Florida' eight unique wineries offer a tour and a taste

They are not as well known as those in places like California and New York, but Florida has several vineyards producing a nice group of wines. For a unique side trip while in Florida, stop by one of these wineries for a fun tour, tasting or to buy a bottle to take home.

Florida's wineries have an interesting history. Nearly all of the state's wines use the muscadine, a native grape that grows well in the warm and humid Florida weather. When European settlers first arrived here, they brought grape stock from home and attempted to grow it in Florida. Each attempt failed due to the hot Florida sun and diseases and insects that were not found in Europe. But there was one grape that they found growing in the wild here in Florida - the muscadine (vitis rotundifolia).

The muscadine grows in small clusters along the vine. It is still found in the wild and many Florida residents grow it in their backyard. Over the years, grape researchers at the University of Florida developed a hybrid variety that grows in the typical bunch formation. Since then, researchers have developed dozens of varieties of the muscadine.

Today, there are eight commercial wineries around Florida. All of them sell wine on their premises and most offer mail-order service.

• Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards, 19239 U.S. 27 North, Clermont. Phone 352-394-8627 or 800-768-WINE. Web address is http://www.lakeridgewinery.com. Just west of Orlando near Florida Turnpike exit 285, this is the largest wine producer in the state. The winery produces more than 50,000 cases of wine a year and has a large retail and tour operation for visitors. Open daily from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.

• San Sebastian Winery, 157 King St., St.Augustine. Phone 904-826-1594 or 800-352-9463. Web address is http://www.sansebastianwinery.com. In the historic city of St. Augustine, this winery opened in 1996. It has several award-winning wines, including a sweet and fruity Vinters White, a light Rose and a semi-dry Blanc du Bois. Free tours and wine tastings are offered daily from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday.

• Rosa Fiorelli Winery, 4020 Co. Rd. 675, Bradenton. Phone 941-322-0976. This winery was started by a family from Sicily. The rolling hills in Manatee County reminded them of their homeland and their attempts to grow grapes was a success. A business that started in their garage has expanded into a complete operation that includes on-site fermenting, bottling and retail sales. You can pick your own grapes during the harvest season.
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