Florida
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Florida has the longest winemaking history in the North America, with the first wine made here 300 years before California became a state. Since then, winemakers have planted and replanted thousands of acres of vines, ever-searching for the right ecological key. Vignerons repeatedly attempted to grow the desirable vinifera varietals, but due to the tropical climate, and most recently to Pierce’s disease, they failed. During the 1930s, with the help of the University of Florida, more ecologically suitable clones of the indigenous Muscadine were developed. Next came the development of the Florida bunch varietals. Crossing traditional cluster varieties with Muscadines, researchers produced thin-skinned, disease-resistant grapes, able to grow in large clusters. Today, the bunch varietals found here are: Stover, Blanc Du Bois, Swanee and Miss Blanc. Florida’s wineries are spread across the state. With a built-in tourism market and the desire to continue developing technical and vineyard practices, Florida could be a viticultural promised land.

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Correspondent

Gregory McCluney
is the Regional Correspondent for Florida.

Quick Finds

Q: What are the most recognized grapes grown here?
Q: What wines are produced here?

The AppellationAmerica database identifies 30 wines labeled with the Florida designation.

[>] see the complete Florida Wine List.
Q: What wineries are based here ?
Q: What other wineries source fruit here ?
There are no other wineries that source fruit from this appellation
Q: What are the overlapping appellations ?
There are no overlapping appellations

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Winery Sponsors

Winery sponsors of Appellation America’s coverage of the Florida appellation.