Local Winery?

[Arkiehawg]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with Muscadines or Scuppernongs. They just aren't major grape varietals. The major grape varietals in the US are Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. You might throw in Riesling, too, though they like cooler weather. I'm not sure with which part of my statement you say is wrong.

I'm not a cork sniffer because I've never had a desire to be in the cork business. I have studied wines for numerous hours at college-level classes. I have taught classes in wines. I have worked in a vineyard. I have worked in a winery. I have grown Scuppernongs and Muscadines. I have made my own wine in a thermos. I have a friend who makes his own wine in South GA, mostly from Scuppernongs. I can enjoy a $5 bottle of good wine, and I can tell you most any major of varietal of wine by simply seeing it in the glass. I don't recall saying that any wine you may find, produced in this area is shi-ite, though I'm not blind to the fact that we are not in wine country.

SJ.....I have a whole new appreciation of you. bravo

 

[Matt J]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with Muscadines or Scuppernongs. They just aren't major grape varietals. The major grape varietals in the US are Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. You might throw in Riesling, too, though they like cooler weather. I'm not sure with which part of my statement you say is wrong.

I'm not a cork sniffer because I've never had a desire to be in the cork business. I have studied wines for numerous hours at college-level classes. I have taught classes in wines. I have worked in a vineyard. I have worked in a winery. I have grown Scuppernongs and Muscadines. I have made my own wine in a thermos. I have a friend who makes his own wine in South GA, mostly from Scuppernongs. I can enjoy a $5 bottle of good wine, and I can tell you most any major of varietal of wine by simply seeing it in the glass. I don't recall saying that any wine you may find, produced in this area is shi-ite, though I'm not blind to the fact that we are not in wine country.

That is all very true, but keep in mind that "wine county" in California was considered a joke until the early 80's. In fact California is not the first wine region in the United States.

 

[Smiling JOe]

No, California is not the only wine country in the US. I'm sure there were many backyard wineries, using heat tolerant grapes, before you could find a wine shop, liquor store, or even a grocery store. California has regions where the climate is great for growing the major varietal grapes. NY, Oregon and Washington do, too. Northern Ga, western NC also have decent weather for grapes to fair pretty well. Florida, however, misses that boat.

 

[DuneLaker]

I have enjoyed touring the Chautauqua vineyard up in DeFuniak. I like Scuppernong wines. They remind me of the grapes of my youth. The "Carlos" has been one of my favorites. I am more of a Chardonney type gal. I'm eating some great scuppernong grapes as we speak. They are great and just picked at their peak from my mom's yard. While you are up in DeFuniak, you can tour the homes around the historic circle, the Walton County Heritage Museum, go shopping at the Big Little Store and just take a relaxing step back in time. Hours aren't long for many of the establishments. Be sure to plan lunch and perhaps late morning and early afternoon for touring. If you leave SoWal around 9 a.m., you'll miss the school and work traffic. Then, if you return home late afternoon, you also miss school and work traffic, but get home in time to watch sunset.

 

[Matt J]

No, California is not the only wine country in the US. I'm sure there were many backyard wineries, using heat tolerant grapes, before you could find a wine shop, liquor store, or even a grocery store. California has regions where the climate is great for growing the major varietal grapes. NY, Oregon and Washington do, too. Northern Ga, western NC also have decent weather for grapes to fair pretty well. Florida, however, misses that boat.

Those all have very good vineyards, however the first wine region in the US was Missouri. In fact many French wines are made from grapes grown on cuttings from Missouri due to an almost complete vine loss. Just a little useless wine trivia for you.

 

[Smiling JOe]

That, I never knew.

One thing is for sure, there are wine lovers in this area of Florida.

 

[Matt J]

That, I never knew.

One thing is for sure, there are wine lovers in this area of Florida.

Very true, I know some sowallers that are die hard winos. Seriously though there are some sowallers that really appreciate and know good wine.

 

[htjhs8]

"the carlos"

i'm familiar with Chautauqua and their great muscadine wines.....so what is this
Carlos???.....

a different type of muscadine?.....

 

[Lady D]

I am searching for some local wineries for our family trip next week. We like the whole tasting-touring experience but not looking for high dollar bottles of wine. $10 to $15 will do! I think I found a few online: Chautauqua Vineyard, Emerald Coast Wine, Sea Breeze and Three Oaks. Have any of you been to these before? Are they worth the drive from Seacrest area? Is there more than just a tasting room to see?

I took note of some other posts about local wine tastings. I will be sure to look into those but would also like to go to a winery that sells only their own label.

Thanks for your time and input!

My husband and I have been to SeaBreeze Winery in PC Beach and tasted several of their wines. And bought a couple of bottles of wine. Bought a bottle of their Blackberry wine, not bad. I think they were in the $10 to $15 dollar range but that was a few years ago. According to their website they have tours of the place during the wine making process. We did not go in the winery this past may but many of their wines show $9.50 to $17.00! Here is the link if anyone wants to look at it.

http://www.seabreezewinery.com/