Internewscast Journal
  • Home
  • US News
  • Local News
  • Health
  • People
  • Guest Post
  • Support Our Cause
Internewscast Journal
  • Home
  • US News
  • Local News
  • Health
  • People
  • Guest Post
  • Support Our Cause
Home Local news Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards in Clermont: From Family Heritage to Top-Rated Wines
  • Local news

Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards in Clermont: From Family Heritage to Top-Rated Wines

    Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards in Clermont: From family roots to award-winning wines
    Up next
    Shocking truths bloom under the Flower Moon
    Hidden Secrets Unveiled During the Flower Moon
    Published on 12 May 2025
    Author
    Internewscast
    Tags
    • AMP,
    • awardwinning,
    • Clermont,
    • family,
    • from,
    • Hits The Road Clermont,
    • lake county,
    • Lakeridge,
    • roots,
    • Vineyards,
    • WINERY,
    • wines
    Share this @internewscast.com
    FacebookXRedditPinterest

    CLERMONT, Fla. – Tucked among the picturesque hills of Clermont, a short journey from Orlando, Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards embodies patience, passion, and the commitment of three generations.

    Founded in 1989, this family-owned establishment has flourished into Florida’s largest winery, annually producing over two million bottles of wine.

    Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards (Copyright 2025 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.)

    But behind the stainless-steel tanks and the sprawling 127-acre vineyard lies something far more personal – a story rooted in legacy.

    Upon entering the brick edifice, we are welcomed by Christian Slupe, a third-generation winemaker who serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards.

    Slupe explains how this thriving vineyard got its humble start.

    The Cox family has been dedicated to crafting high-quality Florida wines for our guests for decades. (Copyright 2025 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.)

    “My granddad started up in Tallahassee about 42 years ago. That was called Lafayette Vineyards. That’s what started it all. But we quickly realized there just wasn’t the population up there we needed for tourism. So around 1988, about 36 or 37 years ago, we found this piece of land-127 acres of beautiful, rolling hills in Clermont,” Slupe said. “After the big orange freezes in the ’80s, we got this land, planted the vineyards, and established the building. We opened our doors in 1989, and we’ve been kicking ever since. It’s been awesome.”

    Inside Lakeridge Winery in Clermont. (Copyright 2025 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.)

    His grandfather, Gary Cox, had a vision – a winery that could grow with Florida’s soil and with his family. But even before Lakeridge officially began, Gary’s father, Boynton Cox, was already experimenting with winemaking at home.

    “Wine was always part of our story,” Slupe said. “I have these fond memories of visiting my grandfather. There’s even a picture of me as a kid, stomping grapes with my bare feet.”

    An old photo of Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards (Copyright 2025 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.)

    Now, he walks the very vineyards where he once played, overseeing nearly every aspect of daily operations.

    And what an operation it is.

    Lakeridge produces around 330,000 gallons of wine each year – most of it made from muscadine grapes. Growing grapes in Florida isn’t easy, Slupe explained.

    Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards (Copyright 2025 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.)

    “Too much rain can water down the taste and sweetness of the grapes,” he said. “And then you’ve got pests and diseases that thrive in the humidity. But muscadines have thick skins – they’re naturally resistant. That makes them ideal for Florida vineyards.”

    This spring has been especially dry in Central Florida, and Slupe predicts a strong harvest by August.

    During our visit, he takes us into the vineyard, pointing out tiny buds on rows and rows of vines. It’s hard to believe, but these small buds will ripen into the juicy grapes that produce Lakeridge’s signature wines.

    Lakeridge Chardonnay (Copyright 2025 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.)

    Once harvested, the grapes begin their transformation. Inside the production facility, massive stainless-steel fermentation tanks use temperature-controlled technology to preserve the grapes’ natural flavors.

    “Our Southern Red and Southern White are big favorites,” Slupe notes. “They’ve got that sweet muscadine flavor, but it’s not overpowering. We do a really good job of avoiding that syrupy taste you get with some sweet wines.”

    For those who prefer something drier, the winery’s Pinot Grigio offers a crisp, clean finish. “That’s actually one of the driest wines we produce,” Slupe adds.

    But a visit to Lakeridge Winery is more than a wine tasting, it’s an experience.

    The staff here feel more like family.

    Doug, who’s been part of the retail team for 19 years, welcomes guests with warmth and enthusiasm.

    “When you come in, I’ll show you the wines, give you a tour, and hopefully, you’ll enjoy some of what we produce,” he says with a smile.

    That personal touch keeps customers coming back.

    During our visit, we spoke with several guests, including a couple from Texas enjoying their first time at the winery.

    “It’s such a beautiful place. The wines are fantastic, and the staff treats you like family. You really feel the warmth here,” they told us.

    And unlike most wineries, Lakeridge pulls back the curtain on the entire process.

    “You can come here and actually see everything,” Slupe says. “From the balcony, guests can watch grapes being harvested, crushed, and processed into juice that becomes wine. We don’t do that behind closed doors-it’s a celebration.”

    A celebration, three generations in the making.

    Copyright 2025 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.

    Share this @internewscast.com
    FacebookXRedditPinterest
    You May Also Like
    Former Trump lawyer Kenneth Chesebro disbarred in New York over 2020 election interference case
    • Local news

    Ex-Trump Attorney Kenneth Chesebro Loses New York Law License Due to 2020 Election Case

    Kenneth Chesebro, a former legal adviser to Donald Trump during the 2020…
    • Internewscast
    • June 27, 2025
    Police in Wisconsin increase enforcement following 'takeovers' at public beaches
    • Local news

    Wisconsin Police Step Up Enforcement in Response to Public Beach ‘Takeovers’

    RACINE, Wis. (WFRV) Authorities in Wisconsin are taking proactive measures to ensure…
    • Internewscast
    • June 27, 2025
    Wisconsin woman eating Taco Bell rear ends police car on interstate, deputy hospitalized
    • Local news

    Wisconsin Woman Rear-Ends Police Car on Interstate While Eating Taco Bell, Resulting in Deputy’s Hospitalization

    DARIEN, Wis. (WFRV) A woman from southern Wisconsin, who stated she was…
    • Internewscast
    • June 27, 2025
    Hurricane forecast accuracy at risk as Pentagon cuts satellite data
    • Local news

    Pentagon Reduces Satellite Data, Threatening Hurricane Forecast Accuracy

    () — As peak hurricane season looms, the Department of Defense has…
    • Internewscast
    • June 27, 2025
    July 4th fireworks: what to know in Savannah
    • Local news

    Guide to Savannah’s July 4th Fireworks Celebration

    SAVANNAH, Ga. () — As the Fourth of July approaches, Savannah is…
    • Internewscast
    • June 27, 2025
    White House digs in on July 4 deadline for 'big, beautiful bill'
    • Local news

    White House Firm on July 4 Deadline for Bold New Legislation

    The White House on Thursday dug in on its expectation that Congress…
    • Internewscast
    • June 27, 2025
    Evans native helps donate jerseys to Ronald McDonald House
    • Local news

    A Local from Evans Aids in Donating Jerseys to Ronald McDonald House

    AUGUSTA, Ga. () – A recent University of Florida graduate came up…
    • Internewscast
    • June 27, 2025
    Money going to victims of Dozier, Okeechobee boys schools
    • Local news

    Compensation for Survivors of Dozier and Okeechobee Boys Schools

    TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – In the upcoming days, hundreds of men who suffered…
    • Internewscast
    • June 27, 2025
    California prison guards charged with sexually abusing female inmates
    • Local news

    California Correctional Officers Accused of Sexual Abuse Against Female Prisoners

    (KRON) — Two more former correctional officers at the Federal Correctional Institute…
    • Internewscast
    • June 27, 2025
    More Americans favor pathway to legal status for most migrants in US: Survey
    • Local news

    Majority of Americans Support Legal Residency Path for Most Migrants: Poll Reveals

    (The Hill) Support for providing immigrants living in the country illegally with…
    • Internewscast
    • June 27, 2025
    Trump's tariffs to further slash West Coast port traffic
    • Local news

    US-China Trade Agreement Eases Concerns at Los Angeles Port

    LOS ANGELES () The U.S. and China have signed an agreement on…
    • Internewscast
    • June 27, 2025
    Trump meets with leaders of Rwanda and Congo after peace deal
    • Local news

    Trump Holds Talks with Rwandan and Congolese Leaders Following Peace Agreement

    () President Donald Trump is meeting with the leaders of Congo and…
    • Internewscast
    • June 27, 2025
    They want to destroy America from the inside. Now Iranian sleeper agents line up on our doorstep - and an ally could be set to unleash them all
    • Asia

    There are concerns about internal threats to America’s security, with fears that Iranian sleeper agents might be poised to act, possibly with support from an unexpected ally.

    A shocking wave of Iranian regime insiders — including suspected members of…
    • Internewscast
    • June 28, 2025
    How Man United's three striker targets compare: A 25-goal a season former Premier League flop, an out-of-favour forward from a top-flight rival - and one of Europe's most in-demand No 9s who has previously rejected Arsenal
    • Sport

    Comparing Man United’s Three Striker Options: A 25-Goal Ex-Premier League Struggler, an Unwanted Top-League Rival’s Striker, and a Sought-After European No. 9 Who Once Turned Down Arsenal

    In years gone by, a move to Manchester United would represent the…
    • Internewscast
    • June 28, 2025
    Princess Charlene of Monaco has pulled out of an official trip to Japan with her husband Prince Albert (seen in Monaco in June)
    • Royals

    Princess Charlene of Monaco and Twins Opt Out of Japan Trip with Prince Albert

    Princess Charlene of Monaco and her children have pulled out of an official trip…
    • Internewscast
    • June 28, 2025
    Traveler nabbed by CBP beagle at airport for carrying illicit food deported after kicking dog 'off the ground'
    • US

    Traveler Deported After Assaulting CBP Beagle That Detected Illegal Food at Airport

    A beagle with U.S. Customs and Border Protection is on the mend…
    • Internewscast
    • June 28, 2025
    Internewscast Journal
    • Home
    • Privacy Policy
    • DMCA Notice
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Guest Post
    • Support Our Cause
    Copyright 2023. All Right Reserverd.