An exciting new attraction is coming soon to Panama City Beach with the groundbreaking of Duplin Winery’s third location on the grounds of the former Hombre Golf Course off Back Beach Road. The largest winery in the South, North Carolina-based Duplin Winery produces some of the best-selling sweet wines in America.

Duplin Winery is building a 35,000 square-foot-complex on 70 acres with over 20 acres of the property dedicated to preservation land. Projected to open in early 2022, the new complex will offer a laid-back Southern-style wine tasting experience with specialty drinks, gourmet foods, merchandise, live entertainment, and America’s Favorite Sweet Wine.

“We’re really excited about bringing our laid-back Carolina lifestyle to Panama City Beach,” said Jonathan Fussell, co-owner/president of Duplin Wine Family and head of the winery’s Tasting Destinations in a press release about the project. “In the wine country of North Carolina, we’re serious about our wines but relaxed about life. We’ll be creating a place where folks can relax, listen to live music, and learn a little more about our wines. We expect to host groups, parties and families. Adults will enjoy it, and kids will, too. In addition to our wines, we’ll be serving our refreshing Sweetzer frozen drinks, which can be made in non-alcoholic versions. Families will find this a unique attraction that everyone can enjoy.”

Similar to its second location in Myrtle Beach, SC, the tasting station in Panama City beach will give guests the opportunity to sample a variety of Duplin Wines while learning fun facts about muscadine grapes, the type of grapes that Duplin uses in its wine production. There will be hand-bottling demonstrations along with a presentation about the winery’s initial days where all wines were sold in mason jars before moving to wine bottles.

“The laid-back beach atmosphere of Panama City Beach is a perfect fit for Duplin’s COOL SWEET and EASY lifestyle,” Fussell said. “Once we’re open, our guests will be able to enjoy wine tastings, live music, and wine production six days a week. Eventually a wedding chapel, vineyards, and club cottages will be built to expand our initial vision.”

The largest wine production facility on the East Coast, Duplin wines are currently sold in sixteen different states in the South, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest and ship to 47 different states. Duplin Winery grows its own grapes in North Carolina, and works with over 60 farming families to buy grapes in FL, GA, NC, SC, and MS. Its plans include planting an additional 100 acres of grapes in the Panhandle region to support the new Panama City Beach location.