By Rachelle Lucas
From farm visits to a rum distillery and one of the top artisan chocolate makers in the world, Fort Myers is definitely for food and wine enthusiasts.
Here's a list of fun farm tours and classes available:
Rabbit Run Farm
Rabbit Run Farm is a hydroponic farm that specializes in heirloom vegetables, strawberries and various tropical fruits. Venture on a tour to see a variety of heirloom plants and the workings of a hydroponic system. Rabbit Run Farm open to the public on Saturdays from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
WEB: Rabbitrunfarmllc.com
Pine Island Botanical & The Sprout Queen Farm
A 4-acre residential farm and home to The Sprout Queen. They grow tropical fruit and nuts trees such as avocado, papaya, mango, star fruit, macadamia, lychee, and citrus, and a whole host of greens in shade houses with hydroponic systems. Tours are available by appointment.
WEB: Pineislandbotanicals.com
ECHO
ECHO’s Global Farm Tour is a fascinating walking tour of the most creative working farm I've ever heard of with a mission to reduce world hunger and improve the lives of small-scale farmers worldwide. Guests can experience seven settings of the Global Farm, taste tropical leaves while they explore rain-forest habitats and visit their friendly farm animals, including goats, chickens, ducks, tilapia, and rabbits.
WEB: Echonet.org
Wicked Dolphin Artisan Rum
Based in Cape Coral, Wicked Dolphin Rum Distillery makes award-winning, handcrafted Florida Rum. Take a tour of the distillery and sample Wicked Dolphin Rum, which has been aged in Reserve Barrels.
WEB: Wickeddolphinrum.com
Point Ybel Brewing Company
Foodies can now visit the new "Hurricane Hole" tasting room to enjoy a brew or fill a growler to take home. The small-batch brewery exemplifies island life by embracing local Sanibel Island and Fort Myers flavors such as key limes, orange blossom honey, bird pepper, sea grapes, lychees and other tropical fruits.
WEB: Pointybelbrew.com
Norman Love Confections
These artisan chocolates are works of art and taste as beautiful as they look. Take one of their cooking classes to learn from one of the “Top 10 Chocolatiers in North America.”
WEB: Normanloveconfections.com
PLACES TO REMEMBER
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