R.A.D Corkscrew: A Labor of Love and Faith

Southwest Florida’s first winery opens in Estero

 

By Cheryl Mandell / Photos by Jim Luzzi

 

Southwest Florida’s first operating winery and farm just celebrated its grand opening on March 6. Nestled on 10 acres along Corkscrew Road nearly 10 miles east of I-75, sits R.A.D Corkscrew. For Estero residents Rockie, Allison and Dylan Rick (the R.A.D, which also stands for Really Awesome Drinks), this nearly three-year project has been a test of grit and grace, but most of all, it’s been a labor of love. 

The intricate details of R.A.D Corkscrew reflect the passion behind the project, beginning with the sunny yellow vintage truck that greets guests upon entering the property. This is just the beginning. Rows of dragonfruit plants lead up to the front entrance, which is a sight to behold – next to the large R.A.D Corkscrew logo on the wall are double doors ensconced in round, polished wood that resembles a giant wine barrel lid.

Allison Rick has carefully curated nearly every design aspect of the winery, from the light fixtures to the succulent centerpieces and everything in between. Stepping inside, one of the many eye-catching features are the wine barrel lids from their midwest wineries that adorn the walls. The bar bottom is also constructed from previously used wine barrels. In the adjoining room, a magnificent chandelier made by hand out of a 20-year-old grapevine hangs delicately strung with lights, accompanied by wine barrel rings draped with locally foraged Spanish moss.

Above the main entrance, the winemaking process is told through a chronological series of beautiful black-and-white photos taken at the Ricks’ wineries. The bright sunshine yellow for which the R.A.D. brand is known adds accents to the entire space, from the high-top chairs to the subway tiles on the sides of the bar, to the yellow swirled marble bar top.

Outside, a fountain in a lagoon provides a relaxing atmosphere for guests with strung lights, shade awnings, natural shade from trees, and ample seating along the side and back of the building.  A small stage next to the lagoon hosts easygoing live music, with games for kids. The wide green acreage in the back of the property is the future home of passionfruit fields, and there are plans to expand the back seating area to include family activities and more.

“Historically, people always built wineries where grapes grow the best,” Rockie said. “People thought we were crazy to start a winery in Florida, but you can ship grapes from anywhere. Our vision was to integrate the grapes that grow really well up in Michigan and start growing and making wines from tropical fruits.”  They already have a passionfruit port and another wine with hints of dragonfruit.

R.A.D Corkscrew offers plenty of tasting options, with casual bar tastings that include five samples, or seated tastings with five samples from 10 different wines selected by the server. R.A.D wines range from dry to sweet, and many in between. Flights are available, featuring three extra-large samples of any wine on the menu. Snacks are available for purchase, along with cans of their R.A.D ciders. They also offer a wine-of-the-month club for enthusiasts who want to experience rotating flavors.

The R.A.D Barrely Oaked is a dry white wine featuring almond and stone fruit with a “kiss of oak,” while a pleasing, medium-bodied dry red called Pull is aged in a stainless steel barrel with ripe red fruits for a big finish.

If a sweeter profile is preferred, the Panther Crossing is a semi-sweet white that exudes pineapple and lemon. The aptly named Florida Strong is a full-bodied red, listed on the tasting menu as “engulfing summer fruits, smooth finish.” 

To appreciate how far the Ricks have come, it’s worth a look back. A mutual love of wine and faith brought Rockie and Allison together in marriage in 2006, after meeting at a church function. In October 2011, the Ricks opened Gravity Vineyards and Winery in Baroda, Michigan. Their daughter, Dylan, was born the day after the grand opening in 2011. After much success, the Ricks opened a second location in 2017 called Red Top Winery.

Southwest Florida was a childhood vacation spot for Rockie when he was growing up – a tradition he continued with his own family years later.  The Ricks moved to Estero in the summer of 2021 and celebrated the opening of R.A.D. Tasting Room in Miromar Outlets that December.

Not long after they opened the tasting room, the Ricks began looking for a farm to expand their R.A.D. business. Rockie kept passing an overgrown property with dilapidated buildings out east on Corkscrew Road near their residential community, but he and Allison were hesitant.

“Finally, we decided to see it,” Rockie said. “The location was right, so we stopped and looked at it and figured we could clean it up and make it nicer.”

The Ricks went through two years of permitting, paperwork and hurdles in transforming the space, which included raising the elevation of the building to meet code. This involved hauling roughly $70,000 worth of soil.

“God taught us perseverance,” said Rockie.

That vision and determination has brought the Ricks much success, and even more gratitude.  Allison finds time among the hustle and bustle to “be present in the presence” and thank God for the good things they’ve worked hard to achieve.

“Our goal at R.A.D Corkscrew is to give people a great day off,” Allison said, “which  means having wines that will hit every type of person from the dry white and dry red to semi, to sweet, to sparkling, to unique, to traditional. We want people to show up and get a great flavor of our land and what we do, but also to find one that really hits their niche.”

Be sure to stop at R.A.D. Corkscrew for a truly Floridian wine-tasting experience. Located at 20948 Corkscrew Road, Estero. Hours of operation are 12-6 p.m. on Sunday, Monday and Thursday (closed Tuesday and Wednesday), and 12-8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Visit radbunch.com to learn more.