ABOUT US

Good Day !

We are a Wine Bar/Retail Shoppe located at 1749 S. Irby St in Florence, SC, right across from Sonic and ALDI.

We are open Wednesday, Thursday & Friday at 4:30 until the last person leaves us, or 8:30 if it's kind of slow.

We have artisan cheeses and charcuterie for your enjoyment.

Our space is available for private events.

Great Cabernet on Sale Next Week !

Time for a the more you buy, the more you save deal.

Medalla Real Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2010 from Chile!

5% Cabernet Franc is incorporated into this Cabernet Sauvignon based blend.

Dark cherry and currant aromas lead to a very recognizably Cabernet palate - savory and balanced with just the right amount of fruit intensity to complement the tannins. 

This is tasty now and also shows the balance for mid-term cellaring.


Next week our supplier is discounting this nice cab, which 

means big savings.


Regular Price $19.99


One bottle  $14.99


Six bottles  $12.99 per bottle


Full case of 12 - $9.99 per bottle 


There is a limited supply, so order soon, or you may miss

out !  


(843) 667-8651  


Cheers !

Can you say Tocai Friulano?

It's not too hard.  Toe-kye Free-u-lan-oh. Yeah.

This Italian grape is grown in California and made into beautiful wine by Jim Clendenen, owner of Au Bon Climat, and we've brought it in, just for you.  

It has notes of apples, baked bread, some spice - all neatly wrapped up with juicy acidity. 

Making an appearance on our tasting sheet this week !  

Drop in and have a look - you will not be disappointed.  Cheers !!

Now in stock - Jolly Pumpkin Oro de Calabaza

Hello everyone

We received this farmhouse ale a few weeks ago, and so far it's gotten a bunch of thumbs up.

It's a 750 ml bottle for $12, which includes tax.

Also on sale for the month of February is the 2011 Oliverhill Winery Red Silk Shiraz - what we have left is on sale for $16 per bottle - hurry in, this 90 point wine won't last long.

We hope everyone had a real nice Valentine's Day.  If you couldn't get a spot at our all-red tasting we had Saturday, we'll do it again soon.

Can't wait for it warm up a little...........................

Our current operating hours:  Wednesday Thursday & Friday, opening each day at 4:30 pm

We gladly meet retail customers purchasing 6 bottles or more at your convenience.  We live just down the street, and have found that many customers appreciate this approach to shopping for wine.

Call Vince at 843 615-1654 and set up a time.

We will endeavor to offer the lowest pricing on solid cases in the area.

The February case promo:

Prisma Pinot Noir Casablanca Valley 2011            

This is what Pinot Noir is all about, but is rarely found at this price. Clear ruby/garnet color that just looks elegant and charming in the glass, inviting you in for a whiff. The nose makes you instantly take notice, which is what great Pinot Noir does.  In the mouth, the wine is gentle, round, and layered with complexity, where the fruit and earth components are interwoven beautifully, leading to a finish that is perfectly delicate and dry. 

This wine will not disappoint - it's one of the best values on the market today.

Regular price - $15.99 per bottle

Solid case of 12 - $12 each including tax - $144.  Only at the Grotto !

And, last but not least, our space is available for private functions, be it corporate wine tastings or big-event birthday parties, at very reasonable prices.

Thank you for your support !

Hello from the Florence Wine Bar/Bottle Shop

A wish for a good day to all --

We have new operating hours.

For the next 50 years, we will be open Thursday, Friday & Saturday, from 4:30 until the last person departs, or 8:30, whichever
comes first!

Saturdays will be available for Private Events, as well as the Blind Tasting Competitions we're doing.    

Yes, we will still open for half case/case purchases by appointment, and cordially offer that service - what could be better, the wine shop is open for you and nobody else.

If you're needing the contact #, send an email requesting it to: 
grottofinewine@gmail.com, and we'll send it.

We're looking forward to seeing you soon!!

Sincerely, Maura and Vince

News from Your Neighborhood Wine Shop !

Hey everyone - 

It was way back in April the last time we posted here.
Guess it's time - certainly enough going on -

This Thanksgiving, we are going outside the box - care to join us???

White - Rousanne.  Not many growers of this guy in the USA, it's mainly grown in the Rhone, and is a white varietal that's allowed in Chateauneuf du Pape, the big guy's red !  We have the 2012 Andrew Rich, which is made from Washington fruit - this is a full bodied wine, a bit floral on the nose, but it's rich and satisfying - it would stand up well with turkey or ham.

Red - sometimes we have lamb at Thanksgiving.  But even if you're having turkey, go BIG.  We have a limited number of the 2009 NxNW Syrah.  Also a Washington wine, this medium full wine has gorgeous aromas jumping out at you, the fruit flavors are ripe and the tannins soft - quite a long finish.  Stunning.

And we have the usual suspects as well.  Russian River Pinots from Romililly and Paul Hobbs.  Oregon juice from Bernard Machado and Panther Creek.

Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving this year ! M/V

News from your Local Wine Shop / Bar (and a cheese list)

Hey Everyone

We hope you're all enjoying the lovely spring weather and not being bothered too much by all the pollen !

We're open this week, but next week we will be closed.  

We're planning on a big sale this Saturday, so check Facebook for details.

Also, there's some spots left for the Saturday May 3 wine tasting!

We've been asked to publish our current cheese and salami offerings, so here they are.  Please note that this is our bar menu, and all the cheeses are available in quantity for carryout at less than the $4 per oz. price.

GROTTO FINE WINE
ARTISAN CHEESES & SALAMES
$4 per item (1 ounce each)

*****GOAT MILK CHEESES*****
HUMBOLDT FOG- subtle tanginess, vegetable ash rind, soft
PURPLE HAZE - sprinkled with the tender buds of lavender & fennel pollen, soft
TRUFFLE TREMOR- earthy truffles, bloomy rind, soft
GARROTXA  - aged in caves, earthy, mildly acidic, semi-firm, Spain

*****GOAT, SHEEP, COW MILK CHEESE*****
RIO  DEVA  TRES  LECHES - three milks, clean, fresh & tangy, bloomy rind, semi-firm
CASO BOLO MELLAGE - three milks, nutty finish, hints of caramel, naturally sweet

*****SHEEP MILK CHEESES*****
IDIAZABAL -  sharp, smoked over beechwood, firm, Spain
PECORINO CLASSICO RESERVA - buttery, sharp, compact texture, Italy
PEPATO  RUSTICO - studded with peppercorns, salty, tangy, piquant sweetness, semi-soft

*****COW MILK CHEESES*****
BARELY BUZZED- cheddar style, rind rubbed with espresso beans & lavender, semi-firm
PT. REYES FARMSTEAD BLUE - deep, luscious flavor, semi-firm
RED HAWK - brine washed rind, full-flavored, soft
BARBERS 1833 RESERVE CHEDDAR -  aged 2 years, complex depth of flavor, firm
MT. TAM TRIPLE CREME - Brie-style, creamy & piquant, soft
'SPICE MUST FLOW' - triple cream with peppers, from Charleston Cheese Company

*****SALAMES*****
CHORIZO RIOJA - garlic,  spicy, smoky paprika, oregano
TOSCANO - Tuscan fennel
WILD  BOAR -  smoked over applewood
LOUKANIKA  - Greek style with garlic, cumin and a touch of orange zest
SAUCISSON SEC AUX  HERBES de PROVENCE - spices and garlic
MOLISANA - black peppercorn, garlic, Italian style
NAPOLI - Southern Italian style gently smoked over applewood

SMOKED TROUT - NC sustainably raised trout,  applewood smoked, Our Local  Catch