Part 2 Florida Wineries H-Z
Exploring More of Florida's Winery Part 2
In part one I gave a partial description of some of Florida's fantastic wineries. The rest of the wineries are described in this article. I hope you have a chance to visit at least one winery as it is a wonderful experience.
Henscratch Farms Vineyard & Winery - Sebring, Florida
Henscratch Farms Vineyard & Winery is Florida's 12th winery. Planted in 1999 this 20 acre farm has 10 acres of vineyards. They make 7 different kinds of wine. Self-guided tours of the winery and farm are available.
The farm houses over 200 free range Rhode Island Red and Plymouth Barred Rock hens that lay brown eggs for the country store. The absolute highlight of your visit here will be the Aracaunas hens that lay the large green eggs. These are the same eggs talked about in the famous Dr Suess book Green Eggs and Ham.
The country store is built in the old cracker style with a raised floor and sliding barn doors. Stroll up to the tasting counter and try some of the Scuppernong jam. Choose from homemade strawberry preserves, rich jellies & jams and delicious syrups that match the fruit in season. You can't get any fresher than just laid brown eggs and raw honey from hives located on the farm. Don't forget to pick up a bottle of blueberry dressing or infused grape seed oil.
The biggest juiciest strawberries you have ever tasted come into season from December until the middle of March. Try a scrumptious sweet treat from the Shake Shack. They have shortcakes, shakes and strawberries by the pound served with warm chocolate sauce for dipping.
Hours
Closed Mondays
Tuesday - Saturday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
980 Henscratch Road
Lake Placid, Fl. 33852
863-699-2060
A Certified Florida Farm Winery
Keel & Curley Winery - Plant City, Florida
Florida, Keel & Curley Winery has been making wines since the spring of 2003. Starting out with 10 gallons of wine in their house kitchen they made batch after batch until they had produced the perfect wine. The company currently produces 20,000 cases a year. They have a gift store with a selection of their wines.
Tours are offered every Saturday and Sunday
1:00 pm 2:00 pm 3:00 pm 4:00 pm
The tour cost $5.00
The tour and wine tasting cost $10.00
Hours
Closed Mondays
Sunday - Thursday 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Friday & Saturday 10:00 am - Midnight
5210 W. Thonotosassa Road
Plant City, Fl. 33565
813-752-9100
Lakeridge Winery
Clermont, Florida
Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards is the largest winery in Florida with over 100,000 visitors a year. This 127 acre estate has 89 acres of planted vineyards. The winery began operating in February 1989. It is located only 25 miles from downtown Orlando and minutes from Walt Disney World
The tour begins with a 12 minute video that details the wine making process from harvesting the grapes to bottling the wine. Then a personal guide will take you on a tour of the production area. Tours start about every 20 minutes.
They have a complimentary tasting room with a large selection of wines to sample from. The store offers wine and wine accessories, gourmet food and gifts.
Special free events are offered throughout the year include an arts & craft festival, Jazz concerts, and a grape stomping. During the event wine, beer, soft drinks and a variety of food are available for purchase.
Free Tastings and Tours
Hours
Monday - Saturday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday 11:00 am -5:00 pm
19239 U.S. 27 North
Clermont, Florida 34715
1-800-768-WINE
Certified Florida Farm Wineries
Florida's most popular grapes make delicious jelly. This is a fantastic jelly that has been enjoyed by my family for years. Muscadine jelly is made from Muscadine's gathered from the vines in many southern vineyards. This Muscadine jelly is similar to that my grandma used to make. The only real difference is that I used powder instead of liquid pectin.
Cook Time
Prep Time:
Total Time:
Serves: makes 8 - 10 pints
Ingredients
- 4 quarts ripe Muscadine grapes
- 2 2/3 cups sugar
- 2 pkg. of pectin
Instructions
- Take off the stems and wash Muscadines grapes in a large pot. Rinse several times. Then mash the Muscadines and fill pot with water just about 2 inches covering over them.
- Simmer for 25 minutes. Pour the juice into another pot through a colander to catch the seeds and skins. Strain through cheesecloth back into the original pot and heat to boiling. Boil the juice for 5 minutes and then add sugar.
- Turn down heat to a simmer and cook until it reaches 220 degrees F on a candy thermometer. "This took me around 30 minutes. The directions on the pectin will tell you how to test it.
- Skim off the foam. I had my jelly jars already washed and sterilized in another pot filled with hot water. You should sterilize jelly containers in boiling water for 10 minutes before using them. Then keep the containers hot in hot water until you use them. This will keep them from breaking when you fill them with hot jelly. In another small pot there was the lids and seals in hot water. Pour the juice into the jars with a funnel. Put the seals and then the lids on. I wiped the edges of the jar tops with a damp, hot paper towel.
- Process your jelly for 15 minutes in boiling water. Allow 2 to 4 inches of water above jar tops for brisk boiling - just enough for the water to cover the tops of jars and have space to boil freely. Then carefully remove the jars and place them on a towel out of a draft.
Jelly Making Supplies
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Rosa Fiorelli Winery
Brandenton, Florida
Rosa Fiorelli Winery Is a 3000 sq. ft. winery with 10 acres of vineyards. They started their company in 1998 and have already won over 100 awards in the commercial international wine competition.
U pick bronze or black Muscadine grapes are available in early August - September
Tastings and Tours
The tour begins with a walk through the vineyard. The guide will explain the growing season, harvest times, pruning techniques, and information about the different types of grapes they grow.You then will go to the winery where they will explain the process of how the grapes are crushed, pressed, fermented, and bottled.
The tour concludes with a sit down lunch in the pavilion by the vineyard. Your wine tasting is done in a souvenir wine glass.
Prices
Cheese & Crackers: $18.95
Includes: Select Meats & Cheeses, Crackers, Souvenir Glass, Wine Tasting
Italian Sub: $18.95
Includes: Italian Sub, Garden Salad, Souvenir Glass, Wine Tasting
If you prefer not to have lunch or the souvenir glass you can still partake in the wine tasting for $10.00
Hours
Monday 10:00 am - 5:30 pm
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday - Saturday 10:00 am - 5:30 pm
Sunday Noon - 5:00 pm
Closed
Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Day, Easter, Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day
4020 CR 675
Bradenton, Fl. 34211
941-322-0976
Certified Florida Farm Wineries
Rosa Fiorelli Winery
San Sebastian Winery
St. Augustine, Florida
San Sebastian Winery opened its doors in 1996. This winery is located just a few blocks from historic downtown in one of Henry Flagler's Old East Coast Railway buildings. Historians say in 1562 that the first American wine was made here. San Sebastian has won 300 awards for excellence in wine making. Over 100,000 people visit here every year.
Your tour begins with an audio visual presentation in the upstairs theatre. Then your guide will take you on a walking tour of the 18,000 sq. ft. wine production facility. The tour finishes in the rustic authentic barrel room.
In the tasting room you will enjoy a sampling of wine while being taken through the five "S"s" of wine tasting.
San Sebastian Winery has a full service customer made to order basket store with prices to fit every budget.
The Cellar Upstairs is a wine, Jazz & Blues bar that is located on the rooftop of the winery. Open on the weekends
Free Tours and Tastings
Tours start about every 25 minutes and last 45 minutes
Hours
Monday - Saturday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sunday 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Closed on holidays
1-888-826-1594
Certified Florida Farm Wineries
Schnebly Redland's Winery
Redland, Florida
The owners of this winery wanted to begin an agro - tourism business on their farms in South Florida. They wanted to provide tours of their 96 acre farm where they grow gourmet vegetables and exotic tropical fruits. In 1993 they started a winery which enabled them to offer those tours. In the fall of 2003 the production began on their venture into making tropical fruit wines.The owner's interest in combining these tropical flavors continued and they have recently opened a brewery. They use the finest spices, fruits and herbs in beers for their craft brewery.
Guided tours are offered on the weekends and take about 40 minutes. During the tour your guide will tell you the family history and show you the picturesque estate.
Tour Hours
Saturday - Sunday every hour 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Tours are $7.00
Schnebly Winery has an impressive glass rack for the wine glasses that resembles a tree that is the centerpiece of the tasting room.. They have really paid attention to the details here. Look up to view a beautifully detailed ceiling mural. Walk through the large double door and enter into a tropical paradise complete with natural coral waterfalls.
Two different tastings are offered each for $9.95 per person. Each includes an etched Schnebly wine glass and any time you return and use the glass the tasting is only $5.00.
The Ultimate tasting includes a choice of 5 unique wines.
The Special tasting has 5 different specialty wines. Dessert & Sparkling
Signature Pint Glass $10
You will receive a clear Signature pint glass so that you can check the appearance as you taste the different beers. You get a seer Sampler followed by your choice of any craft beers.
32oz To-Go Growlers $14
To-Go Growlers allow you to enjoy fresh straight from the tap beer. Growlers are completely reusable. Once you open them you have 2-3 days to drink it.
Try Miami's only Craft Production Brewery
Brewery Tours
Saturday & Sunday 12:30 pm, 2:00 pm, 4:00 pm
Hours
Monday - Thursday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday 10:00 am -11:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am - 11:00 pm
Sunday 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
*Cover charge to attend any nighttime events
30205 SW 217th Ave,
Redland, Fl. 33030
305-242-1224
Certified Florida Farm Wineries
Other Wineries of Interest
Monticello Vineyards & Winery
During August and September visitors can pick fresh grapes.
Hours
Saturday - Monday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
1211 Waukeenah Highway
Monticello, Fl. 32344
850-294-WINE
Certified Florida Farm Wineries
Murielle Winery
Free Tastings
Hours 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
The tastings are only offered on select Saturdays so call ahead for dates
13131 56th Ct. #305
Clearwater, Fl. 33760
Old Mission Vineyards
This 18th century mission style home and winery has 2 acres of grapevines on their 20 acre property. There is a trail that leads to a natural spring. A unique offering here is that you can pick your own grapes from August 1 - mid September. Start your own vineyard and take home a grapevine!
Hours
Monday - Saturday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
19600 State Road 64 East
Bradenton, Florida 34212
941-746-6334
Patrick Avery Winery
8340 Lumberton Rd Suite 200
Largo, Fl. 33738
Royal Manor Winery
Hours
Sunday and Monday Closed
Tuesday - Saturday 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
22 Royal Avenue
Interlachen, FL 32148
386-916-8909
SeaBreeze Winery
13201 Hutchison Blvd.
Panama City Beach, Fl. 32407
850-230-3330
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
SeaBreeze Winery is the only working winery on Panama City Beach. They hold free wine tastings daily and tours of their wine making facilities. Take a tour of the unique gift shop.
Strong Tower Vineyard & Winery
There is a tour of the processing room. Wine tastings are offered after the tour. Both are complimentary. U pick is available in harvest season.
17810 Forge Drive
Spring Hill, Fl. 34610
352-799-7612
Certified Florida Farm Wineries
