Highlands County's Best Kept Secret

Some places don’t shout. They whisper...

Tucked into the quiet stretches of old Florida, you'll find an enchanting family owned winery that feels less like a business you visit and more like a place you discover. The kind of spot you didn’t know you were looking for until you arrived—where the air smells faintly of fresh cut grass and flowers. Time slows just enough to notice it, and everything feels refreshingly unpolished in the best way.

Welcome to Secret Gardens Winery—Florida charm, with a passport-worthy soul.

Before there were blue barns, wine tastings, or weekend playlists drifting across the property, there was just land—and an idea.

The Murray family saw potential in a quiet patch of Florida soil and decided to build something rooted, intentional, and human. They planted vines, learned the land, and slowly shaped a space where agriculture and hospitality could exist side by side. Not rushed. Not overdesigned. Just honest.

What grew wasn’t only grapes—it was community.

As the winery took shape, it became a place where locals gathered, visitors lingered, and conversations stretched longer than planned. A space where stories were exchanged as easily as wine.

Our family believes the best hospitality doesn’t overwhelm; it eases you in. Influenced by travel, connection, and a genuine love for bringing people together, the Managing Partner Lexi curates events and gatherings that feel intentional but never stiff. Wine tastings turn into lingering afternoons. Markets feel like community meet‑ups.

Celebrations feel personal, not packaged.

Her love of dogs is woven naturally into the experience. The Golden Retrievers who roam the property aren’t there for show—they set the tone. They create an immediate sense of comfort, joy, and groundedness, reminding guests to slow down, smile, and settle into the moment.

Between the thoughtfully planned events, the welcoming energy, and the calming presence of four‑legged greeters, Secret Gardens becomes more than a place to visit. It becomes a pause. A breath. A reminder that hospitality, at its best, feels effortless.

The wines at Secret Gardens reflect the place they come from—bright, approachable, and unpretentious. From muscadine favorites to fruit wines that surprise you with their balance and drinkability, each bottle is made to be shared.

No pressure. No scripts. Just wine that fits the moment—whether that’s a casual afternoon tasting, a sunset toast, or a celebration worth dressing up for.

Secret Gardens Winery & Farm continues to grow—shaped by the land, the family behind it, and the people who walk through its gates.

Whether you’re local, passing through, or chasing experiences that feel a little more real, you’ll find yourself welcome here.

Because sometimes the best journeys don’t require a passport—just a willingness to wander off the main road.

We can't reveal all our secrets...come check it out!

The garden is calling, and I can’t wait to welcome you. Come wander the vineyard paths, sip on wines crafted with love, and meet the family (two-legged and four-legged) that makes this place so special. Secret Gardens isn’t just a winery; it’s a storybook.

We are a Certified Florida Farm Winery & Muscadines Vineyard

...Which means we:

Produce and sell less than 250,000 gallons of wine annually of which 60 % of the wine produced is made from state agricultural products (muscadines, strawberries, fruit grown in florida, etc).
Maintain an operating vineyard with a minimum of 5 acres of owned or managed land in Florida that produces commodities used in the production of wine.
Are open to the public for tours, tastings and sales at least 30 hours each week.