Local Winery?

You are looking in the wrong part of the Country for vineyards. The major varietals don't grow well here in Florida. I've seen only sign for one of the above-mentioned, and it is located off of I-10 in Defuniak Springs. Never been tempted to go.

Your wrong dude. It depends on what you like. I dont like wine but I do like muscadine wine which is the major grape grown in Florida. It all depends on what you like because at the end of the day one grape wont get you any more drunk than another grape. I know your type you are probably a cork sniffer.

I know the vineyard will most likely Not be in the back yard but looking for a "winery" or "wine celler" that sell their own product. It would be a bonus if they did have the vineyard right there and I think one of them do?? A lot of wineries I visited use other land and have their vats in a different location than where they have their tastings and sales. I did read on two of the listed wineries that they have a tour of their facility and how they make their wine. Just hoping someone may have visited to give me a heads up.

I know the vineyard will most likely Not be in the back yard but looking for a "winery" or "wine celler" that sell their own product. It would be a bonus if they did have the vineyard right there and I think one of them do?? A lot of wineries I visited use other land and have their vats in a different location than where they have their tastings and sales. I did read on two of the listed wineries that they have a tour of their facility and how they make their wine. Just hoping someone may have visited to give me a heads up.

The only reason to smell a cork is to determine if a bacteria or mold has formed that would cause the wine to have a bad taste so as to not bruise the palatte. This only works on natural corks and would not apply to an artificial cork or screw cap.


Or Box Wine!

Your wrong dude. It depends on what you like. I dont like wine but I do like muscadine wine which is the major grape grown in Florida. It all depends on what you like because at the end of the day one grape wont get you any more drunk than another grape. I know your type you are probably a cork sniffer.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with Muscadines or Scuppernongs. They just aren't major grape varietals. The major grape varietals in the US are Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. You might throw in Riesling, too, though they like cooler weather. I'm not sure with which part of my statement you say is wrong.

I'm not a cork sniffer because I've never had a desire to be in the cork business. I have studied wines for numerous hours at college-level classes. I have taught classes in wines. I have worked in a vineyard. I have worked in a winery. I have grown Scuppernongs and Muscadines. I have made my own wine in a thermos. I have a friend who makes his own wine in South GA, mostly from Scuppernongs. I can enjoy a $5 bottle of good wine, and I can tell you most any major of varietal of wine by simply seeing it in the glass. I don't recall saying that any wine you may find, produced in this area is shi-ite, though I'm not blind to the fact that we are not in wine country.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with Muscadines or Scuppernongs. They just aren't major grape varietals. The major grape varietals in the US are Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. You might throw in Riesling, too, though they like cooler weather. I'm not sure with which part of my statement you say is wrong.

I'm not a cork sniffer because I've never had a desire to be in the cork business. I have studied wines for numerous hours at college-level classes. I have taught classes in wines. I have worked in a vineyard. I have worked in a winery. I have grown Scuppernongs and Muscadines. I have made my own wine in a thermos. I have a friend who makes his own wine in South GA, mostly from Scuppernongs. I can enjoy a $5 bottle of good wine, and I can tell you most any major of varietal of wine by simply seeing it in the glass. I don't recall saying that any wine you may find, produced in this area is shi-ite, though I'm not blind to the fact that we are not in wine country.

No, California is not the only wine country in the US. I'm sure there were many backyard wineries, using heat tolerant grapes, before you could find a wine shop, liquor store, or even a grocery store. California has regions where the climate is great for growing the major varietal grapes. NY, Oregon and Washington do, too. Northern Ga, western NC also have decent weather for grapes to fair pretty well. Florida, however, misses that boat.

That, I never knew.

One thing is for sure, there are wine lovers in this area of Florida.

I am searching for some local wineries for our family trip next week. We like the whole tasting-touring experience but not looking for high dollar bottles of wine. $10 to $15 will do! I think I found a few online: Chautauqua Vineyard, Emerald Coast Wine, Sea Breeze and Three Oaks. Have any of you been to these before? Are they worth the drive from Seacrest area? Is there more than just a tasting room to see?

I took note of some other posts about local wine tastings. I will be sure to look into those but would also like to go to a winery that sells only their own label.

Thanks for your time and input!