The Official 2008 RVers Guide to Florida - (Page 98) WINERIES Move over Napa Valley. When it comes to wine, Florida is coming of age. Here, the connoisseur has numerous wineries from which to sample and buy. Visit the Florida Grape Growers Association online (www.fgga.org) or call 386-329-0318 for more information. Following are some of the more prominent wineries in the state: Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards After years of phenomenal growth, Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards ranks as Florida's largest premium winery and remains a pioneer in the development of table and sparkling wines from hybrid grapes. More than 100,000 people every year visit the winery, its extensive tasting room, the gift shop and picnic area. Tours every 15 to 20 minutes. Open Monday through Saturday 10-5, Sunday 11-5. 19239 US 27 North, Clermont. 1-800-768-9463. www.lakeridgewinery.com Chautauqua Vineyards Chautauqua Vineyards’ estate-grown grapes have earned the winery more than 140 medals and awards in national and international wine competitions since the winery’s opening in 1989. Free tastings and tours. Open Monday through Saturday 9-5, Sunday 12-5. 364 Hugh Adams Road, DeFuniak Springs. 850-892-5887. www.chautauquawinery.com Monticello Vineyards & Winery Monticello Vineyards & Winery is a Florida Farm Winery located on a 55-acre farm in the Red Hills bioregion of North Central Florida. More than 13 different varieties of muscadine grapes are cultivated, all organically grown in the winery’s own vineyards, handpicked, and processed on-site. Visitors can pick fresh grapes during August and September. Open 8-6 Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Other days and times by appointment. 1211 Waukeenah Highway, Monticello. 850-294-9463. www.monticellowinery.com Dakotah Winery Dakotah Winery is a family business operated by Rob Rittgers and his father Max Rittgers. Max established the vineyard in 1985 with a planting of 200 muscadine grape vines. The first grapes produced were sold onsite from a board across two five-gallon buckets Today, Dakotah Winery is a 12-acre site with more than 6,000 grape vines. A large, comfortable wine-tasting room welcomes visitors. A temperature-controlled wine cellar is the most recent addition. Open Monday through Saturday 10-5. 14365 US 19 North, Chiefland. 352-493-9309. www.dakotahwinery.com Rosa Fiorelli Winery Inc. Rosa Fiorelli Winery Inc. is a family-owned and operated business founded by Rosa and her husband Antonio of Casteldaccia, Sicily. The operation has expanded to 10 acres of vineyard and a 3,000-square-foot winery. The winery has won 25 awards in international wine competition. Mature grapevines allow for picking of fresh bronze or black Muscadine grapes from early August to September. Tours by appointment. Open Monday through Saturday 10-5:30, Sunday 12-5. 4250 CR 675, Bradenton. 941-322-0976. www.fiorelliwinery.com Eden Vineyards & Winery The Kiser family began planting of fine wine grapes in Southwest Florida over 30 years ago. They continued to plant, grow harvest and test until 1985, when they achieved a really fine wine. In 1986, Eden Vineyards became the southernmost federally licensed, bonded winery and vineyards in the United States. Open daily 11-4, except major holidays. Daily tastings from 11:30-3:30. 19709 Little Lane, Alva. 239-728-9463. www.edenwinery.com San Sebastian Winery San Sebastian Winery was founded in 1996 and is a pioneer in the development of table, sparkling and dessert wines from hybrid and muscadine grapes. San Sebastian wines have won more than 250 awards for excellence, and the facility hosts more than 100,000 visitors annually. Offers a wine shop, tours, tasting, banquet facilities, and a wine and jazz bar. Open Monday through Saturday 10-6, Sunday, 11-6. 157 King Street, St. Augustine. 1-888-352-9463. www.sansebastianwinery.com Florida Estates Winery Following a 25-year history of involvement with the wine industry and the viticultural research activities of the University of Florida, Florida Estates Winery opened its doors to the public in December 2001. The winery is open to the general public for conducted tastings and sales. Special events and classes are held throughout the year. Picnics are welcome. Open daily 11-6. 25241 SR 52, Land O’ Lakes. 813-996-2113. Also 3101 37th Ave. North, St. Petersburg. 727-526-2113. www.floridaestateswines.com Schnebly Redland’s Winery Schnebly Redland’s Winery, the southernmost winery in the United States, crafts tropical wines produced with absolutely no grapes. The company currently offers five varieties: Carambola, Mango, Lychee, Guava and Passion Fruit. Tasting room and retail shop on site. Wine tastings seven days a week. Open Monday through Friday 10-5, Saturday 10-6, Sunday 12-5. 30205 S.W. 217th Ave., Homestead. 888-717-9463. www.schneblywinery.com Florida Orange Groves Inc. & Winery Florida Orange Groves Winery is a family owned Florida Farm Winery that had its beginnings in shipping and packing fresh citrus in the early 1970s. The family started development of wines in 1991 and opened the winery in 1997. Produces Florida’s only ultra-premium tropical, citrus and berry wines. Open Monday through Saturday 9-5, Sunday 12:30-5:00. Tours at 11 a.m. and 1, 2, and 3 p.m. Closed on all major holidays. 1500 Pasadena Avenue South, St. Petersburg. 800-338-7923. www.floridawine.com SeaBreeze Winery Opened in July 2003, SeaBreeze Winery produces award-winning wines from the grapes of its Kyotee Vineyards 35 miles northwest of Panama City Beach in the town of Bruce. The Kyotee Vineyards grows several of the most popular muscadine wine grapes. The first vines were planted in 1996, and the vineyard has steadily expanded to 100 acres. Winery tours and complimentary tastings offered. Open daily 10-5. 13201 Hutchison Blvd., Panama City Beach. 850-230-3330. www.seabreezewinery.com Henscratch Farms Vineyard & Winery Henscratch Farms Vineyard & Winery is a certified Florida Farm Winery. The property boasts 10 acres of native southern muscadine and scuppernong grape varieties, a hydroponics growing system for strawberry production, and a highbush blueberry patch. Special events throughout the year, including the Purple Feet grape stomping. Hours vary. 980 Henscratch Road, Lake Placid. 863-699-2060. www.henscratchfarms.com 98 2008 FRVTA RVers GUIDE TO FLORIDA http://www.fgga.org http://www.lakeridgewinery.com http://www.chautauquawinery.com http://www.monticellowinery.com http://www.dakotahwinery.com http://www.fiorelliwinery.com http://www.edenwinery.com http://www.sansebastianwinery.com http://www.floridaestateswines.com http://www.schneblywinery.com http://www.floridawine.com http://www.seabreezewinery.com http://www.henscratchfarms.com
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