provided to The Santiva Chronicle
Island Time Wine (ITW), a boutique wine shop and tasting venue at 2407 Periwinkle Way, Suite 4, on Sanibel Island, celebrated its grand opening and ribbon-cutting in partnership with the SanCap Chamber on Nov. 18 to launch a destination for curated wine retail, education, and experiential tastings.
Co-owners Anne and Drew Arnold bring a wealth of experience and wine credentials to the new Sanibel storefront, which the owners restored and refitted for both retail and event use.
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 over 30 years of leadership and technology experience to the operation.
“With their 2,000-bottle capacity and weekly themed tastings, their workshops, and their food pairings, the Arnolds have impacted the island culinary and wine reputation in a big way,” said John Lai, SanCap Chamber president and chief executive officer. “Their focus on sustainably made wines from small, often family-owned vineyards fits perfectly with the islands’ mindset terroir.”
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.
“Drew and I hope that Island Time Wine will not only be a place to pick up an interesting bottle of wine or try a glass of something new, but with our ability to host events from 8 to 30 people, a place for wine- lovers to gather and sip together.”
ITW acknowledges the SanCap Chamber for its proactive guidance and advocacy—particularly around permitting and alcohol licensing best practices. “The chamber has been instrumental at every step,” said Drew. “Their practical advice shortened timelines and helped us meet compliance cleanly.” The owners also credit local vendors, neighboring businesses, and early patrons for ongoing encouragement during the build-out phase.
ABOUT SANCAP CHAMBER
SanCap Chamber is dedicated to promoting the prosperity of its members and preserving the quality of life of our community. The Chamber plays a key role in facilitating communication and cooperation between business, residents, and government to enhance the economic health of the islands. Its website, sanibel-captiva.org, receives over a million visits per year. For more information about the chamber, visit sanibel-captiva.org or contact John Lai, president and CEO, at 239-472-2348 or John@sanibel-captiva.org.
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