Humankind’s greatest invention? Wine, hands down. Better than just cracking a bottle at home on the couch, the wine bar is a wonderful place where the refined and the ratchet can rub elbows while appreciating the best alcoholic beverage ever to be fermented. If you’re going out looking for the perfect sip, then these Orlando wine bars have just the bottle for you.

The Wine Barn 959 Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park, 407-599-9463 Buy a bottle from their stock and crack it open right there, or sample wines from all over the world on tap. Don’t miss the wood-fired pizza, served at tables surrounded by cases and cases and cases of wine. Photo via The Wine Barn/Facebook
Imperial Wine Bar & Beer Garden 1800 N. Orange Ave., 407-228-4992, and 116 E. First St., Sanford, 407-732-6956 Multi-tasking to the max can happen here. While you’re lounging in the eclectic bar space, shop for imported and custom furniture, since the bar is nestled inside Washburn Imports. Photo via ivyresidences/Instagram
The Parkview 136 S. Park Ave., Winter Park, 407-647-9103 The former Eola Wine Company space hasn’t changed much, but the menu certainly has — there’s a lot more than cheese plates to be had (plus weekend brunch!). But you can still get a glass of vino or a craft beer and people-watch ’til the stockbrokers come home. Photo via The Parkview/Facebook
Flying Fish Cafe 2101 Epcot Resorts Blvd., 407-939-2359 The upscale Disney Boardwalk restaurant just reopened after a spectacular renovation but one thing hasn’t changed: Flying Fish’s tradition of a wine list filled with lesser-known varietals and vintages will likely continue. It’s not cheap, but you’ll find a wine-centric chef’s tasting menu to follow your choice of flights. Photo via goepicurista/Instagram
Quantum Leap Winery 1312 Wilfred Drive, 407-730-3082 A day-time sipping spot for sure, Quantum Leap is only open until 7 p.m. Monday-Friday and until 6 p.m. on Saturday. There’s generally a food truck outside, so even though there’s no in-house noshing, you won’t go hungry. Take a tour of the winery if you have the time. Photo via Al Dee Productions Inc./Facebook
Spill 1196 Tree Swallow Drive, Winter Springs, 407-278-8219 Happy hour at this northeast Orlando joint is where it’s at: $5 glasses of wine and 10% off all bottles, provided you pop the cork right there and then. There’s also plenty of cheese, hummus, salsa and spinach-artichoke dip to keep tummy rumblings at bay. Photo via courtetta/Instagram
Taps Wine & Beer 480 N. Orlando Ave., Winter Park, 407-677-5000 The place has a giant wine and beer list, but beware — they don’t stock everything all the time. For a swankier sip (the main side is more sports bar than wine bar), head to the adjoining wine bar section with enomatic wine machines and Miami-style loungers. Photo via kirihito23/Instagram
Eola Wine Company 430 E. Central Blvd., 407-481-9100 Since 2001, this has been a hotspot for happy hours, first dates and girls nights. By the bottle, the flight or the glass, the views of our city’s center can’t be beat. Food is good, too. Photo via cassiecrumbles/Instagram
Swirlery 1508 E. Michigan Ave., 407-270-6300 Blink and you’ll miss this gem, tucked into a strip on Michigan Street right before Fern Creek. Time your visit with Blind Tasting Tuesdays or movie nights on Wednesdays that include gourmet popcorn from Encore Kernel. Photo via swirlery.com
DeVine Wine & Grill 15 Alafaya Woods Blvd., #117, Oviedo, 407-359-5016 The warm and intimate space will make you feel like you’ve stepped into some kind of ski lodge, even though it’s still 90 degrees outside. The interactive enomatic machines make for a fun conversation starter and endless tasting opps. Photo via Devine Wine & Grill/Facebook
Fleming’s Steakhouse & Wine Bar Multiple locations Not exactly the right atmo for girls’ night, but it’s an ideal spot to head with clients or co-workers (especially with the company card handy because $$$). Grab a couple glasses of Cab before diving into a wet-aged ribeye or filet with abandon. Photo via Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar/Facebook
The Wine Room 270 S. Park Ave., Winter Park, 407-696-9463 A hotspot for Rollins students looking to dip their toe into the vino scene as well as grownups seeking the kind of red-leather-and-oak atmosphere you’d imagine Hemingway might have loved. There are 160 wines on tap, and it’s self-service. The cheese counter is a must. Photo via itercilla/Instagram
Cork & Olive 1061 S. Sun Drive, #1009, 407-323-0555 The only wine shop in Lake Mary that’s also a bar where you can actually taste wine right out of the barrel. There are also six craft beers on tap, and a ton more in the bottle. Create a wine, beer or olive oil gift basket while you sip. Photo via scrupski/Instagram
Ellen’s Wine Room 440 S. Sanford Ave., Sanford, 407-936-1705 It’s nothing fancy, but they have wine and that’s what you came for, right? You’ll definitely feel more like you’re cracking open a bottle at home than at a wine bar. There just happens to be live music and a roaring fireplace when it gets chilly. Photo via ellenswineroom.com
Carmel Kitchen & Wine Bar 140 N. Orlando Ave., 407-543-4912 With a moniker that mirrors California’s iconic wine country, you know there’s gotta be a wine list to match. The food is solid, but the Cali-heavy wine list shines, with vintages served as 3-ounce tastings, 6-ounce glasses or 9-ounce mega-pours. Photo via colinanderson/Instagram
Santiago’s Bodega Altamonte Springs 1185 Spring Center S. Blvd., Altamonte Springs, 407-960-2605 Like the Key West and Mills 50 locations, Santiago’s puts all their emphasis on top-notch tapas and their wine list. Pairing fun can be had here, like merlot with beef carpaccio, riesling with yellowfin tuna ceviche, and sangiovese with goat-cheese-stuffed dates and prosciutto. Photo via taryn_upthiscity/Instagram
The Vineyard Wine Company 1140 Townpark Ave., Lake Mary, 407-833-9463 Since 2009, this little haunt has garnered an Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator magazine. There are drink specials almost every day, and live music at the end of the week. Plus, Sunday brunch with free-flowing mimosas. Photo via The Vineyard Wine Company/Facebook
Vines Grill & Wine Bar 7533 W. Sand Lake Road, 407-351-1227 It really doesn’t get much more Dr. Phillips-chic than this. For years, Vines has been noted not only for having a seriously sophisticated wine list, but also for stellar plates and, starting at 7 p.m., live jazz every single evening. Fanceh. Photo via Vines Grille & Wine Bar/Facebook
Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant Multiple locations You could come here for dinner and peruse the mammoth menu, but really the wine list is the star. There’s a monthly wine tasting menu and a gift shop with all the fancy things you’ll need to pull off a tasting party at home. Photo via maymaysue23/Instagram