To grow grapes in Florida is a bit of a challenge. The weather patterns here are not the best for grapes.
The first big obstacle to growing grapes in Florida, or any warm, humid part of the U.S., is disease.
Therefore you do not find orchards or wineries in Florida very often, and Jacksonville is no exception.
There is one winery located about 25 miles South of Jacksonville Florida in Saint Augustine, Florida.
It is called: San Sebastian Winery.
San Sebastian Winery, founded in 1996 is located at 157 King Street, St. Augustine, Florida in one of Henry Flagler’s old East Coast Railway buildings located just a few blocks from historic downtown. According to historians, this area is the birthplace of American wine, dating back to 1562.
Today, San Sebastian ranks as one of Florida’s premium wineries, and remains a pioneer in the development of table, sparkling and dessert wines from hybrid and muscadine grapes. Vintage-dated varietals from hybrids such as Stover and Blanc Du Bois are produced and marketed along with blended and sparkling wines from native Muscadine grapes. Port and Cream Sherry dessert wines are also produced by and sold under the San Sebastian brand. Together, these labels have won many awards for excellence in winemaking, over 300 so far with more to come each season. Every year more than 100,000 people are expected to visit the winery’s extensive tasting room and wine shop. San Sebastian Winery has an overall production of over 80,000 cases, (that’s over 960,000 bottles!). San Sebastian wines are sold at the winery and at major supermarkets and wine shops throughout Florida.
Complimentary Winery tours and wine tasting are offered 7 days a week; Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6p.m. and Sunday, 11:00 a.m. – 6 p.m.
That is why I am picking it as the best winery in Jacksonville Florida even though it is in Saint Augustine!