Wine, song, and food made with wine, was enjoyed at Rosa Fiorelli Vineyard's first ever wine and food festival back in November, 2011.
Located in Bradenton, Rosa Fiorelli Winery and Vineyard is a little slice of Sicily in a Floridian setting. This 10-acre property is lined with rows of Florida native muscadine grapes, and hybrid grape varieties developed by both University of Florida and Florida A and M University. Owner, Antonio Fiorelli grew up on a vineyard in Sicily and has brought his family passion for winemaking to his vineyard in Bradenton. He and his wife Rosa started growing grapes, using organic-growing methods, back in 1998 as a hobby.
The day I attended could not have been more perfect. There was a $20 entrance fee and an ID check (how nice) at the front of the vineyard. Five drink tickets in hand and a chance to win a free bottle of wine drove me to the bar to look at the large selection of wines.
A DJ pulled a ticket stub out a jar near the line of wine bottles while I made my first selection: Red Noble Muscadine wine. As the attendant poured, she told me to hold onto my Rosa Fiorelli etched wine glass, it was both my tasting glass and a souvenir.
The Red Noble had a stronger than expected musky flavor for me, so I went in search of food to temper the flavor. Seven Continents Catering Company had a pasta dish made with Blanc du Bois wine (made with a University of Florida hybrid grape).
They also had a salad made out of greens from certified organic Geraldson Community Farm, a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm in Bradenton, Florida.
Jim from Transatlantic Sausage and Bakery company was selling four items made with Florida sourced meats and Rosa Fiorelli Winery's wines like this Wine Whip tart ($2) made a with Aurora wine. It has just a hint of fruitiness from the wine.
A good sized crowd turned out and stayed the whole day not surprising considering the lovely surroundings, the weather, the generous pours of wine, and the music.
Fiorelli and Robert A. Kluson, Extension Agent at Sarasota County Extension and University of Florida/IFAS office, planners and organizers of the festival were pleased with the turnout for the weekend.
Rosa Fiorelli Winery plans to have another Food and Wine Festival in March 2012. They plan to invite Keiser College culinary students to attend and put on cooking demonstrations using Rosa Fiorelli wines and local produce from surrounding farms.
4250 County Road 675 E, Bradenton, FL 34211
Tel: (941) 322-0976 Fax: (941) 322-8208
2016 UPDATE
Standard Tour $10; Cheese & Crackers or Sandwich & Salad Tour $25; Italian Buffet Dinner Tour $45
Wine & Dine In The Vines is a five to six course meal with a three hour open bar of Rosa Fiorelli wines, it costs $65 a person. Go to their Rosa Fiorelli's website to see dates for 2016.
Hours
Closed Tuesdays
M,W, Th, F, Sa 11-5:00 p.m.
Sunday 12-5 p.m.
 |
| Sausage with lemon tarragon Aurora white wine mustard, Rosa Fiorelli Vineyard, Bradenton, Fla. Copyright 2011 by Helen A Lockey |
Located in Bradenton, Rosa Fiorelli Winery and Vineyard is a little slice of Sicily in a Floridian setting. This 10-acre property is lined with rows of Florida native muscadine grapes, and hybrid grape varieties developed by both University of Florida and Florida A and M University. Owner, Antonio Fiorelli grew up on a vineyard in Sicily and has brought his family passion for winemaking to his vineyard in Bradenton. He and his wife Rosa started growing grapes, using organic-growing methods, back in 1998 as a hobby.
 |
| Walking through the rows of grape vines, Rosa Fiorelli Vineyard, Bradenton, Fla. Copyright 2011 by Helen A Lockey |
The day I attended could not have been more perfect. There was a $20 entrance fee and an ID check (how nice) at the front of the vineyard. Five drink tickets in hand and a chance to win a free bottle of wine drove me to the bar to look at the large selection of wines.
 |
| Selection of Rosa Fiorelli wines, Rosa Fiorelli Vineyard, Bradenton, Fla. Copyright 2011 by Helen A Lockey |
A DJ pulled a ticket stub out a jar near the line of wine bottles while I made my first selection: Red Noble Muscadine wine. As the attendant poured, she told me to hold onto my Rosa Fiorelli etched wine glass, it was both my tasting glass and a souvenir.
 |
| Glass of Red Noble Muscadine wine, Rosa Fiorelli Vineyard, Bradenton, Fla. Copyright 2011 by Helen A Lockey |
 |
| Pasta made with Blanc du Bois wine, Rosa Fiorelli Vineyard, Bradenton, Fla. Copyright 2011 by Helen A Lockey |
They also had a salad made out of greens from certified organic Geraldson Community Farm, a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm in Bradenton, Florida.
 |
| Salad made with local organic greens, Rosa Fiorelli Vineyard, Bradenton, Fla. Copyright 2011 by Helen A Lockey |
Jim from Transatlantic Sausage and Bakery company was selling four items made with Florida sourced meats and Rosa Fiorelli Winery's wines like this Wine Whip tart ($2) made a with Aurora wine. It has just a hint of fruitiness from the wine.
 |
| Wine Whip Tart made with Aurora Muscadine White wine, Rosa Fiorelli Vineyard, Bradenton, Fla. Copyright 2011 by Helen A Lockey |
A good sized crowd turned out and stayed the whole day not surprising considering the lovely surroundings, the weather, the generous pours of wine, and the music.
 |
| Out door dining at Rosa Fiorelli Vineyard, Bradenton, Fla. Copyright 2011 by Helen A Lockey |
Fiorelli and Robert A. Kluson, Extension Agent at Sarasota County Extension and University of Florida/IFAS office, planners and organizers of the festival were pleased with the turnout for the weekend.
 |
| Antonio Fiorelli and Robert Kluson, Rosa Fiorelli Vineyard, Bradenton, Fla. Copyright 2011 by Helen A Lockey |
Rosa Fiorelli Winery plans to have another Food and Wine Festival in March 2012. They plan to invite Keiser College culinary students to attend and put on cooking demonstrations using Rosa Fiorelli wines and local produce from surrounding farms.
4250 County Road 675 E, Bradenton, FL 34211
Tel: (941) 322-0976 Fax: (941) 322-8208
2016 UPDATE
Standard Tour $10; Cheese & Crackers or Sandwich & Salad Tour $25; Italian Buffet Dinner Tour $45
Wine & Dine In The Vines is a five to six course meal with a three hour open bar of Rosa Fiorelli wines, it costs $65 a person. Go to their Rosa Fiorelli's website to see dates for 2016.
Hours
Closed Tuesdays
M,W, Th, F, Sa 11-5:00 p.m.
Sunday 12-5 p.m.
I am going to be the addict of your posts. I love to visit with you. Thanks again... California Wine Club
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments. I'm glad you enjoy the posts. Helen
ReplyDelete