provided to The Santiva Chronicle
The relocation just across the parking lot at 2407 Periwinkle Way, Suite 5, gained Island Time Wine (ITW) boutique wine shop and tasting venue twice as much space and an outdoor patio on Sanibel Island – room enough to host live music on Fridays or Saturday, seat 49 guests, and expand its retail selection of wines by about 280 bottles. SanCap Chamber celebrated the move and expansion with a ribbon-cutting on Oct. 9.
“We realized soon after opening last November that there was a demand for a unique wine experience like ours, and people wanted more food options to pair with the wines,” said Anne Arnold, ITW owner with husband Drew. “We also realized that more seating, including outdoor seating, was needed.”
The Arnolds will expand their food service to cheese and charcuterie boards, small bites, and sharable plates matched to the various wine selections. They also coordinate with Sweet Melissa’s Restaurant in Fort Myers for additional appetizers and themed wine dinners.
In addition to its popular Friday wine tastings from 4 to 6 p.m., ITW hosts special events with winemakers or wineries on select Thursdays and themed wine classes every Tuesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The new store replicates and enlarges the private tasting room for intimate events of up to eight people, guided themed tastings, and special celebrations.
The Arnolds bring a wealth of experience and wine credentials to their operation. Anne, a part-time Sanibel resident since childhood, holds the internationally recognized Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Diploma in Wines and is a certified wine educator who has led numerous courses in New England. She is a Society of Wine Educators Certified Specialist of Wine and also is certified by the Wine Scholar Guild in several areas of expertise. Drew holds WSET Level 2 certification and brings 30 years of leadership and technology experience to the operation.
Island Time’s selection balances prestige regions like Bordeaux, Burgundy, Piedmont, Tuscany, and Champagne with discovery-driven categories such as Loire whites, South African Chenin, and Uruguay Tannat. Wine-lovers will find thoughtfully chosen by-the-glass options, themed flights, and seasonal features that encourage exploration beyond the familiar.
“The support from the chamber has been exceptional from the time we started planning Island Time Wine in the spring of 2025,” said Anne. “We’ve had some logistical and municipal challenges, and the chamber has gone above and beyond to assist us through these hurdles. We also have had a great response to the chamber’s weekly email blast; it has really helped get the word out about Island Time Wine far beyond what we could do on our own.”
“Island Time has quickly become one of the islands’ premier gathering, socializing, and sipping venues,” said John Lai, SanCap Chamber president and chief executive officer. “We extend best wishes as Anne and Drew continue to grow and embed their love of wine in the community.”
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