When you think about the most prestigious wine regions in the United States, Florida probably isn’t one of the first to come to mind. Don’t discount our sunny state so quickly, though. Florida is one of the homes to a tradition of winemaking that’s entirely American! During your St. Augustine getaway, visit an award-winning establishment that showcases the best of muscadine wines, as well as other excellent varieties. Add San Sebastian Winery to your itinerary for your next stay at Agustin Inn!
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About the San Sebastian Winery
To make great wine, you first have to find quality grapes. That’s no problem for San Sebastian Winery, which tends a 75-acre vineyard in Clermont, FL, as well as an addition 450 acres in the panhandle. It’s here that they grow native varieties of red Noble grapes as well as the bronze Carlos and Welder Muscadines. These grapes are the result of over 50 years of careful breeding, creating a premier product that is perfect for wine.
If you’ve never tried muscadine wine before, San Sebastian is the perfect place to start. Many people get an inaccurate first impression of muscadine wines, assuming that they are always sugary. Here, you’ll find so much more than just sweet blends. San Sebastian Winery carries a balanced variety, from very dry to dessert wines. The best way to get to know the wines, of course, is to taste them!
Take a Tasting Tour
San Sebastian Winery offers complimentary tours of the winery (which are followed by a guided tasting) every day! They start every 20 to 25 minutes and last for around 45 minutes in total. During, their knowledgeable guides will take you through the complete winemaking experience, from fermenting the grapes to bottling the blends! You’ll walk through their 18,000-square-foot facility, which includes their 5,000-gallon stainless steel tanks and the Barrel Room, where they age their port. Learn about the winery’s partnership with the St. Augustine Distillery. The two local companies, which are only a couple blocks apart, trade barrels with each other in order to remain environmentally friendly, as well as create unique finishes. When you browse through their inventory, you might be able to enjoy a bourbon-finished port (meaning a port that’s been aged in a bourbon barrel).
After you’ve learned all there is to know about making muscadine wines, it’s time to educate yourself on tasting them! You’ll join your guide at the bar to learn the five “S’s” of wine tasting while sampling a selection of (generous) pours. If you’re unsure whether or not you’d enjoy a variety, this is the perfect opportunity to find out!
The tours run from Monday to Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and on Sundays starting at 11:00 a.m. They are wheelchair accessible, completely free, and no reservations are required!
Stay at Agustin Inn
After you’ve sampled the goods at San Sebastian Winery, stroll back to the Agustin Inn for a wonderful night of relaxation. We are located off of St. George Street, just a short walk from the best restaurants, shops, and attractions in town. You won’t find more comfortable and beautiful accommodations, with such excellent amenities, in such a prime location anywhere else in the city!
Check our availability today and book your stay with us! We look forward to having you.