Charleston has been voted the No. 1 City in the USA by Travel + Leisure for 11 consecutive years and is the first US destination to earn the coveted No. 1 City in the World ranking. There are hundreds of reasons why travelers love Lowcountry living! Our favorites would be the cobblestone streets, historical landmarks, romantic horse-drawn carriage tours, sunset harbor cruises, and a treasure trove of tasting opportunities surrounding Charlestonâs burgeoning culinary and beverage scene!Â
Beyond the beautiful beaches and lavish amenities, the Lowcountry provides a unique vantage point for exploring Charlestonâs burgeoning beverage scene. Plan a day trip of wine tasting, brews cruises, and distillery tours in nearby Charleston, discover hidden gems close to home, or simply hop on your bike and ride the trails to one of Charlestonâs best wine-tasting venues in Freshfields Village. Get ready to raise your glass to the wineries, breweries, and distilleries of Charleston, just a short drive (or bike ride) from your Kiawah-Seabrook Island getaway.
Head over to historical downtown Charleston and South Carolinaâs very first brewery full of fascinating history, one-of-a-kind brews, and classic southern charm at Palmetto Brewing Company! The facility offers a warehouse taproom, speakeasy taproom, and courtyard with a variety of entertainment including games, live music, and more!
Just 26 miles and a 45-minute scenic drive from Kiawah Island, Palmetto Brewing Co. awaits! This family-friendly brewery often features exciting new events like group yoga, illustration workshops, silent disco, karaoke, holiday themed parties, trivia nights, paint & sips, pop-up markets, and much more. Visit their Facebook page for the latest events that you can join in on during your next vacation to the Lowcountry.
Firefly Distillery is a true example of the spirit of innovation that thrives in Charlestonâs burgeoning beverage scene. Beginning as a humble offshoot of Deepwater Vineyards, Firefly Distillery rose to regional fame for their house-brewed Firefly Muscadine Vodka, one of the first sweet tea vodkas in the world.
Now, in a new location on the banks of Noisette Creek in North Charleston, Firefly Distillery features more than 30 innovative spirits including their signature Sweet Tea Vodka, maritime-influenced bourbon, and a tempting array of 10+ moonshine flavors. Book a standard or deluxe group tasting of their hand-crafted spirits, immerse yourself in a world of whiskey heritage on a Master Distillerâs Whiskey Tour & Tasting, or enjoy an exclusive private tour of the distillery and aging barrel rickhouse, available by appointment only.
The fun at Firefly Distillery doesnât end at savoring their signature spirits. Enjoy weekly yoga, food trucks, and live music on the porch on Saturdays at the Distillery, visit for Sunday Funday Brunch on select Sundays, or check out their lineup of LIVE at Firefly concerts featuring big artists in a stunning creekside setting, only minutes from historic downtown Charleston.
Fattyâs Beer Works is well-known across the Lowcountry for good beer, good music, and good times. Their family-friendly taproom is open 7 days a week with a wide range of beers to sample, talented local musicians to experience, and some of Charlestonâs best food trucks to taste!
Fattyâs is located 28 miles from Kiawah Island, with a dog-friendly and family-friendly establishment. Bring the whole crew into the Holy City for monthly events, delicious tastings, and convenient food trucks right in the heart of downtown Charleston.
If youâre a wine enthusiast, a short, scenic drive to Deepwater Vineyard is a must-do during your stay on Kiawah-Seabrook Island. Nestled on 48 acres on picturesque Wadmalaw Island, this hidden gem is Charleston's only domestic vineyard and winery. Deepwater Vineyard is renowned for its mastery of sweet muscadine grapes, the only truly grapes native to the US. They offer tastings every hour on the hour with a unique selection of reds, whites, roses, bubbles, fruit wines, and muscadine and scuppernong grape juice as non-alcoholic options.
Deepwater Vineyard is located only 22 miles from the crossroads to Kiawah & Seabrook islands at Freshfields Village. Itâs an off the beaten path destination brimming with quintessential Lowcountry charm. Here, you can explore lush vineyard grounds and seasonal gardens nestled in the majestic live oaks, tour the winemaking facilities, savor scenic wine tastings, and even make a full day of it with a family picnic. Deepwater Vineyard is super family-friendly! Thereâs a spacious lawn area with swings and games, a petting zoo for the kids, an outdoor patio bar, and a pet-friendly tasting room if youâre traveling with Fido. As you explore, watch out for the miniature Brahma bull that lives in the vineyard. Mark your calendars! Every Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM, Deepwater Vineyard hosts Weekend Wine-Down with food trucks, live local music, and tastings in a setting that will transport you back in time. Reservations are not required except for large groups (6+), for which they recommend booking a private tasting.
Tastings: $15 per person includes a tasting flight of 6 spirits and a souvenir shot glass, or book a Deluxe Group Tasting for $65 per person. Book online HERE.
Firefly Distillery is a true example of the spirit of innovation that thrives in Charlestonâs burgeoning beverage scene. Beginning as a humble offshoot of Deepwater Vineyards, Firefly Distillery rose to regional fame for their house-brewed Firefly Muscadine Vodka, one of the first sweet tea vodkas in the world.
Now, in a new location on the banks of Noisette Creek in North Charleston, Firefly Distillery features more than 30 innovative spirits including their signature Sweet Tea Vodka, maritime-influenced bourbon, and a tempting array of 10+ moonshine flavors. Book a standard or deluxe group tasting of their hand-crafted spirits, immerse yourself in a world of whiskey heritage on a Master Distillerâs Whiskey Tour & Tasting, or enjoy an exclusive private tour of the distillery and aging barrel rickhouse, available by appointment only.
The fun at Firefly Distillery doesnât end at savoring their signature spirits. Enjoy weekly yoga, food trucks, and live music on the porch on Saturdays at the Distillery, visit for Sunday Funday Brunch on select Sundays, or check out their lineup of LIVE at Firefly concerts featuring big artists in a stunning creekside setting, only minutes from historic downtown Charleston.
Tap Room Hours Monday to Thursday: 3 PM â" 10 PM Friday & Saturday: 12 PM â" 12 AM Sunday: 12 PM â" 10 PM
Location: 2863 Maybank Hwy, Johns Island
Contact: (843) 576-9194
When youâre craving a local craft beer, Charlestonâs award-winning Low Tide Brewing is located only 13 miles from the crossroads to Kiawah and Seabrook Island. As John Islandâs first brewery, Low Tide Brewingâs mission is to create distinctive beers that perfectly complement South Carolinaâs lush landscapes and Lowcountry cuisine. Their core beers include Tide Chaser IPA, Sweet Caroline Kolsch, TuraâLu Irish Red Ale, and Aloha Beaches, voted the best locally brewed beer in Charleston.
Low Tide Brewing is family-friendly with an inviting and laid-back atmosphere. You can enjoy bingo, compete in cornhole tournaments, and savor daily offerings from some of the best food trucks in Charleston. Reservations are required for large groups (10+) and you can purchase 32-oz Crowlers, 64-oz Growlers, and Sixtel Kegs (â... of a full keg) to take your favorite brews back home. For those staying on Kiawah-Seabrook Island, you can find their Ocean Course Ale at the Nest Market in Night Heron Park on Kiawah Island â" perfect for during or after a round of PGA golf.
FortyEight â" Wine Bar & Kitchen in Freshfields Village offers an exceptional wine-tasting experience right in the heart of Kiawah and Seabrook Island. With high-tech WineStations featuring full-color, HD touch screens, you can explore 48 wines by the glass from every major varietal and wine region in the world. Whatâs more, you have three tasting sizes to choose from: 1 oz, 3 oz, and 6 oz. Simply top up your WineStation SmartCard and sip away!
In addition to the extensive wine selection, FortyEight Wine Bar & Kitchen also serves a choice of craft beers from local and regional microbreweries, a seasonal cocktail list, mix & match cheese and charcuterie boards, and a menu of Lowcountry specials. Check out the WineStations for suggested food and wine pairings. To enhance your wine-tasting experience, thereâs live music on the patio every Wednesday from 5 PM to 7:30 PM, along with exclusive wine dinners and tasting events year-round. If you prefer to sip and savor in the comfort of your island retreat, FortyEight has over 1,000 wine labels and craft beers available to go.
Book Your Dream Getaway to Kiawah Island
After a day of exploring the wineries and breweries, youâll need a welcoming destination to unwind and savor your bounty of local beverages. At Kiawah-Seabrook Exclusives, weâve got you covered! Our exclusive collection of luxury vacation homes, villas, and condos offers comfort, convenience, and the coastal charm of Charlestonâs beautiful beaches, and our team has 40+ years of local knowledge and insider tips we love to share with our guests! Come sip and savor Charlestonâs best beverages with us on Kiawah-Seabrook Island.
Find the ultimate Lowcountry vacation retreat and start planning your dream getaway to the islands and beaches of the South Carolina Lowcountry with Kiawah Exclusives and Seabrook Exclusives. Book online or call our team of vacation specialists to assist in your vacation planning â" no one knows the islands quite like us!
