Located on 444 New England Ave Suite #119, Vinia Wine Bar in Winter Park adds some exciting nightlife to the Hannibal Square Area. Over the last few years, Winter Park has continued to grow and expand into a burgeoning, thriving neighborhood. With that growth comes new and exciting shops, businesses, events, and happenings that come to the area. It’s always exciting when there is something new popping up in town. Even though Winter Park has been growing, expanding and gaining popularity, its roots are as old as the oldest tree in Shady Park. The area that is Hannibal Square is one of the oldest and most historic sections of Winter Park, let alone Orlando.
Vinia Wine Bar: The Newest Hangout On the Block
What is a better combination of an uncorked glass of wine while gazing out onto the brick-lined streets of New England Ave? Founders Paula Gamba and her husband Fabio Perricelli moved to the Orlando area two years ago from São Paulo, Brazil. Back in Brazil, the couple loved going out and trying different restaurants and bars. They had originally planned on opening a restaurant in Italy, as Perricelli is of Italian heritage. However, they decided that they would miss their family and friends too much. The couple decided to open Vinia Wine Bar in early September 2018 after falling in love with the neighborhood. They checked out many places in Florida – Naples, Key West, The Villages, and the downtown Orlando. Yet, it was Winter Park and the Park Ave area that caught their attention. Paula and Fabio loved their stroll down Park Ave, which reminded them of their strolls that they took back in São Paulo.
About Paula Gamba Fabio Perricelli
“We visited a lot of places in Florida, but just couldn’t find one where our concept would fit. Then we came to Winter Park for a hamburger and it was love at first sight. We decided to make it happen here.” says Paula. Take a stroll to Dexter’s in Winter Park, turn the corner and walk to “The Plaza” that large brick plaza in Hannibal Square and head over to Suite #119. You have now arrived at Vinia Wine Bar. The interior of the Wine Bar has a cozy, classy ambiance- featuring dark wood paneling on booths and tables, dark chestnut leather seats and dimmed red-violet lighting that’s almost the same shade as your go-to cabernet sauvignon. The bar area is uniquely designed, featuring a large neon “V” sign, pendant lamps and Edison lights. The “V” logo was actually designed by Perricelli, who used to work in marketing and graphic design.
Food and Wine
Vinia Wine Bar has an impressive collection of boutique and specialty wines from Europe, The United States and worldwide. They have 35 “old world” wines from France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal. Savor red wines, white wines, sparkling wines, and dessert wines. Unique red wines include Rioja Reserva, Vega Del Rayo (Rioja, Spain), Pinot Noir, Domaine Rudel (Languedoc-Roussillon, France) and Côtes du Rhône, Domaine Pere Caborche (Côtes du Rhône, France). A few white wines include Buena Tierra Chardonnay, Sleeping Giant (California, USA), Rosato, Auria (Basilicata, Italy) and Vinho Verde, Encostas Do Lima (Lima, Portugal). If you are more into dolce or dessert wines you can order Salon De Provence Brut, RivaRose (Provence, France) or Prosecco, Villa Jolanda (Prosecco, Italy).
Wine isn’t the only drink on the menu at Vinia Wine Bar – cocktails, cider, mimosa, bellini, and beer are also available. Their food menu is just as impressive as the wine menu: full of tasty small bites and plates – Mediterranean dishes, oysters, imported charcuterie and cheese, paninis, tacos, salads, desserts, and Italian style flatbreads. Share one of their plates – Charcuteries & Fromages – a cheese and cured meats, season garnishes board, Tacos Di Mare – Scallops and Shrimp Ceviche, Seaweed Salad and Sea Tacos or Pot De Crème Au Chocolat – a rich chocolate custard.
Paula and Fabio both have a deep love for good food and good wine. Vinia Wine Bar is meant to be a place that feels like home, where friends can gather, have a drink and share a bite to eat. There is no better way to do that while enjoying the historic district and the Winter Park neighborhood. Wine not plan your next date at Vinia or night out in Park Ave? Vinia is also known for its Live Wednesdays, wine tastings and live events. The Park Ave area is the perfect place to get your “Wine Wednesday” on. Don’t forget to drink responsibly and get yourself an Uber if needed.
This article originally appeared in the June 2019 issue of Park Ave Magazine. Titled “Get Uncorked at Vinia Wine Bar! Winter Park’s Hottest New Hidden Gem” By Alex Dimovski. © Copyright 2019 – Park Ave Magazine. To read past issues of Park Ave Magazine, go to the “Editions” tab on the main menu of our homepage. To order past issues of Park Ave Magazine, please call (407)951-5341.
