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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
Owner Sharon Mahoney said the wines they picked are “delicious, bold, and perfect for Thanksgiving.” Robert shared the three main bottles with pairing notes.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
Finding wine under $20 isn’t always easy. Some bottles are fine once and forgettable the next, but a few really hold their own. When I set out to publish a “Top 5” list, I thought the challenge would be narrowing it down. Instead, I landed firmly on four Italian whites that I know well and keep coming back to: bottles I’ve trusted over time, and that still stood out after tasting through Mazzaro’s shelves again in recent months.
I ended up running two separate blind tastings, and both times the bottles lined up in this exact 1–4 ranking. The fifth spot? I’m leaving that one up to you. Head to this Instagram or Facebook post to weigh in with your pick.
Route to the Wine Room at Mazzaro’sStarted with five, ended with four. The fifth glass didn’t make the cut.
4. Cà dei Frati ‘I Frati’ Lugana
Tasting notes and aromas: nectarine, herbs, pear, yellow apple, and white flower.
Familiar Favorite: Always a hit at the table. The bold, recognizable bottle makes I Frati an easy one to spot, and it has become a frequent pick for dinner parties. Bright and fruity when young, it pairs beautifully with food, and the structure is there for it to develop more depth with age. If you’re looking for a bottle for a relaxed night with friends, the Lugana works really well.
Where to find it: Mazzaro’s, Pasadena Liquors & Fine Wines, B-21.
3. Italo Cescon Elemento #1 Pinot Grigio
Tasting notes and aromas: peaches, nutmeg, citrus, almonds, and pears.
Surprise Factor: Not your average Pinot Grigio. This bottle is a new addition to the St. Pete wine scene and it has been popping up more often thanks to BayVino, who brought it in for its complexity. I’ve poured it at multiple wine events, and more than once it gained new fans. A friend even called it the best Pinot Grigio she’d ever tried and immediately bought a case. Expect more weight and texture than the usual, with bright fruit and spice.
Where to find it: Mazzaro’s, Pasadena Liquors & Fine Wines, Vino Simpatico.
2. Pieropan Soave Classico
Tasting and aroma notes: peaches, elderflower, pear, marzipan, and ripe cherries.
Trusted: A name that delivers vintage after vintage. This is the benchmark Soave, but I reach for it when I want to elevate a weeknight. It is versatile and easy to pair, with pleasant aromas of citrus and stone fruit that make it feel like more than a simple dinner wine. Sometimes you will spot Pieropan’s next-level “La Rocca” on shelves or lists too, which is worth the upgrade.
Where to find it: Mazzaro’s, Pasadena Liquors & Fine Wines, Total Wine, Luekens, B-21.
1. Marchesi di Barolo Gavi
Tasting and aroma notes: melon, chamomile, green almonds, golden delicious apple, and lemon peel.
Standout: A longtime favorite that proves itself blind. Marchesi di Barolo is a big name in Piedmont, best known for powerhouse reds, but they also make this fresh Gavi. It has come out on top in blind tastings more than once, showing zippy acidity with melon, apple, and chamomile notes. For the price point, it is a great pick for anyone who loves Sauvignon Blanc or Chablis.
Where to find it: Mazzaro’s, Try Wine, Luekens, Pasadena Liquors & Fine Wines.
Final Sip
These bottles prove budget wine can still impress. Four proven Italian whites under $20, and one still up for debate. Which wine deserves the fifth spot? Make your suggestion on our Instagram or Facebook.
P.S. For anyone curious about the logistics: I Coravined the Pinot Grigio, uncorked the Gavi and Lugana because of their synthetic corks, and Pieropan came with a screw top.
The wine room at Mazzaro’s holds more than 1,500 bottles. It’s one of the most extensive selections in town, but what makes it truly special is the team.
Alan, Jim, Jack, Rob H., and Rob Y. don’t just know the inventory. They walk the aisles, talk with customers, and offer expert guidance, whether someone says “I’m into Chianti,” or just “I’m having fish for dinner”. They’re approachable, deeply knowledgeable, and genuinely love sharing wine.
So I asked each of them: If you could put away one of the wines to age, what would it be—and why?
Because for every bottle meant to be opened tonight, there’s another worth waiting years to enjoy. Curious which ones they’d hold onto? Here’s what they picked.
Table of Contents
Alan Schwartz “Al Vino”
Pick to Age: Stemmari Hedonis Nero d’Avola ($45)
Pictured: Alan Schwartz
Alan’s pick is a Nero d’Avola from Sicily, a wine he describes as big, bold, sassy, and smooth. He says it fits him perfectly as a hedonist, especially when it comes to wine.
“I’ve never had anything as big, bold, sassy, and smooth. If I’m ever stranded on an island, this is the one I’m taking.”
The 2015 vintage, he says, is nowhere near its peak, even after ten years in the bottle, and could age for another century. For him, there’s nothing else in the room quite like it. At $45, it’s a great step into aging without making a significant financial investment.
Jim’s choice is Barbaresco, a wine he gravitates toward without hesitation. The grape is full of flavor, and while the range of producers is wide, he notes you don’t need a high-priced bottle to enjoy it. A good Barbaresco, he says, hits every tingle in his heart. The bottle he’s chosen is a beautiful example, and he would give it five to ten years in the cellar.
Jack Herr
Pick to Age: Roagna Barolo Pira DOCG ($226)
Pictured: Jack Herr
Jack’s recommendation for a wine to age is Barolo. The great ones earn high ratings for how they taste now, but the real question is when to open them. His approach is to buy a case and open one every five years to find the peak. A Piedmont enthusiast, Jack loves both Barolo and Barbaresco.
“I’m a Piedmont lover, like the rest of us.”
He also notes that Montepulciano is the store’s top seller. These big, bold, dry reds are easy to drink, age beautifully, and are available in over 25 options, priced from $13 to $50.
Rob Horvath
Pick to Age: Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino ($75)
Pictured: Rob Horvath, Wine Room Manager
Rob H. points to Brunello as a classic choice for aging. The 2015, 2016, and 2019 vintages all delivered excellent quality he says, and 2021 is already generating significant buzz. Although scores have yet to be released, he expects it will be an outstanding year. His pick is a bottle he would confidently set aside for 20 to 25 years, with some lasting even longer if kept in their original environment. Wines that aren’t moved or shipped, he explains, tend to age at their best.
Rob Yandek
Pick to Age: Case Basse di Gianfranco Soldera Toscana IGT ($925)
Pictured: Rob Yandek
Rob Y.’s first thought for a wine worth aging is Barolo. His actual pick, though, is the Soldera Case Basse, made from 100% Sangiovese.
“I’d put this bottle away for a long, long time. I would get in a lot of trouble buying this.”
At over $900… I couldn’t agree more. He considers it a truly special wine, one he would set aside for decades—waiting 20 years if he could. He expects it to show something remarkable in 10 to 20 years. For those looking for another option, he adds that a good Brunello is also an excellent choice, with many reaching their peak between five and ten years.
Final Sip
Asking to pick just one bottle to age isn’t easy. Most hesitated, joked, or gave me a look before narrowing it down (I get it, it’s a tough decision!). But each of these five landed on a wine they believe in.
That’s part of what makes Mazzaro’s wine room stand out. With more than 1,500 bottles on the shelves, the selection is impressive. But it’s the team—Jack, Jim, Rob Y., Alan, and Rob H.—who make it navigable. They’re not just selling wine. They’re sharing stories, building trust, and helping people discover bottles that might just become the best thing they never knew to look for.
If you’re thinking about aging something for the future, this is a good place to start. And a great place to ask.
Luekens Midtown’s Summer Soirée featured over 100 wines across 19 tasting tables, drawing a packed room of return customers, curious newcomers, and local industry folks.
The lineup spanned Napa Cab to Grand Cru Champagne, with wines from California, Washington, Oregon, France, Italy, New Zealand, and more. From cellar picks and top-scoring labels to fresh new releases and under-the-radar gems, it was a rare chance to taste across price points and producers—some of which distributors don’t typically open at public events.
Below is the full list of wines poured, grouped by table and distributor. Whether you’re revisiting favorites, searching for a bottle you forgot to write down, or just curious what made the cut, this list has you covered.
Looking for your next local tasting? Check out upcoming events on This Week in Wine.
Brigitte Beaufort Passion Millésime Grand Cru 2013
Chateau Chantalouette Pomerol 2016
Serge Dagueneau & Filles Pouilly Fumé 2023
Caiarossa Aria IGT 2020
Moet Hennessy
Joseph Phelps Napa Cabernet 2022
Ruinart Blanc de Blancs
Ruinart Rosé
Vueve Clicquot Vintage Brut Rosé 2015
Chateau d’Esclans ‘Chateau’ Rosé 2022
Minuty Rosé et Or 2024
Dom Perignon Brut Champagne 2015
Castello Banfi Winery
Banfi Brunello di Montalcino 2020
Banfi Rosso di Montalcino 2022
Banfi Magna Cum Laude 2022
Banfi Poggio Alle Mupa Brunello Riserva 2017
Banfi Summus Super Tuscan 2019
Far Niente
Far Niente Napa Cabernet 2020
Far Niente Napa Chardonnay 2023
Enroute Pinot Noir Les Pommiers 2022
Bella Union Napa Cabernet 2022
Far Niente Post & Beam Napa Chardonnay 2023
Johnson Brothers
Rombauer Napa Zinfandel 2022
Rombauer Carneros Chardonnay 2023
Orin Swift Papillon Red 2022
Renato Ratti Barolo Marcenasco 2020
Pahlmeyer Jayson Cabernet 2021
Justin Winery
Justin Isosceles Red 2020
Justin Justification Red 2021
Justin Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Justin Cabernet 2022
Winebow Fine Wine & Spirits
Castello di Bossi Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2020
Amici Napa Cabernet 2022
Cristom Mt Jefferson Pinot Noir 2023
L’Ecole No 41 Pepper Bridge Apogee Red 2020
Chappellet Napa Cabernet 2021
Paul Hobbs Crossbarn Chardonnay 2023
Graham Beck Bliss Demi Sec
Antinori Winery
Antinori Marchese Chianti Classico Riserva 2021
Stags Leap Artemis Napa Cabernet 2021
Antinori Pian Delle Vigne Rosso di Montalcino 2022
Prunotto Barbaresco Bric Turot 2020
Crimson Wine Group
Pine Ridge Stags Leap District Napa Cabernet 2022
Pine Ridge The Travelers Series Cabernet 2022
Pine Ridge Napa Cabernet 2021
Seghesio Cortina Zinfandel 2021
Consortium Wine & Spirits
Serna Imperial Rioja 1998
Serna Imperial Rioja 1999
Serna Imperial Rioja 2000
Aperture Chenin Blanc 2022
Aperture Alexander Valley Red 2021
Duckhorn Vineyards
Duckhorn Rutherford Cabernet 2019
Duckhorn Vineyards The Discussion Red 2019
Sonoma Cutrer Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2022
Duckhorn Napa Merlot 2022
Duckhorn North Coase Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Pernod Ricard & Constellation
Perrier Jouet Fleur Belle Epoque 2015
G.H. Mumm Grand Cordon Brut Rosé
Double Diamond Napa Cabernet 2022
Robert Mondavi Napa Cabernet 2021
Lingua Franca Estate Pinot Noir 2022
Schrader to Kalon Vineyard Cabernet 2022
Monsier Touton Wine Selection
Vermillion Sonoma Red 2022
Jack Tar Paso Robles Cabernet 2022
Escudo Rojo Reserva Carmenere 2021
Baron Philippe de Rothschild Baronesa P 2021
Keenan Napa Cabernet 2019
Echo Pauillac 2018
Chateau Gloria Saint Julien 2018
Kobrand Wine & Spirits
Bezel by Cakebreak Cabernet 2022
Bezel by Cakebread Chardonnay 2023
Cakebread Cellars Napa Cabernet Franc 2022
Craggy Range Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Taittinger Brut La Française
Sequoia Grove Napa Valley Cabernet 2021
Terlato Wines
Chimney Rock Stags Leap Cabernet 2022
Chimney Rock Elevage Blanc 2023
Chimney Rock Elevage Rouge 2022
Rutherford Hill Napa Cabernet AJT Collection 2021
Vueve Cliquot Rich
This was part of a bonus table not listed in the official program—but it definitely made an appearance.
SPWS Favorites
These were some personal standouts from the night.
Poet’s Leap Riesling 2023
Volker Eisele Napa Cabernet 2016
Prunotto Barbaresco Bric Turot 2020
Banfi Poggio Alle Mura Brunello Riserva 2017
Duckhorn The Discussion Red 2019
Final Sip
The Summer Soirée event showcased just how wide and deep the Luekens wine selection runs. If you missed this one, keep an eye out—they host similar soirées at other Luekens locations throughout the year.
Inspired by Wine Spectator’s May 2025 cover story on Rioja, this post explores how wines from Spain’s most iconic region are showing up around St. Pete.
Why Rioja, Why Now?
While Rioja has long been a favorite of collectors and sommeliers, it’s now catching the eye of a new generation. From vibrant Crianza to deep Gran Reserva, these wines—primarily Tempranillo, but also including Garnacha and other varieties—offer a balance of tradition and innovation, often at a more accessible price point than their French or Napa counterparts.
A quick guide to Rioja’s aging classifications.
Rioja Styles: What to Look For
These labels are printed on Rioja wine labels and offer a quick clue to the wine’s style and structure. Spot them near the label or seal to know how long the wine’s been aged and what to expect in the glass.
Generic – Young wines, aged 1-2 years
Crianza – Aged at least 3 years, minimum 1 year in oak (6 months for whites)
Reserva – Aged at least 3 years (2 years for whites), minimum 1 year in oak (6 months for whites) + 6 months in bottle.
Gran Reserva – Aged at least 5 years (4 years for whites), minimum 2 years in oak (6 months for whites) + 2 years in bottle.
Curious what’s being served around town? These standout bottles are currently featured locally—some by the glass, others by the bottle. Selections rotate, so ask what’s open.
Explore the full spectrum of Rioja’s aging classifications with Mazzaro’s impressive selection.
Looking for more? Mazzaro’s currently stocks nearly 15 different Rioja options.
Final Sip
Explore the depth of Rioja: From a smooth Gran Reserva with a gourmet meal to a fresh Crianza at a casual bar, Rioja offers a range of flavors for any occasion.
An aging system with structure: Rioja’s classifications offer built-in guidance for how each bottle might taste.
St. Pete is ahead of the curve: As the world rediscovers Rioja, St. Pete’s best wine spots are already embracing it—if you know where to look.
