Lakeridge Winery Vineyards

In 1988, Gary Cox and some investors envisioned opening a winery in Central Florida. Today that vision is known as Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards, a producer of more than 80,000 cases of wine (960,000 bottles), making it the largest winery in the state. Set on 127 aces of rolling hills, it supplies the majority of fruit for both the Lakeridge and San Sebastian labels, which together have won more than 1,000 awards for excellence in winemaking. Its 2013 harvest, completed in late September, collected 1,813 tons of grapes, yielding nearly 314,000 gallons of fermenting juice. Another impressive tally: Each year, more than 110,000 people visit the winery, where they enjoy the tours and festivals. Think red and white, and the green of economic impact.

 

Lakeridge Winery
Entrance to the Lakeridge Winery

 

Lakeridge Winery
Its 2013 harvest, completed in late September, the Lakeridge Winery collected 1,813 tons of grapes, yielding nearly 314,000 gallons of fermenting juice.