EDEN VINEYARDS
The Kiser family began planting of fine wine grapes in southwest Florida over thirty years ago. Their purpose, to see if they could grow the grapes
that produce the fine wines of the world; Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Sangiovese and others. They learned that although the grapes would grow, after only a few years they would begin to die. The culprit was Pierces Disease, a little known condition that attacked the vitis vinifera specie.
The Kiser’s also learned that efforts in the early 1900’s to grow fine grapes in Florida had ended in failure. Rather than quitting, they continued their efforts to learn more specifically what had actually happened. They discovered a small research effort
that had begun in the 1930’s by agricultural researchers at the University of Florida to learn more about Pierces Disease. Through the efforts of this dedicated group, it was learned that Pierces Disease is a bacteria. They also began a long and painstaking process to determine whether a “hybrid” grape plant could be developed that would produce a fine wine and also be immune to Pierces Disease.
In the early 50’s these researchers produced the first of a series of Florida hybrids. This significant achievement was met with little commercial interest since there was no established grape or wine industry and few dared to risk the unknowns of trying to produce fine grapes and wines in Florida.
In the mid 1970’s, the Kiser’s purchased cuttings
made from the original hybrid vines at the University of Florida. These were planted in test vineyards located in Alva, a small rural community 10 miles east of the gulf coastal city of Fort Myers, Fl.
They continued to plant, grow harvest and test, repeating the cycle over and over until 1985, when they achieved a really fine wine. In 1986, Eden Vineyards became the southernmost federally licensed, bonded winery and vineyards in the United States.
Eden Vineyards and Winery has continued to grow and now produces six wines enjoyed by thousands of Floridians and visitors. The wines are sold at the winery and at several hundred retail stores and restaurants in Florida with plans for further growth and expansion. (More on that later).
19709 Little Lane · Alva, Florida 33920 · (239) 728-9463 E-Mail · info@edenwinery.com
