Florida Guide > Places to Visit
Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards
If you are looking for an interesting half day (or more) out, think about visiting the Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards. Situated at 19239 US27 North (Clermont FL34715), it is about a 20 min drive from where US192 meets the US27.
The pretty Spanish Revival buildings sit amid 127 acres of vineyards (making it the largest vineyard in Florida). Opened in 1989, it grows red Noble, bronze Carlos and Welder Muscadine grapes as well as Vinifer grapes giving Chardonnay, Pino Grigio, Petite Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon.
It is a working vineyard and admission is free. You can take a short but interesting tour in the Visitor Centre which includes a video. The tour ends with a wine tasting where you can sample around 8 different wines made from the Muscadine grape. These wines are quite sweet, but delicious and are a good representation of the range of wines they produce. Tours take about 45-50 mins and are staged every 15 mins, 7 days a week. At the end of the tour you are free to go around the shop where the wines and speciality foods are sold, but there is no pressure to buy any of the wines.
Their most popular wines, Southern Red and White, can also be found in local supermarkets like Publix, Target and Walmart.
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit, the wine tasting was especially appreciated and we certainly plan to revisit the winery, perhaps when there is a musical event. We will certainly do the tour and wine tasting again, and buy some of the wine. Last time we bought 6 bottles, it was discounted because we bought 6 bottles and came in a lovely divided jute bag - we were well impressed!
Outside there are beautifully manicured gardens with picnic facilities. If you have children with you, the adults could take turns doing the tour whilst the other stays in the gardens with the children.
Check their website as they have usually have an event, once a month, everything from Jazz festivals to classic car shows.
This year, every Saturday afternoon during July there is a free Music concert, with live bands on the outdoor stage and solo acts in the Wine and Cheese Bar indoors.
In August, it is harvest time, and the Annual Grape Stomp is held Aug 19/20. This is fun for all the family, with live music, and food and wines to purchase. There is a $3 admission fee (free to under 12s).
September brings The “Corks for Cancer” event (September 16/17), again with live musicians, food and wine to purchase. Why not take a picnic! Admission is $3 but Cancer Survivors and under 12s are free. Proceeds go to local Cancer programmes.
Address: 19239 US-27, Clermont, FL 34715
Author: Stephen and Wendy Downs
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