St. Pete Wine Scene

06/23/2026

This week in wine 🍷 | June 22 - June 29

Your weekly lineup of all things wine around town.

06/21/2026

06/18/2026

Take a look inside a members-only wine dinner at Sauvignon Wine Locker, featuring an Asian fusion menu by Chef Matt Wallace with each course paired by Owner and Sommelier Chris Ciarcia.

Throughout the evening, Chris walked guests through each selection, sharing why each bottle worked with the dish in front of it.

For those looking to plan a similar evening, Sauvignon Wine Locker also offers private wine dinners and customized tasting events.

Menu & Pairings

🥂 Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve Special Edition

Fresh U10 Scallop Crudo
Clos du Gaimont Vouvray 2023

Grilled Octopus
Txampian Txakoli 2023

Chili Rice Noodles
Domaine Lamothe de Haux 2024

Miso-Marinated Cod
Antinori Castello della Sala “Cervaro” 2022

Plum Tart
Sanford “La Rinconada Vineyard” 2019 Pinot Noir

Grilled Octopus
Txampian Txakoli 2023

Images from a members-only wine dinner at Sauvignon Wine Locker, featuring an Asian fusion menu with each course paired by Owner and Sommelier Chris Ciarcia.

Chili Rice Noodles
Domaine Lamothe de Haux 2024

Images from a members-only wine dinner at Sauvignon Wine Locker, featuring an Asian fusion menu with each course paired by Owner and Sommelier Chris Ciarcia.

Miso-Marinated Cod
Antinori Castello della Sala “Cervaro” 2022

Images from a members-only wine dinner at Sauvignon Wine Locker, featuring an Asian fusion menu with each course paired by Owner and Sommelier Chris Ciarcia.

Plum Tart
Sanford “La Rinconada Vineyard” 2019 Pinot Noir

Images from a members-only wine dinner at Sauvignon Wine Locker, featuring an Asian fusion menu with each course paired by Owner and Sommelier Chris Ciarcia.

🥂 Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve Special Edition

Images from a members-only wine dinner at Sauvignon Wine Locker, featuring an Asian fusion menu with each course paired by Owner and Sommelier Chris Ciarcia.

06/11/2026

One year ago, St. Pete Wine Scene was just an idea.

The goal was simple: bring together the wine community across St. Pete and Tampa Bay and highlight the people, places, bottles, and events shaping the local scene.

Over the past year, we've been to tastings, grand openings, wine festivals, trade shows, expos, and community events. Along the way, we've met passionate people who care deeply about growing wine culture in Tampa Bay.

To everyone who has followed along, shared a recommendation, invited us to an event, collaborated with us, or simply stopped to talk wine, thank you.

This account exists because of the people behind the local wine scene, and we're grateful to spend our time documenting it.

Here's to year two. 🍷

06/09/2026

This week in wine 🍷 | June 8 - June 14

Your weekly lineup of all things wine around town.

06/05/2026

Mei has arrived in downtown St. Pete.

Led by Executive Chef Alex Chamberlain, formerly of Kōsen, the restaurant blends French technique, Nordic influence, and Japanese ingredients. The project is backed by the team behind Kōsen, Tantō, Zōtō, and Yūgen, with Michelin-awarded Sommelier of the Year Benjamin Coutts leading the beverage program.

Reservations are currently limited, with guests able to join a waitlist through Mei's website.

06/01/2026

This week in wine 🍷 | June 1 - June 7

05/29/2026

An early look inside St. Pete's newest wine lounge 🥂

Last night was the soft opening of Velvet Coup in the Edge District, a sleek lounge-driven concept.

Featuring velvet couches, elegant chandeliers, and an impressive marble bar, Velvet Coupe provides a dark and intimate ambiance.

Velvet Coupe will offer wine selections from around the world that are sustainable, organic, and bio-dynamic. They added an additional selection of wine-based cocktails to the menu, which were a hit last night.

The grand opening is planned for June 4, 2026

A special thank you to Dina for the warm hospitality and invitation to experience Velvet Coupe ahead of opening night.