While Generation X watched the movie “A Walk in the Clouds” back in the 90s, no one could’ve measured its influence in today’s wine scene. Florida’s vineyards combine that teenage dream of a movie-like winery and that inner-child desire to visit Disneyworld. What could be better? Theme parks and a way to reminisce about that iconic movie that made us all dream about wine. This dream is not just for a few: today, there are more than 130 wineries in Florida. Although Florida’s wine scene doesn’t come with Napa Valley’s refinement or Tuscany’s historic towns, it has its own personality: a hybrid between reality and tropical paradise; between sandals full of sand and purple-colored sunsets.
The Muscadine Wine: a Native from Florida
Most of Florida’s wine receives the same demanding critique: grapes are meant to grow on steep terrain where water flows. Although there is some truth behind it, the reality is much more diverse: the muscadine grape (Vitis Rotundifolia) is native to the southeastern United States and can still be found in the wild. In fact, is the only grape that can do well in this area due to its resilience against pests and humidity. The muscadine is also known as the ‘super-fruit’ of the south because of its high levels of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. To be a ‘Certified Florida Winery’ by the Department of Agriculture, wineries must fulfill specific prerequisites. They have to plant more than 5 acres of grapes and be open to the public for tours. Where there are tours, there is wine, so let’s do a virtual tour of the most well-known Central Florida wineries: the “Tour de Vinos” experience!
Florida Orange Groves Winery
The Florida Orange Groves Winery, located in Saint Petersburg, Florida, belongs to the Shook family since 1991. Today they sell more than 43 different varieties of wine, all 100% fruit, some even requiring 9 pounds of fresh fruit per bottle. They specialize in mango wine and the classic Muscadine wine. Their best seller is Hurricane Class 5 Sangria. Florida Orange Groves Winery is renowned for being the only Florida label that sells its product at the Epcot Food & Wine Festival. For more information on the Florida Orange Groves Winery, please visit www.floridawine.com.
Strong Tower Winery
Strong Tower is a boutique winery located in the Tampa Bay area. Even though its size doesn’t compare to the rest of the wineries on the tour, the Strong Tower Winery has consistently won international wine competitions. Strong Tower offers three varieties of muscadine wine (Norton, Ison, and Carlos) and the season’s wines (cranberry, strawberry, and watermelon). Its best-seller is the Springhill Red. It also offers a u-pick experience, depending on the seasonal crops. For more information on Strong Tower Winery, please visit www.strongtowervineyard.com.
Keel + Curley Wines
The Keel’s family farm back in 1981 was mainly focused on fruit production. It wasn’t until 2003 that Joe Keel decided to venture into the wine world. He did it a very Floridian way: making cranberry wine. He didn’t stop there; now, he has a line of draft beer, ciders, and even a farm-to-table restaurant. The farm’s mission is to “produce honest, healthy, sustainable, ground-to-glass products served in a comfortable, family environment”. Clearly they have achieved this goal, since the farm has everything from pasture-raised livestock to a 35-acre sustainable farm. Keel + Curley is sold in grocery stores throughout Florida, and on their website at www.keelfarms.com.
Lakeridge Winery
Lakeridge Winery is the biggest and most well-known winery in Central Florida. In between its quiet hills facing the lake, you could enjoy live concert weekends, tours, and wine store. Their more than 80 acres are planted with muscadines of the Noble, Welder, and Carlos varieties. Lakeridge has won more than 600 awards of excellence throughout its more than 34 years of wine-making. It sells more than one million bottles and receives more than 160,000 visitors a year. Lakeridge Winery is located in Clermont, and even though its surroundings are no longer farms, you can still feel as if you were far into the countryside. For more information on concerts and wine labels, please visit www.lakeridgewinery.com.
Island Grove Wines
The Island Grove Winery has a unique quality to its experience. Its two locations offer the wine fanatic two different ways to enjoy their wine. Kissimmee’s location is mostly a farm-to-table restaurant with a ‘special events’ section and an outdoor area worthy of a selfie. Its Island Grove location is the exact opposite: a country winery in the Ocala area. The Ocala location has a “tasting house” for more relaxed events. It offers pop art nights, yoga, and even a escape room. Their two best sellers are the Blueberry Moscato and the Berry Sangria, available at www.islandgrovewinecompany.com.
This exquisite tour takes three hours and a half, showcasing every topography Florida has to offer: from Saint Petersburg beaches to the rolling hills of Clermont. Regardless of geography, the Central Florida wine scene is here to stay. It offers tourists and locals the opportunity to escape to a place of beaches and refined agriculture, all while sipping world-class wine.
