“Walk along Ocean Drive on a Saturday lunchtime and you’re more likely to encounter a backflipping drag queen than a wine list worth looking at…” – Miami for Wine Lovers, Jancisrobinson.com, Aug 2019
South Beach is a brilliant place: lively, colorful, and carefree. But it’s not world famous for its wine scene. Cocktails? Sure, if giant plastic martini glasses filled with Piña Colada is your flavor of the day. And there’s no judgement here.
But fear not: There are several great options when you need a bottle of wine close to the beach. Of course, Total Wine on Fifth Street is well-stocked with wines around the world. Whole Foods has a very credible selection, too. But there are also a number of independent retailers, where you’re more likely to find exciting wines and strike up an interesting conversation with a knowledgeable wine expert. Prices can often be more reasonable, as well.
1. Gulf Liquors
Gulf Liquors on Alton Road might be one of the few places in the country where you can browse bottles of Bordeaux First Growths while listening to lively salsa music. Put simply, it offers quality without pretense. The wine selection is excellent – and very diverse – too.
The sub-$20 range is plentiful, but it’s calling card is with older and more unusual bottles. Look out for aged Spanish wines, Bordeaux, and occasional gems like old Musar Blanc from Lebanon. Stock changes frequently so it’s worth dropping by whenever you’re passing to browse for special bottles.
Gulf Liquors Miami, (https://gulfliquorsmiami.com/), 1681 Alton Rd, Miami Beach.
2. Azul Spirits & Wine
Sunset Harbour is home to friendly Azul Spirits & Wine, which stocks a diverse range of respected producers – from Spanish Envinate to famous Petrus. Many of its wines are organic or biodynamic, without being “natural”. (In other words, they’re well-made, honest wines from nice producers that are consistently very good.)
As well as its interesting wine selection, around half of the store is devoted to mostly high-end spirits from around the world. It’s surrounded by great places to eat (Diya, Sardinia, Delicious Raw), making it a convenient pick-up point for wine after lunch or dinner.
Azul Wine & Spirits (https://www.azul-liquor.com/), 1414 20th St, Miami Beach.
3. Macchialina
Alright, it isn’t technically a wine shop; it’s a restaurant first a foremost. But Macchialina is now running a wine store in the corner of its dining space.
This is good news for fans of minimal-intervention wines, especially if Italian wine is your thing. Owner Jacqueline Pirolo has expertly selected bottles from mainly artisan producers that aren’t easy to find elsewhere. And while Macchialia’s wines edge towards natural, you can be sure that they’ve been selected by an expert taster who won’t serve you anything that prioritizes deliciousness. Cardedu’s Monica from Sardinia is one such find: red, crispy, crunchy, and unusual.
Macchialina, (https://www.macchialina.com/), 820 Alton Rd, Miami Beach.
4. Portofino Wine Bank
Of course South Point, one of the most glittery neighborhoods in Miami Beach, has a fine wine store. Portifino Wine Bank is just off the park, and two minutes from the beach. It has a very good selection of wines from around the world, specializing at the higher end, which is unsurprising given the prime location.
Portofino Wine Bank (https://portofinowinebank.com/), 500 South Pointe Dr #110, Miami Beach.
Looking for places to buy wine beyond the beach? Check our our article, Ten wine shops in Miami for every kind of wine lover.
Sarah is a freelance wine educator, writer and events host, based in South Beach. She holds the WSET Diploma in Wine & Spirits and is a current Master of Wine student.
