Peaches & Wine, a winning combination!

While in St. Simons at the King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort  (http://www.kingandprince.com) I had the chance to experience some great Georgia products during the Georgia Food Experience.  One great place to find peaches is Lane Southern Orchards. They are located right off I-75 at Exit 142.   Lane Southern Orchards (www.lanesouthernorchards.com) was stared by David Lane’s grandfather back in the late 1800’s. David Lane shared information about how they expanded from 2500 acres peaches to include1800 acres of pecan groves and a five-acre strawberry patch. 

What I found fascinating was his story of how locals wanted to pick or buy their own fresh peaches and how this request led to the orchard becoming a great agritourist site.  To appease the numerous requests, one summer they set a high school girl out front with a picnic table and she sold an astounding amount of peaches.  This was just the beginning since then they have expanded adding a roadside market, the Peachtree Café, and a gift shop.  Visitors can take a farm tour and in the fall enjoy pumpkins and  even a corn maze! 

I brought home one of their wonderful peach breads and have been enjoying slathering the homeade bread with the Lane’s Old Fashioned Peach Preserves, YUM!

Charles Cowart of Still Pond Winery (www.stillpond.com) offers a variety of Muscadine based wines.  The Muscadine grape is,a native that thrives in the warm and humid climate of the southeast.  There are different types of Muscadine berries and all have a tough thick skin.  The tasty Muscadines are eaten fresh and used in wine, juice and jelly. Muscadines also produce antioxidants that David said assist in reducing blood, colon and prostate cancers.

We were able to sample several wines while at St. Simons Island, Georgia and my hands down favorite was Confederate Peach, a Muscadine/peach blend.  Last night with the Low Country Boil I made, we finished off the bottle.  I need to order more to stock up for summer front porch sipping!

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