Ridgeback Winery

This year we have decided not to take our annual trip to the Finger Lakes region to purchase fresh juice for wine making.  It wasn’t an easy decision since we know so many of our customers have come to enjoy the wines we’ve made from these juices.  Our decision is based on two factors, both of which are beyond our control.   First, everyone knows the price of gasoline has more than doubled over the past year.   With the recent hurricane (Ike),  gas prices are being pushed even higher.  That would have forced an increase in our New York wine prices and that we did not want to do.

The second factor in our decision had to do with the New York grape harvest.  It seems that this summer was a dry growing season in the Finger Lakes. The harvesting of the grape crop is being pushed back a week later this year.  This late harvest makes the grape varietals we usually purchase available October 11 and 12–the same weekend as the Mt. Dora Bicycle Festival.  So many of those cyclists are customers who only come to Mt. Dora for that weekend and we don’t want to disappoint them.   On the lighter side, since we’ve become notorious smugglers in this juice trade for three (3) years now, we thought it was time to change the schedule so as to confuse the authorities who may be profiling our mode of operation.

 The bicycle Festival marks the start of the fun-filled autumn activity season.  Mark these dates on your calendar and do stop in to see us as you visit beautiful Mt. Dora:

CRAFT FAIR–October 25 and 26–9 to 5.  Over 300 crafters will display their creations on the streets of the town.  Please remember:  NO PETS are permitted in the craft sales area.

 PLANT AND GARDEN FAIR–November 1 and 2–on Lake Dora at Simpson’s Cove.  Vendors will offer everything from herbs to orchids,  trees to rare tropicals, planters  and garden accessories.

No Comments »

  AND THE WINNER IS…

Winners were announced last week in WESH Channel 2’s A-List competition.  This eight-week promotional contest and city guide profiled local businesses in Lake, Orange, and Seminole Counties allowing consumers to vote for their favorites in 11 major categories.  Consumers were monitored carefully and could only vote once in each category.  The one of most interest to us, of course,  was  “Speciality Food and Drink.” Of the 23 wine shops nominated in this category, we are so very pleased and proud to announce that our very-own little winery came in in Fifth Place!!!  Only the top five establishments garnering the majority of votes in their respective categories could be named as an ‘08 winner.  Our winning was due to the wonderful response of our customers and friends who cast their vote on the WESH web site.  Thank you so very, very much.  Also, to those of you who wrote a review, we humbly appreciate your kind and generous comments.   Those reviews tell us that we must be doing something right. 

No Comments »