LBC was walking the streets of Winter Park when we came across an oh-so-familiar name; Vino! Vino has been a shop we have been following since almost the beginning over on our Facebook site. We were quick to "like" because we had much respect for their mantra:
"We are all about handcrafted, small production, family owned wineries...no industrial, commercial, big box wines here. We know & love the winemakers & producers of the wines we stock. Homespun & lots of love in the bottles @ Vino!"
A recipe for success no doubt, so we popped in to pop bottles with Rhonda the shop owner on the avenue. There is not a week that goes by that we do not get an invite from vino to attend an event. Just stepping through the doors we are already regretting not being able to attend ALL passed events. It is just one of the shops that you just want to be in; inviting, charming, and humble. Wall to wall of wines that you do not feel intimidated by.
Even if you think purchasing wine can feel daunting from time to time, they got that covered. Rhonda has this unexplainable yet refreshing affinity to educate you. I must have asked a million questions and they were all answered with the quickness. I didn't get a "Give us your email and we will look into for you," or "Come back tomorrow and we can ask our wine rep." No, she had all the answers for she had been to the vineyard, sipped wine with the makers, and hand selected the bottles in the store. If you are not a wino, heading down there and having a discussion with Rhonda about Sherry is worth the trip alone (mention ice cream and sherry....will change your world.) We are sipping an awesome glass of wine (I would tell you but you have to make it out to one of these events) when the nose kicks in. The smell of brisket is in the air when we make our way to the back of the shop. Ok, the wine is glorious, lets take this as plain, but the food is looking on point! A few more questions and it all comes together...
Rhonda comes from a hospitality background and holds more than just a culinary degree. In the shop her claim to fame is her Advanced Degree-Wine & Spirit Education Trust, London. Husband and co-owner of Vino! Chef Russell Scott a Certified Master Chef is the other half of this unstoppable duo. Newspaper clippings hanging on the wall and a laundry list of credentials Chef Scott and Rhonda make Vino! a true gem of Orlando. You want to stumble across some of the purest food in Orlando? Want to find that next irresistible bottle of red? You have to...no, you must visit Vino! on Park! Their events are too good to be true and some of the best times we have had in the way of food and wine!
Cheers! Vino! for you are the kind of find we are looking for every time we hit the streets. You are the shop owners we adore and the first to mention when asked about wine and Orlando. Keep up the cause, for it is a noble one, and keep the wine keys at your fingertips for we will be back....and we're bringing more followers!
If you do not have Vino! on your Facebook...do it now http://www.facebook.com/vinowinterpark best decision you will make today...promise.
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