The Grapes in the Orange District

Florida’s winery 25 miles southeast of Orlando

For the best-tasting wine in Florida, Grapes need their sleep.
February is Valentine’s month so what better time than February to speak of wine.

This is definitely one of Florida’s Treasures.
Lakeridge is a soothing and tranquil vacation spot with a reputation and a scenic view you will enjoy on the deck of the Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards while sipping on a nice glass of wine in Clermont about 25
miles southwest of Orlando.
Ahhh, tell me this doesn’t sound like a romantic vacation for couples. This is definitely one of Florida’s Treasures. When it comes to wine regions in the United States the most that come to mind would be the Napa and Sonoma valleys in California, Hudson Valley in N.Y and Columbia Valley in Washington State.

Florida is known by many for its theme parks, but Wineries are Florida’s little secret admits a member of the board of directors of the Florida Grape Growers Association and vice president at Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards in Clermont. They produce 5000 cases or less a year  (small operations, and don’t have huge marketing budgets to get the word out). Five years ago the state’s largest premium winery with production of 80,000 cases a year at its 127-acre estate started making its wines available statewide, prior to that the wines were sold right out the front door, some wineries still do but times are changing and the association is beginning a campaign to get the word out about the availability and quality of Florida wines.                           

               

 A number of wineries have won multiple awards in national and international competitions, Lakeridge has more than 700 till today. There are more than two dozens of wineries in the state from the Schnebly Redlands Winery near Homestead to the Chautauqua Vineyards in the Panhandle. Many of them are open for wine tours and tastings, tastings might be complimentary so check it out:     

    By June to mid- September is the grape harvesting season. Best time to visit if interested in seeing the harvest or smelling the aroma. The company also owns the San Sabastian in St.Augustine.  There’s also a nice view from the winery that sits on top of a rise. There is a picnic area where you can enjoy wines and gourmet foods available on site.

At the Henscratch farm’s

Vineyard and Winery in Lake Placid which is part of a working farm, visitors can stomp the grapes during the annual grape stomp.
For a list of Florida wineries please visit the website.