The Tampa Bay area is one of the hottest real estate markets in the country and has seen some major changes over the last decade.
Once known as an industrial hub, Tampa has become a vibrant and energetic city full of sunshine, sporting championships, and economic opportunities!
This influx of development and growth has brought on a demand for high-end food and beverage – and wine tasting in Tampa, Florida has quickly become a booming industry.
There is no shortage of selection when it comes to wine bars in Tampa, and this guide highlights the best spots in the city!
Where to Go Wine Tasting in Tampa, Florida
- Wine & Wood
- 10 & 10 Enoteca
- Bern’s Steakhouse
- Cru Cellars
- The Wine Exchange
- Cheese Please
- Tampa Wine Room
Complete Guide to Wine Tasting in Tampa, Florida
1. Wine & Wood
Wine & Wood is located in the trendy neighborhood of “SoHo” (South of Howard Ave) in South Tampa.
While this bustling strip of Howard avenue is packed with popular watering holes, restaurants, and even a cigar bar, there was no option for quality wine until Wine & Wood opened its doors in 2019.
They have a well-decorated patio that features live music multiple nights per week, and their food menu offers “Veggie Forward Fare,” as well as meat options, ensuring there is something for everyone to enjoy.
While their wine menu features bottles from all over the world, California Cabernet Sauvignon and Oregon Pinot Noir dominate the selections. They serve rotating wines on tap, and there is an option to try four different tap wines by building a flight.
Their wine flights come with four generous pours and are served on a plank that is coated with chalkboard material.
The bartender writes the name of each wine being sampled directly under each glass using chalk, a thoughtful touch that helps avoid confusion.
- Live Music on the Patio
- Full Menu of “Veggie Forward Fare”
- Wine Flights with Chalkboard Labeling
2. 10 & 10 Enoteca
10 & 10 Enoteca is an upscale wine bar located in the International Mall next to the Capital Grille. The wine list at 10 & 10 is one of the most unique and eclectic that you will find anywhere in the country, let alone in the state of Florida.
Many of their wines can not be found at any other restaurants in the Tampa Bay area, as the owner Bora has close relationships with boutique wine importers.
This allows 10 & 10 Enoteca to carry bottles of wine that other restaurants can’t get their hands on, and the entire wine menu was put together by a top-tier sommelier.
The food menu at 10 & 10 is just as unique as the wine, offering everything from Spanish octopus to wild boar.
The real star of their food menu, however, is the charcuterie. There are 10-12 different selections of both meats and cheeses at any given time, and they are always adding new selections.
Customers can choose to build their own charcuterie boards by choosing their individual meats and cheeses, or choose the “Chef’s Selection” board, where the kitchen puts together a selection of meats and cheeses that are sure to complement each other, as well as the wine!
- Stunning Charcuterie Boards
- Unique Selection of European Wines
- Unique “Shabby-Chic” Decor, Great for Date Night!
3. Bern’s Steakhouse
Bern’s Steakhouse is one of the quintessential historic landmarks of Tampa, as it has been in operation for over 60 years, and has hosted everyone from former president George W Bush to local hero Tom Brady.
Bern’s steakhouse is the owner of the largest private wine collection in the entire world, with over half a million bottles split between the restaurant and the insulated wine storage building next door.
There are eight separate dining rooms, as well as the “Harry Waugh Dessert Room,” which consists of 48 individual rooms each equipped with its own jukeboxes where guests eat dessert and enjoy dessert wines.
The wine collection at Bern’s houses multiple first-growth Bordeaux from some of the rarest vintages ever bottled, and a staggering amount of rare bottles that are valued north of the $10,000 price point.
Bern’s received and has maintained the “Grand Award” from Wine Spectator since 1981, the highest award was given by the publication.
- Largest Private Wine Collection in the World
- Industry Leader Visited by Celebrities and Presidents
- Home to Some of the World’s Rarest and Most Sought After Bottles
4. Cru Cellars
Cru Cellars has three separate locations across South Tampa, each with a slightly different concept.
All three locations offer a wide selection of top-tier New and Old World wines, and knowledgeable sommeliers are there to help guide guests into the right glass for them.
The flagship location is on MacDill Avenue near the exclusive Palma Ceia golf course and country club.
The Palma Ceia location has won multiple awards for its outstanding wine selection and offers a fantastic selection of food as well. This location features an open-air dining area, outdoor wine garden, and offers bottles available for retail sale.
Armature Works is a large, upscale food hall-style collection of restaurants and shops located on the Hillsborough River near downtown Tampa.
Cru Cellars runs a small booth in the “Heights Public Market” section of Armature Works serving wine by the glass in unique, wine glass-shaped plastic cups.
There is also a limited food menu featuring some of the favorites from the flagship Palma Ceia location, and a small bar for guests to dine and drink.
This wine booth has been a welcome addition to this popular food hall and meet-up spot, as visitors now have the ability to walk the grounds and riverfront while holding a crisp glass of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc or a full-bodied French Syrah.
The newest concept launched by Cru Cellars is a full-sized “wine restaurant” located in the Westshore area. This is a much larger space than the original restaurant, and an expanded menu has been rolled out to fit the larger space.
Not to be outdone, the wine list has also exploded in size, and a professional-grade wine cellar houses over 2,000 bottles.
- Three Separate Wine Concepts Across South Tampa
- Palma Ceia Location Voted “Tampa Bay’s Best Wine Bar”
- High End Selections, As Well as Moderately Priced Bottles
5. The Wine Exchange
The Wine Exchange is located in the Hyde Park Mall among some of the finest shops and restaurants in the entire city.
This upscale area is a prime location for a wine bar, and The Wine Exchange hits the nail on the head in terms of fulfilling this demographic’s needs.
This quaint European-style cafe has been in business for over 20 years and boasts a solid wine list with selections from all over the world.
There is also a full bar complete with a cocktail menu, and an extensive liquor selection. Pizza, pasta, sandwiches, and much more are available to enjoy in this truly beautifully decorated space.
One of the most popular drinks at The Wine Exchange is their signature “Frosé,” a frozen Rosé drink that is the perfect beverage to be enjoyed in the South Florida heat.
There is also a fairly sizable dog-friendly patio attached to the cafe, which is great for enjoying drinks with a larger group of friends, both two and four-legged!
- Top Tier Location in Hyde Park Mall
- Beautiful Cafe Style Dining
- Large Dog-Friendly Patio
6. Cheese Please
Cheese Please is a South Tampa cheese and wine tasting room and retail shop located on Macdill Avenue, just down the street from Cru Cellars.
While it is no secret that the luscious fats contained in cheeses stand up extremely well to the tannin found in red wine, Cheese Please has truly mastered both the art and science of wine and cheese pairing.
There are over 90 different types of cheese available, opening up tons of possibilities for pairing with wine. In addition to the huge selection of cheeses, there are also a wide variety of meats, truffles, and olives.
This massive selection of meats and cheeses can be overwhelming to some, and there are private guided tastings available for those who would like a bit more guidance.
At these private tastings, the staff is able to go into much more detail about the products being served, as well as spend more time with each individual to determine the best wine and cheese fit for their particular palate.
The staff at Cheese Please also specializes in putting together custom gift baskets, and all cheeses and wines are also available for retail purchase.
- Over 90 Different Cheeses to Choose From
- Private Tastings are Available
- All Wine and Cheese are Sold Retail
7. Tampa Wine Room
Tampa Wine Room is a high-end wine bar located in the Carrollwood neighborhood that features high-tech wine dispensers.
These dispensers allow customers to work their way around the menu, as they can be programmed to dispense much smaller amounts than a traditional wine pour.
The machines at Tampa Wine Room are programmed to dispense pours of three different sizes, each with a corresponding price.
The indoor tasting room is very large, and decorated so beautifully that it can look like a museum at first glance, or after a few glasses of wine!
There is also beer available on tap, and food can be brought over from Michael’s Grill next door.
While South Tampa is home to many upscale wine bars, this unique and refreshing concept is a first for the Carrollwood area.
- High Tech Wine Dispenser System
- Ability to Try Small Amounts of More Expensive Bottles
- Unique Concept to the Carrollwood Neighborhood
