While the name may conjure images of sandy grape vines growing in the bright Florida sun, Panama City Beach Winery is actually a retail shop where its delicious fruit wines are sold and sampled. The shop offers wine tastings 7 days a week in a bright, welcoming setting, with very generous pours (we tried a total of 6 great wines on our recent visit!). All of the wine is made in Florida and is created with just fruit and fruit juice, with no added sugars or finishing ingredients.
The staff at Panama City Beach Winery is friendly and knowledgeable, even for skeptics who tend to prefer traditional grape wines or wines on the drier side. During our tasting, we were encouraged to try wines based on our favorite fruit flavors and combinations, and there were plenty of options to choose from!
With close to 40 wines in stock, plus a smaller line of wine “slush” mixers, it was easy to select some standouts that were perfect for enjoying on our hotel balcony, and several that were tasty enough to take home.
Our favorite wines included:
Mango Mamma
A great first taste if you can’t quite wrap your head around what a “fruit” wine tastes like, this is an easy sipper that’s not too sweet, and perfect to pair with the Mango flavored wine slush mix for a unique cocktail that’s perfect for sunset beach side happy hour.
Midnight Sun
With a rich aroma of espresso beans, and an unexpected taste of fresh orange and coffee, this is a surprisingly delicious wine that tastes like all the best parts of breakfast in a very nighttime beverage.
Hurricane Class 5 Florida Sangria
Can’t decide what flavor to try? The Sangria includes several delicious tropical fruit flavors so you don’t have to choose! With natural watermelon, mango, key lime, passionfruit, and pineapple juices, this wine offers great Florida fruit taste without any mixing or recipes required!
Blackberry Dry (Black Gold)
If the thought of fruity wines turns your nose, worry not! Panama City Beach Winery offers a number of selections that will appeal to wine drinkers. Let the staff know your preferences, and they’ll select a few great options, including the Blackberry Dry. Like a traditional cabernet, but without the heavy tannins, this wine pairs nicely with cheese, meat, and Italian foods, and is also highly drinkable on its own
A fun option to try something a little different, Panama City Beach Winery is a hit among locals and returning visitors alike. Prepare to spend a little time enjoying your samples and making your selections, and note that if you’ve got a special occasion or a big group, the Winery does accept reservations for private tastings after hours. Cheers!
Insider Tip:
-Panama City Beach Winery not only offers retail options for its bottles of natural fruit wines, but plenty of unique gifts as well. If you’re in search of some fun souvenirs or memorable holiday gifts, the Winery is a great stop for some shopping and sipping. All wines are available to be shipped in increments of 3 bottles at a time, so you can also stock up on wines to enjoy or share. Be sure to check to see if you can ship to your state before you make your selections, as shipping is only available to about 40 of 50 U.S. states.