While Florida isn't Napa, the Tampa Bay area has developed a surprisingly compelling wine culture — from excellent wine bars and retail shops to actual Florida wineries producing fruit and muscadine wines. More importantly, the Gulf Coast's hospitality infrastructure supports serious wine tourism when you add a private driver.
Florida Wineries Near Tampa Bay
San Sebastian Winery (St. Augustine)
Florida's most visited winery, San Sebastian in St. Augustine specializes in Florida fruit wines and Muscadine grape wines. The 3-hour drive from Tampa makes it a day-trip destination, but the historic St. Augustine context makes the journey worthwhile.
Keel & Curley Winery (Plant City)
Just 30 minutes east of Tampa, Keel & Curley is Florida's most accessible real winery — specializing in blueberry wines from their working blueberry farm. The tasting room is charming, and the blueberry sangria is genuinely excellent.
- From Tampa: 30-35 minutes, from $50 private transfer
Dakotah Winery (Bushnell)
About 75 minutes north of Tampa, Dakotah produces Florida grape wines in a pleasant rural setting. Worth combining with a Weeki Wachee springs visit.
Wine Bars Worth Visiting
Tampa
- Cru Cellars — Hyde Park Village, exceptional wine list
- Bern's Wine Cellar — Associated with Bern's Steak House, one of America's great wine lists (over 500,000 bottles)
- Oxford Exchange Wine Bar — Upscale setting, curated list
Sarasota
- Libby's Neighborhood Brasserie — Outstanding by-the-glass program
- The Cottage — Wine-focused small plates
- MADE restaurant — Creative wine list with Old World focus
Creating a Wine Day Itinerary
With a private driver, you can safely visit multiple wine experiences in a day:
- Morning: Keel & Curley Winery tasting (Plant City)
- Afternoon: Wine lunch at a Tampa wine bar
- Evening: Return transfers from dinner with wine pairing
Bern's Steak House: A Special Mention
Bern's Steak House on South Howard Avenue in Tampa maintains what is widely considered one of the 10 best wine cellars in America — over 500,000 bottles spanning every major wine region. The after-dinner dessert room (Harry Waugh Dessert Room), where tables are served in converted wine barrels, is unique in the world. Reservations required weeks in advance.