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WineTalksMiami

@winetalksmiami

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South Florida’s wine trade network. A series of wine talks by @whatsarahdrinks ✨
Our Naples crew: @winetalksnaples!
Next event Oct 19th @ Amara!

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🚨 PANEL ANNOUNCEMENT !! 🚨

To celebrate our first event of the new season, we’ll be following this panel with a no-corkage dinner. As always, the panel is free to attend and open to all. The dinner is ticketed separately by Amara. You are welcome to attend either or both portions of the event. Please register separately for each.

The Panel (free to attend) 
On Monday 19th October we’ll be kicking off the 2026/7 season by asking our expert panelists to look back on the past year: what went well, and where were the challenges? And what do they foresee for the season ahead?What will be the drinks trends to expect, and how are restaurants adapting?

We’re excited to hear from:

* Daniel Allen - Sales Manager at Winebow Fine Wine and Spirits
* Chris Birnie-Visscher - South Florida & Puerto Rico Sales Manager at Vineyard Brands
* Jason Gaeten - The Grape Ape
* David Mokha - South East Director at Patz & Hall

The discussion will be moderated by Sarah Phillips, founder of Wine Talks Miami, South Florida’s wine trade network.

The Dinner (7pm - Register separately) This is an opportunity to catch up with wine trade friends before season gets busy. Bring a bottle (or two) to share and enjoy a family style dinner at Amara.

This portion of the event is kindly ticketed & managed by the awesome team at Amara. (To keep costs approachable, WTM does not take profits.)

You are welcome to attend either or both parts of the event! We hope to see you on Monday! @quepasamanda taken in Amara at Paraiso by @winetalksmiami

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3 days ago

Please excuse the extremely late post. May was something else!

Wine Talks Miami, South Florida’s Wine Trade Network, went inside Vinexpo America on April 30th!

In one of America’s most dynamic wine markets, what separates those who are thriving? Florida’s explosive growth brings opportunity—but also fierce competition for distribution, restaurant placements, and shelf space.

In this candid panel discussion, local industry experts shared what’s actually working to secure sales in today’s environment.

From breaking into distribution to winning key accounts, our experts discussed successful strategies, emerging opportunities, and the realities of building market share in Florida’s evolving hospitality landscape.

We heard from experts from a cross-section of business types and sizes in Florida:

- Christian Crews – Founder of Crews Wine
-Eric Larkee – National Trade Development Director Fine Wine at Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits
-Patricia Zanatta – Regional Manager at Palm Bay International

Many thanks to our panelists and all who came along!

Sarah x by @winetalksmiami

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a month ago

Wine Talks Miami, South Florida’s Wine Trade Network, is going inside Vinexpo America on April 30th!

In one of America’s most dynamic wine markets, what separates those who are thriving? Florida’s explosive growth brings opportunity—but also fierce competition for distribution, restaurant placements, and shelf space.

In this candid panel discussion, local industry experts will share what’s actually working to secure sales in today’s environment.

From breaking into distribution to winning key accounts, our experts will discuss successful strategies, emerging opportunities, and the realities of building market share in Florida’s evolving hospitality landscape.

We’ll hear from experts from a cross-section of business types and sizes in Florida:

- Christian Crews - Founder of Crews Wine
- Eric Larkee - National Trade Development Director Fine Wine at Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits
- Patricia Zanatta - Regional Manager at Palm Bay International

The discussion will be moderated by Sarah Phillips (@whatsarahdrink), founder of Wine Talks Miami, South Florida’s wine trade network.

This panel will take place as part of the Vinexpo Academy. Please note that you will need a Vinexpo ticket to access this panel. You will need to register for this separately using the link above. Members of the Wine Talks Miami community have been emailed with info on how to access the fair for free.

This is a first come, first served event. Signing up will give you access to notifications/reminders and other important info, but we recommend arriving early to secure a seat.

Link in bio! #finewine #miamiwine #vinexposiuminternational taken in Miami Beach Convention Center by @winetalksmiami

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6 months ago

Wise words and beautiful views! Many thanks to last night’s awesome panelists, who shared insights on running wine programs across state and international borders:

- Chris Arora: Manager, Wine Operations @ Celebrity Cruises
- JC Santana: East Coast Director of Beverage @ Noble 33
-Jennifer Wagoner: Global Head of Wine @ ZUMA Restaurants

And to Haunah Klein for the expert moderation!

The gorgeous @klawrestaurant & team knocked it out the park — thank you for hosting us!

And thanks to all who joined us! Until next time!
Sarah x taken in KLAW by @winetalksmiami

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8 months ago

Next event: Monday 23rd Feb! Registration now open!

Our panelists oversee wine programs across different regions, each with its own dynamics, supplier networks, and guest expectations. We’ll explore how they maintain quality and relevance while adapting to local contexts, how they manage relationships with suppliers and distributors across markets, and the specific challenges and opportunities that come with sourcing fine wine at scale.

From building the right team to navigating regional regulations and preferences, this is a conversation about the strategic and operational realities of running wine programs beyond a single location.

We’ll hear from:
- Chris Arora: Manager, Wine Operations @ Celebrity Cruises
- JC Santana: East Coast Director of Beverage @ Noble 33
-Jennifer Wagoner: Global Head of Wine @ ZUMA Restaurants

The discussion will be moderated by Haunah Klein.

Timing & Format:
- 4.30pm - Doors open, welcome drink served
- 5pm - Panel discussion starts
- 6pm - Panel wraps up; happy hour specials for purchase at the bar

Registration is free. Members of the local wine trade - and those hoping to enter it - are encouraged to come along.

Thank you to @klawrestaurant for generously hosting us!

To sign up, follow the link in our bio! See you there!!

Sarah x taken in Klaw by @winetalksmiami

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8 months ago

Monday was all about understanding great beverage service, as our three amazing panelists shared their experiences of handling various scenarios on the restaurant floor.

Thank you for your expertise:
Macarena Carrillo, Head Sommelier @ COTE Miami
Brian Grandison, Head Sommelier @ The Surf Club Restaurant
Ryan Vando, Regional Head of Wine, US @ Zuma

Amara (@amaraatparaiso) very graciously hosted us once again — a huge thank you for this (especially @quepasamanda!)

And thank you for donating bottles, the lovely @crewswine & @juveycamps! And to all who came along.

Nex event — end Feb! More info out soon.

Sarah x

#miamilife #sommelier taken in Amara at Paraiso by @winetalksmiami

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9 months ago

Next Wine Talks: Monday!

We’ll be diving into the real-life moments every sommelier knows well—the slightly awkward, occasionally tricky, and often telling situations that unfold on the restaurant floor. Somm Scenarios brings together an experienced panel of sommeliers to walk through common guest interactions and how they’re handled with confidence, tact, and generosity.

We’ll hear from:
- Macarena Carrillo, Head Sommelier @ COTE Miami
- Brian Grandison, Head Sommelier @ The Surf Club Restaurant
- Ryan Vando, Regional Head of Wine, US @ Zuma

There will a welcome drink at 4.30pm; the panel runs 5-6pm; drinks specials available at the bar after.

Thank you to the amazing @amaraatparaiso for generously hosting us again!

As always, registration is free and open to all — please find the link in our bio!

#miamilife #winetrade #sommelier by @winetalksmiami

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9 months ago

I had THE best time chilling in the crowd as @quepasamanda slayed as a moderator last night. Our panelists were insightful, smart and hilarious. And the band next door serenaded us with nursery rhymes 🤣 Thanks for all your words of wisdom @allegraeveangelo, @gvospina, @czarlosthegreat. And thank you to all the lovely miami wine community who joined in! Always great to see such a friendly crowd. And thank you to the most gorgeous @amaraatparaiso for having us!
Next one’s in about a month - announcement coming soon. Mailing list is in the @winetalksmiami bio for all interested! THANK YOU!!! Sarah x
#winetrade #miamilife by @winetalksmiami

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a year ago

In a market where every bottle counts, creativity has become the new currency. Restaurants are launching wine clubs, retailers are pouring glasses and plating snacks, and everyone’s finding fresh ways to keep guests coming back, through collabs, events, specials and more. As the lines between restaurant, retail, and club blur, the familiar wine channels we once knew are being reinvented—fast.

This lively panel gathers voices from across the trade to unpack how these hybrid models are changing the game. How are teams juggling logistics, licensing, and storytelling to make it all work? What new opportunities—and growing pains—are emerging for suppliers? And how can the industry keep pace with a more fluid, interconnected future for wine?

We’ll hear from:
-Allegra Angelo - Partner/Sommelier @Vinya & Co-founder @ Fifth Pour
-Carlos Fonseca - Sales & Marketing Manager @ El Carajo
-Gabriela Ospina - Head Sommelier @ Boia De

Amanda Fraga has kindly agreed to moderate this conversation, while I enjoy a seat in the audience!

Format:
-4.30pm - Doors open & welcome drink served
-5pm - Panel discussion starts
-6pm - Panel wraps up; drinks specials for purchase at the bar

As always, registration is free and open to all. Members of the local wine trade - and those hoping to enter it - are encouraged to come along.

You are very welcome to register via the link in our bio!

See you on the 21st!
Sarah & Amanda x by @winetalksmiami

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a year ago

✨ Pouring ahead! ✨
Thank you to all who came out for our panel, and start of season BYO dinner @lafayettemiami last week. It interesting to hear from our amazing panelists about how they are dealing with tariffs, and what they expect in the coming season. My major takeaways? There is a great deal of co-operation across the supply chain to deal with the current challenges - and although challenges exist, Miami as a market is expected to remain resilient in the coming months.

Thank you to:

* Fernando Araiza, Wine Director @ Riviera Dining Group
* Florent Blanchet, Owner @ XXX Wine & Spirits
* Henry Brimo, Wine Category Manager @ Southeastern Grocers
* Carolina Cossu, Director of Sales – South East @ Ethica Wines

And, of course, thank you as always to the amazing team (especially @higor_valle) at Lafayette - an awesome spot for events and special dinners!

Next event (panel & happy hour) will be in October! Stay tuned for updates! #miamiwine #winelover by @winetalksmiami

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a year ago

So excited to share our amazing panel lineup for next week’s event! We’ll be joined by:

- Fernando Araiza, Wine Director @ Riviera Dining Group
- Florent Blanchet, Owner @ XXI Wine & Spirits
- Henry Brimo, Wine Category Manager @ Southeastern Grocers
- Carolina Cossu, Director of Sales - South East @ Ethica Wine

PANEL: 5pm for a 5.30pm start. Free to attend. Sign up via the link in my bio!

DINNER: 7pm. Bring a bottle! Or two! Ticketed separately- link in bio!

Thank you @lafayettemiami for hosting!

Hope to see you there! ✨✨✨✨✨#wine #miami taken in Lafayette Miami by @winetalksmiami

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a year ago

A wise man once said that if it’s not broken, don’t fix it. So after having a lot of fun (and maybe a few too many great bottles of wine) at last year’s WTM x Michael’s Genuine BYO dinner, we decided to put on exactly the same thing again. Actually, I even just copy/pasted last year’s flyer and simply changed the date.

This will be a fun opportunity to get the community together after a long and busy season. Bring a bottle (or two) that you’d like to share with friends & come join us!

The link for tickets is in our bio. Last year it sold out well in advance, so best to secure them early if you’d like to come along!

Thanks @quepasamanda for making it happen again!

Hope to see you there!
Sarah x taken in Michael's Genuine Food & Drink by @winetalksmiami

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a year ago