What started as a way to document the local wine scene has grown into a platform connecting wine lovers, businesses and industry professionals across Tampa Bay, called the St. Pete Wine Scene.
St. Pete Wine Scene recently celebrated its one-year anniversary, bringing together local wineries, retailers, distributors, sommeliers and wine enthusiasts for an event that highlighted the growing wine community in the region.
Founder Sabrina D'Alba said the idea behind St. Pete Wine Scene came from noticing a gap in the local wine industry. She said she wanted to build the connection and show the growing wine scene happening in St. Petersburg.
“When I started, I saw so many great wine bars and tastings, bottle shops, sommeliers, importers and industry people across St. Pete and Tampa Bay,” D'Alba said. “But there wasn’t really one place connecting it all."
The anniversary celebration reflected St. Pete Wine Scene growth and bringing together members of the wine community who were able to meet, collaborate and support local businesses. The event featured local food, music, photographers, distributors and wine brands that were offering samples and sharing laughs with other wine lovers.
“The party felt like a picture of what St. Pete Wine Scene has become,” D'Alba said. “It wasn’t just about celebrating one year. It was about seeing the local wine community in the same room.”
For D'Alba, the goal has always been to make wine feel more accessible.
“My goal is to make the wine scene feel easier to enter while giving credit to the people doing the work,” she said.
The platform serves both experienced wine enthusiasts and people who are just starting to explore the industry.
“It’s growing into a platform that creates connection, visibility and business opportunities across Tampa Bay’s wine scene,” D'Alba said.
Looking ahead, D'Alba said the next year will focus on expanding collaborations with local businesses and brands while continuing to focus on the people behind the industry.
Although St. Pete Wine Scene will remain digital for now, D'Alba said she is working on new ways to help customers discover local wine options. Her new website called Wine Graph will include a website where local wine vendors and sync their inventory directly to the site for customers to find were to buy their favorite bottles. Wine Graph is still on boarding shops and will go live soon.
The platform has also created opportunities beyond social media, including partnerships, event hosting, media appearances and connections with wine distributors. D'Alba recently appeared on Great Day Live Tampa Bay to discuss the local wine scene and the anniversary celebration.
Some of D'Alba favorite moments have come from seeing the direct impact of the platform.
“Businesses like the Wine Cave & The Dutchman told me that they were seeing more business from the St.Pete Wine Scene ” she said. “Other people told me how they discovered a new business or attended an event they wouldn't have known about if it wasn't for St. Pete Wine Scene.”
After a year of growth, D'Alba said the mission remains the same: building a welcoming community around wine.
“St. Pete Wine Scene has always been independent, but it’s been community-driven,” D'Alba said.
For more information, to connect with St. Pete Wine Scene, or find upcoming events visit St. Pete Wine Scene's website.