Oak Haven Farms and Winery – Sorrento, FL
While most of the country is thick in the doldrums of winter, Florida is in bloom and we are right in the midst of a very important time… strawberry season. Any parent will know the cost of berries a child consumes can break the bank. We go through multiple cartons a week of Avery’s favorite fruit, so picking season is a big win for us!
There are plenty of u-pick farms throughout Florida offering up a variety of in-season produce throughout the year, ranging from citrus to veggies, and our family’s other top item, blueberries. Over the years we’ve accumulated our favorite spots and Oak Haven Farms and Winery is on that list.
At Oak Haven, you’ll find sprawling fields of ripe, juicy strawberries that are practically glowing red and begging to be picked. Upon arrival, you’ll get a large box for your haul and directions. Be sure to ask the attendant where the best berries are that day, as it will vary from week to week as areas get picked out and new spots ripen. Pick with caution, as your selection is priced by the pound and it is easy to get carried away when you’re hunting for the biggest, most perfect berry. A full box will be about 10 pounds, a half will be about five.
Avery screamed triumphantly as she found bigger and bigger berries, many larger than her little hands. Over the years, we’ve made our own strawberry ice cream and desserts with our picks, and planned to make jam for the first time this season. Sadly, our berries didn’t last long enough in our hungry household to make it to the jar, but they were delicious all the same.
If you want your berries to last a bit longer, wash them when you get home and soak them for 15 minutes in a mixture of 8 cups of water with 2 Tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. Rinse thoroughly and allow to dry before storing them in a glass container in the fridge. This will not only clean your fruit well, it will help it to last longer, too.
After you’ve picked as much as you can, there’s still plenty to do on the farm to fill the afternoon. We arrived before lunch so by the time we weighed in, we were ready for a snack. The on-site café (open on weekends) offers a variety of good eats and treats, loaded with strawberries of course! We decided to try out the strawberry shortcake loaded with ice cream and strawberry cheesecake. You can even grab some hot dogs to roast yourself over the open fire out front beneath a massive shady oak.
In addition to the farm, Oak Haven also crafts their own wines from a variety of locally grown grapes, blueberries and, you guessed it, strawberries. You can sample five wines for just a dollar, and if you decide to bring a bottle home, the dollar is discounted from your purchase. Avery partook in the “wine” tasting as well with her own sample glass of water so she could feel exceptionally fancy as well.
Everything at Oak Haven is family-operated and family-friendly! One of the co-owners, Harry, can often be spotted cruising around on his tractor to keep the farm running, while Karen can be found holding down the fort in the purchase stand and café. The adjacent fields hold grape vines for the wine, as well as a sunflower field where you can pick your own stems to take home with your berries. Alongside the fields are a few play areas for kids that Avery had a blast on, as well as ample picnic tables for your fruit feast, hot dog roast, or to grab a glass of wine and relax.
Be sure to plan ahead and check the farm’s Facebook page for picking days before heading out. Busy weekends can result in no berries or a sudden cold front can prevent them from ripening in time for the next weekend, but the farm will announce if they plan to be closed. Strawberry season is only until March, so it’s time to get picking!
OAK HAVEN FARMS AND WINERY
32418 Avington Rd, Sorrento, FL 32776
BerriesAndWines.com
(352) 735-1996
Wednesday, Friday and Saturday: 10 AM – 5 PM
Sunday: 10 AM – 4 PM
Check ahead for openings on Facebook
