San Sebastian Winery: American Wine at Its Best

When you visit St. Augustine, you are immediately surrounded by hundreds of years of fascinating history, much of which has become the backbone of our nation's cultures and traditions. San Sebastian winery is no shrinking violet when it comes to historical landmarks in our fabulous Ancient City. With its opening in 1996, San Sebastian Winery began a journey into the world of wine making that has only gotten sweeter with time.  Partnering with Seavin, Inc., who owns the largest winery and vineyards in the state of Florida, Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards in Clermont, San Sebastian Winery founder Gary Cox thought it only fitting to open his second winery in the location that most historians agree to be the birth place of American wines. Not long after Cox made this decision, the city of St. Augustine saw one of Henry Flagler's old East Coast Railroad buildings at 157 King Street transformed into what we now know as San Sebastian winery. The history of wine in the state of Florida is quite interesting. Today, the grapes used to produce the full-bodied wines at both San Sebastian and Lakeridge wineries are grown in vineyards in Clermont, FL. That was not the case back in 1562 when settlers first came to the Jacksonville/St. Augustine area. In those days, wine was made from the juice of the large Muscadine grapes that the settles found growing in the area.  Descendants of the small island of Menorca off the east coast of Spain, settled in the St. Augustine area and brought with them their love of wine making as well as grape vine cultivation. Some believe the wine culture in America actually began to evolve as early as 1513 when Juan Ponce de Leon first landed on the coast of Florida in present day St. Augustine.  Some years later, the French made their journey to America and built Fort Caroline in the Jacksonville area. In response, the Spanish then settled St. Augustine in 1565. The French also contributed greatly to the development of the wine industry in the area. It is believed that the French influence boosted the wine production in the area so much that at its highest peak in those days, at least 20 barrels of wine could be produced at one time. So you see, you don't have to travel to Paris or Madrid in order to experience the rich culture and history that surrounds the art of wine making...you can simply visit our beautiful city, tour San Sebastian Winery, and then head out to the historical downtown area for one of our award-winning tours! An agenda liek that would be sure to make any wine lover's dreams come true! Drink, Taste, Experience...The Tasting Tours.