Open Year Round
About Perdido Vineyards:
In the late 1800's, German and Italian immigrants, mostly, established vineyards and wineries in Alabama and world-class wines were produced in Alabama, up until Prohibition. The largest commercial operations was at Fruithurst , Alabama, with 8 wineries, thousands of acres of vineyards and orchards, resort hotels and gourmet restaurant. Prohibition wiped it out. In Baldwin County, the German community around Elberta-Lillian area had vineyards and 3 wineries.
Perdido Vineyards, 50 acres of Muscadine Grapes, was established in 1972 by Jim and Marianne Eddins to produce grapes for Bartels Winery of Pensacola, FL. Bartels and Hegendorfer were German wineries operating in Lillian - Elberta area prior to Prohibition. Perdido Vineyards' Elberta May Wine and Elberta Gurkenessig vinegar labels recognize this historical heritage.
Sweet Muscadine was the Founders First Vintage of 1979. Sweet Muscadine is on exhibit at the California Wine Museum representing Alabama.
Rose Cou Rouge, French for "Redneck Rose", was immortalized at Margaritaville on the "Redneck Riviera" in Gulf Shores. Rose Cou Rouge has been to parties and a "cheap trip Home" for Southerners all over the world. Sorry, Chamber of Commerce, we do not apologize for being ourselves. The Editor of the San Francisco Chronicle sent the message about Rose Cou Rouge to Napa Valley, and the wine has been on the menu at Top of Mark in San Francisco, the Family Feud TV show, and on the road with Willy Nelson.
Perdido Vineyards uses local Artists to design wine labels representing our local history and features. ArtistsTom and Dess Sangster did Delta Bouquet, Demopolis Ecor Blanc and Magnolia Springs. Artist Faye Earnest did Daphne and Clash at the Point. Artist Donna Lambert did King and Queen of Carnival, Bodega Mauvilla and the Jubilee wines.
In 2009 and 2010, legislation permitted production of fortified wines in Alabama. Note our recently released wines, at 16.5% and 19% abv, especially designed for local Alabama fruits, e.g., DAPHNE, Blueberry Jubilee, Satsuma Jubilee, Apple Jubilee, King of Carnival, Queen of Carnival, and Bodega Mauvilla.