Wine Bar George opened its doors to Disney Springs guests this past weekend, bringing Florida’s first Master Sommelier-led wine bar to Walt Disney World.
As one of only 249 worldwide industry professionals certified by the Court of Master Sommeliers, George Miliotes brings over 40 years of knowledge to the wine bar.
Built just across from The BOATHOUSE and adjacent to Raglan Road in The Landing, Wine Bar George is one of the more intimate locations at Disney Springs. It 6000 square-feet of space is spread across two levels seating 200 guests, and includes both an upper level outdoor patio, and a quick service window.
The decor is designed to represent a winemaker's home estate, emphasizing a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere.
Entering Wine Bar George you are immediately greeted with a view of the first of two bars.
This lower level area features plentiful seating at the bar itself, and numerous tables of different sizes surrounding the area.
The decor is very up-to-date, with lots of brickwork, chunky industrial fixtures and beautiful lighting.
Moving upstairs to the second level, the space is split into three areas. The first is a casual bar area, with couch seating, smaller tables, and bar seating. We found this to be one of the more energetic areas of Wine Bar George, with a higher noise level than the others.
Passing down a hallway, we come to the areas that would seem to be most appropriate for those dining and looking for a quieter setting.
An outdoor patio offers some great views of Disney Springs below, and an indoor area offers numerous seating options, including some circular tables mounted on barrels. The upper level also includes a private dining area that can be sectioned off from the rest of the space.
Wine Bar George Food and Drink
We knew with George's background that the drink selection would be first-rate, but we wondered if the food offerings would perhaps be a second thought. One of biggest surprises from our first visit was how good the food was.
Starting with the wine list, you can find more than 130 wines all served by the ounce, glass or bottle - including 40 varietals from regions around the world.
Pricing can of course reach some high levels when it comes to wine, but Wine Bar George also offers much more affordable options from around $8 per glass.
Uniquely for Wine Bar George, there is also a special line up of cocktails made of grape-based spirits. And if wine or cocktails isn't your thing, you will also find a selection of beer and cider.
The food menu represents both global and local cuisine, which promises to change with the seasons. Although limited in size, the food menu is a solid mix of small plates, boards, and family style plates.
For the small plates, look for things like house-made meatballs, porchetta spiced pork cheeks, grilled octopus, and crispy mac & cheese bites. Pricing is between $7 and $16.
Be sure to try the crispy Mac and Cheese bites - there is a satifying crunch with a gooey cheese inside that is just a perfect combination.
Three boards are offered, a cheese board, charcuterie board, or a mix of both. Pricing is from $24 to $54, but easily serves two or more.
This was one of our favorite cheese boards from around Walt Disney World. All four cheeses were very good, and just the right size.
Next up are the family style plates, including Skirt Steak at $59, Wine Braisied Chicken at $49, and Grilled Whole Greek Sea Bass at $65.
We tried the Skirt Steak, which was not only beautifully presented, but flavorful, perfectly cooked to a medium rare, and served with some fantastic roasted potatoes and asparagus.
The dish easily serves 2, and at just under $60 is pretty good value for a Disney Springs restaurant.
Finally, the dessert menu includes an Olive Oil Cake and Key Lime Pie at $7 each. And something that you must try - The Chocolate Experience. It includes 3 samples of chocolate - white, milk and dark, along with three 1oz accompanying wines. At $22 it isn't cheap, but something very unique, tastes wonderful, and a nice way to bring your visit to a close.
Like other restaurants that offer small plates and sharable, food comes out as it is ready, which means that you might end up with multiple dishes on the table at once. At Wine Bar George, the pacing was good, and there was a constant stream of food brought to the table without significant delays. Small table sizes, particular tables for 2, could present a problem, but the servers generally arranged things in a way that worked.
In terms of value for money, Wine Bar George is on a par with other restaurants in The Landing. Expect to be paying somewhere around $80 per person for the full experience. Wine Bar George offers 10% discounts DVC Members, D23 Members, Annual Passholders and is 1 Table Service meal on the Disney Dining Plan.
The Basket at Wine Bar George
The Wine Bar George experience doesn't end with the bar and restaurant, as you can also find a quick service window at the side of the building - The Basket.
Here you will find a variety of sandwiches, cheeses and wines on tap by the glass or carafe.
Now it has to be said, that The Basket might take the record for the most expensive individual item on any quick service menu - the $110 Picnic Basket for 4. It includes olives & hummus, choice of two cheese and charcuteries boxes, choice of one sandwich, four chocolate chip cookies, baguette & carafe of wine, complete with glasses and carafe.
Other options are more in-line with a quick service venue, with sandwiches at $14 and bites and boxes around $13. Wines by the glass range from $9 to $15 per glass.
We think one of the most popular items may just be the Frosé All day - frozen and delicious. And why not pair it with a Rosé All Day cookie.
Overall
There is so much choice in Disney Springs, and each venue continues to bring something new to the line-up. We really enjoyed our night at Wine Bar George - the food and drink exceeded expectations, the restaurant itself is a beautiful space, and service is at the level you would expect. Don't think that this one is only for wine aficionados - you won't find any wine snobbery here. The servers are knowledgeable and keen to tell the stories of the wine to both novice and experienced wine drinkers alike.
We would highly recommend a visit to Wine Bar George on your next Disney Springs trip, and it is the perfect date night venue or special occasion spot for locals.
Daily service hours are 11am to 2am. Reservations for Wine Bar George will be available May 25 for bookings starting on June 25 2018, with walk-ups welcome until then.
This review was paid for by the reviewers and was not part of any media tasting or promotion.
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