St. Pete’s Cellar Masters named one of America’s best wine shops

Cellar Masters has been one of our favorite low-key spots in St. Petersburg since it opened in 2020, and now the wine and bottle shop is garnering national praise. Wine Enthusiast Magazine, one of the country’s most popular wine publications, has named Cellar Masters one of the best wine shops in America.

The magazine recently released the list, broken down by region, giving Cellar Masters top billing among the Best Wine Shops in the South. Writers say the magazine spoke to wine, drink and food industry pros to find the best spots among the 40,000+ wine shops in the U.S.

Cellar Masters is one of the few places left in St. Pete that, despite its popularity, still manages to feel like it flies under the radar. The combination wine bar and bottle shop is an excellent destination for a bottle to take home or to hang out and try something new. The staff is exceptionally welcoming, guiding first-timers and old-hats alike toward excellent and unique selections.

Cellar Masters is a favorite St. Pete hangout

Wine Enthusiast got the recommendation for Cellar Masters from Nate Siegel, a co-founder of Willa’s, the popular French-American fusion restaurant in Tampa. Like us, Siegel expressed an appreciation not just for the selection at Cellar Masters, but for the laid-back atmosphere and friendly bar experience.

“[Cellar Masters] is run by the super fun and smart team of Ryan Ruggs and Kory Lynn, who are approachable in sharing their wines, which are all minimal intervention, very well priced, nearly all French and definitely delicious,” Siegel told Wine Enthusiast. “The vibe of the bar is your uncle’s basement in the 1970s in Iowa, with hip-hop music on the speakers. There’s no food, but every first Monday they host a pop up, usually with a taco truck in the back, which is a favorite of industry friends.”

Cellar Masters is located at 1005 1st Avenue North. The wine and bottle shop is open Monday-Thursday from 11:30 am – 9 pm, Friday and Saturday from 11:30 am – 11 pm, and Sunday from 12-7 pm.

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