Savoir on Central will debut in late may at 2531 central avenue | st. pete rising

From rolling vineyards around the world to luxurious Michelin-starred restaurants, every glass of wine tells a story—and now, a local sommelier and her team are bringing those stories to St. Petersburg’s wine lovers.

Sommelier Sharon Mahoney and her business partner, Christina Noordstar, are launching Savoir on Central, an upscale wine club offering educational classes, curated tastings, and exclusive wine selections.

Located at 2531 Central Avenue, the club will open in late May in the former Rasta Canna Bar space in the Grand Central District.

Open to the public and wine club members, Savoir on Central is designed to be welcoming to everyone—from curious beginners to seasoned connoisseurs.

“Savoir on Central is for both seasoned wine enthusiasts and those just discovering the art of wine,” said Noordstar, a longtime local entrepreneur. She first met Mahoney through the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership St. Pete Class of 2019.

Christina Noordstar (left) and Sommelier Sharon Mahoney | photo provided

Mahoney, certified by both the Court of Master Sommeliers and the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), studied wine in France and has been hosting private classes in homes and offices. Now, she’s ready to share her extensive wine knowledge with the community.

The ambiance is described as "dapper," featuring velvet accents, chandeliers, and a 20-seat bar in an inviting European café-like setting with outdoor seating.

Guests—both members and non-members—can enjoy global wine selections while learning about the cultural heritage behind each bottle, which will start at just $30.

The club will focus on wines from both the Old and New Worlds, emphasizing natural winemaking, which emphasizes minimizing human interference in the process of making wine, from the vineyard to the bottle.

There will be five monthly wine subscription tiers, ranging from $30/month to $150/month.

The club is open to the public as well, inviting them to “come for a drink, stay for a class” | unsplash/ Rick Barrett

Member benefits include hand-selected wines curated by Mahoney, priority access to wine classes, and early booking for private events. Membership will initially be limited to 200.

Members can also reserve tables for up to eight guests for two-hour blocks and may book the entire venue for private gatherings.

Weekly educational classes will be held on Tuesdays (blind tastings), Wednesdays (themed wines from around the world), and Fridays (wine flight comparisons).

“We’ll host weekly blind tasting classes where participants are blindfolded—or we blind the bottles—so you don’t know if you’re drinking a $500 or $10 bottle,” Noordstar explained. “It’s all about engaging your senses to detect the aromas and flavors.”

“We’ll have certified sommeliers on staff and on speed dial—some with deep knowledge of Italian and Greek wines—to help with classes,” Mahoney added.

Savoir on central will also offer small bites and wine pairing | unsplash/Camille Brodard

In addition to wine, Savoir on Central will also offer gourmet coffee, sparkling drinks, bubbles, and small bites.

Renovations on the space began in October. Noordstar’s husband, Quint, is working with local architect Paul Ries to preserve the charm of the 1925 building, including restoring original window styles and repairing the balcony.

“We’re thrilled to introduce everyone to Savoir on Central,” Noordstar said. “We’re also excited to add to the vibrancy of the Grand Central District and build connections with our neighbors.”

Savoir on Central will be open Tuesday and Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. It will be closed on Monday.

Follow Savoir on Central on Facebook and Instagram for updates and event announcements.