Must Wine Loft, the cherished wine and charcuterie destination, has closed its location at 442 2nd St N as it prepares to move to St. Pete’s Grand Central District. Co-owners Jessica Arkwright and Raymond Cotteret plan to reopen in Spring 2025, although the exact new address has yet to be revealed.
Known for its European-style wine and cheese experience, Must Wine Loft ioffers a sophisticated yet approachable atmosphere. Jessica, a sommelier who honed her expertise at Sepia restaurant in Chicago, and Raymond, a retired French chef, describe their collaboration as “the cheese to the wine,” blending their skills to create unforgettable pairings. Check the full spread here.
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“What grows together goes together”
Must Wine Loft’s curated charcuterie boards feature an array of cheeses—cow, sheep, goat, and vegan options—alongside meats like beef, lamb, and pork. Each board is complemented by housemade fig mustard, almonds, fresh and dried fruits, crostini, and seeded crackers. Guests can also enhance their experience with options such as raw honeycomb, Mediterranean olives, apricot preserves, or feta and pistou-stuffed peppadews.
The wine selection stands out for its unique offerings. Many of the wines, Jessica notes, “you won’t find at your standard store.” The owners are particularly excited about “Min-Vin” wines, or minimal-intervention wines, which retain natural yeast proteins due to their lack of heavy filtration, making them technically vegan.
For those new to wine and cheese pairings, Jessica offers a simple but effective guideline: “What grows together goes together.” She explains, “Italian wines from a specific region pair best with cheeses from that same region. Nature pairs with nature. You’ll taste it on your palate.”
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