Exploring the South one vintage at a time!
Next week, January 17-19, wine makers and vineyard owners from across the state will descend on the historic, central Florida town of Deland as the 2019 Florida Wine and Grape Growers conference gets underway. The annual two-day event brings together hobbyists, professionals and university researchers who are there to talk about their favorite beverage, Florida... Continue Reading →
For 95 years, grape growers and wine makers in Florida have had a unique resource to help with honing their skills. The Florida Wine and Grape Growers Association provides year-round information and assistance to those creative people who choose to grow grapes and make wine. Whether they are pursuing their passion as a career, or... Continue Reading →
A big "Thank You" goes out to John Haughey, contributing writer for the Tampa Bay Business Observer for his excellent article on the current state of the Florida wine industry . John caught up with me in September when I was on the road, and I was able to add a few thoughts to his... Continue Reading →
Offering free wine tasting of their unique selection of fruit wines is only one reason this Northwest Florida wine cellar is a top beach attraction. While most wineries feature traditional wines made from grapes, Panama City Beach Winery offers 40 varieties of unique award winning Florida fruit wine that keeps area residents and out of town... Continue Reading →
It's not that things haven't been happening on Southern Wine Trails this month, quite the contrary. Two new wineries are opening in July, and at least two others are making progress toward opening later this year. While this writer is trying hard to keep up with all the news, it makes for a busy summer... Continue Reading →
Wine and the beach just go together. Watching a stunning sunset, listening to the sounds of the surf, and sipping some vino with your toes in the sand is a great way to relieve stress. Florida, you'd think, would have a monopoly on beachfront wineries, but that real estate is expensive and not always easy to find. There... Continue Reading →
When I was researching Carolina Wine Country The Complete Guide back in the last century, one of the winemakers made the statement, "you can make wine out of anything." He was illustrating the fact that, although most of our wine experience is with European varietal grapes, humans throughout history have made wine from a lot of... Continue Reading →
If 750 ml isn't enough, you may soon be able to super-size your vino in the sunshine state. Florida State Senator Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg) has introduced a bill that will allow larger sizes of wine bottles to be sold in the state, including one that holds as much as 50 liters. He also seeks... Continue Reading →
There's a saying among wine makers that old vines make great wines. If that's the case, making wines from vines planted in the 1970s has certainly been rewarding for Chautauqua Vineyards & Winery. One of Florida’s oldest wineries, Chautauqua Vineyards’ estate wines reflect both the origins and the future of America’s wine industry. The name Chautauqua... Continue Reading →
The first wine made in America was made in Florida. French Huguenots, settling along the St. John’s River in the mid-1500s, engaged in the production of the first wine recorded in the new world. It was the 1565 vintage. Unlike much of the wine we drink today, it was made from the wild, native Muscadine... Continue Reading →
Southern Wine Trails 