A Toast to a Tasty Experience

By Karen V. Contino

For the traveler looking for an alternative to the beaten tourist paths of Orlando, take the road less traveled by Lakeridge Winery.

Need a vacation from your vacation? Looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of theme parks? Look no further than Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards in nearby Clermont. This outstanding winery offers a 127-acre respite of gently rolling countryside only 25 miles west of downtown Orlando.

“Lakeridge offers a completely different experience, especially for people who enjoy wine,” says Lakeridge Marketing Manager, Kyle Johnson. “We pride ourselves on customer service and giving our visitors a truly memorable experience. Plus, we’re a lot less crowded than those other tourist attractions,” he adds with a smile.

Commitment to Excellence
Lakeridge’s commitment to quality and customer service has been a family-honored tradition for almost 20 years. The winery, located on Route 27 North, was officially opened by the Cox family in 1989, and now ranks as Florida’s largest premium winery.

The winery also remains a pioneer in the development of a variety of table and sparkling wines from hybrid grapes as well as varieties of native Muscadines, including Noble, Carlos and Welder grapes. Overall, the winery has brought home more than 300 awards for excellence in winemaking.

“We are known in the community for a quality product,” Johnson says. “Over the years, we have won several international wine competitions and a few double gold medals.” A double gold medal, Johnson explains, is when all the judges (and there can be up to 20 of them) agree that a certain wine is number one in that division’s competition. That means getting 20 different (and discerning) palates to agree on one wine being the best product.

Don’t Miss Southern Red
Considering all those accolades, Vice-President of Winemaking Operations Jeanne Burgess is most proud of Lakeridge’s Southern Red, a semi-sweet red wine. “Southern Red has consistently won medals over the years and is always a favorite,” she says. “It is our most popular wine.”

Lakeridge offers something very different from anywhere else in the area, providing a well-rounded, personal and relaxing experience. “We want our visitors to have an exceptional and unforgettable time,” Johnson says.

The winery offers free tours, giving visitors a chance to learn about the rich history and the labor-intensive process behind Florida winemaking. After the tour, visitors enjoy a free wine tasting, the beautiful grounds and Spanish-style architecture, the gourmet food and snack bar and the gift shop, which offers bottled wines and a unique variety of ceramics, cook books and wine-related items.

Customers are also welcome to transport their newly-acquired goodies and treasures to their cars in one of the wineries charming shopping carts—a little red wagon.

Monthly Festivities
Lakeridge offers a special event or festival each month, including an antique car show and a grape-stomping festival. All the winery’s events include music, food, wine and beer, so every month provides a chance to celebrate something special. On March 10 and 11, the winery is offering a Fine Arts and Jazz Show with free admission, and on April 28 and 29, it is offering a Blues Festival with $2 per person admission.

If you’re looking for a peaceful getaway with a fascinating and delicious experience, you won’t be disappointed to venture off the beaten path to Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards.

You can visit www.LakeridgeWinery.com for more information and event dates or call 1.800.768.WINE. Those interested in the Cox Family’s second winery, San Sebastian Winery in St. Augustine, can visit www.SanSebastionWinery.com or call 1.888.352.9463.

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