Beyond Dining: Exploring GarVino’s, The Villages’ Wine, Cigar, and Gift Haven

If you’ve ever visited someone that lives in The Villages, or you happen to live there yourself, then you know that there is no shortage of dining options there. But, if you happen to be a wine lover, an extra special treat awaits: GarVino’s! We knew that The Villages had a ton of amenities, but we weren’t expecting a shop that is exclusively dedicated to cigars, wine, and gifts. 

Keep reading to discover what we thought of this Lake Sumter Landing spot.

What is The Villages in Florida?

The Villages is a popular retirement community located throughout Central Florida. This sprawling haven for retirees (seriously, this is an enormous community) draws those from the 55+ community from across the country who want to stay active and live a resort lifestyle all within a single community. 

What sets The Villages apart from other retirement communities is its sheer scale and comprehensive amenity range. This planned community offers everything from golf courses and recreation centers to town squares buzzing with shops (like GarVino’s, which we review here), and everything is connected by an extensive network of golf cart paths. This self-contained community not only mirrors the amenities of a small town, including healthcare, entertainment, and educational opportunities tailored specifically for seniors but also fosters a vibrant social atmosphere through hundreds of clubs and activities. 

What is the Wine Selection like at GarVino’s?

GarVino’s is a one stop shop for wine, live music, and cigars. We weren’t sure what to expect when we walked through the doors, but were surprised to see such a wide range of global wines on offer in the wine bar. 

As you might expect, mega brand Caymus has managed to dip their toes in The Villages. The Wagner family has four wines on the list including: Conundrum White Wine, Mer Soleil Chardonnay, Caymus Sea Sun Pinot Noir and Caymus Bonanza Cabernet Sauvignon. 

The rest of the red list features wines from Australia, Italy, Spain, Argentina, and a few more California and Washington producers. 

If you like white wines, you will find Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc / Viognier (which we love) by the glass, a sweet Chateau St. Michelle Riesling, as well as Moscato from Argentina, Italian Pinot Grigio and Falanghina, and a French Chard and a non-Caymus brand California Chardonnay. And, what wine list would be complete without a bottle of Whispering Angel rose on the menu?!

Is Food Available During the Tasting? 

We’re big fans of wine tastings that also have a food component, so we’re happy to report that when you try a wine tasting at GarVino’s, there are a slew of items you can order. We were happy with the cheese and charcuterie board, which came with a nice selection of cheese, salami, and toasted bread.

You can also order other small bites like the Key West Fish Dip, Colossal Shrimp Cocktail, Tuscan Bruschetta, and Stuffed Dates. This wine shop has everything to satisfy your wine and food cravings from salty to sweet.

Our Experience

The best way we can describe GarVino’s is that they like wine, but they love cigars here. Our tasting was well done, and the charcuterie board was nicely presented. All of the wine flights are priced between $12 to $14, which is very reasonable for the experience. 

Tips

• Despite the amazingly sunny weather that Florida has, GarVino’s only offers indoor seating. You can sit at the counter or at one of the freestanding tables. There is no patio seating available. 
• If you’re looking for a place to buy a gift in The Villages, go to GarVino’s. The gift shop here is pretty robust. They have plenty of great hostess or home gifts like candles, soaps, spices, wine accessories, personal-sized humidors, and, of course, cigars and wine!

Final Thoughts

All in all, the wine tasting we enjoyed was well done, the charcuterie was delicious, and our server, Regina, was excellent. If you happen to be in The Villages, and you’re looking for something a little different, check out GarVino’s.