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This episode of 'Open Forum in The Villages, Florida' podcast, hosted by Mike Roth, features an in-depth conversation with Christian Slupe from the Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards. The episode begins with Mike’s introduction to the podcast, emphasizing its mission to highlight community leaders and interesting residents in The Villages. The show is listener-supported and encourages monthly donations or purchases through Amazon to fund the program. Christian Slupe shares his personal background and details the history and growth of the Lakeridge Winery, starting from his grandfather's initial five-acre vineyard to becoming Florida’s largest winery. He mentions the winery's relocation to Claremont due to better market opportunities and the investment in 127 acres of land there. Christian elaborates on the agricultural and winemaking processes, daily operations, and the significance of their muscadine grape varieties. The episode also highlights upcoming events, including harvest festivals, grape stomping activities, and an innovative drone show. Additionally, Christian touches on new initiatives like the introduction of a Sauvignon Blanc wine and the winery’s conservation efforts. The episode concludes with promotion for future episodes and a brief Alzheimer's tip by Dr. Craig Curtis.

00:00 Welcome to the Open Forum Podcast

00:57 Supporting the Podcast: How You Can Help

02:04 Meet Christian Slupe: A Family Legacy in Winemaking

02:48 The Growth and Evolution of Lakeridge Winery

06:35 A Day at the Winery: Tours, Tastings, and Harvesting

12:04 Winery Operations: From Harvest to Bottle

13:12 Expanding the Winery's Reach: Distribution and Shipping

16:06 Upcoming Events and Innovations at the Winery

26:37 Conservation Efforts and Sustainable Practices

28:00 Closing Remarks and Future Episodes

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Open Forum in The Villages, Florida is Produced & Directed by Mike Roth
A new episode will be released most Fridays at 9 AM
Direct all questions and comments to mike@rothvoice.com

If you know a Villager who should appear on the show, please contact us at: mike@rothvoice.com