When you think of Florida, images of sandy beaches, amusement parks, and citrus fruit come to mind. Well that last image helps to create the one thing that no one gives the Sunshine State much credit for: wine. Thanks to a little critter from the insect world known as the glassy winged sharpshooter most grapes aren’t very well suited to grow in Florida. Most creations we sampled were made from blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, kiwi, and of course oranges.
Florida Orange Groves Winery, St. Petersburg
At our first stop the tour guide and company owner, Ray Shook, explains that most people unfairly assume that since there aren’t any grapes in his wines that they don’t consider it to be real wine. This helps to explain why the winery is willing to let you sample the wine free of cost. Turning skeptics into paying costumers is a mission for Shook.
The St. Petersburg location also offers free-guided tours of the bottling and packaging plant that is housed on the same site as the sampling that takes place when you visit. A short video on tasting wine offers some of the basics. Following the video Shook entertains with his hushed but confident voice providing lots of detail about his wines.
We started with a sampling of the Hurricane Class 5 White Sangria. This came as an added bonus to the standard four free samplings and was boasted as the company’s bestseller. Finishing off the tasting with a Wine Smoothie was refreshing and tasty.
We visited late morning so there wasn’t much of a crowd and at in the tasting room there was plenty of elbowroom. Parking is on site and easy to find a spot. Overall, Orange Grove feels more like going to the beach or visiting a throw back Key West resort.
Keel and Curley Winery, Plant City
By comparison Keel and Curley offers more of a party. Located in the agriculturally renowned Plant City, Keel and Curley prides itself as the Napa Valley of the Tampa Bay area. With its large sampling room, spacious deck area, and live music the “Napa Valley” claim is not an exaggeration.
The blueberry is a staple of most wines here and large super markets in the area carry bottles of the Sweet Blueberry. The winery also makes a Dry Blueberry and Semi-Dry Blueberry all of which are crafted with blueberries grown right on the property.
Tasting here is not free and takes a bit longer. For $6 one can drink 11 different wines and go home with the glass as a memento. You can pair your sampling with a plate of appetizers such as cheese and crackers. If you’re not in the mood for wine they offer a small selection of local beers. However, it can be tricky to get the attention of a server when they are busy.
Their sampling also comes with a treat at the end with a creation called a Wine Freeze. Fans of the frozen Strawberry Daiquiri will love this.
During peek weekend hours this place can get busy. Parking overflows across the street but is uncomplicated. Overall the place is quite versatile as you can host a wedding, enjoy a picnic, or simply make new friends with other wine drinkers.
Florida Estates Winery, Land O’ Lakes
Florida Estates Winery offers wine tasting that is uncomplicated and homespun. You can easily beat the crowds and enjoy the countryside at Estates Winery. The winemaker himself will pour your drinks and offer you background in tasting wine, wine history, and wine making.
We came in at the end of the day just a half-hour before closing so service was immediate. For $3.50 we tasted 11 different wines and enjoyed the colorful commentary of the winemaker. Our favorite was the Strawberry Casa Del Sol Port, which is also a best seller.
Parking is just steps away from the front door but the dirt road leading up to the winery can be bumpy.
