My first stop was Amelia Island but I had a little over a week before I needed to be there. I’ve been wanting to paddle on some of Florida’s springs and Ichetucknee was on the way. However, I was leaving after work so it was a little far get to before dark. Well, that’s what Harvest Host is for.
Just a short ways off of I-10 you will find a winery named Chateau Le Coeur. The owners moved to northern Florida from the Great Northwest. They have wineries and vineyards in Washington and Oregon. They have an interesting story they tell about starting the winery. Evidently, there’s a fungus in Florida that ruins grapes. They have been partnering with the University of Florida to develop a resistant grape. You should visit to get the whole story.
So even this stop had its hint of adventure. I had reserved a site with hookups but when I arrived they were all full. I ended parking in one of the roads in front of a cabin. I borrowed a dog bone that took me from 30 amp to 110 and used my 30 amp to 50 amp. It was enough to keep the refrigerator and internet running overnight till I could move over to a 50 amp plug the next morning. They were nice enough to let me stay till I finished my workday. They were nice enough to offer me a free stay but i paid for my hookups. I did use power after all.
So while they were figuring out where to put me the host handed me a glass of wine and ushered me to the bonfire wine tasting. There were eight or nine couples there already and I was only two tastes behind. I quickly caught up. I had the tasting package with a full charcuterie board. It was the perfect ending to a travel day and at some point one of the couples loaned the the 30 amp to 110 dog bone and I moved the camper and went back to the campfire. The camaraderie and conversation were flowing and it turned into a super good experience. I have not used Harvest Host as much as I should and this is the first time at a winery. I really had not considered that there might be group campfires like this and it really made the experience.
The winery and venue are still under construction and I believe it will be amazing when they finish. It looks and feels like a place that is in progress. I’m not going to mislead you. This is not a fancy winery….yet. The tasting room and gift shop are in a double wide trailer, insert Florida joke here. But is very nicely decorated. They are building a venue for events and weddings. They are in the process of planting grapes and they are doing most of this themselves. They have done this before in the Northwest and their venues were lovely. So you may not get 5 star experience currently but you will get a 5 star evening and I would recommend Harvest hosting here if you are traveling I-10 and need a stop.
