Welcome to Lakeridge Winery

Lakeridge Vineyards

VINEYARD HISTORY:
Currently we have about 77 acres of vineyard planted in the Florida hybrids Blanc Du Bois, Stover and Suwannee, we also have Noble, a red Muscadine variety and Carlos and Welder bronze Muscadines.

GRAPE VARIETIES:
Our vineyard has been planted to Muscadines and bunch grape varieties which were developed here in Florida and the South for disease resistance and adaptability to our warm, humid climate.

Breeding programs over the past 50 years by plant geneticists and food scientists have brought about dozens of new types of Muscadine grapes and bunch grapes, some of which are excellently suited to winemaking. The bunch grape varieties used in our wines are Suwannee, Stover, and Blanc Du Bois. The Muscadine varieties we use are Noble (red); Carlos, Welder, and Magnolia (whites). Our vineyard does not provide all the grapes we need. To supplement our vineyards we contract with local growers who specialize in these grape varieties. We have been growing grapes here since 1988.

FLORIDA BUNCH GRAPE VARIETIES

STOVER:

BLANC Du BOIS: Florida bunch grape; self fertile; 2.9 grams/berry; Florida release February, 1987; light green; resistant to Pierce's disease; does well on own root stock; produces a spicy, white, premium table wine.

SUWANEE: Slight Muscat flavor; self fertile; 1983 Florida release; resistant to Pierce's disease; grafting recommended.

VINEYARD SOIL AND CLIMATE (IRRIGATION): In selecting a vineyard site, soil and climate are two important factors to explore.

SOIL: Grapes will grow in a wide variety of soils, but prefer well-drained soils with loamy to sandy surface layers over moderately permeable clay subsoils. Soil pH is important and should be maintained between 5.8 an 6.5.

CLIMATE: Bunch grape varieties have been selected for their disease resistance and their adaptability to our warm, humid climate and relatively mild winters. We have selected a site here which gives us good drainage and air circulation due to the elevation of the vineyard and the gently sloping terrain. Our vineyards also have a southern exposure.

IRRIGATION: Research shows that young plants need irrigation to establish good root systems and grow. Many first-year plants die due to lack of soil moisture. After vines have covered the trellis framework, however, they can grow satisfactorily without irrigation because their root system has developed enough that it can reach moist soil even during dry periods. Still, irrigation is important between bloom and harvest to increase fruit yield. Each vine in our Lakeridge vineyard is individually irrigated with a drip emmiter for most efficient in water conservation.

VINEYARD, GENERAL: The first three years in the life of a vine are some of the most labor intensive. Young vines must be visited weekly to remove side growth (lateral shoots) and train the growing tip along the trellis framework. For our vineyard, this amounts to over 20,000 plants per week. They are fertilized through the irrigation system, sprayed with fungicide about every seven days on selected bunch grapes and every three to four weeks on Muscadines.

HARVEST AND CRUSH AT LAKERIDGE: Here at the winery, we employ only traditional winemaking practices, and are concerned at every level with cleanliness and thoroughness. We have the same exacting standards as any other boutique winery. The more than 300 awards won by Lakeridge wines are tangible evidence of this skill and dedication.