Wine by the Bay, Miami

With an airy, open interior filled with cool concrete decor and contemporary paintings, Wine by the Bay might remind visitors of an art gallery. However, instead of artwork, approximately 400 different wines are the featured attractions. Although the selection emphasizes Old World-style bottles from France and Italy in particular, it incorporates representative examples from winemaking regions across the world. Owner Stefano Campanini and his team specialize in finding little-known gems and small-production, boutique wines, regardless of geography. This curatorial dedication hasn't gone unnoticed. Miami New Times named Wine by the Bay 2013's Best Wine Store and, in 2012, Details Magazine called it one of the five best new wine stores in the nation.

Perusing the store alone is always an option. However, Wine by the Bay's true strength is helping customers understand a new wine before tasting it. Each week, the staff samples as many as 150 new wines, but only a select few earn spots in the store. Keeping the selection limited means every team member possesses an encyclopedic knowledge of every bottle. The professionals prefer to share this knowledge by describing bottles with vivid, succinct characterizations instead of parroted blend percentages and tasting notes. By hosting classes, regular tastings, and in-store events, Wine by the Bay furthers its mission of broadening horizons and helping customers engage with newly discovered wines.