St. Pete Wine Scene

Author: Sabrina D’Alba

  • 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 40% off everything, and while inventory is thinning, there are still bottles available across wine, spirits, and specialty categories.

    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 40% 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.

  • Vidal-Fleury Winemaker Antoine Dupré Brings Fresh Focus to Rhône Wines in Tampa Bay

    Vidal-Fleury Winemaker Antoine Dupré Brings Fresh Focus to Rhône Wines in Tampa Bay

    Vidal-Fleury Reintroduces Its Historic Wines to the U.S. Market with a Stop in St. Petersburg

    When a nearly 250-year-old French winery sends its winemaker to St. Pete, it’s worth paying attention. Recently, Antoine Dupré, General Manager and Head Winemaker of Vidal-Fleury, visited Savoir on Central for a private trade tasting with local sommeliers, shop owners, and bar managers. The event offered a rare opportunity to experience the Rhône Valley’s oldest continuously operating winery through the perspective of the person now shaping its future.

    Dupré’s stop in St. Petersburg was part of a U.S. tour that also included Miami and New York. Originally planned as a two-city visit, St. Pete was added after Sarah Windsor, Area Manager for Terlato Wine Group, advocated for the city to be included, a reflection of how Florida’s west coast is gaining attention from national distributors and importers.

    A Winemaker Redefining a Classic

    When Antoine Dupré joined Vidal-Fleury in 2020, his task was clear: honor nearly 250 years of tradition while guiding the winery into a new era. “My role is to juggle history, tradition and modernity,” he said. “It’s about learning from the past while creating wines that today’s consumers appreciate.”

    Vidal-Fleury’s vineyards sit on Rhône Valley hillsides shaped by the mistral winds and a mosaic of soils. (Celine Vautey)

    Since then, he’s reshaped the cellar’s approach, harvesting earlier to preserve freshness, refining oak programs with smaller barrels and gentler toasts, and rebalancing blends to highlight fruit and texture. The Côtes du Rhône Blanc, once 100% Viognier, now includes Grenache Blanc and Clairette for nuance, while Crozes-Hermitage has shifted primarily to stainless steel aging.

    He’s also renewed grower partnerships and subtly refreshed the label, keeping the historic crest but improving paper and color for visibility. The estate’s vineyards and partner growers are certified HVE3, France’s highest sustainability level, supported by solar projects, lighter bottles, and soil-preserving cover crops.

    Reintroducing Vidal-Fleury to America

    Vidal-Fleury’s roots reach deep into the Rhône, founded in 1781 with ties to the Guigal family that date back to 1924, but its newest chapter focuses firmly on the present. When Dupré joined the winery, one of his first priorities was rebuilding and strengthening Vidal-Fleury’s presence in the U.S.

    The four Vidal-Fleury wines now entering the U.S. market through Terlato: Côtes du Rhône Blanc, Côtes du Rhône Rouge, Crozes-Hermitage, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape. (Sarah Windsor)

    He first met Bill Terlato, CEO of Terlato Wine Group, in 2021. After blind tastings of the new vintages, the partnership took shape, and by 2025, Terlato became Vidal-Fleury’s exclusive U.S. importer. The initial lineup—Côtes du Rhône Rouge and Blanc, Crozes-Hermitage, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape—offers American buyers familiar Rhône benchmarks, each crafted with Dupré’s focus on freshness and clarity.

    “The last few decades were challenging for us here,” Dupré said, “but now we share many values with the Terlato family—another family-run company dedicated to quality. Together we’re rebuilding the brand step by step.”

    Rhône Roots, Local Reach

    For St. Pete, the visit reflected a shift already happening in the market. More distributors are beginning to treat the city as a serious stop, and local programs are widening beyond the usual regions.

    “I was pleasantly surprised by St. Pete’s vibrant tourism scene and the quality of its bars and restaurants,” Dupré said. “It’s a small but cosmopolitan city; lively and full of energy. You can really feel a commitment to thoughtful food and wine pairings. I’ll be very happy to return.”

    Now in Tampa Bay

    Dupré and Chef Rico at Savoir during the Vidal-Fleury visit. (Sarah Windsor)

    Vidal-Fleury’s Rhône lineup is starting to arrive in the local market following Dupré’s visit. The Côtes du Rhône Blanc and Châteauneuf-du-Pape are now available at Savoir on Central, the Blanc is on the list at The Black Pearl in Dunedin, and Bascom’s Chophouse has added the Côtes du Rhône Rouge.

    Final Sip

    Vidal-Fleury’s arrival adds depth to St. Pete’s wine landscape and reinforces what the city’s been building—authentic, quality-driven programs that are getting noticed beyond Florida.

    The industry tasting gave local buyers their first look at Dupré’s updated Rhône style, leading to new placements across Tampa Bay. (Sarah Windsor)
  • Inside Kosen’s Unfiltered Dinner Series with 00 Wines of Oregon

    Inside Kosen’s Unfiltered Dinner Series with 00 Wines of Oregon

    At Kosen, Tampa’s Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant, wine and cuisine came together for the Unfiltered Dinner Series, a collaboration between Sommelier Zachery Groseclose and Chef Alex Chamberlain, featuring Oregon’s acclaimed 00 Wines.

    “We developed this series to highlight exceptional producers making exceptional wines from exceptional terroirs,” said Groseclose, introducing the dinner. “From Chef Alex’s side, it’s about techniques that augment our Japanese ingredients.”

    Chef Alex Chamberlain detailing the butter-poached flounder with buttermilk beurre blanc and caviar, paired with the 2023 Kathryn Hermann Cuvée and 2023 Richard Hermann Cuvée Chardonnays.

    Founded by Chris and Kathryn Hermann in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, 00 Wines has earned a reputation for its precision-driven Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, crafted through methods inspired by Burgundy. The Hermanns are known for their “black Chardonnay” technique, embracing controlled oxidation to create wines defined by texture, tension, and minerality.

    Founders Chris and Kathryn Hermann of 00 Wines.

    Kosen’s culinary philosophy made it a natural host for the dinner. The restaurant’s focus on sustainability, fermentation, and minimal waste mirrors 00 Wines’ detailed, site-specific approach to viticulture. Under Executive Chef Andrew Huang, Kosen practices zero-waste methods through an in-house fermentation program that turns unused ingredients into syrups, vinegars, and misos. Chef de Cuisine Alex Chamberlain, trained in classical French and Nordic kitchens, carries that ethos into dishes that emphasize balance, and seasonal produce.

    Squab pithivier paired with the 2023 Shea Vineyard and 2023 Star Vineyard Pinot Noirs from 00 Wines’ Singularity Series.

    The five-course tasting menu featured wines from the Family, Assemblage, and Singularity series, each reflecting a different facet of Oregon terroir. Groseclose described the 2022 VGW Chardonnay as “full of green apples and lemony citrus, with just a touch of hazelnut and briny minerality—powerful and compact.” It was paired with a tarte flambée layered with celeriac and truffle. He noted the 2022 VGR Pinot Noir for its dark berry fruit, violet, and spice with a hint of saline minerality, poured alongside foie gras mousse with pink peppercorn brioche and fine herbs.

    It is encouraging to see restaurants like Kosen creating space for producers of this caliber and building more opportunities for serious wine conversations in Tampa Bay.

    Looking for more ways to experience wine around town? Check out Hidden Wine Bars and Bottle Shops in St. Pete.

  • At Ruya, Sarah Aitcadi Blends Moroccan Warmth, Coffee, and Wine in Grand Central

    At Ruya, Sarah Aitcadi Blends Moroccan Warmth, Coffee, and Wine in Grand Central

    Ruya Brings Moroccan Coffee and Mediterranean Wines to Grand Central

    A month after opening in the Grand Central District, Ruya has already found its rhythm. Founded by Sarah Aitcadi, the woman-owned café and wine lounge moves with the day — coffee and mint tea in the morning, Mediterranean wines and spritzes as the lights dim.

    Ruya joins a growing list of hybrid cafés and wine lounges across St. Pete — see more in our guide to Hidden Wine Bars and Bottle Shops in St. Pete.

    “Ruya comes from Arabic; it means a vision or a dream,” Sarah said. “I wanted a space where people can just come and be. You walk in and feel like you’re somewhere else.”

    Pictured: Sarah Aitcadi, Founder of Ruya (Photo by Ruya).

    Coffee to Wine

    Ruya opens early with Moroccan-spiced coffee and traditional mint tea, but the tone shifts as the day slows.

    “The mornings have their own energy — the coffee, the movement, the light,” Sarah said. “By evening, it all softens. You might want a glass of wine or an herbal tea, something that helps you unwind.”

    Morning light at Ruya’s coffee bar.

    The wine list currently leans toward Spain and Italy, with Greek selections on the way. A rotating spritz menu has quickly become a favorite, featuring in-house syrups and seasonal ingredients made below 17% ABV.

    “I really like the wines we have right now,” she said. “But everyone likes wine their own way, so I want to keep it fun. Maybe you’re not an avid wine drinker, but you’ll find something refreshing — like a Hugo Spritz with mint when it’s warm out.”

    Mediterranean selections and in-house spritzes highlight Sarah’s evolving menu.

    Hospitality and Home

    Raised around her family’s restaurants, Sarah describes hospitality as the foundation of everything she does.

    “If you’ve ever been to Morocco, people invite you in, serve you tea, and make you feel like family,” she said. “That’s the culture I wanted Ruya to feel like — warm, personal, and genuine.”

    That spirit extends to the way guests are welcomed. Menus, she says, should never feel intimidating.

    “If someone explains what’s in a drink or where a flavor comes from, it opens everything up. It becomes approachable instead of foreign.”

    Designed to feel more like a living room than a café.

    A Space to Slow Down

    Ruya stays open later than most coffee shops in St. Pete, offering Wi-Fi, open seating, and room to work, talk, or simply stay awhile.

    “It’s hard to find places that let you slow down,” Sarah said. “Some close early or limit laptops. I wanted this to be a space without restrictions — a place to take a step back.”

    Evenings bring a softer energy — yoga and sound baths, chef pop-ups, and private events in the courtyard.

    To see more events happening this week, head over to This Week in Wine.

    Now a favorite post-class stop for yogis from neighboring Beach Town Yoga, the donation-based studio next door.

    What’s Next

    A commercial kitchen is planned for the attached garage, where Sarah hopes to introduce Mediterranean and Moroccan-inspired small plates. For now, she’s collaborating with local bakers, chefs, and food trucks, curating menus to match upcoming events.

    “There’s so much room for creativity,” she said. “Food trucks, pop-up dinners, private gatherings — there’s already interest. Once the kitchen’s ready, we’ll keep that same Mediterranean flavor.”

    Final Sip

    At Ruya, coffee and wine flow through the same idea: connection. What began as Sarah’s dream of an all-day gathering space has already taken shape — bright mornings, unhurried evenings, and a growing community in between. It’s also become a favorite stop for Beach Town Yoga students next door, whose post-class ritual often leads straight to Ruya’s courtyard for coffee, conversation, or a spritz.

  • Bin6South Reopens November 21 with a New Team, Tasting Nights, and an Elevated Dinner Experience

    Bin6South Reopens November 21 with a New Team, Tasting Nights, and an Elevated Dinner Experience

    Opening date: Friday, November 21, 2025
    Reservations: OpenTable or call 727-498-6735

    A New Chapter for Bin6South

    After a brief hiatus, Bin6South will reopen Friday, November 21 under new leadership with Wine Director Nanci Rosen and Executive Chef Joe Nelson, and a renewed focus on fine wine, technique-driven cuisine, and polished service.

    The team calls it an “elevated experience,” blending Bin6South’s reputation for discovery-driven wine lists with a menu that’s both refined and adventurous.

    What’s New

    Guests will notice a few thoughtful changes when doors open again:

    • Early-bird common table: Available 4 – 6 PM by reservation, ideal for a more social, small-plate setting.
    • Outdoor expansion: Four new tables under retractable awnings expand the patio, first-come, first-served.
    • Tasting nights: On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Bin6South will host themed tastings of wines from around the world for a small fee (waived with discounted bottle purchases), paired with a concise menu of small bites.

    From Thursday through Saturday, the restaurant returns to full dinner service featuring wine, sake, and beer, with rotating dishes that highlight new culinary techniques and seasonal ingredients.

    Menu Highlights

    Bin6South’s on-site garden supplies fresh herbs and edible plants used in the kitchen.

    Chef Nelson’s fall menu reads like a study in contrast and texture—rustic ingredients meeting modern precision.
    A few standouts include:

    • Elk Yukhoe with Korean pear and cured duck yolk
    • Papardelle Rippiene, a filled pasta layered with ricotta, maitake powder, and black garlic cream
    • Blue Crab with fermented guacamole and black quinoa-masa chips
    • Octopus with garlic toum, duck-fat potatoes, and lemon-mint vinaigrette
      Desserts range from Death by Chocolate to Gunkan Roll with fruit caviar and mint foam.

    Holiday Tradition Returns

    Bin6South’s beloved Feast of the Seven Fishes returns on Christmas Eve 2025, an eight-course seafood and wine pairing dinner that sells out early each year.
    Seatings at 5:30 and 8:00 PM | $200 per person (tip not included). Reserve via bren@bin6south.com.

    Final Sip

    The reopening of Bin6South feels like a restoration of balance in St. Pete’s fine-wine scene. With Nanci Rosen guiding the wine program and Joe Nelson in the kitchen, the restaurant’s next chapter marks a confident return, led by a team with a clear vision for what fine wine and dining can be in St. Pete.

  • The Book Lounge Opens in Downtown St. Pete and They’re Already Pairing Stories with Wine

    The Book Lounge Opens in Downtown St. Pete and They’re Already Pairing Stories with Wine

    A new chapter for local readers begins this Saturday, November 8, when The Book Lounge officially opens its doors at 2210 Central Avenue from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The first 100 customers will receive tote bags filled with “bookish goodies,” marking the debut of a family-owned bookstore that’s already making waves in St. Pete’s creative community.

    Founded by Natalya Calleja and her daughter Pamela, a University of South Florida St. Petersburg student, The Book Lounge was born out of a shared love of reading that spans generations. In a recent interview with The Crow’s Nest, Calleja said she wanted her team to reflect the diversity and creative spirit of St. Pete, so that “our people, our community, and our customers see themselves in our staff.”

    Inside, visitors will find a curated selection of fiction titles only, along with affordable wine, coffee, sweets, and a lounge-style setup designed for students and locals to relax, read, or play board games. Community game nights will be held every Thursday, and Calleja plans to host author signings, trivia nights, silent reading sessions, and craft-based workshops like book-nook building and bookmark making.

    It is also a space built on legacy. Pamela first began selling “blind date with a book” bundles at local markets, wrapped novels paired with small treats that helped fund the family’s dream of opening a permanent shop. Calleja told The Crow’s Nest that the store is meant to be a haven for connection and empathy, echoing the comfort of the game nights and stories shared in her own home.

    Photo by Pour & Decor.

    Later this month, The Book Lounge will team up with Pour & Decor for its first signature event, Wine a Little, Read a Lot: Book Fair for Grown-Ups, on November 20 from 6 to 9 p.m at Pour & Decor. Guests can expect wine, local vendors, and a nostalgic twist on the school-day book fair with a distinctly St. Pete flair.

    For more local wine events and openings, visit This Week in Wine.

  • CellarMasters Closes After Five Years, Marking the End of a St. Pete Wine Era

    CellarMasters Closes After Five Years, Marking the End of a St. Pete Wine Era

    St. Petersburg’s pioneering natural wine bar and bottle shop, CellarMasters, has officially closed. The news marks the end of a five-year run that helped shape the city’s modern natural and low-intervention wine scene.

    CellarMasters’ infamous Champagne bathtub.

    Owner Ryan Rugg confirmed the closure to the Tampa Bay Times, saying, “the business is done.” The team also shared the update on Instagram, writing:

    “Sorry folks, due to less than financially viable pass-thru and patronage… we out. Thanks for the party times, truly. But also think about your commitments to others in the future, because it means the world to them and their employees… 5/20/2020 – 10/15/2025. Really sorry I failed you all… won’t happen again – Ryan.”

    The beginnings: August 21, 2019 (@cellar_masters_of_the_universe)

    Opened in 2020 by Rugg and Kory Lynn, CellarMasters quickly became a gathering place for wine lovers who appreciated its unfiltered energy and approachable style. The concept combined retail and lounge spaces.

    The shop was among the first in St. Pete to focus entirely on natural and minimal-intervention wines. Its influence can still be felt across the city’s newer bars and hybrid shops that followed.

    CellarMasters was known for their wide selections of wines by the glass.

    Rugg told the Times that hurricanes, new competition, and declining sales contributed to the decision to close. Even with those challenges, he reflected on what the team accomplished:

    “We captivated a younger clientele at a time that was important, and hopefully that lives on.”

    For many in St. Pete’s wine community, it will. CellarMasters was more than a place to drink wine. It helped define how the city approaches wine culture today.