Beyond the bright lights, fancy resorts, and crowded beaches Miami is occasionally known for, there is a world of great restaurants, breweries, and wineries. While South Florida doesn’t hold the same notoriety as the famous vineyards of Napa Valley or Tuscany, the wineries found here close to Miami are considered to be hidden gems. Our state has over 40 wineries, and some of which have been around for over hundreds of years. Let’s take a look at some of Florida’s finest wineries and vineyards.
Schnebly Redland’s Winery
Located just less than 35 miles outside of Miami, the Schnebly Redland’s Winery is one of the most reputable vineyards in the state. In fact, they made the 2016 list of “Top 18 Wineries in the United States.” What makes Schnebly Redland’s unique is how they make their wine. When you think of how wine is made, grapes are the first fruit to pop into your head, right? Not here. They make their wine using passionfruit, mango, avocado, and lychees. This almost 15-year-old winery not only produces and sells their own unique wine, but they also have a fantastic brewery and restaurant located on the property.
Lakeridge Winery and Vineyard
While this winery isn’t the closest to Miami, it is worth a mention for their superb winery tour and delectable wines. Lakeridge is located on 127 acres of land. 80 of those acres are used to grow a variety of grapes. What the vineyard is unable to grow that year, they outsource to local growers to make a large assortment of wines, ranging from Pinot Grigio to Cabernet Sauvignon, and everything in between. Since their inauguration in 1989, Lakeridge has been awarded over 600 awards for their exceptional wines. Check out their website to see what upcoming events and festivals Lakeridge is hosting.
Summer Crush Vineyard and Winery
Another winery that is fantastic and well worth the 2-hour trek north from Miami, is the Summer Crush Vineyard and Winery. Summer Crush was opened by a fellow named Gary Roberts. He had a different vision for his winery than your typical European, sophisticated feel. Wines at Summer Crush have Carribean-inspired names such as WeBeJammin’, Rated Arrr, and Cap’n Polly’s Private Plunder. Summer Crush is home to the concert series, Sunday Wine Down, and many other special events alongside their lake.
