Tropical Wine in South Florida's Schnebly Redland's Winery

Florida’s Redland agricultural district is a historic farming region in southern Miami‑Dade County, defined by its distinctive red clay soils over oolitic limestone (sedimentary rock formed from ooids, spherical grains composed of concentric layers) and a long tradition of subtropical and tropical crop production. Settled in the early 20th century after the expansion of Henry Flagler’s Florida East Coast Railway, the area became a hub for mangoes, avocados, lychees, and other fruits rarely grown at scale elsewhere in the continental United States.

Schnebly Redland’s Winery leverages it's Redland location by growing and sourcing tropical fruit within a four mile radius of the agricultural district for their innovative fruit‑based winemaking. Known as the southernmost winery in the continental United States, the operation was started by Peter and Denisse Schnebly and offers an immersive experience shaped by waterfalls, tiki huts, and expansive gardens. The tasting room and grounds are surrounded by coral stone blocks and thatch roofs, enclosing the facility in a tropical village. Entering the grounds visitors pass a koi pond and then to a large covered pavilion. 

The winery produces a range of dry to sweet still and sparkling wines from avocado, lychee, mango, coconut, guava, pineapple, carambola (starfruit), and passion fruit. Quite a portfolio.  I've been a fan of their dry avocado wine (AvoVino) for many years - I just find it truly unique and flavorful.  Why avocado wine?  The story goes that was an avocado  field where the fruit was too overripe for resale, so they tested their ability to make wine out of the single-seeded berry. And it worked.  The Carambola was another top choice providing a juicy pear-like profile finishing with a little almond bitterness. Oddly, it was very similar to to a Herzegovina Žilavka that we opened the next day.  Finally, the off-dry CocoVino - made exclusively from coconuts - was our third option.  Think lemons and coconuts.  The winery had a special purchase three with a free bottle and we choose the semi-sweet Mango - just to have a wine with a stronger tropical profile and to eventually experiment with some rum cocktails.  

Although we didn't spend too much time at the winery, Schnebly Redland's Winery is a destination with a restaurant, live music pavilion, and the Miami Brewing Company within the complex. Try the Big Rod Coconut Ale to stay in the tropical theme.