Near+Afar

Daysips: A short drive to Lakeridge Winery makes for a perfect afternoon.

Story: Tarin Scarbrough

The beauty of living in Winter Garden is you rarely need to leave. With so many options for food and entertainment, I find myself often staying within “the bubble.” But one Saturday, the remarkable weather made me want to venture out—not far enough to be forced to combat the traffic on I-4, though. A quick search on the internet for “outdoor live music” and “wine” led me less than 30 minutes outside town to Lakeridge Winery for “Weekends at the Winery.”

Lakeridge sits on a sprawling 127 acres located in the rolling hills of Clermont, Florida. I’ve grown up going to festivals at the property, but now that they offer live music every Saturday and Sunday afternoon, it was refreshing to enjoy the space comfortably without hordes of people.

As soon as I walked through the doors, the complimentary wine tasting began. And this wasn’t just one or two wines. I was delighted to sample eight wines, two ports, and two reserve bottles!

On the weekends, the facility is open to the public. Visitors get to tour the entire facility and production hub, with its giant tanks and bottling system. (They’re actually the largest winery in the state, so of course they have massive equipment.) Every employee was so engaging and educated guests by explaining facts and food pairings. Seeing that type of passion reminded me of why I began enjoying wine in the first place.

The tour ended in a gift shop, where they obviously sell the wine they sampled, but you also can get all the accompaniments you can think of. I walked out with not only wine, but a local pepper jelly and a wine slushie kit.

By the time I left the shop, I started to feel the effects of the wine I had just sampled. So I visited “bottle check,” so I didn’t have to lug around my purchases, and followed the aroma of hot food to the outside. The vast oak trees in the center kept the grounds shaded, and a large stage with two musicians in sunglasses entertained the crowd. I enjoyed the bar with wine, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as a variety of food options— everything from cheese and meat to full meals.

As I looked around, I noticed there was no single defined group of people enjoying the day. An older couple sat up front, swaying to the music in their lawn chairs. A group of girls in their 20s lay on blankets taking pictures of their charcuterie boards. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a mom chasing after her toddler running straight for the ice cream truck.

I wandered around with my Cabernet, taking in the rows of vines and upbeat music, barely realizing that two hours had passed since I first arrived. I sat in my lounge chair 45 minutes longer than I planned to. I didn’t want to leave. The music only lasted until 4 p.m., though, leaving me more than a little disappointed that it was time to go.

I can’t believe this kind of solace and peace was so close to town. I immediately sent out a group text to my friends, trying to plan a trip the following weekend. Cheers to you, Lakeridge, for such a hospitable and enjoyable day!

Tarin and her mother enjoying Weekends at the Winery