5 Best Places to Sip Wine in Sarasota, Florida

Do you want to unwind with a glass of wine? Sarasota, Florida, offers the perfect blend of refinement and a laid-back coastal vibe, offering diverse wine bar options for any mood. Here's the lowdown on five must-see wine bars in Sarasota, Florida. Cheers!

1. Grand Cru Wine Bar

At Grand Cru Wine Bar, Manuel Llanes has established a modern, distinctive wine bar with wine taps. Customers buy a wristband that gives them access to over 20 taps. The wristband keeps track of how many ounces are poured and how much each ounce costs. The wine is stored in kegs behind an elegant façade.

The selection of wines on tap changes from time to time, but highlights include a Malbec from Altos Las Hormigas, a Cabernet from Round Pound Estate, and white wine from the adjacent Fiorelli Winery. Special events such as Ladies' Night and Winedown Wednesday are held at Grand Cru Wine Bar. There are also a few menu items which include tapas, cheese, meat plates, and chocolate.

2. Magnum Wine and Tastings

Magnum Wine & Tastings, nestled on Sarasota's Bee Ridge Road, is known for its pleasant staff and diverse wine collection. The staff here takes delight in listening to your wine preferences and will assist you in making the best taste choices. Wines by glass include the Chandon Cabernet, Frattina Prosecco, Honig Sauvignon Blanc, and the Hartford Court Chardonnay. Magnum Wine also plays host to special events.

3. Siesta Key Wine and Bar

Walking into Siesta Key Wine Bar is like stepping into a friend's living room. Melanie Dodge, the proprietor, has created a great ambiance that pervades the entire place. With a catalog of 3,000 wines, Siesta Key Wine Bar has the largest inventory in the area.

There are wine tastings available by flight, glass, or bottle. Siesta Key Wine Bar provides Florida wines (yes, there is such a thing as Florida wine!) in addition to the regular domestic and imported wines. After a day in the Sunshine State, the sweeter Florida wines can be precisely what your taste buds need.

4. Mattison's FORTY-ONE

Mattison's Forty-One is a classic wine and dining establishment. If you're looking for a romantically-lit setting with a massive, beautiful bar, look no further than this stand-alone restaurant just beyond the South Bridge to Siesta Key. They feature a generous wine-by-the-glass selection and an even longer bottle list filled with distinctive and surprising delights.

5. Michael's on East

This local staple features a lounge/bar, wine cellar, and an AAA Four Diamond award-winning restaurant. Visitors come to Michael's on East for the refinement and lovely sounds of Joe Micals' piano in the bar, not to forget the extensive wine list. On Mondays, there's an all-night happy hour at the bar, as well as Secret Word Mondays, when you may enjoy a free appetizer by stating the secret word posted on the restaurant's Facebook page. Some monthly events at Michael's on East include Open House Wine Tastings.

Here are just some of the places you can quench your thirst in the Sunshine State. Sarasota, Florida, has plenty more to offer. And for all your luxury retirement needs, Sarasota Bay Club, offering 1 to 3-bedroomed condominiums overlooking the magnificent Sarasota Bay, is here for you. Contact us today!