If you are looking for something a little out of the ordinary, and if you enjoy wine, then here is something which should appeal to you – the Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards. When it first opened in the centre of the citrus growing area it raised a few eyebrows, and people thought it wouldn’t last, but it has grown from strength to strength. Despite many problems, including the high humidity, the Winery produces quality wines which have won many awards.
With its 127 acres of working vineyards, it produces nearly 200, 000 gallons of wines and champagnes. Its award winning wines include The Southern Red, a semi-sweet red table wine produced from Muscadine grapes, said to be the best wine produced in Florida.
Perched on the top of one of Clermont’s rolling hills, west of Orlando and just off Highway 27, this fascinating place offers complimentary wine tasting and tours of the winery, seven days a week. The building is Spanish in style and the views from the balcony are stunning across the sun drenched vineyards.
It makes for a great morning or afternoon out, and the tour of the Winery is fascinating. Before the tour you are shown a video which explains the wine making process and this is followed by a walk along a catwalk to view the production area. Following this you can taste a range of five or six wines, before visiting the shop where there is a good range of wine-associated gifts as well as plenty of bottles of wine.
But that is not all. They run regular events each month which are free, or a nominal $2, which often is donated to charity. The events usually involve live music, food and wine, and frequently there are Arts and Crafts made by local craftsmen and artists. The Winery boasts a massive outdoor stage which is the scene for the many music events.
Here are the events for July to December, 2009.
SUMMER MUSIC SERIES
Live Music, Food, Wine
Free Admission
July 4th (1:00 p. m. - 4:00 p. m. )
July 11th (1:00 p. m. - 4:00 p. m. )
July 18th (1:00 p. m. - 4:00 p. m. )
July 25th (1:00 p. m. - 4:00 p. m. )
August 1st (1:00 p. m. - 4:00 p. m. )
THE AUGUST STOMP!
Live Music, Wine, Food, Grape Stomping
$2. 00 Admission
August 22nd (10 a. m. - 5 p. m. )
August 23rd (11 a. m. - 5 p. m. )
What is grape stomping you may ask. Well, first you have to climb into a vat of Muscadine grapes. When the bell goes you have to thrash around as fast as you can to smash the grapes into a pulp and extract the most juice you can. When the bell rings again the winner with the most juice is rewarded with a small trinket as a prize but that is not the real point of the exercise. It’s just a great way to have fun and to end up with purple feet! Whatever you do, don’t wear white shorts, though, as they will come out a deep shade of purple.
JAZZ AT THE WINERY
Live Jazz, Food, Wine,
$2. 00 Admission
September 19th (10 a. m. - 5 p. m. )
September 20th (11 a. m. - 5 p. m. )
VINTAGE VENTURE
Live 50' s & 60' s Music
Food, Wine, Vintage Car Show
$2. 00 Admission
October 10th (10 a. m. - 5 p. m. )
October 11th (11 a. m. - 5 p. m. )
18TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE
Arts & Crafts, Food, Wine, Live Music
Free Admission
November 13th (10 a. m. - 5 p. m. )
November 14th (10 a. m. - 5 p. m. )
November 15th (11 a. m. - 5 p. m. )
20TH ANNUAL SOUTH LAKE ANIMAL LEAGUE ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW
Arts & Crafts, Food, Wine, Live Music
$2. 00 Donation
December 12th (10 a. m. - 5 p. m. )
December 13th (11 a. m. - 5 p. m. )
With its 127 acres of working vineyards, it produces nearly 200, 000 gallons of wines and champagnes. Its award winning wines include The Southern Red, a semi-sweet red table wine produced from Muscadine grapes, said to be the best wine produced in Florida.
Perched on the top of one of Clermont’s rolling hills, west of Orlando and just off Highway 27, this fascinating place offers complimentary wine tasting and tours of the winery, seven days a week. The building is Spanish in style and the views from the balcony are stunning across the sun drenched vineyards.
It makes for a great morning or afternoon out, and the tour of the Winery is fascinating. Before the tour you are shown a video which explains the wine making process and this is followed by a walk along a catwalk to view the production area. Following this you can taste a range of five or six wines, before visiting the shop where there is a good range of wine-associated gifts as well as plenty of bottles of wine.
But that is not all. They run regular events each month which are free, or a nominal $2, which often is donated to charity. The events usually involve live music, food and wine, and frequently there are Arts and Crafts made by local craftsmen and artists. The Winery boasts a massive outdoor stage which is the scene for the many music events.
Here are the events for July to December, 2009.
SUMMER MUSIC SERIES
Live Music, Food, Wine
Free Admission
July 4th (1:00 p. m. - 4:00 p. m. )
July 11th (1:00 p. m. - 4:00 p. m. )
July 18th (1:00 p. m. - 4:00 p. m. )
July 25th (1:00 p. m. - 4:00 p. m. )
August 1st (1:00 p. m. - 4:00 p. m. )
THE AUGUST STOMP!
Live Music, Wine, Food, Grape Stomping
$2. 00 Admission
August 22nd (10 a. m. - 5 p. m. )
August 23rd (11 a. m. - 5 p. m. )
What is grape stomping you may ask. Well, first you have to climb into a vat of Muscadine grapes. When the bell goes you have to thrash around as fast as you can to smash the grapes into a pulp and extract the most juice you can. When the bell rings again the winner with the most juice is rewarded with a small trinket as a prize but that is not the real point of the exercise. It’s just a great way to have fun and to end up with purple feet! Whatever you do, don’t wear white shorts, though, as they will come out a deep shade of purple.
JAZZ AT THE WINERY
Live Jazz, Food, Wine,
$2. 00 Admission
September 19th (10 a. m. - 5 p. m. )
September 20th (11 a. m. - 5 p. m. )
VINTAGE VENTURE
Live 50' s & 60' s Music
Food, Wine, Vintage Car Show
$2. 00 Admission
October 10th (10 a. m. - 5 p. m. )
October 11th (11 a. m. - 5 p. m. )
18TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE
Arts & Crafts, Food, Wine, Live Music
Free Admission
November 13th (10 a. m. - 5 p. m. )
November 14th (10 a. m. - 5 p. m. )
November 15th (11 a. m. - 5 p. m. )
20TH ANNUAL SOUTH LAKE ANIMAL LEAGUE ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW
Arts & Crafts, Food, Wine, Live Music
$2. 00 Donation
December 12th (10 a. m. - 5 p. m. )
December 13th (11 a. m. - 5 p. m. )