When you walk into The Vineyard Wine Company in Lake Mary, you don’t just step into a restaurant—you step into a family story nearly two decades in the making. For more than seventeen years, this warm, neighborhood spot has been “where people come to feel connected,” as co-owner Robbie Jones likes to say. It’s a place built on family, shaped by community, and strengthened by the shared belief that meals taste better when they bring people together.
“Honestly, I can’t even take credit for the idea,” Robbie admits with a laugh. “It was my sister Erin’s vision from the start. She said, ‘Let’s create a wine bar with tapas, maybe a little retail section,’ and that was the blueprint. Back then, what is now our cellar was filled with wine racks, little gifts, all kinds of displays. Erin saw something before any of us did.”
Naming the restaurant was another adventure entirely. “We were all supposed to suggest ideas,” Robbie recalls. “I thought mine were great—every single one was shot down.” He shakes his head, smiling. “Eventually my dad got frustrated and said, ‘Screw it, we’re calling this place The Vineyard Wine Company.’ And we all groaned. We said, ‘Dad, it’s too long, it doesn’t sound like a restaurant, and we don’t even make wine!’ But he had a huge hand in how this whole thing started, and I’ve learned that a name is just a name. It’s what you build behind it that matters.”
Over time, the name grew roots. “We honestly talked about changing it a few times,” Robbie admits. “But every year, that name meant a little more—another couple who celebrated an anniversary with us, another family who made us their Sunday spot, another group of neighbors who felt like this was their place. Eventually we realized we weren’t just committed to a name. We were committed to what that name had become. And now? For better or worse, we are The Vineyard Wine Company.”
Robbie even laughs about the names that didn’t make the cut. “My favorite terrible idea was The Gates of Grapes. I pictured wrought-iron vines, grape leaves, the whole thing. I also suggested The Heathrow Wine Company, but that felt too exclusive. That’s the opposite of what we wanted. We’ve always wanted this to feel like a neighborhood home—open, warm, unpretentious. That’s why we got rid of the plantation shutters early on. They made the place feel closed off, and that just wasn’t who we were.”
Creating that balance—refined yet relaxed—became the heart of their philosophy. “There’s always been this tug-of-war between formal and casual,” he explains. “But that’s not Lake Mary. We wanted to be the place where you could show up after playing golf or come dressed up for a special anniversary dinner. Our whole idea from day one was to welcome our friends, family, and neighbors exactly as they are. You can dress up or come in straight from the courts. It’s your home.”
Of course, the early years came with challenges. “The truth is, I had no idea what I was doing at first,” Robbie says. “Thank God for Dan, my business partner. He took me under his wing. Then the 2008 recession hit. That was brutal. We were very top-heavy at the time—expensive wines, high-end dishes—and people were cutting back. They still wanted quality, just not luxury. So we had to evolve, and fast.”
That evolution changed everything. “We listened to what our guests wanted,” Robbie says. “People asked for full entrées—we added them. We replaced the lounge couches with traditional seating because families needed more space. And the hardest decision was closing our beloved retail section. But that’s how the cellar and oak room were born—two spaces our regulars absolutely cherish now.”
At the center of every change was family. “We’ve always been big entertainers,” Robbie shares. “Before we opened the restaurant, our house was always full—neighbors, friends, family. We finally said, ‘Why not open a place where everyone can experience the Jones family tradition any night of the week?’”
Working alongside family, he says, is still the best part. “There’s nothing better than working with people who love you, who trust you, who believe in what you’re doing. Whether you fail or succeed, that kind of support is everything.”
That family spirit extends even to the restaurant’s most unexpected traditions—like the now-famous Laura’s Hot Sauce. “People ask about it all the time,” he says. “It started when my sister Carrie went to New Orleans at 21—kind of a rite of passage in our family. She brought back a bottle, we put it on everything, and then Erin brought back a case. Eventually I called the shop and said, ‘We love your sauce, but shipping is killing us. Can we buy wholesale?’ It’s simple—salt, pepper, vinegar—but it’s perfect. It enhances everything.”
Guests quickly fell in love with it. “People told us, ‘You can’t call this a family restaurant if you don’t carry the hot sauce!’ So we brought some in. It sold out in a day. Then we ordered more—gone again. We started buying cases. It’s not cheap; honestly, it’s a loss leader. But it’s part of our family story, so it stays.”
Ask Robbie what makes The Vineyard special, and the answer comes easily. “We’re your family room,” he says. “If you don’t know what you want, your wife wants something light, and your kids want something fun—this is where you come. We’re the place where you can relax. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone, having a business dinner, or just popping in after tennis, we rise to the occasion. We’re your home away from home.”
He lights up when talking about the menu and drinks. “I’m a wine guy at heart, but I love that we’ve expanded into bourbons and craft beers. Mike is always creating new cocktails behind the bar. We have this philosophy: how we do some things is how we do all things. Whatever we put on the table, we want it to be the best.”
That commitment—to quality, to people, to family—is the heartbeat of The Vineyard. “We believe in constant baby steps forward,” Robbie says. “If something doesn’t work, we listen. We adapt. That’s how you stay alive in this business.”
And through it all, community remains the motivation. “We are Lake Mary,” Robbie says proudly. “I grew up here. I went to Lake Mary High. I played sports here. And now I get to serve the community that raised me. When I look around and see friends, neighbors, and families enjoying something we built together—that’s everything. That’s what this has always been about.”
From the Writer: I can honestly say that every meal I’ve enjoyed at The Vineyard has been nothing short of exceptional. I’ve sampled a good portion of the menu, and not once have I been disappointed. The presentation consistently earns a “five out of five,” and the flavors live up to that same high standard. Truly, each dish reflects the pride, passion, and care that this family puts into their restaurant.
Kudos to the chef and the entire Jones family for creating such an extraordinary gathering spot—one that offers not just incredible food but a real sense of community. We’re fortunate to have a place like this right here in Lake Mary. If you haven’t experienced it yet, do yourself a favor: make a reservation. I promise you’ll leave feeling like you’ve found your new favorite spot.
