Pictured: Crispy Brussels Sprouts appetizer and bottle of Cooper's Hawk Moscato, taken by Zach Dauth

If you're a fan of tasty, approachable wine and of membership clubs that actually reap benefits, you've likely heard of Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants. The wine membership concept originating in the Midwest combines an upscale, casual restaurant with a Napa-style tasting room and artisanal retail market. Having rapidly expanded into a nationally-renowned destination for wine and food pairing aficiandos, the brand has burgeoned throughout the state of Florida. Now added to that list is the newest and third of Cooper’s Hawks on the Gulf Coast. Conveniently located just east of Interstate 75, the new Fruitville Commons center location officially opened its doors to the public last week—bringing its fresh wine-and-dine concept to excited Sarasotans and Lakewood Ranchers. 

“Southwest Florida has seen rapid growth with its world-renowned beaches and ideal location on the Gulf Coast of Mexico,” founder Tim McEnery said. “As a year-round, go-to destination in South Florida and a place many go to escape the cold, northern winters, Sarasota was the perfect location for the Cooper’s Hawk brand.”

Each Cooper’s Hawk location offers wine tastings in a gorgeous open foyer, an exclusive and generous wine club, a wine shop with bottles to purchase and wine accessories, a chic bar to enjoy craft cocktails utilizing their wine creations, and an expansive eating area suitable for both leisurely dining and private business meetings. Every month, the brand features a special Wine of the Month to sample and learn about its unique notes to pair it best with one of Chef CJ LeFevre's modern Americana menu items. The Dine-In Menu features various surf and turf dishes—such as Parmesan-Crusted Shrimp Scampi, Pan-Roasted Barramundi, Prime Churrasco Grilled Steak and Bourbon Lacquered BBQ Pork Chop—that pair naturally with Cooper’s Hawk vast selection of wines, with the help of Cooper's own Master Sommelier, Emily Wines, to help diners choose the most complementary varietal with their meal. She has earned the highest distinction from the prestigious Court of Master Sommeliers and is a wealth of knowledge for the beverage community at large. Wines are made at the company’s main winery in Illinois and then aged and served at nationwide locations onsite. Check out their Wine Portfolio here.

Pictured: Crispy Brussels Sprouts appetizer and bottle of Cooper's Hawk Moscato, taken by Zach Dauth

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