A Question Mark in the Sarasota Wine Scene
Downtown Sarasota · Sarasota · Contemporary American
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · February 27, 2026
RagingWine reviewed 1592’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Wingman Metrics
Walking into 1592 feels like opening a wine list from 2008—safe, predictable, and designed not to offend anyone. The selection leans heavily on names your uncle would recognize, with pricing that suggests they're banking on tourists who won't question a 3.5x markup. Nothing about this list makes you want to linger over it.
The wine program plays it remarkably safe with the usual Florida restaurant suspects: California Cabs in the $80-120 range, a token Malbec, and probably a Whispering Angel rosé that's marked up to $65. We're guessing there's a Napa-heavy red section, a few Oregon Pinots that all taste the same, and maybe one or two Italian options that don't venture beyond Tuscany. The list likely tops out around 40-50 bottles, organized by varietal because anything more creative would require staff training. No natural wines, no adventurous regions, no reason to get excited.
The glass pour program is doing the absolute minimum—probably 8-10 options that haven't changed since the restaurant opened. Expect the standard lineup: a buttery Chardonnay, a safe Pinot Grigio, maybe a Meiomi Pinot Noir, and a Cabernet that costs $18 for a 5-ounce pour when the bottle retails for $25. Rotation appears to be an alien concept here. These bottles are married to this list until death do they part.
Charles Smith 'Kung Fu Girl' Riesling — $38
If they stock it, this Washington Riesling drinks way above its price point and cuts through whatever butter they're drowning your fish in
Château Ste. Michelle Eroica Riesling
Assuming there's any Pacific Northwest representation, this Riesling collab with Dr. Loosen delivers German precision at American prices—probably buried in the 'Other Whites' section
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon
If this is on the list at $150+, you're paying a 400% markup for a wine that peaked in the '90s—order a cocktail instead
J Vineyards Pinot Noir + Pan-Seared Grouper
If they're doing Florida seafood right, this Russian River Pinot has enough body for richer fish preparations without overwhelming delicate flavors
✔️ The Bottom Line
We can't say with confidence whether 1592 deserves your wine dollars because the program is essentially invisible online. That silence usually means one thing: the restaurant isn't proud of its wine list, and you probably shouldn't be either. Stick to cocktails until we know more.
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Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
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Grocery Store
Steep
Stemless Casual
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Stemless Casual
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
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Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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