Floridatrend.com -California’s vineyards are latecomers. Florida has had wine since the French Huguenots planted grapes here and made their own — call it First Wine in the First City.

Accordingly, 450 years later, St. Augustine alone has at least three spots devoted to tasting wine: The city-slick Cellar 6, the Spanish-focused Tasting Room and the San Sebastian winery stocked with wines made and grown in Clermont.

In an era soaked in craft beer and crafty cocktails, wine bars in varying formats are opening and expanding from Jacksonville to Fort Myers.

For all wine’s sophisticated status, restaurateurs say wine bars are seen as homier and more female-friendly than cocktail bars, old school or new. Craft beer does cost less for more drink, but wine is right-sized to fit Mediterranean menus, tapas portions and a new passion for fine ingredients. Continue