Unearth The Voyage
There is a place tucked into the agricultural heart of South Florida where tropical fruit goes far beyond smoothies and fruit stands. At this winery, mangoes, lychees, and carambolas are transformed into something unexpected and genuinely delicious.
The grounds feel like a secret garden, with koi ponds, cascading waterfalls, and lush greenery surrounding every corner. Whether you are a longtime enthusiast or someone who has never done a tasting before, this place has a way of making everyone feel right at home.
Keep reading, because what this spot offers goes way beyond what you would expect from a winery in Florida.
Where It All Begins: The Address and Setting
Right at 30205 SW 217th Ave in Homestead, this winery sits in the heart of the Redlands, one of the most agriculturally rich areas in Miami-Dade County. Getting there feels like leaving the city behind entirely, even though Miami is only about an hour’s drive north.
The moment you arrive, the landscape shifts. Tropical trees line the property, the air smells earthy and sweet, and the sounds of waterfalls greet you before you even walk through the entrance.
Schnebly Redland’s Winery and Brewery was founded by the Schnebly family, who have deep roots in the Redlands farming community. The property reflects that legacy, blending working agricultural land with a welcoming destination that draws visitors from across Florida and beyond.
It is the kind of place that earns a second visit before the first one is even over.
The Story Behind the Grapes That Never Were
Most wineries are built on grapes, but this one had a different starting point entirely. The Schnebly family grew up farming tropical fruits in the Redlands, and at some point, they asked a bold question: why not turn these fruits into something more?
That question led to the creation of one of the most distinctive wineries in the United States. Florida’s climate is not suited for traditional wine grapes, but it is absolutely perfect for growing mangoes, lychees, passion fruit, carambola, and more.
The family leaned into what the land already offered rather than fighting against it. The result is a lineup of fruit-forward options that feel genuinely rooted in the local terroir.
It is a story about working with nature instead of against it, and that philosophy shows up in every glass poured at this remarkable Homestead destination.
The Tasting Room Experience
Walking into the tasting room, the first thing you notice is how relaxed everything feels. There is no pretension here, no pressure to know what you are doing, and no expectation that you arrive as an expert.
The staff guides you through a curated selection of options, explaining the flavor profiles, the fruit origins, and what makes each one distinct. Bartenders like Jean have earned a strong reputation for making even first-timers feel completely comfortable, walking through aromas and finishes in a way that is easy to follow without being condescending.
The tasting flights give you a real sense of the range on offer, from the bright and tropical to the more complex and layered. Favorites among visitors tend to include the mango, sparkling lychee, and chocolate passion varieties.
Each one tastes like something you genuinely could not find anywhere else in the country.
Mango Magic in Every Sip
Mango might be the star of the show here, and for good reason. Florida mangoes are among the most flavorful in the world, and the team at this winery has found a way to capture that ripe, sun-warmed sweetness in liquid form.
The mango option is one of the most popular pours on the menu, and it consistently surprises people who expect something closer to juice. It has real depth, a clean finish, and just enough sweetness to feel indulgent without being overwhelming.
Visitors who try it often describe the experience as genuinely eye-opening, especially those who assumed fruit-based options could not hold their own against traditional grape varieties. The mango pour tends to be a turning point in the tasting flight, the one that makes people lean forward and ask what else is on the list.
It earns its reputation every single time.
Koi Ponds and Waterfalls That Set the Scene
Beyond the tasting room, the grounds open up into something that feels more like a botanical retreat than a commercial property. Koi ponds dot the landscape, filled with large, colorful fish that glide slowly through clear water.
Visitors can purchase fish food on-site and spend time feeding the koi, which turns out to be a surprisingly meditative activity after a tasting flight. Waterfalls trickle nearby, creating a soft, constant soundtrack that makes the outdoor seating areas feel genuinely peaceful.
The outdoor seating is set up close to these water features, so you can sit with a glass in hand and watch the koi move through the pond while the sound of falling water fills the background. It is a setup that photographers and couples especially tend to love.
The combination of lush greenery, reflective water, and warm South Florida light makes every corner of this property feel like a portrait waiting to happen.
The Guided Tour That Brings It All Together
One of the best ways to get the most out of a visit here is to book a guided tour before settling in for a tasting. The tours cover the full production process, from how the tropical fruits are sourced and prepared to how fermentation works in a fruit-based operation.
Tour guides like Rui and Kellie have earned consistent praise for their knowledge and their ability to make the technical side of production genuinely interesting. The tour also takes you through the brewery section, where you can sample a craft offering made on the same property.
Groups who book tours often end up with a private or semi-private experience, especially on quieter weekdays, which makes the whole thing feel more personal. By the time the tour ends and the tasting begins, you have a much richer understanding of what is in your glass and why it tastes the way it does.
The Brewery Side of Things
Not everyone in your group may be drawn to fruit-forward options, and that is exactly why the brewery side of this operation is such a smart addition. Schnebly’s runs a working craft brewery on the same property, producing beers that also incorporate tropical fruit flavors in creative ways.
The brewery stop is typically included in the guided tour, giving visitors a chance to sample something from the taps before heading back to the main tasting room. Staff members like Chris at the brewery have been noted for their warmth and enthusiasm, making the stop feel like a natural extension of the overall experience rather than an afterthought.
Having both a winery and a brewery under one roof means there is genuinely something for everyone in your group. It removes the guesswork from planning a mixed-preference outing and keeps the whole experience relaxed and inclusive from start to finish.
Live Music and the Weekend Atmosphere
On weekends, the energy at this property shifts noticeably. Live musicians take the stage, and the outdoor areas fill with guests who come as much for the atmosphere as for the tastings.
The music tends to be mellow and well-suited to the setting, complementing the outdoor vibe without overwhelming conversation.
Friday and Saturday hours extend until midnight, giving the evening crowd plenty of time to settle in. Sunday hours run until 8 PM, which makes it a popular choice for a relaxed afternoon that stretches naturally into early evening.
The combination of live music, tropical surroundings, and a full menu creates an atmosphere that feels effortlessly festive without trying too hard. Some guests end up dancing near the outdoor bar area, while others are perfectly content staying at their table with a bottle and good company.
Either way, the weekend vibe here has a way of making time feel irrelevant.
Food That Pairs With the Tropical Theme
The restaurant and tavern on the property serve a full food menu, giving guests the option to turn their visit into a proper meal. The charcuterie boards have received consistent praise, often described as simple but well-assembled and genuinely satisfying alongside a tasting flight.
Staff members who handle food service are known for offering pairing suggestions, which helps guests navigate the menu with a bit more intention. Knowing which dish works best alongside a mango pour or a sparkling lychee option adds a layer of thoughtfulness to the meal that elevates the whole experience.
The kitchen has room to grow in terms of consistency and presentation, as some visitors have noted variable wait times during busy events. That said, the overall dining experience fits the setting well, and the restaurant remains a worthwhile stop during any visit.
A meal here, with the right pairing, can genuinely round out an already memorable afternoon.
Events and Special Occasions
This property has become a go-to venue for private events, and it is easy to see why. The grounds offer a naturally beautiful backdrop that requires very little additional decoration, which is a rare quality in any event space.
Rehearsal dinners, birthday celebrations, and milestone gatherings have all taken place here, with the events team earning strong praise for their organization and attentiveness. Coordinator Gabriella has been specifically mentioned for making the planning process smooth and stress-free from start to finish.
The combination of outdoor beauty, on-site catering, and a unique setting makes this winery a compelling alternative to traditional event venues. Guests who attend private events here tend to walk away genuinely impressed, often commenting on how beautiful the setting looked and how well the food and drink selections were curated.
For anyone planning a special occasion in South Florida, this property deserves serious consideration as a venue option.
Pet-Friendly and Family-Friendly Touches
One of the quieter charms of this property is how welcoming it feels to a wide range of visitors. Families with children find the koi ponds and open grounds genuinely entertaining, giving younger guests something to engage with while adults enjoy the tasting experience.
The property has also shown a clear fondness for four-legged visitors. Staff members have been noted for warmly greeting guests who bring their dogs along, making the experience feel inclusive rather than restricted.
This kind of openness is not always easy to find at wineries, which can sometimes lean toward a more formal atmosphere. Here, the casual tropical setting naturally encourages a relaxed approach to who is welcome.
Whether you are arriving with a toddler, a golden retriever, or a group of friends celebrating a birthday, the property adjusts to fit your visit rather than the other way around.
The Lychee Pour That Surprises Everyone
If the mango is the crowd favorite, the sparkling lychee is the one that tends to catch people completely off guard. Lychee has a delicate, floral sweetness that translates beautifully into a sparkling format, and the version produced here has a lightness that makes it feel almost celebratory.
First-time visitors who try it often do a double take, not because it tastes like candy, but because it tastes like a genuinely well-crafted option that happens to come from a fruit most people associate with takeout containers. The carbonation adds a crispness that keeps the sweetness in check.
The sparkling lychee has become one of the signature pours at Schnebly’s, regularly appearing on lists of must-try items from visitors who come back specifically to share it with friends or family who missed it the first time around. It is the kind of thing that creates repeat customers all on its own.
Practical Tips for Planning Your Visit
A little planning goes a long way when visiting this property, especially on weekends when the crowds tend to build. Friday and Saturday see the highest foot traffic, so arriving closer to opening at 11 AM gives you a calmer, more relaxed experience before the afternoon rush.
Booking a tour in advance is strongly recommended, as spots can fill up quickly, particularly during holiday weekends and themed events like Valentine’s Day dinners. Weekday visits, especially on quieter Tuesdays or Wednesdays, often result in a more personal experience with more one-on-one time with staff.
The property is reachable by phone at 305-242-1224, and the website at schneblywinery.com lists upcoming events and reservation options. Comfortable shoes are a good idea since the grounds involve walking across varied terrain.
Bringing cash for fish food is a small but worthwhile detail that makes the koi pond visit even more enjoyable.
A Weekend Escape That Feels Far From the City
Many visitors make the drive from Miami specifically to decompress, and this property delivers on that promise in a way that few places in South Florida can match. The contrast between the noise of the city and the quiet of the Redlands is striking, and it sets in almost immediately upon arrival.
The outdoor seating areas, positioned near the waterfalls and koi ponds, create natural pockets of calm that feel genuinely removed from the everyday. There is no rushing here, no urgency, and no pressure to move on quickly.
Regular visitors have described the experience as a perfect weekend reset, the kind of afternoon that sends you home feeling genuinely refreshed rather than just entertained. The drive down from Miami takes about an hour, but the mental distance feels much greater than that.
Sometimes the best escapes are the ones hiding just outside your own backyard, and this one has been hiding in plain sight all along.
