Exploring the South one vintage at a time!
Outgrowing your space can be a good thing. For Katya Vineyards, expansion means even more room for the creative fun they have come to represent in downtown Ocala. Open less than a year, the family-owned boutique winery has created quite a stir in Ocala's food and wine scene. Owner David Sokol as Dr. Wine periodically... Continue Reading →
For Colleen Bannerman of Bannerman Vineyard, grape growing is a family affair. Along with husband Scot and the rest of the Bannerman family, she grows Scuppernongs and the dark purple Muscadines on 18 acres near the town of Burgaw in Pender County, North Carolina. Founded in 1973 by Marilyn and Cliff Bannerman, Bannerman Vineyard is... Continue Reading →
There aren't many wineries where you can sip a delicious hand-crafted wine overlooking the ocean while seeing a rocket launched into space. In fact, I can think of only one, Flagler Beachfront Winery in Flagler Beach, Florida. One of a growing number of new Florida wineries, Flagler Beachfront is the creation of Ken and Kelly... Continue Reading →
What do writers do when they are waiting for their book to cook? They keep lifting the lid and peeking at it. It's like being in the kitchen, you can't help but look. Fortunately, it's too late to add ingredients, change words, or edit photos. We are in production. So, while we wait for the... 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 →
Traveling south on Florida Highway 79, going toward Panama City Beach, an unexpected surprise awaits you in Washington County. As you fight your way through the road construction, it's worth making a stop just south of the tiny town of Vernon (pop. 743). Here you'll find an eclectic gift shop called The Grapevine that offers... 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 →
At long last, after many long hours and much hard work, Sokol Vineyards Tasting Room in Ocala, Florida will have it's Grand Opening. "Thursday July 27th, 2017 we will officially open our doors to the community. Come celebrate with us starting Thursday and continue on through our first official weekend." Florida Wine Country's newest wine... Continue Reading →
The lady from Missouri sat down at the bar and plopped her handbag on the other stool. "I leave for home tomorrow," she said. "Today's my last day and I haven't been to a Florida winery yet, so I decided to come for a wine tasting." It was 10:00 a.m. The winery wasn't actually open.... Continue Reading →
Southern Wine Trails 