I didn't take many photos during our self-guided tour of The Deering Estate back in March. I wasn't planning to post about it...until we hit the basement - interesting.
In 1913, Charles Deering (International Harvester) bought hundreds of acres on Biscayne Bay. Now, it's Miami. Back then, it was land that was previously occupied by Paleo Indians, Tequesta and Seminoles, for 10,000 years. In 1922, (basically in the middle of nowhere) he built this (above) fireproof structure to house his vast art collection. The family owned the estate until 1986.
The kitchen house.
What the heck did he keep behind several feet of bars and steel?
Liquor.
In 1945, a hurricane jammed the doors of the vault. They stayed sealed - completely unopened - until 1986, when the state of Florida purchased the property. This is what they found when they opened the doors. 6,000 bottles! Why did Charles build a vault straight out of Ocean's Eleven? Prohibition.
Today.
Yum.
Next year, we're completing the tour by visiting nearby Vizcaya: James Deering's Winter home.
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13 comments:
Nice! You are one busy bee. :-)
What an amazing wine collection! I hope you were able to enjoy some of the vintages
Reminds me of tours of Hearst's Castle in California. - Margy
I've visited the Vizcaya several times but I never made it here. I don't know how I missed it!
Hello, it is a beautiful estate! And wow, look at all that wine. Thanks for sharing your visit.
Enjoy your day, wishing you a great new week!
What a fascinating place.
Interesting place!
I like the picture of your hubby drinking from the bottle! Great profile!
Very impressive estate! Certainly worth a visit.
How interesting! We don't hear much about that time of history and I bet everybody was shocked to find the wine. I imagine the wine would be worth a lot if the wanted to sell it.
I enjoyed your post at 'My Corner of the World' this week!
My Corner of the World
wow a beautiful estate Makes you think he 6000 bottles You can throw quite a party with that amount lol
Wow - beautiful!
I'm smiling at this post. Looks like a good time was had by all, past and present!
How interesting! I now need to add another trip to Miami to our “must visit while in Florida” list. Did not know about this.
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