Drive an hour south from Downtown Miami and you’ll find yourself on long country roads surrounded by acres of farmland, lush palm trees and a vast blue sky. This is South Dade’s It’s true countryside and a different world from the glittering skyline and hustle and bustle of city life. Here, you’ll find the heartland of the farm-to-table culinary movement in Greater Miami & Miami Beach, a place where many top chefs go for local produce, like strawberries, tomatoes and honey. Visit soon and discover wide-open spaces, time spent in nature and a break from the nonstop energy of Greater Miami & Miami Beach’s more-urban neighborhoods.

The Redland is also home to Schnebly Redland’s Winery, a massive estate with a novel, subtropical approach to winemaking. Instead of producing wines using grapes, Peter Schnebly, a farmer and the founder of the winery, creates wines made from local tropical fruit – mangos, lychees, passionfruit, guava, starfruit, coconuts and even avocadoes. Over the years, Schnebly’s vision has evolved to become a unique gastronomic destination, home to not only his winery but also the Miami Brewing Co. and The Redlander Restaurant.

Schnebly's wine barrels — Discover Peter Schnebly's tropical wine creations

Schnebly Redland’s Winery is Born

Growing up in New York’s Finger Lakes wine country, Schnebly worked in vineyards from the age of 13, but he always dreamed of living near the Florida Keys, “where Flipper is from,” he said, referring to the 1960s TV series about a dolphin named Flipper. He made the move to Miami in the 1990s and started a fruit-packing business, eventually buying 100 acres of farmland and growing fruit himself.

Frustrated with the idea of throwing away produce with blemishes that wouldn’t sell at market, he consulted a boutique winemaker and eventually produced his first fruit wine in 2004. He opened Schnebly Redland’s Winery the next year, and, in 2012, he added the title of brewmaster to his already impressive resume with the establishment of the Miami Brewing Co. The whole operation is Schnebly’s idea of a tropical paradise. “It’s an escape from normal life, cell phones, traffic, noise pollution, cement,” he said.

Koi pond and tiki with palm thatch roof — Explore beautiful grounds complete with koi pond and tiki hut

Visit the Winery

The winery was built in a vernacular architectural style using materials found in abundance in Miami, with limestone walls and a thatched palm roof. The façade, built in grand Colonial Revival style with columns and a shaded portico, is reminiscent of a Napa winery The pathway leading to the front door is lined with grand palms and purple flowers with a bubbling, tiered fountain as the centerpiece. Across the street, the vineyard stretches on, shaded by blossoming royal poinciana trees. Inside the winery, the tasting room opens up to a lushly landscaped courtyard complete with a waterfall.

Guided tours of the winery and brewery are available on weekends and by appointment. Schnebly also hosts a robust calendar of events, with activities including live music and dance nights, goat yoga (in the spring only), happy hour, karaoke and country line dancing.

The wine tasting area — Try Schnebly's tropical fruit wines at a wine tasting

Tasting Schnebly Wines

A visit to Schnebly starts with tasting wines from its portfolio of more than 20 varieties. Groupings include sweet, semi-dry and dry. As you taste, you’ll notice a hint of the tropical source fruit combined with familiar wine properties. Sample the mango wine, which has the buttery texture of Chardonnay with sweet hints of mango. The AvoVino, made from avocados, has a crisp texture with a citrus nose and a young, green flavor reminiscent of Sauvignon Blanc. On the sweeter side, there are guava, lychee and carambola (starfruit) wines. For red wine devotees, the Cat 2 and Cat 3 Hurricane blends combine a variety of tropical fruits for unique flavor profiles. If you’re in the mood for something bubbly, try the semisweet sparkling lychee or sparkling passion.

Once you’ve discovered your preferred tropical fruit wines, order a glass to enjoy in the courtyard and purchase a bottle or a case to take home as a souvenir. If you consider yourself an oenophile, Schnebly’s offers a wine club that lets you receive a variety of wines delivered to your home throughout the year.

Fresh hops at Miami Brewing Co. — Enjoy craft beers inspired by Miami's cultures & flavors at Miami Brewing Co.

Sample Local Craft Beer

At the 10,000-square-foot Miami Brewing Co. taproom, enjoy a flight of some one-of-a-kind craft beers with clever names highlighting Miami’s culture and flavors, such as Big Rod Coconut Blonde Ale, Shark Bait Wheat Ale and Vice IPA along with a rotating selection of seasonal suds. Want to take home some of the delicious flavors? Ask for a growler, a 32-ounce glass container filled directly from the tap and sealed for freshness. It will stay fresh for two to three days after you open it.

If you can’t make it down to the Redland for the full experience, look for Miami Brewing Co. beer on tap at many restaurants in Miami.

Farm-fresh dish at The Redlander — Experience Schnebly's tropical fruit wines at a wine tasting

Dine at The Redlander Restaurant

For those planning to visit on Friday, Saturday or Sunday, consider making a reservation at The Redlander Restaurant at Schnebly Winery, an open-air, farm-to-table restaurant set beneath a thatched palm canopy on the lawn. The restaurant specializes in farm-fresh cuisine and local produce with a tropical Miami twist. Sample spicy ahi tuna tacos, conch fritters and a certified Angus beef burger topped with sharp cheddar, and pair your meal with plenty of Schnebly Redland’s wine and Miami Brewing Co. beer to go around. There’s also a vegan menu for guests who follow a plant-based diet.

Wine, beer and farm-to-table cuisine in the lush subtropics – Peter Schnebly got it right.

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