Henscratch Farms Will Be Sold At Auction

LAKE PLACID - Johanne Lauchman, owner of Henscratch Farms Vineyard & Winery, announced Wednesday that the Lake Placid property will be sold May 31 at auction by a marketing and auction firm from Bartow.

"I have other things I'd like to do with my time and my resources" Lauchman said in a press release. " My husband retired 18 months ago, and would like me to do the same, so I'm taking my chips off the table. I've always been a start-up gal. This is my fourth business. I don't believe I'll be at a loss for projects or employment, but don't tell my husband."

United Country - Oglesby and Company Auctioneers will produce the event for Henscratch Farms.

According to Scott Oglesby, the 30-acre vineyard and winery will be sold in four different parcels - two 10-acre pieces and two 5-acre pieces.

Oglesby, who said it will be an absolute auction, noted the sale of the front 10 acres of the property will include the inventory of the business.

The decision came on the heels of an award-winning season for the wines produced on the farm. In February, Henscratch received medals for both "Best Florida Red" and "Best Florida White" at the International Wine and Grape Juice Competition in Tampa, and then claimed the "Best of Show" title for its Country White. It was the first time in the history of the competition that a southern native scuppernong was awarded that status, or that the same winery claimed both red and white titles.

Lauchman planted 10 acres of muscadine and scuppernong grapes in 1999 after attending a grower's workshop co-sponsored by the Highlands Grape Growers Association and the county's Agriculture Extension Service. The country store and winery are in their fifth season.

The property is located at 980 Henscratch Road.

Interested bidders for this project or other live action events may contact the firm at 800-533-1135 or visit www.OglesbyAuctioneers.com for more information.