Fine wine in Florida

By Patty Enrado, Editor

ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida and oranges are a natural pairing, but did you know that grapes have an illustrious history in the Sunshine State? Grapes were being made into wine more than 350 years ago by French and Spanish settlers. After numerous attempts at growing different varietals throughout the centuries, vintners have settled on these most well-adapted bunch varietals in the state – Stover, Blanc Du Bois, Swanee and Miss Blanc.

Florida is known for its Muscadine grape, which is a sweeter grape, according to Lois Sirvent, spokesperson for the Florida Grape Growers Association. “It’s a totally different grape,” she said. “You have to acquire a taste for it.” It may be sweet on the vine, but Sirvent noted that vintners can create either a dry or sweet wine out of the Muscadine grape.

The closest winery to Orlando is the Lakeridge Winery (19239 U.S. 27 North), about 25 minutes west of Orlando. Located in the town of Clermont, the winery sits on 127 acres of gently rolling hills. The largest premium winery in the state, Lakeridge Winery has won gold medals in the last few years from the Florida State Fair International Wine Competition in 2007 for its “Southern White,” the LA County Wines of the World Competition in 2006 for its “Southern Red” and the Pacific Rim International Wine Competition. The winery has amassed more than 400 awards total for its excellence in winemaking. The Lakeridge Winery is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sunday, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., and offers free tours and tasting.

Amateur students of viticulture will be interested to know that the Lakeridge vineyard, which consists of Florida hybrid bunch grapes as well as varieties of Muscadines, including Noble, Carlos and Welder, is the center of extensive research. In fact, Florida’s Department of Agriculture has proclaimed Lakeridge as the premier viticultural development site within the state.

St. Augustine — deemed the birthplace of American wine — is home to the award-winning San Sebastian Wine (157 King Street, St. Augustine, 888.352.9463). Although St. Augustine is nearly 100 miles northeast of Orlando — too far a drive perhaps for your HIMSS trip — what’s interesting to note is that one of San Sebastian Winery’s vineyards happens to be Lakeridge Vineyards. The winery is a pioneer in developing table, sparking and dessert wines from hybrid and Muscadine grapes, and its wines have garnered more than 150 awards. Should you make a trip up north, the winery’s hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Although many of the established wineries are scattered throughout Florida, Sirvent pointed out that small, family-owned wineries and vineyards are cropping up around the state in bunches. In no time, wine lovers will be able to make a day of wine tasting.