Ep. 2802 Italian Wine in South Florida: Restaurant Strategies & Opportunities with Jacqueline Pirolo | Masterclass US Wine Market

Welcome to Episode 2802 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode of the Masterclass US Wine Market, Marissa Muoio is joined by award-winning Italian-born restaurateur, beverage director, and sommelier Jacqueline Pirolo in a conversation that focused on how Italian wines are positioned, sold and scaled across multiconcept restaurants in South Florida. Key Takeaways: How to position Italian wines across different restaurant concepts and guest experiences. Strategies for introducing indigenous Italian grapes to consumers more familiar with Napa and California wines. How seasonality, climate, tourism and distributor relationships shape the South Florida wine market. More about the guest: Born in Italy and raised in New York, Jacqueline Pirolo is an award-winning restaurateur, beverage director, and sommelier based in Miami. She began her hospitality career in New York before co-founding The Saint Austere in Brooklyn in 2011. In 2012, she joined her brother, Chef Mike Pirolo, and partner Jen Chaefsky to open Macchialina in Miami, where she serves as partner and beverage director, building a celebrated wine program focused on Italian terroir. Her work has earned recognition from Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, Gambero Rosso and the James Beard Foundation. In 2025, she received the Michelin Guide Florida Sommelier Award. She also co-founded Bar Bucce, a casual Italian market, pizzeria, wine bar and bottle shop in Miami’s Little River neighborhood, which was named a James Beard semifinalist for Best New Bar in 2026. Connect: Website: https://macchialina.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lambrusco574/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jienna-basaldu/ More about the host: Equal parts wine geek and storyteller, Marissa Muoio turns up the volume on the Italian Wine Podcast as a host of the Masterclass US Wine Market series! Marissa’s love affair with Italian wine started with a simple realization: behind every bottle of Nebbiolo, Brunello, or Fiano is a wild story of ancient history, passionate families, and incredible food pairings. But getting those stories onto American tables takes strategy. In the Masterclass US Wine Market, Marissa bridges the gap between Italian cellars and the American trade. She brings high energy, sharp questions, and plenty of laughs while chatting with top industry insiders, sommeliers, and importers on the East Coast. When she’s not in front of the mic geeking out over volcanic soils and forgotten appellations, you’ll usually find Marissa on the hunt for the perfect plate of pasta, road-testing new wine bars, or swirling something new with friends. Her ultimate motto? No acqua, solo vino. Connect: Website: http://linktr.ee/marissamuoio Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marissamuoio/c Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissa-muoio/ More interviews on US Wine Market: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/episodes_category/masterclass-us-wine-market/ _______________________________ Let's keep in touch! Follow Italian Wine Podcast on our social media channels: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/italianwinepodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItalianWinePodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mammajumboshrimp If you feel like helping us, donate here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/ Until next time, Cin Cin!