FLORIDA WINERIES

Florida wineries are one of the state's best kept little secrets. 

They are fun to visit and make great destinations for many of the Florida day trips and one tank trips featured on this website. 

Flagler Beachfront Winery

CERTIFIED FLORIDA WINERIES ARE REQUIRED
TO PUBLISH HOURS THEY ARE OPEN TO VISITORS

When a winery is certified by the State, it means they are required to publish hours they are open to visitors. 

Other wineries may be great places but you can't be sure if they are open to visitors.

The Florida Department of Agriculture map below shows the certified wineries as of May 18, 2022. 

The list of certified wineries changes from year to year for a number of reasons.  It's best to go to the website of the winery and call them directly.

Here are the 23 currently certified wineries in Florida; and their locations according to the FDOA map.  

1. Bunker Hill Vineyards & Winery, Duette
2. Chautaqua Vineyard, DeFuniak Springs
   
3. Emerald Coast Wine Cellars, Destin
   
4. Flagler Beachfront Winery, Flagler Beach
   
5. Florida Orange Groves Winery, Inc., St. Petersburg
6. Henscratch Farms Vineyards & Winery, Lake Placid
7. Island Grove Wine Company, Hawthorne
   
8. Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards, Clermont
   
9. Masaryk Winery, Masaryktown
   
10. Old Oaks Vineyard, Bonifay
11. San Sebastian Winery, St. Augustine
    
12. Schnebly Redland's Winery, Homestead
13. Secret Gardens Winery and Farm, Sebring
14. Sparacia Witherell Family Winery & Vineyards,Brooksville
15. Strong Tower Vineyard and Winery, Spring Hill
    
16. Summer Crush Vineyard & Winery, Fort Pierce
17. The Vineyards at Black Willow, Mims
18. True Blue Winery, Davenport

Muscadine Grapes

MOST FLORIDA WINERIES MAKE WINE FROM GRAPES

My wine expertise is limited. Either I like a wine or I don't.  

Even though I'm a long time Floridian, I assumed for many years that Florida wineries made citrus wine.

I had no idea that any of them even knew a grape wine recipe.

I was wrong about the citrus wine. Florida grows nice grapes, and I was missing a lot by not knowing more about these wineries.

Wine actually has a long history in Florida. It goes back to a century before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock.

FLORIDA WINERIES GO BACK TO THE SPANISH EXPLORERS WHO MADE  WINE FROM WILD GRAPES

The first Spanish explorers came to the land they called La Florida back in the 1500's. 

These Spaniards discovered wild grapes growing in the tangled jungles and hammocks along the Florida east coast. 

They picked the grapes, began growing them and making wine from their harvests. These were the first Florida wineries.

Among the many types of wine, muscadine is especially tasty and produced in quantity in Florida.

Florida wineries produce many types of wines, and are scattered throughout the several regions of Florida. 

FLORIDA WINERIES USUALLY BEGIN HARVESTING
GRAPES IN MAY AND END IN SEPTEMBER

Florida wineries and vineyards are fun to visit, and quite often give you a glimpse of rural Florida. 

Many of them will not only sell you wine, but give you personalized wine bottle labels.

This can be fun for wedding receptions, special occasions like birthdays, or for just plain fun.

Most wineries also have shops with wine related gifts, and most of them also host wine tasting events. Some other wineries sell wine gift baskets.

I always assumed wine gift baskets in Florida were rare. I thought gift baskets in the Sunshine State are always full of citrus.

NON-CERTIFIED FLORIDA WINERIES

Non-certified wineries are also interesting and have tasty offerings, but they may or may not be open to visitors.

Most of these wineries are off the beaten path. They meet the travel theme of this website.

They are in wonderful Florida towns that are a delight to visit. These places can be the centerpiece of an appealing day trip.

Some of the non-certified wineries may be open for tours and tastings from time to time. It is best to call in advance, or visit their website. 

Also, some of the certified wineries move to the non-certified list and vice versa.