🌅 Wine Tastings + Naples’ New Waterfront Spot + Your Poll Results

Friends and neighbors,

Although the Naples Winter Wine Festival is still months away, I’ve got wine on my mind. I’ll admit, I’m a creature of habit when it comes to choosing a bottle. I usually grab a Chianti, a Montepulciano, or something crisp from Friuli, spend about a minute in the shop, and head out the door.

Lately, though, I’ve been pushing myself to branch out: tasting more wines and actually keeping track of what I like by cataloging them on the Vivino app. This week, I’ve rounded up the best spots for wine tastings and shopping—and I’ve also taken a peek at the new Seventh South digs in Bayshore. In short: it’s fantastic (though I can’t say I’m surprised).

Your feedback means so much and truly makes this newsletter stronger. On that note, I want to share a sponsor update: Naples Florida Rentals has just added a new golf-course-adjacent property—perfect if you’ve got friends who love to play and need a place to stay.

Thank you, as always, for being here.

To new flavors and old friends,

Have suggestions? I’d love to hear from you!
📧 [email protected]

Naples has plenty of spots where you can swirl, sip, and expand your palate. Here are a few worth checking out, each with its own approach to tastings:

Three60 Wine + Rebecca’s
8100 Trail Boulevard, Naples, FL 34108

2250 Logan Blvd N Bldg 4, Naples, FL 34119

2955 Bayshore Dr, Naples, FL 34112 (Rebecca’s)
Three60 Wine | Wine Shop

This neighborhood favorite makes wine approachable and fun. Their “Sip, Shop, and Sample” tastings return in November at this location as well as at their Logan and Estero locations. You can still pop by now and get great recommendations in the meantime. 

Three60 also has a wine club that provides two curated tastings per month of premium bottles, as well as a litany of other perks: no corkage fee if you buy a bottle and drink it on-site (including at Rebecca’s), 10% off food when dining at Rebecca’s, and complimentary admission to exclusive wine experiences at the Bayshore location.

The Wine Merchant
13240 Tamiami Trail N #210, Naples
The Wine Merchant

Family-owned since 1982, The Wine Merchant has the warmth of a local shop with the expertise of a serious cellar. They host casual, walk-around tastings where you can try new wines without intimidation, and their staff is great at guiding you toward something you might not pick for yourself. I highly recommend joining their email list to stay in the loop for the latest events. 

Bleu Provence Fine Wines (Bleu Cellar)
1234 8th Street South, Naples
Bleu Provence Fine Wines

With a list of 2,500 wines and 21 years of Wine Spectator’s Grand Award under its belt, Bleu Provence is the real deal. Tastings right now are happening every other Monday through the summer, featuring 12 wines, split between white and red, along with carefully paired hors d’oeuvres. It’s a polished but welcoming way to learn more while enjoying some of the best bottles available in Naples.

Total Wine & More
6424 Naples Blvd., Suite 601, Naples
Total Wine

Yes, it’s a chain, but this Naples location knows how to keep things interesting. The in-store sampling station is open Thursday through Saturday (noon–6 p.m.) and Sunday (noon–4 p.m.), and they regularly host $20 tasting classes that focus on a single region. It’s an easy, low-commitment way to broaden your horizons and start to build a collection. 

Ambrosi and Sons
1201 Piper Blvd #21, Naples, FL 34110
Ambrosi and Sons

Ambrosi and Sons is an Italian import store that has quickly built a reputation for curated Italian wines and hard-to-find specialty foods. Their tastings lean toward intimate and informative, with a staff that knows its bottles inside and out. Check their social media or sign up for updates—events tend to book up quickly.

Seed to Table
4835 Immokalee Rd, Naples, FL 34110
Seed to Table

If you’re already shopping at Seed to Table, you might as well stick around for their complimentary tastings. On the first Thursday of every month from 6–8 p.m., they pour a rotating lineup of wines: sometimes highlighting regions, sometimes varietals, always fun. The vibe is lively, and it’s an easy way to try something new on a routine grocery shop.

After five years of turning out cocktails and creative plates on 7th Street South, the restaurant Seventh South packed up and headed down to the Bayshore Arts District this spring. They’ve added Waterfront to their name, which hopefully clarifies that they are no longer on their old street. While you won’t be watching the sun sink into the Gulf here, you do get a lively waterside patio, a breeze off the water, and live music floating over from Celebration Park next door. The food at Seventh South has always impressed and has only improved with the location change. The miso sea bass is the dish to try—a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth, slightly umami-rich perfection. The chorizo-crusted red snapper, usually paired with lobster risotto, is another showstopper that balances richness with a bit of spice. The small plates are also done well: the smoked fish dip and calamari are delicious, and if you’re a fan, get the broiled oysters. 

There’s a ton of variety in the menu and the kitchen is strong, so it’s hard to go wrong here. Tuna poke bowls and beet salad hit the mark, as well as their lobster rolls and chicken pesto focaccia. Finish with either the coconut crème pie or the raspberry bread pudding—both are worth saving room for. 

Service is where this restaurant really shines. The owner himself often will greet you personally, and the chef is known to stop by tables. Plus, their service roster is full of lovely people willing to go above and beyond. They’ll go out of their way to accommodate special requests (like obliging a dinner order for lunch), which is a testament to the level of hospitality here. 

Inside, they have a full bar that gets busy at happy hour. Outside, two patios give you the waterside feel, though by dusk, sitting inside is recommended (lest you become a mosquito’s dinner). Either way, the music drifting over from Celebration Park creates a relaxed atmosphere without drowning out your conversation. It’s also the perfect spot for anyone looking for late-night eats (a rarity in Naples). Their late-night menu, served from 9 PM to midnight, includes calamari, hot lobster rolls, and tuna tataki nachos. Say less! 

In short: the new spot may have lost the old address, but it’s gained a refreshed menu and energy. Between the food, the cocktails, and the cool waterfront vibe, Seventh South Waterfront is a wonderful spot to bring out-of-towners for lunch, especially if you boat in. Or you can simply treat yourself. 

Seventh South Waterfront

2891 Bayview Drive, Naples, FL 34112

seventhsouth.com

Last week’s poll asked: When you go grocery shopping, what’s your strategy? 

Here’s where you landed: 

Most of you are hitting multiple stores, either for the sales or for quality (and I’m sure often, both!), while the rest are efficiency shoppers. I find it hard to just hit one store. With grocery prices continually rising, I’m shopping for deals in addition to splurging on my favorites. It’s all about balance, right? 

I’ll keep my eyes peeled for you! 

Why It Matters

These picks make planning easy—try something new, support local spots, and keep a dependable late-night option in your back pocket for date night or when friends visit.

Elizabeth Bellotti
Editor-In-Chief
Naples, Florida
The Naples Florida Review

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