San Sebastian Winery - A Florida Wine Experience
If you're curious about a place where history and the pleasure of wine come together, you might want to consider a visit to San Sebastian Winery. This spot, located in the historic city of St. Augustine, Florida, offers a chance to sample some local wines and experience a bit of the area's past, too. It's a place where you can relax and enjoy a bit of something different, actually.
The story of American winemaking goes back quite a ways, to 1562, which is, you know, a very long time ago. San Sebastian Winery, established in 1996, is a part of this continuing tradition. It sits in one of Henry Flagler's old East Coast Railway buildings, just a few blocks from the heart of historic downtown, so it's got that old-world feel, sort of.
This location isn't just about the past, though; it's a living place where you can enjoy wine tastings, take tours, and even find a nice meal. There are gift baskets and other things to explore, offering a rather full experience for anyone looking for something to do in St. Augustine, right.
Table of Contents
- What is the Story of San Sebastian Winery?
- How Can You Experience San Sebastian Winery?
- Exploring the Wines at San Sebastian Winery
- What Can You Find in the Shop at San Sebastian Winery?
- Where Can You Eat and Drink at San Sebastian Winery?
- Dining at La Cocina at the Cellar Upstairs at San Sebastian Winery
- Enjoying the Rooftop Wine Bar at San Sebastian Winery
- What Makes San Sebastian Winery's Grapes Special?
What is the Story of San Sebastian Winery?
San Sebastian Winery, as a matter of fact, first opened its doors in 1996. It's found at 157 King Street in St. Augustine, Florida, a spot that holds a lot of history within its walls. The building itself was once a part of Henry Flagler's East Coast Railway system, which is pretty neat when you think about it. It’s a structure that has seen a lot of changes over time, and now it helps to bring a different kind of pleasure to people, like, you know, through wine.
The fact that American winemaking stretches all the way back to 1562 really puts things into perspective, doesn't it? San Sebastian Winery continues this long tradition, adding its own chapter to the story of drinks made from grapes in this country. It's located just a few blocks from the historic downtown area, which means it’s quite easy to get to after you've spent some time exploring the older parts of the city, too. This connection to the past gives the place a certain kind of feeling, a bit like stepping back in time, more or less.
The building's past life as a railway structure gives it a certain character, you know, a sturdy, enduring quality. When you walk inside, you can almost sense the echoes of its former purpose, yet it feels completely new with the scent of wine and the sounds of people enjoying themselves. It’s a place that has been given a new purpose, and it really shows how old things can be made new again, essentially.
How Can You Experience San Sebastian Winery?
Visiting San Sebastian Winery offers a few ways to get to know the place and its products. You can take a guided tour, which is a good way to learn about how they make their wines. These tours happen every day, so there's usually a time that works for most people, pretty much. It's a chance to see behind the scenes, so to speak, and get a better appreciation for the work involved in creating the wines they offer, right.
After the tour, or even if you just pop in for a quick visit, you can enjoy some wine tastings. There's a small charge of $5 for this, which includes a souvenir plastic tasting glass that you get to keep. It’s a nice little memento of your visit, and it lets you try a few different kinds of wine to see what you like best, you know. The tasting counter is quite spacious, so there’s plenty of room for everyone to gather around and sample the various selections, too.
Beyond the tours and tastings, there's also a video presentation available. This can give you a bit more information about the winery's history and its winemaking process in a relaxed setting. It’s another way to get a deeper sense of what San Sebastian Winery is all about, and it’s a nice addition to the overall experience, especially if you’re keen on learning more, essentially.
Exploring the Wines at San Sebastian Winery
San Sebastian Winery offers a rather wide selection of wines, giving visitors plenty of options to try. They have eleven different wines in their main collection, which is quite a lot to explore, honestly. This variety means that whether you typically enjoy a red, a white, or something else, you're likely to find something that suits your taste preferences, you know. It’s all about finding what makes your taste buds happy, more or less.
In addition to the still wines, they also have a sparkling wine, which is always a fun choice for a celebration or just to add a bit of fizz to your day. And for those who enjoy something a little sweeter at the end of a meal, there are two dessert wines available. These are often rich and flavorful, making them a nice treat to finish off a pleasant visit, or to take home for a special occasion, sort of.
One of their wines, which is served slightly chilled, is described as being very balanced. It expresses an intense fruit flavor, which comes from the Noble variety of the native muscadine grape. This particular wine is said to go really well with any pasta dish, or it's also just good for sitting back and relaxing. It sounds like a pretty versatile drink, offering a nice balance of taste that could complement a variety of moments, you know.
And if you're feeling creative, you can even mix up your favorite San Sebastian wines to create some interesting wine cocktails. Whether you prefer a fruity sangria or a refreshing julep, these drink recipes provide a fun way to add a bit of spice to your usual wine enjoyment. It’s about trying something new and seeing how different flavors can come together in a glass, essentially.
What Can You Find in the Shop at San Sebastian Winery?
The wine shop at San Sebastian Winery is quite large, offering a wide array of things to look at and perhaps take home. It's not just bottles of wine, either. You'll find a good selection of interesting gifts, which is handy if you're looking for something special for someone, or just a little souvenir for yourself, you know. There’s a bit of everything, so it’s worth taking your time to browse, actually.
They also have gift baskets, which are a nice idea if you want to put together a collection of treats for a friend or family member. These baskets can be filled with various items from the shop, making them a thoughtful present for someone who enjoys wine or gourmet foods, or even just a nice gesture, sort of. It’s a convenient way to share a bit of the winery experience with others, basically.
Beyond the gifts and baskets, the shop stocks gourmet foods, which can be a lovely addition to any meal or gathering. Think about cheeses, crackers, or other tasty items that pair well with wine. And, of course, there are plenty of wine accessories, like corkscrews, stoppers, or special glasses. It's a place where you can find nearly everything you might need to enjoy wine at home, or to help someone else enjoy it, too. The expansive tasting counter is right there, so you can sample before you buy, which is pretty helpful, right.
Where Can You Eat and Drink at San Sebastian Winery?
Beyond the wine tastings, San Sebastian Winery also offers places to eat and drink, making it a more complete experience. One of these spots is La Cocina at the Cellar Upstairs, which is located on the third floor, right above the winery itself. It’s a place where you can sit down and enjoy a meal, giving you a chance to relax and refuel after exploring the winery, you know. It’s a rather convenient option for visitors.
This dining spot is open from Tuesday through Sunday, so it’s available for most of the week. It’s described as a local’s favorite, which often means it’s a good place to find quality food and a pleasant atmosphere. Knowing that local people enjoy it can give you a bit of confidence that you’re choosing a good spot for your meal, essentially.
Dining at La Cocina at the Cellar Upstairs at San Sebastian Winery
La Cocina at the Cellar Upstairs is a spot that many people in St. Augustine seem to like, and it’s located right in the middle of the city, above the San Sebastian Winery. This restaurant is led by Chef Norberto Jaramillo, who oversees the culinary offerings there. While the details of his specific culinary style aren't given, the fact that a chef leads the kitchen suggests a focus on good food and a well-thought-out menu, you know.
It’s a place where you can sit down and have a proper meal, which complements the wine experience quite nicely. Imagine enjoying a glass of wine from the winery downstairs with a dish prepared by a skilled chef. It sounds like a pretty good way to spend some time, especially if you’re looking for a relaxed dining experience in a place with a bit of character, too. The combination of wine and food often makes for a memorable outing, basically.
Enjoying the Rooftop Wine Bar at San Sebastian Winery
Another great feature at San Sebastian Winery is the rooftop wine bar. This area offers a different kind of experience, with live music and views of the surroundings. It’s a chance to enjoy your wine in an open-air setting, which can be very pleasant, especially on a nice day or evening, you know. The atmosphere with live music often adds a lively and enjoyable feel to the place, making it a good spot to unwind.
Having a view from a rooftop is always a nice bonus, giving you a different perspective of the area. It’s a spot where you can just sit back, listen to some tunes, and sip on your favorite San Sebastian wine. It’s a rather appealing option for those who enjoy a bit of entertainment with their drinks, and it provides a different vibe compared to the tasting room or the restaurant downstairs, essentially.
The rooftop bar sounds like a perfect place to gather with friends or family, or even to just enjoy a quiet moment by yourself. The combination of music, views, and good wine creates a pretty relaxing environment. It’s definitely a highlight for many visitors, offering a unique way to enjoy the winery’s offerings and the St. Augustine scenery, too.
What Makes San Sebastian Winery's Grapes Special?
San Sebastian Winery has a direct connection to the source of its grapes, which is pretty interesting. They actually own 450 acres of land in Florida's panhandle, specifically in an area called Prosperity. This means they grow some of their own grapes, which gives them a good level of control over the quality of the fruit that goes into their wines, you know. It’s a significant piece of land dedicated to their craft, honestly.
In addition to their own vineyards, they also work with several growers throughout the southeast. They have approximately 200 acres under contract with these other growers, which helps them get a wider variety of grapes or simply more of what they need. This approach ensures a consistent supply of good quality grapes for their winemaking, basically. It’s a way to expand their reach and ensure they have enough raw material to produce all their different wines, right.
The winery focuses on growing native varieties of grapes, which is a special part of their story. They cultivate the red Noble and bronze Carlos and Welder muscadines. These are grapes that are well-suited to the local climate and soil, and they contribute to the unique flavors found in San Sebastian wines. It’s a way of celebrating the local agricultural heritage and producing wines that truly reflect their place of origin, essentially.
The Noble variety of the native muscadine grape is particularly noted for expressing an intense fruit flavor. This is what gives some of their wines a very distinct and appealing taste profile. Knowing that the grapes are native to the area and grown with care adds another layer of appreciation to the wine itself, you know. It’s a connection to the land that you can almost taste in every glass, too.
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San Sebastian Winery — STA Marketing & PR
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