Hell of a wine tasting included fine chocolates

El Carajo held the Divine Wine & Chocolate Tasting on Sunday afternoon. It was a perfect way to spend the afternoon, mixing chocolate and wine. While it appears like some below ground wine cellar hidden away somewhere, El Carajo is actually the back room of the BP gas station at 2465 SW 17 Avenue. They have plenty of top notch wines and something new -- a bakery.


Here in the new bakery area are Barry Alberts, wine educator, brothers, Rick and Javier Fonseca of El Carajo and Stephanie Sesti who works behind the bakery counter. The bakery is in the opening stages. Rick says that they are going to take their customers' lead and see what they would prefer. "We're testing the waters to see what the customers want," he said.

Right now they offer fresh French bread, Misha's cupcakes and sandwiches. Their new thing is the PLT -- the Prosciutto, Lettuce and Tomato sandwich. "It's the next generation BLT. It's healthier and classier" says Rick.


Joseph Villavicencio and Alain Lorenzo served up the delicious chocolates on Sunday, which included Lindt's and Ghirardelli brands.


At left: Nancy Gonzalez and Beth Wolfson enjoyed the tasting; right: Barry serving up some red wine with the dark chocolate.


Barry Alberts holds a couple of weekly wine tastings in the Grove, too.

His newest venture is at the Paragon movie theater at CocoWalk. It's on Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:30 pm and is called Wednesday Wine & Movie night, where for $15 you have the wine tasting with complimentary appetizers and afterwards, guests can watch a classic or foreign film in the private screening room, which is part of the new Backlot Wine Bar and Lounge.

If you're not into classic or foreign films, for just $5.00 more, you may enter one of the other theaters to see a new release. No reservations needed. Parking at CocoWalk is just $2.00.

On Friday, it's the "Friday Night Wine Tasting Series" on the 8th floor of the Sonesta Hotel, overlooking Sailboat Bay. Each week a different themed selection of wines is offered with cheese and fruit. The cost is $15. It's from 7 to 9:30 pm.

Complementary valet parking is available as well as on the street parking in front of the hotel. There's also the "Wine and Food Pairing Dinner Series" and rare wine tastings and dinners.

For upcoming tastings and information please phone Barry at 305 793-3120.