Southwest Floridians partake in grape escape

This story was written as the centerpiece story that introduced the wine package. The package included a story on a winery closing, a guide to grapes, a blog about wine tasting and a new local wine store.


Costco in San Carlos Park is the largest purveyor of wine in the U.S. and they create their own label including the
Champagne seen above.


Apryl Evans, 35, of Bonita Springs, thinks about her wine selection at the Costco in San Carlos Park. The store offers a variety of wines from around the world.

The Southwest Florida wine market is filled with customers eager to buy bottles of the alcoholic grape juice that's not only a symbol of social status but a staple of dinner parties and weekend get-togethers.

"People just love wine," said John Martin of Costco in San Carlos Park. "We try to deliver value where we can and what customers want."

The store is the largest purveyor of wine in the United States and their Southwest Florida stores sell the most wine companywide during January through April.

Wine is big business.

That's why wine drinkers looking for that wine they found on a recent trip to France or that glass they enjoyed in New York turn to local businesses for their fix.

Apryl Evans of Bonita Springs is just that customer.

"There is a bubbly and sweetness to it that I miss. I love that wine," said Evans, who was shopping at the Costco in San Carlos Park recently with her family.

She was selecting a wine that might come "close" to a glass she enjoyed an Italian restaurant in New York.

"They have a lot of selections here but that one I just love. I can just drink right through a bottle and not notice because it's so sweet," Evans said.

Evans and her husband, Orlando, 42, are the type of customers that businesses like, says Martin because they enjoy wine so much.

"There is a certain comfort level with Costco and there are other places that have more obscure wines but we don't try to be all things to all people," said Martin about the store that opened in February. "We have a good wine-buying group and they appreciate our effort."

Nicola's Liquors in Bonita Springs has a large selection comparable to Costco with wines from around the world.

"We've got tons of wine and a solid customer base," said Joe Nicola, the owner of the 5,000-square-foot shop on U.S. 41, which dedicates half that space to wine. "People come buy wine here because I think wine is easier to consume than hard liquor."

And he is right according to Julie Heuer of south Fort Myers.

She has been a member of Costco for eight years and says she buys wine for its health benefits.

"I don't drink a lot of wine but it's convenient," Heuer, 50, said while purchasing meats at the Costco in San Carlos Park. "I usually buy red (wine) for health purposes."

The health benefits are the reason most people give Nicola for shopping at his store or the ones located on Bonita Beach, Fort Myers and Estero.

"Some people drink wine because one glass or so a day is very good for your health," he said. "It's easier for the elderly people to consume a drink of wine. Wine is easier on the body."

The social aspects of wine are also the reason for the volumes of sales Nicola sees year round.

"Wines are good for drinking in the afternoon before going to dinner or when people come over to have with hors d'oeuvres," Nicola said. "The enjoyment is what counts and if you want it with food it works with that too."