Cheers! A winemakers dream — in Florida

“It goes well with our food,” he said. “We have a lot of tropical food, fresh fish.”

Susser even provided the winery with a list of entrees to pair with the different wines. The carambola wine, he said, should be served with chicken or fish, while the lychee wine goes better with shellfish and Asian cuisine.

The Schneblys are now working to make the winery itself a destination for visitors.

Last year, they built a series of 18-foot-tall waterfalls that pour into a 120-foot-long pool — the entire structure made of coral rock, which is found throughout the Redland area. They also recently finished a massive tiki hut to shade visitors from the sun.

By August, work will be completed on a 5,000-square-foot building to serve as a new visitor’s center and tasting room. The space could also be used for hosting weddings, receptions and other events. The official grand opening is planned for November.

Besides trying to market Schnebly Redland’s Winery, the couple hopes to bring agrotourism to the area. Situated between the Everglades and Biscayne National Park, the Redland area, they say, is a perfect destination for tourists who want to get away from the beach for a day.

Southern comforts Charleston weds small-town charm with big-city luxury

“The wine is just the sexiness on top of the whole thing,” Peter said. “We draw more attention because we’re a winery. If we were a pig farm nobody would care.”

The winery has joined with nine other local attractions to lure potential visitors with more than one destination in mind. Attractions on the Historic Redland Tropical Trail include an alligator farm, Monkey Jungle, bonsai garden and the Coral Castle, a historic home carved in stone.

Miami-Dade County Commissioner Dennis Moss, whose district includes the Redland area, sees agrotourism as a way to help growers resist pressure from developers.

“People will continue to keep agricultural land for agriculture as long as it remains profitable,” Moss said.

Cutting farm waste with a winery is a good step in keeping local farms prosperous, he said, and it could eventually lead to bed and breakfasts, farmers’ markets and other retail opportunities.

MORE FROM U.S. & CANADA

U.S. & Canada Section Front

Deadwood marks 20 years of legal gambling Eat, shop, explore Chicago’s ethnic neighborhoods TV tours a big attraction for N.Y. tourists America’s most attractive people America’s favorite cities Which Hawaii is right for you? Twilight-themed restaurant for Washington town Uncle Remus museum still grapples with race Explore Savannah’s squares, parks and homes Winter Olympics 2010 trip guide U.S. & Canada Section Front   Add U.S. & Canada headlines to your news reader: