Make your Sanibel & Captiva getaway even more memorable – pair your distillery tour with the comfort of a perfect Kingfisher stay.
Distilleries Near Sanibel & Captiva: Sip Local on Your Florida Vacation
Red Horse Distillery (11000 Metro Parkway #23, Fort Myers – 239-888-92621)
Opened in 2022, Red Horse Distillery quickly made a name for itself by winning the “Best of Florida” award in 2023. Founded by Joe and Kelly Semansky, a husband-and-wife duo with more than 40 years of experience in winemaking and distilling, this small-batch distillery brings old-world craftsmanship and modern creativity together in every pour. From their award-winning “Dos Gringos” agave spirits to Sanibel Island Vodka, Fort Myers Beach Vodka, handcrafted rum, peach brandy, and a playful line of moonshines (think Pumpkin Pie, Ginger Snap, and Salted Caramel), Red Horse celebrates Florida flavors while honoring Joe’s Hungarian roots in the craft.
Visitors are welcomed into a warm, family-run tasting room where you can sip signature cocktails, take a guided tour, and hear stories from Joe himself. With every bottle made and bottled onsite, this Fort Myers gem offers both serious craftsmanship and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere that feels like discovering one of Southwest Florida’s best-kept secrets.
Kingfisher Insider tip: Don’t leave without trying one of Katie’s cocktails – her Moscow Mule has become a local favorite and perfectly shows off the balance and creativity behind Red Horse spirits.
Everglades Distillers (Door #5, 2000 Corporate Square Blvd, Immokalee – 239-601-6971)
As Collier County’s first and only distillery, Everglades Distillers is a veteran- and family-owned gem putting Florida’s agricultural bounty straight into the bottle. Founder Jose Calderon, inspired by his travels through Latin America during his Army service, brings a global perspective and local roots to every spirit he produces. Working with small Florida farmers who harvest sugarcane sustainably, Jose and his family create a lineup of vodkas infused with real fruit flavors like Watermelon-Pineapple, Orange-Passionfruit, Cucumber-Lemon, and Jalapeño. Their whiskeys are equally creative, with options ranging from a bold straight whiskey to Chocolate Coffee, Honey (made with three types of local honey), and even Strawberry Rose.
Guests are welcomed into a cozy tasting room where free samples showcase the full range of vodkas, moonshines, and whiskeys, often accompanied by cocktails that highlight each flavor. A behind-the-scenes tour walks visitors through the vats and stills, with plenty of opportunity to learn directly from the family about their craft. Whether you’re stopping in on a day trip from Naples or making it part of your Sanibel and Captiva getaway, Everglades Distillers offers a unique taste of Southwest Florida’s farmland and culture.
Kingfisher Insider tip: Don’t miss the Watermelon-Pineapple vodka. It’s their top seller, and mixing it with a splash of soda water makes for the perfect poolside cocktail back at your Kingfisher vacation rental.
A Flavorful Addition to Your Sanibel & Captiva Vacation
From Cape Coral to Immokalee, these distilleries offer more than just exceptional spirits – they showcase the flavors, stories, and craftsmanship that make Southwest Florida unforgettable. Whether you’re a rum enthusiast, a whiskey sipper, or simply curious to try something new, planning a stop at one of these distilleries near Sanibel and Captiva is a perfect way to enhance your vacation. Sip local, bring a bottle back to your Kingfisher rental, and make the taste of Florida part of your island getaway.