Antonio Fiorelli And Florida Wine, Bradenton, Fla., Updated Dec 31, 2013

Palerno, Italy, born Antonio Fiorelli started making wine at age 11. He worked on his grandparents’ vineyard in Casteldaccia, Sicily, gathering grapes with the help of a grumpy donkey. Many years later he and his wife Rosa, came to America and then South Florida. They settled in Bradenton and started their vineyard over 27 years ago. They opened Rosa Fiorelli Winery and Vineyard in 2000, without the aid of a donkey.


Vineyard at Rosa Fiorelli Winery & Vineyard, Bradenton, Fla.
Copyright 2013 by Helen A Lockey

Antonio’s first wines were dry and semi dry produced from vines hybridized by the University of Florida and Florida A & M University. Soon he realized his grapes were different than Californian or European ones and they produced a different type of flavor.

In 2012, he put together a farm-to-table dinner, at his vineyard, with the help of Western Florida chefs and farmers. At the end of the dinner I got to chat to him about his wines.

You can taste the wines of Rosa Fiorelli Winery and Vineyard every day of the week except Tuesday. They are located at 4250 Country Road 675, Bradenton, FL, 34211   Phone (941)322-0976

Call for opening hours or go to their website www.fiorelliwinery.com

Update Dec 31, 2013
Unfortunately, Antonio Fiorelli passed away on Dec 28, 2013, at age 66. His family intends to continue making wine in honor of him.

Field Of Beers 2013 Toast, Jupiter, Fla.,

Ted Andrewlevich gave a poetic 2013 toast to all. Field of Beers, held in the baseball dedicated Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter, Fla., had 375 attendees made up of foodies, brewers, and chefs. They all came to taste craft beers paired with gourmet food.

Andrewlevich spoke, "This is the fifth year of the Field of Beers and I'll get everybody to hold their glasses up, your cups up."

Then turning, he read, "Did you know this year is number five? And the field of beers is still alive. A beautiful night for the fifth year; so raise your glass and let's give a cheer, to Fran and Tina, the brewers, the chefs, who year after year, have given us their best. Here! Here!"

This was just one of the events of the 7th Annual Jupiter Craft Brewers Festival, Florida.
 

Farriss Farm, Florida Cheese And Meats, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

Farriss Farm started selling aged Florida raw-milk cheese this year. They have delicious raw-milk Farmer's cheese from Cypress Point Creamery (Hawthorne, Fla.) that tastes like an aged Havarti.


Paula Farriss, co-owner of Farriss Farm, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

It tastes as good as European made cheese. And it has a much smaller carbon footprint.
"We want people to have access to Florida cheese," says Robert Farriss, co-owner of Farriss Farm. He and his wife Paula travel to farms in Central Florida, many times a month, to get cheese and several types of humanely raised grass-fed beef, pastured pork, and pastured poultry products.

You can find Farriss Farm selling their cheese at the Sat morning West Palm Beach Green Market (8am-2pm) or at the Sunday morning Palm Beach Gardens Green Market (8am-1pm). They also sell in Ft. Pierce at the Wednesday afternoon market (2pm-6pm).

To find out more about Farriss Farm go to their website www.farrissfarm.com