Element
When the Wine List is an Afterthought
Downtown Sarasota · Sarasota · Contemporary American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed February 25, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
The wine list at Element reads like it was assembled from a restaurant supply catalog circa 2008. There's zero personality here, just the usual suspects marked up like they're liquid gold.
Selection Deep Dive
You're looking at maybe 30 bottles total, leaning heavily on recognizable names that belong in airport lounges. The California section is all Kendall-Jackson and Robert Mondavi. The Italian offerings stop at Ruffino Chianti. There's a token Veuve Clicquot at $120 and some random Australian Shiraz that probably arrived on a pallet truck. No regional depth, no interesting producers, no evidence anyone who curated this list actually drinks wine.
By the Glass
The by-the-glass selection appears to be four wines: a Chardonnay, a Pinot Grigio, a Cab, and a Pinot Noir. Standard pours in what we're guessing are all-purpose stems. No rotation, no seasonality, just the same lineup every night. If you're lucky, they'll have one of them chilled to the right temp.
House Red — $8
Because everything else is marked up 4x retail and this at least won't break your spirit or your wallet
None Found
There's nothing hiding on this list — what you see is aggressively mediocre and that's the whole story
Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label
You can buy this bottle at Total Wine for $45; paying nearly triple here is a crime against your credit card
Robert Mondavi Private Selection Merlot + Grilled Chicken Breast
Two things that are perfectly fine but utterly forgettable — at least they won't fight each other
❌ The Bottom Line
Element's wine program feels like an obligation, not a passion. Skip the wine entirely and order a craft beer or cocktail — at least those might have some thought behind them.
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