Beachaven

Founded in 1986 by Judge William O. Beach, and Ed and Louisa Cooke, Beachaven Vineyards and Winery has continued to expand its production of award-winning wines and champagnes.

Beachaven has established itself as a prestigious winery with enough awards to fill a wall. Its wine list includes 11 dry wines, six semi-dry wines, nine sweet wines and two champagnes. In celebration of "25 Sparkling Years" the winery released in June 2011 two new sparkling wines — Raspberry Rhapsody and Jazz Jamboree.

In 2010, the winery won several awards for its wines. Wines of the South competition results included silver medals for Barrister's Red, Chardonnay, Cumberland White, Cynthiana and Sauvignon Blanc; and bronze medals for Barrelhead Red, Classic White, Golden Rose, Merlot, Old Vine Zinfandel, Raspberry and Tempo. At the Long Beach Grand Cru Wine Competition, Beachaven won silver for its Syrah and Viognier, and bronze for Strawberry. The winery won silver at the 2010 International Eastern Wine Competition for its Cynthiana and Riesling. And Barrelhead Red and Cynthiana wines won silver at the Florida State Fair.

Jazz on the Lawn

The winery's Jazz on the Lawn, a free summer concert series, attracts nearly 3,500 people to every concert.

"Jazz on the Lawn has become an event with a life of its own," states Louisa Cooke on the winery's website. "We have grown from a few hundred attendees in 1989, to thousands of picnicking guests. Couples, friends and families come to relax, listen to music and taste wine in a unique outdoor setting."

Free Saturday evening concerts begin in late May and continue through October. For a concert schedule, go to www.beachavenwinery.com or call 645-8867.

Jazz on the Lawn music begins at 6:30 p.m. and goes until 9:30. To get the best view of the stage it pays to arrive at the winery well before the concert.

"Rules of the Beach" include:

• Bring your friends, a picnic and a blanket or lawn chair.

• Do not bring with you pets, grills or outside alcohol.

• Pick up your trash. Beachaven provides dozens of trash receptacles around the lawn.