Nouveau 2025 Arrives in St. Pete

    Beaujolais Nouveau 2025 Arrives in St. Pete

    Beaujolais Nouveau landed in St. Pete yesterday and several local spots rolled out bottles and glasses for the first taste of the 2025 vintage. The annual release arrives every third Thursday in November, marking the first wine of the new harvest from Beaujolais.

    Here’s where you can drink it around town.

    Book + Bottle

    Glass: $15
    Bottle: $26

    Book + Bottle brought in Domaine Dupeuble Beaujolais Nouveau 2025 for the release. They’re pouring it by both the glass and the bottle, making it an easy stop if you want a quick first taste of the new vintage.

    Savoir

    Bottle: $28

    Savoir brought in Domaine Dupeuble Beaujolais Nouveau 2025 as part of a small Gamay tasting they held yesterday afternoon. The Nouveau was one of the wines featured, and bottles are available to purchase at the bar.

    Bar Chinchilla

    Glass: $12
    Bottle: $20

    Bar Chinchilla is pouring Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau 2025, available by both the glass and the bottle while supplies last.

    Where Else to Buy

    Total Wine & More
    Carrying Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau 2025 for $14.99 and Pardon & Fils Beaujolais Nouveau 2025 for $13.99.

    ABC Fine Wine & Spirits
    Carrying Marechal Beaujolais Nouveau 2025 for $13.99.

    Luekens Wine & Spirits
    Carrying Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau 2025 for $15.99.

    Final Sip

    Beaujolais Nouveau is a short-lived seasonal drop, and most places bring in small quantities. If you see it around town, grab a glass while it’s here. And if you spot other St. Pete bars or shops carrying the 2025 vintage, send a message and I’ll add them to the list.

    For more local wine updates and new releases around St. Pete, visit This Week in Wine.