Friday, February 26, 2010

Winegrowers of the Grand River Host 7th Annual Ice Wine Festival March 6 and 13

Fans of the rare and tasty treat ice wine can rejoice. The Winegrowers of the Grand River Valley are hosting the 7th Annual Ice Wine Festival from noon to 5 PM on Saturday, March 6 and Saturday, March 13.

The Winegrowers of the Grand River Valley include: Debonne Vineyards, Grand River Cellars, Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, St. Joseph Vineyard, and Laurello Vineyards. Joining in this festive event is South River Vineyards. The wineries are in the Madison-Geneva area in Northeast Ohio.

Toledo Wines and Vines has recently visited each of these wineries during special wine trail events. If you haven't had a chance to visit them yet, this is a golden opportunity. We are fortunate that our region has the grapes, climate and winemaking know-how to produce the rare and delightfully sweet ice wine. 
 
The cost for the event is only $5 at each winery. This is ridiculously low considering that the grapes for ice wine must be harvested at just the right temperature (freezing!) and all at once -- making this an expensive wine.

Patrons will visit each of the participating wineries and sample their ice wine along with a complimentary appetizer. Many of the wineries will also have a featured event including ice carving, jewelry shows, dog sledding demonstrations and much more.

The cost of $5 per person at each winery includes wine samples, appetizer and special events. (To make it even more of a deal, bring in a canned food item and receive $1 off per person and help support the local food banks.) For more information, call 440-466-3485. Here's a peek at the appetizer menu and special events:
DEBONNE’ VINEYARDS: Almond Butter Cookies served with Dried Apricots -- Ice Carving at 1 p.m. -- Ice Wine Martini Bar (small additional fee) -- Winter Glow Progressive Dinner- each Friday evening. Call 440-466-3485 for more information on the dinner.

FERRANTE WINERY & RISTORANTE: Crostini made with Caramelized Onions, Gorgonzola Cheese, and our Ice Wine Fig Jam -- 1 p.m. Cooking Demonstration by Chef Nina of Ferrante Winery -- 3 p.m. Local Artist Carol Johnson creating Glass Art Grape Jewelry -- 4 Course dinner specials paired with wine in the restaurant that evening.

GRAND RIVER CELLARS WINERY & RESTAURANT: Warm Peach Cobbler -- Ice Carving at 1 p.m. -- Live painting by area artist Wendy Peskar -- Free Wine Jelly Samples by Gathering’s on March 6th -- Ice Wine Marshmallow Roast All Day (small additional fee) -- Winter Glow Progressive Dinner- each Friday evening. Call 440-298-9838 for more information.

LAURELLO VINEYARDS: Dessert Pizza with a Cream Cheese topped with Strawberries, Pineapple and Crumbled Bacon -- Featuring Beach Glass Jewelry -- Free Wine Jelly Samples by Gatherings on March 13th -- Candlelight wine cellar dinner in our newly renovated 100 year-old barn following the ice wine festival each weekend. Chef Justin Severino will be preparing a 5 course family style meal paired with wine. Menu and cost to be announced at http://www.laurellovineyards.com/.

SOUTH RIVER VINEYARDS: Free Ice Wine Glass to the First 2,000 attendees -- Winter Glow Progressive Dinner- each Friday evening.

ST. JOSEPH VINEYARDS: Pound Cake With a Maple Glaze -- Maple Syrup Demonstrations
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Photo by Dominic Rivard
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