( CNN ) A little over five centuries ago , the unassuming district of Ocoa Bay in the Dominican Republic became the first wine-producing region of the Americas . Legend has it that Spanish explorers cultivated grapes here for six years before setting sail for Central America in search of the great Aztecan Empire . But when they left , the Conquistadors took their quaint interest in viticulture with them . Local farmers swiftly returned to growing the tropical fruits and vegetables natural to the Caribbean island . Now , a new vineyard and real estate development is looking to tap into this wine-making history by providing the Caribbean 's 21st-century own take on enotourism . The Ocoa Bay development lies 90-minutes drive from the capital , Santo Domingo and offers newly built homes with specially designed vineyard plots that allow residents to produce their own wine . Spectacular ocean views and a climate similar to the Mediterranean in summer ensure the 2 million square meter site is a popular spot . Yet according to architect , Gabriel Acevedo , convincing colleagues and other stakeholders of the area 's potential as a property development come vineyard was initially a tough sell . `` We were labeled as crazy -- probably because I was n't an agronomist but an architect -- that we even dared to plant 10,000 square meters of grapevines , '' Acevedo said . Sustainability is a key factor in Ocoa Bay 's business portfolio -- one Acevedo believes to be a game changer for the Dominican Republic . Project leaders say they spent time with ecology , land management and wildlife consultants before commencing building work in an effort to minimize any negative environmental impacts . `` Ocoa Bay has three pillars , one is the production of high quality wine and fruit cultivation , the others are the hotels and the real estate sector , '' Acevedo said . Developers are relying on the lands ' unique dry climate which receives on average of 600 millimeters of rainfall per year to sustain the vineyard . The construction of the first 30 ecological and vineyard villas are scheduled to begin in December with 33 % pre-sold . High-end realn estate companies like Christie 's , meanwhile , are already adding Ocoa Bay to their exclusive listings . The vineyard 's real estate adviser , Cesar Herrera insists that enabling investors to snap up a private property where they can produce their own wine is a unique selling point . `` You do n't have anywhere in the world ( that has ) the possibility to live inside a vineyard and to own , '' Herrera said . `` You have several options ( of growing grapes ) ... ( and ) you will be able to rent your home when you are not there , '' Herrera added . In just over two years , Ocoa Bay has had five successful harvests . Volumes produced remain low , but quality is high . The price per bottle starts at $ 15 dollars , setting the bar high for a still young wine producing market . The Ocoa Bay executive team say they 're optimistic about the overall success of this venture . `` It 's the new , Napa Valley of the Caribbean , '' Acevedo said . `` The new Bordeaux or Rioja . A unique and new destination in the Caribbean . ''
Ocoa Bay is a new real estate and vineyard development in the Dominican Republic . The project will be located on an island off of the coast of Santo Domingo, which has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Developers aim to revive the little-known tradition on a 2 million square meter site .