WINE SPOT WEDNESDAY / NORTH VENICE, FLORIDA
We thought we had a pretty good handle on the wine spots in and around Venice. We’ve either visited them or have them on our list of places to try. But every once in a while, we discover one that’s managed to escape our attention!
Recently, good friends of ours (who always seem to know where to go!) mentioned a great Italian restaurant they’d visited — Giuseppe’s in North Venice. We’d never heard of it! So naturally, that became the destination for our next double date.
Once everyone was back in town from their travels, we finally made it happen!
At a glance
LocationNorth Venice, east of I-75
The vibeHomey Italian tucked into an unassuming business park. Warm, welcoming, and full of Italian personality — right down to the enormous bread-shaped pillow we found ourselves leaning against.
FoodItalian comfort food in all the best ways!
Why visit
- The wine list. We love seeing an Italian restaurant embrace Italian wines, and Giuseppe’s has a nice selection of approachable options. We were especially happy to discover they carry Collefrisio, a winery whose wines we’ve enjoyed on several occasions. It wasn’t on the printed wine menu when we visited, so be sure to ask your server what’s available.
- The menu. There’s a wonderful selection of Italian favorites, and we enjoyed our meals so much that we completely forgot to take pictures! Sometimes the food and company are more important than the photos, right?
- The atmosphere. Warm, welcoming, and just the kind of quiet, unhurried spot for catching up with friends.
Our experience at Giuseppe’s
When we arrived on a Tuesday evening, we practically had the place to ourselves. The restaurant was warm and inviting, and the quiet atmosphere was perfect for catching up with our friends.
They had already selected a bottle of Collefrisio Primitivo, and we were delighted with their choice. A few months earlier, we’d shared a Collefrisio Montepulciano together, so trying another wine from the same producer seemed like a perfect way to start the evening.
And the Primitivo didn’t disappoint!
Collefrisio’s Primitivo comes from Puglia in southern Italy and is made from the same grape known as Zinfandel in California. It was a rich, full-bodied red and had aromas of blackberry, blueberry, some ripe plum, and a touch of cocoa. Those dark fruit flavors delivered as we sipped, with a smooth, round texture and a lingering fruity finish.
We all enjoyed it so much that, rather than try something different, we simply ordered a second bottle.
And the food was delicious. Between us, there were bowls of soup, salads, and pasta dishes. The Rigatoni Fradiavola was a hit with two of us — just the right amount of spice and plenty of beautiful, generously sized shrimp. All of us enjoyed our food with the Primitivo.
As the evening continued, several other parties joined us in the dining room, but the atmosphere remained quiet and relaxed. Service was attentive without hovering, which we always appreciate when we’re enjoying a leisurely visit with friends.
Our final pour
Giuseppe’s Venice turned out to be just what we were hoping for — a relaxed evening with good Italian wine, delicious homestyle cooking, and plenty of time to catch up with friends.
We especially appreciated the Italian-focused wine selection and the warm, welcoming atmosphere. It’s the kind of place where you can settle in, share a bottle, and enjoy the evening without feeling rushed. Relaxed sips with friends are just the best.
We’re already looking forward to returning, hopefully with friends again. Because not only do we love sharing wine with friends, we also think sharing great wine spots is only right! And maybe next time we’ll remember to take a few pictures of the food…
Keep exploring
Discover more places to sip in our Southwest Florida Wine Guide, find upcoming tastings on the wine events calendar, or browse the wine happy hour guide.
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