By Gina Horan
Outpouring of Support Fortifies Winemaking Family’s Faith in Community
In 2019, Style Magazine visited Whispering Oaks Winery in Oxford and discovered the delights of blueberry wine. At the time, the winery was in its first year under the new ownership of Erinn and Darryl Siemer. Six years later, the couple is still hard at work, proving that retirement doesn’t always mean slowing down.
Just days before Christmas, an electrical fire destroyed their home, which sat adjacent to the tasting room. It was a devastating blow, but they faced it with resilience.
“We’ve been through a lot, but this was something else,” Darryl says. “You either let it take you down, or you keep moving.”
Luckily, their daughter Madeline was still up at school in Tallahassee. Equally as lucky, their son Kannon was there when the fire started because in a moment of instinct, he hurled a boulder through Erinn’s office bay window to retrieve her desktop computer.
“We had our pets and kids, and that was all that mattered,” Erinn says. “Of all the worse possible scenarios, the best/worst happened.”
The loss of their home was a gut punch, but the outpouring of support from the local community has been overwhelming. Local musician Michael Webb even offered to host a benefit concert to help out.
“That really got to me,” Darryl admits. “I don’t usually let things hit me that way, but it was humbling and it kind of guilted me into being a better person.”
The couple, married for nearly 25 years, met in the mid-90s through a mutual friend.
“We dated for a year, lived together for six or seven, and then got married in 2001, ironically on a farm,” Erinn says.
Their transition from a highly successful corporate life to running a winery wasn’t planned, but it felt like a natural fit. Darryl, a second-generation blueberry farmer, saw potential in the winery when it went up for sale in 2018.
Florida blueberries are unique in that they are some of the earliest ripening in the country. “Earlier is better,” Darryl says. “If Florida blueberries don’t get to market quickly, they lose flavor, so timing is everything.”
Florida’s blueberry industry has flourished thanks to the University of Florida’s agricultural research, particularly its development of Southern highbush blueberries. These varieties thrive in Florida’s well-drained, acidic soil and full sun, allowing the state to compete with larger markets.
The state is always among the first two regions in the U.S. to harvest blueberries each season, thanks in large part to meticulous fertilization and UF’s research into high-yield, early-ripening cultivars.
Blueberry wine has steadily gained recognition as a premium product, with studies from the University of Florida suggesting it may contain higher levels of antioxidants than traditional red or white wine. Unlike grapes, which rely on wind pollination, blueberries depend on bees.
“People don’t realize how critical bees are to our industry,” Darryl explains. “To celebrate, we host our Honeybee and Blues Festival each year because it’s a way to celebrate the connection between farming, music, and nature.”
In partnership with UF, Whispering Oaks created Gator’s Game Day Dry, a wine that pays homage to the university’s contributions to Florida’s blueberry industry. Other offerings include Wildly Mild, Sensationally Sweet, and Delightfully Dry, each made with antioxidant-rich, hand-harvested blueberries.
“We want to make wines that rival traditional wines but with a Florida twist,” Darryl explains. “Blueberries offer something unique. They’re packed with antioxidants, and the wine is surprisingly complex.”
The winemaking process is meticulous, influenced by research into fermentation and aging techniques that preserve the fruit’s natural health benefits. Studies have shown that blueberry wine contains anthocyanins and polyphenols, compounds linked to heart health and reducing inflammation.
“We get a lot of people who are surprised that our wines don’t give them headaches,” Erinn adds. “Unless you have a blueberry allergy, there’s no reason you should feel bad after drinking it.”
The winery’s commitment to quality is evident in its collaboration with renowned winemaker Dr. Brent Trela, whose expertise has helped develop wines that surprise even the most skeptical customers. They have also won multiple awards over the years, which are displayed throughout the tasting room.
“People hear ‘blueberry wine’ and assume it’s going to be overly sweet,” Darryl says. “But then they taste it, and it’s a game-changer.”
Darryl is also adamant about supporting Florida Grown. “With all the recent loss from the hurricanes and devastation, I want people to understand that when they buy our wine, they are supporting a label maker from Sanford, cork suppliers from Tampa and blueberry farmers like us,” he says.
Beyond the wine, Whispering Oaks has evolved into a sought-after agritourism destination. Guests can tour the vineyard, learn about the winemaking process, and enjoy tastings in a relaxed, welcoming environment. The winery also hosts Dinner Under the Oaks, a beloved outdoor dining experience set by a koi pond and open pit hardwood grill, where visitors gather for great food, wine, and conversation.
Live music has become a staple of the experience and Whispering Oaks hosts diverse, talented musicians who play a range of genres from blues and rock to originals and tribute acts like Elvis, Stevie Ray Vaughn and The Beach Boys.
“Unless there’s a tornado, the music goes on,” Darryl says.
The venue has also become a popular wedding destination, hosting multiple weddings annually.
“People love the idea of getting married at a winery,” Erinn says. “The setting is gorgeous, the wine is flowing, and it just makes for a beautiful day.”
Despite the long hours and challenges, the couple remains passionate about what they do.
“It’s the hardest thing we’ve ever done,” Erinn admits. “But it’s also the most rewarding.”
Even after their recent loss, they remain humble and grateful for the land, their family, and the special space they have created.
“At the end of each day, when the gates are closed and we’re just together, drinking wine and planning the next business idea, we sit on our little couch in the bridesmaid cottage and watch the beautiful sunset,” Erinn says. “It’s humbling, and it reminds us that it’s all worth it.”
Recipes
Portabella Tango Cream Sauce
This delicious sauce can be served over any protein, vegetable or pasta.
Blueberry Cobbler
Steak au Poivre
Start with a hearty NY strip or ribeye steak and add a pinch of Kosher salt.
Salmon Agrodolce
Start with 8 oz. wild caught king salmon.
Photos: Nicole Hamel
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Gina moved to central Florida in August of 2021 from the San Francisco Bay Area. She has a bachelor’s degree in Linguistics and spent 10 years as a fashion editor, columnist and food writer for The Knight Ridder Newspaper group. She was also a photo stylist and covered concerts, fashion shows and festivals all over Northern California. In 2000, she joined KSAN radio as a morning show co-host and produced the news and sports content there for 4 years. She also covered travel, events and the restaurant scene for KRON-Bay TV. She is a veteran bartender and has worked in hospitality on and off since high school. Her passions include travel, road trips, history books, baseball, tasting menus and most of all, landing in a new city with no map or guidebook. Gina lives in Oxford with her mom, cats and baby hamster.
