As you’re cruising around Miami thinking about your next bottle of vino, consider stopping by and supporting one of these local wine shops in your neighborhood.
For the fancy wine-o
Miami Design District
Abaco’s owner, Ben Disesa, is a winemaker himself and can talk to you in detail about the winemaking process for his Pinot Noir and rosé wines under the Barowsky Disesa Vineyards (BDV) label. Abaco is definitely on the higher end of the wine shopper’s spectrum, so not the place you stop by for a quick economical grab. However, if you’re looking for a bottle to “wow,” or you want to learn more about wine from someone who is intimately involved in the process of making it, head over to Abaco for a $5 glass of rosé and a chat. Stay for their weekly Thursday wine tasting, which features a different theme every week. Check the website for what is on the menu this week!
For the social wine-o
Calle Ocho
Happy Wine lives up to its name and is definitely one little happy wine shop and tapas bar! Love to listen to live music while you drink your wine? Do you enjoy Spanish tapas and paella? Happy Wine has it all, and all for a great price. Some of the best deals on wine bottles in town are at this little spot on 8th Street in Little Havana. At Happy Wine, you can take your bottles to go or pay a small corkage fee to enjoy them on site. The owners are wonderful people who enjoy getting to know their customers and welcoming back regulars for another lively night of wine drinking.
For the low-key wine-o
Coconut Grove
Just off of 17th Avenue and US1 across from Coconut Grove is an unassuming gas station with a big secret. The secret is that inside this store behind the gum, candy, and soda fridges is one of Miami’s best-kept wine surprises! El Carajo is a wine bar and shop located inside a gas station off a major thoroughfare just between Brickell and Coconut Grove/Coral Gables. Don’t have time to stay for cheese and charcuterie or patatas bravas? That’s OK. You can grab a bottle from El Carajo’s extensive selection to go. Not just your average gas station wines, El Carajo has one of the best collections in the area. Sneak in and sneak out. It’s that easy to snag a bottle of fine wine while gassing up!
For the intellectual wine-o
Coral Gables
Jeffrey Wolfe knows wine, and he loves to share his collection of eclectic finds with adventurous wine-os. Located right in the heart of Coral Gables on Miracle Mile, Wolfe’s Wine Shoppe has been a mainstay in the neighborhood for years. Come in and see what bottled treasures you can find or check out the calendar for the next interesting tasting event. Even the most experienced wine lover will find something new and irresistible at Wolfe’s.
For the everyday wine-o
South Miami
Sunset Corners is a judgment-free zone, and it’s perfect for someone looking for a new wine to try, or a neighborhood wine-o looking for a great book club bottle. The property was originally purchased to be a package store in 1954, and in the 1960s became a wine spot in the Miami-area. At Sunset Corners, you can also find cheese to pair with your wine, and other liquors and beer for entertaining. It’s truly a neighborhood one-stop-shop for all of your bar needs. When it comes to wine, the store has a healthy selection of everything from economical favorites to high-scoring wines and harder-to-find brands. Far from the glitter of “touristy” Miami, Sunset Corners is the perfect everyday wine store.
History & Wine 