Wine lovers won't want to miss an upcoming event on three Saturdays in March (2, 9, 16) as winegrowers of the Grand River Valley host their 10th annual Ice Wine Festival featuring a progressive tasting of Ohio-made ice wines.
Grand Valley Ice Wine Festival Participating in the event will be six area wineries, all within 10 minutes of each other. The wineries are Grand River Cellars Winery and Restaurant, Debonne Vineyards, Ferrante Winery and Ristorante, St. Joseph Vineyards, Laurello Vineyards and South River Vineyards.
Guests will visit each winery (between noon and 5 p.m.) and sample their ice wine in addition to a complimentary appetizer. Some appetizer selections include blueberry and blue cheese spread, Vidal Blanc wine peach ravioli, blue cheese mousse topped with crumbled bacon, caramelized onion and bacon crostini and golden pound cake drizzled with warm maple syrup and caramelized nuts.
There will also be special events at most of the wineries including ice carving, sled dog demonstrations, jewelry shows (featuring beach glass items and pottery), a maple syrup demonstration and an art show. There will also be a booth where you can purchase wine jelly and enjoy a free sample.
Debonne Vineyards will have an Ice Wine Martini Bar (small additional fee) and Grand River Cellars Winery and Restaurant will feature a marshmallow roast all day (small additional fee). South River Vineyards will be giving a free mini Hurricane glass to the first 5000 guests.
Cost of the event is $6 per person at each winery and the admission includes an Ice Wine glass, wine samples, the appetizer and the special events. If you bring a canned food item (which will support local food banks), you will receive a $1 off per person.
Ice wines are made from frozen grapes that have been left on the vine as autumn goes into winter. The grapes must reach a temperature of below 17 degrees before they can be picked, at which point they are then pressed immediately before the grapes can thaw. All the picking of the fruit is done at night and the pressing is done in the early morning then next day.
For more information about the Grand Valley Ice Wine Festival call 440-466-3485 or get online at www.grandrivercellars.com.
All the participating wineries are located in the Grand River Valley near Madison, Ohio and Geneva, Ohio approximately 45 minutes to an hour east off Cleveland.
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