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
    Driven to starvation, Sudanese people eat weeds and plants to survive as war rages
    • Local news

    Amid Conflict in Sudan, People Resort to Eating Weeds and Plants to Survive

    CAIRO – As Sudan battles a devastating war and millions endure severe…
    • Internewscast
    • June 28, 2025
    Bulloch Fire expands, holding graduation for 11 fresh firefighters
    • Local news

    Bulloch Fire Grows: Celebrating Graduation of 11 New Firefighters

    BULLOCH COUNTY, Ga. () — The Bulloch County Fire Department (BCFD) held…
    • Internewscast
    • June 28, 2025
    ‘Explosion’ rocks Sanford neighborhood as home bursts into flames
    • Local news

    “Massive Fire Erupts in Sanford Neighborhood Following Home Explosion”

    SANFORD, Fla. – On Friday afternoon, a house in Sanford was consumed…
    • Internewscast
    • June 28, 2025
    What's in the latest version of Trump's big bill now before the Senate
    • Local news

    What’s Included in the Latest Version of Trump’s Major Bill Currently in the Senate?

    WASHINGTON – At approximately 940 pages, the legislation encompasses a wide array…
    • Internewscast
    • June 28, 2025
    'Insane and destructive': Elon Musk resumes attacks on Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill'
    • Local news

    “Elon Musk Renews Harsh Critique of Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill'”

    On Saturday, Elon Musk launched a series of criticisms against a massive…
    • Internewscast
    • June 29, 2025
    Tropical Depression Two forms in the Gulf, expected to strengthen
    • Local news

    Second Tropical Depression Develops in Gulf, Predicted to Intensify

    ORLANDO, Fla. – Air Force Reserve reconnaissance missions have identified a closed…
    • Internewscast
    • June 28, 2025
    Schumer to force reading of 1,000-page GOP mega bill, delaying it by half a day
    • Local news

    Schumer Plans to Delay 1,000-Page GOP Mega Bill with Lengthy Reading

    Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) told Democratic senators Saturday that he…
    • Internewscast
    • June 28, 2025
    Grovetown man taken into custody after indictment involving exploitation of minors
    • Local news

    Grovetown man arrested following indictment for exploiting minors

    GROVETOWN, Ga. () – A Grovetown man has been taken into custody…
    • Internewscast
    • June 28, 2025
    New execution methods may soon come to Florida. Here’s why
    • Local news

    Florida Could Introduce New Execution Methods: Here’s What You Need to Know

    TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Starting next month, Florida will officially have the option…
    • Internewscast
    • June 28, 2025
    NHC issues warning as tropical depression two forms in the Gulf
    • Local news

    National Hurricane Center Alerts: Tropical Depression Two Develops in Gulf

    The National Hurricane Center has announced a tropical storm warning for regions…
    • Internewscast
    • June 28, 2025
    Deadline to claim part of $95M settlement over Siri snooping allegations nearing
    • Local news

    Time Running Out to Claim Share of $95 Million Settlement in Siri Privacy Case

    (NEXSTAR) — If you’ve ever suspected that Siri was listening in on…
    • Internewscast
    • June 28, 2025
    US soldier's son, born on Army base in Germany, is deported to Jamaica
    • Local news

    Child of American Soldier, Born on German Army Base, Deported to Jamaica

    (KTLA) A man born to an active-duty member of the United States…
    • Internewscast
    • June 28, 2025
    Mother starved her disabled teenage son: Authorities
    • Crime

    Authorities Report: Mother Deprived Disabled Son of Food

    Left: Tanya Boyd (Grant County Sheriff”s Office). Right: Ezekiel Sheppard…
    • Internewscast
    • June 29, 2025
    'Insane and destructive': Elon Musk resumes attacks on Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill'
    • Local news

    “Elon Musk Renews Harsh Critique of Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill'”

    On Saturday, Elon Musk launched a series of criticisms against a massive…
    • Internewscast
    • June 29, 2025
    Semi-truck transporting 10,000 bottles of whiskey tips over -- but doesn't spill a drop
    • US

    Semi-Truck Carrying 10,000 Whiskey Bottles Overturns Without a Spill

    They avoided a major party foul. A semi-truck carrying 10,000 bottles of…
    • Internewscast
    • June 29, 2025
    Tea could boost heart health but only if you skip this ingredient, study finds
    • Health

    Tea May Enhance Heart Health, But Avoid This Additive, Study Reveals

    A cuppa could be a surprising saviour, but Brits need to leave …
    • Internewscast
    • June 29, 2025
    Internewscast Journal
    • Home
    • Privacy Policy
    • DMCA Notice
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Guest Post
    • Support Our Cause
    Copyright 2023. All Right Reserverd.