Kiona Vineyards and Hightower Cellars Deliver Excellence In Washington’s Red Mountain AVA

Red Mountain is the smallest and warmest wine-growing region in Washington State. So why all the excitement?

Red Mountain Rises To New Heights

An excellent starting point to unravel the allure of Washington State’s Red Mountain AVA is Kiona Vineyards. John Williams and Jim Holmes planted the first vineyard on Red Mountain in 1975. At the time Washington State was considered a first class white wine region with little prospect for good reds.

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That all changed with the first vintage from Kiona in 1980, as it foreshadowed the potential for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

Today the winery continues under the direction of the Williams family. The 270-acre estate winery produces about 25,000 cases annually, earning the title of a “big little winery,” according to John’s grandson JJ Williams, director of operations. The winery grows grapes for more than 60 other wineries.

Red Mountain receives 16 to 17 hours of sunlight in the summer, thanks to its higher latitude and southwestern-facing slope. That’s about two hours more than Napa Valley during growing season. At 5.8 inches of rain annually, the area receives less rain than Phoenix. The result? Grapes with smaller berries, increased tannins and concentrated flavors.

A Lemberger Superstar

While 60% of Kiona’s vineyards are planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain is not a one-trick pony. During a recent tasting, the diversity and brilliance of Red Mountain wines were highlighted.

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Fans of Lemberger will be surprised to learn that Kiona produced the first commercial Lemberger in the US and is the largest producer of Lemberger in the country. The Kiona 2016 Estate Lemberger has deep flavors of earth with minerality. The 2014 Mourvedre from Syncline uses fruit from Kiona’s famed Heart of the Hill Vineyard. It has low-key tannins, pure flavors of blueberry and is a superstar in the tasting room.

Fidelitas is known for artfully crafted Bordeaux-style wines. The 2016 Old Vine Merlot uses grapes from Kiona as well as the Ciel Du Cheval Vineyard. It was a special treat from the two oldest Merlot blocks in Red Mountain.

We sampled the delicious Kiona 2014 Old Block Cabernet Sauvignon and the Betz 2014 Heart of the Hill Cabernet Sauvignon. This shows the refined power of Red Mountain Cabs. The Kiona Cab had flavors of sage and mint while the Betz showed savory notes.

As a surprise we closed with a 2018 Kiona Chenin Blanc Ice Wine. Who knew? It is a true ice wine with bright flavors and acidity. A fitting final taste for a winery that was started with Chenin Blanc and Lemberger.

The Man – And Woman – In The Hightower

Kelly and Tim Hightower are the dynamic duo. No, they don’t don costumes and fight crime. What they do is equally dramatic -- they produce highly acclaimed wines from their 15-acre Red Mountain estate.

They started Hightower Cellars in 1997 in Woodinville, using grapes primarily from Red Mountain. Their first vintage was 221 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon. Five years later they bought their 15 acres on Red Mountain. Today they grow 10 acres of Bordeaux varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot.

Tim and Kelly are co-winemakers and are involved in every phase of the winemaking process. “We taste the barrels individually and then try different combinations,” said Kelly during a recent visit. “We get to be more like artists.”

There is another key member of the team – Riley the winery dog. Riley is a yellow lab and currently top dog at the winery. Former winery dog Murray is immortalized with his own line of wines.

Small Is Beautiful

The Murray 2017 Rosé is made with Syrah from the J. Hightower Vineyard and delivers crisp strawberry and mineral flavors for a mere $18. The Murray 2017 Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon is an outstanding value at $25. It is lush with cherry and spice notes. The Cabernet Sauvignon is joined by small quantities of Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot.

The 2015 Hightower Merlot is a ringing example of great Red Mountain Merlot. It is eminently drinkable with smooth dark fruit notes, medium body and just a touch of briar.

Half the grapes for the winery’s most acclaimed wine come from the Hightower estate vineyard located at elevations between 750 and 850 feet. The 2015 Red Mountain Reserve is made with the best barrels from the vintage. It is unfiltered and unfined and gets aging in mostly new oak. The Reserve has 14% Malbec, which adds refinement to the concentrated flavors of the Red Mountain Cab. It has swirls of black currant, wild cherry, cocoa and oak. At $55, this was one of the top wines tasted during our recent tour of Washington.

Hightower Cellars is a small production winery, with about 4,000 cases produced annually. That allows Tim and Kelly to personally oversee the winemaking and provide outstanding hospitality at their unique tasting room with a scenic view of Red Mountain Vineyards. Hightower has high standards that demonstrate the magical power of Red Mountain.

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Technorati Tags: Red Mountain AVA,Washington State wine,wine,Cabernet Sauvignon,Merlot

13th Annual Grand River Valley Ice Wine Festival Set March 4, 11 and 18 in Northeastern Ohio

Surprise! Chilly weather can mean something good – like the Grand River Valley Ice Wine Festival, now in its 13th year. The festival is located in the Northeastern Ohio in the heart of the Grand River Valley Wine Region. The event will be held March 4, 11 and 18.

Five area wineries come together to celebrate this golden nectar otherwise known as ice wine that can only be made in certain parts of the world. Not only is this wine unique but Grand River Valley ice wines have garnered top awards in international wine competitions.


The festival consists of 5 area wineries all within a 10-minute drive of each other. Each winery will provide a sample of their wines, an ice wine glass, and a complimentary appetizer. The event begins at noon and ends at 5 p.m. The cost is $6 per person at each winery.

Patrons begin at the winery of their choice for this fun, progressive Ice Wine tasting throughout the Grand River Valley wine region. Participating wineries include Debonné Vineyards, Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, Grand River Cellars Winery & Restaurant, Laurello Vineyards, and St. Joseph Vineyards. Making this event a progressive tasting is one of the reasons the event is such a draw. Patrons will have a unique experience at every winery and will be able to see different sights around the area.

Many wineries have added “extras” for people to enjoy. Some of the extras include special wine dinners featuring local meats, cheeses and vegetables, ice carving, dog sledding, food demonstrations and several artisans. Most of these “extras” are free but some will cost the patron a small additional charge. In addition, many of the winemakers will be on hand for people to talk to and other wines will be available for people to taste.

"This year is especially exciting for us here at Debonne Vineyards," says Tony Debevc, President. "Our 2013 Vidal Blanc Ice Wine garnered the top award at the San Francisco Chronicle wine competition being recognized as the sweepstakes winner for "Best Dessert Wine". In addition, our winemaker, Ed Trebets, garnered the same award for "Best Dessert Wine Maker". The festival provides a great opportunity for patrons to taste this award winning ice wine and the award winning ice wines at the other wineries as well.

In an effort to help the local food banks, the wineries are encouraging everyone to bring in canned food items for which they will receive $1 off at each location. For more information about the Ice Wine Festival call 440-466-3485 or visit www.wggrv.com for a list of details.

Appetizer Menu & Events include:

DEBONNE VINEYARDS

• APPETIZER:  Smokey Salmon Pate on Cracked Pepper Crackers
• Sled Dog Demonstration all day
• Live music Friday night and Saturday afternoon.
• Winter Glow Progressive Dinner – each Friday evening.  Call 440-466-3485 or www.debonne.com for more information on the dinner or to make reservations.

FERRANTE WINERY & RISTORANTE

• APPETIZER: Pound Cake with a  Peach Ricotta Cream
• Live music Friday & Saturday evenings.
• Take a picture with our giant ice wine bottle.
• Ice Wine Pairing Dinner offered all three weekends.   No Reservations Necessary.  Visit FerranteWinery.com for our menu & additional information.

GRAND RIVER CELLARS WINERY & RESTAURANT

• APPETIZER: White Cheddar, Bacon & Caramelized Onions Mac & Cheese
• Featuring Ice Carving at 12 p.m;
• Delightful Soy Candles featuring Ice Wine Candles
• Ice Wine Marshmallow Roast All Day (small additional fee)
• Winter Glow Progressive Dinner – each Friday evening.  Call 440-298-9838 or www.grandrivercellars.com for menu or more information on the dinner or to make reservations.
• Live music Friday and Saturday evenings from 7:30-10:30.

LAURELLO VINEYARDS

• APPETIZER:  Macaroon with hints of Orange and Dark Chocolate
• Featuring Beach Glass Jewelry by Rita Burns.
• What a video of this years ice wine harvest and pressing.

ST. JOSEPH VINEYARDS

• APPETIZER:  Ohio Apple Strudel Infused with Ohio Maple Syrup
• Krzys Family Maple Syrup Demonstration

Grand River Valley Ice Wine Festival Kicks Off In March

What’s the very best thing about our sometimes miserable winter weather? The rare and delicious treat of ice wine. In March some of the best in the nation will be featured at the Grand River Valley Ice Wine Festival.

Five Wineries Join In The Fun

The 13^th Annual Ice Wine Festival in the Grand River Valley Wine Region, located in Northeast Ohio, will be held on March 5, 12 and 19. Five area wineries in the Madison/Geneva area will come together to celebrate this golden nectar otherwise known as ice wine. It’s a wine that can only be made in certain parts of the world. These wineries have also won top honors in international wine competitions for these ice wines making them some of the best produced in the world.

The festival consists of five area wineries all within a 10-minute drive of each other. Patrons begin at the winery of their choice for this fun, progressive ice wine tasting throughout the Grand River Valley wine region. Participating wineries include Debonné Vineyards, Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, Grand River Cellars Winery & Restaurant, Laurello Vineyards, and St. Joseph Vineyards.

Making this event a progressive tasting is one of the reasons the event is such a draw. Patrons will have a unique experience at every winery and will be able to see different sights around the area.
Many wineries have added “extras” for people to enjoy. Some of the extras include special wine dinners, ice carving, dog sledding, food demonstrations and several artisans. Most of these “extras” are free but some will cost the patron a small additional charge. In addition, many of the winemakers will be on hand for people to talk to and other wines will be available for people to taste.

 

Weather Extremes Create A Challenge

Ice wine is one of the wines that require extreme temperatures in order to produce. With the weather being so extreme the last couple years, the grape growers have had their concerns. “It has been a rough couple of years for these grapes and with the warmest December on record, I was glad to see the cold weather come to freeze the ice wine grapes. I would never think of saying that after the last two very cold winters", says Nick Ferrante, owner and winemaker for Ferrante Winery. Art Pietryk, owner and winemaker of St. Joseph Vineyards looks on the bright side, “Another cold winter in 2015 damaged some of the buds on the sensitive vinifera wine grapes and reduced the crop. The good news however; with a reduced crop load the grapes ripened early and were of exceptional quality."

The wines featured at the Ice Wine Festival are ‘true’ ice wines. The grapes are left on the vines at the end of the traditional harvest season and await Mother Nature to shift seasons from fall to winter. Once the grapes are truly frozen, and the temperature reaches 17 degrees or less, the grapes are picked and pressed immediately before they have a chance to thaw.

Out of town guests will be sure to want to check the local visitor’s bureau websites for places to stay the night. Since the Ice Wine Festival is in March, area hotels and restaurants are able to give top-notch service because it is a slower time of year and are able to offer wonderful amenities and are much less crowded.

 

What You Need To Know

Participants will need to determine a starting point at one of the participating wineries in the Grand River Valley. Each winery will provide a sample of their wines, an ice wine glass, and a complimentary appetizer. The event begins at noon and ends at 5:00 PM. The cost is $6 per person at each winery. In an effort to help the local food banks, the wineries are encouraging everyone to bring in canned food items for which they will receive $1 off at each location. For more information about the Ice Wine Festival call (440) 466-3485 or visit www.wggrv.com  for a list of details.

Artificial Ice Wine? No Thanks, I'd Rather Freeze

While we explore the globe tracking down great wine, please enjoy this post from our archives.


Margarine. Turkey bacon. Sugar substitute. Reduced fat ice cream.

Image via Wikipedia

Enough already!

The latest assault on real food is artificial ice wine. I must declare up front that I'm not a big fan of sweet wines. However, there is something elegant and special about ice wine.

Ice wine is made from grapes that are allowed to freeze on the vine. Timing is everything with the production of this delecacy. Across Ohio, Michigan and Ontario hearty bands of winery workers and volunteers help harvest the grapes that are used in the production of one of the most expensive dessert wines.

Making ice wine is a risky proposition bevcause a slight variation in temerpature can doom an entire crop. If a winemaker is successful, the ice wine is like liquid gold. The wine is typically sold in half bottles and can range from $35 to more than $75.

According to a recent Associated Press story, some winemakers are now harvesting the grapes earlier in the fall and simulating winter conditions in a freezer. This, they say, allows for a lower price product and one that is more consistent. Others are aghast.

A good quality Riesling ice wine from New York can cost $75 to $100, while the artificial version would run about $50.

I was surprised to learn that Glenora Wine Cellars, an awesome  Finger Lakes winery, offers an artificial ice wine (for $18). One of the coolest things about ice wine is that some poor soul had to go out at 5 AM into a frozen vineyard and harvest the grapes which then have to be pressed while still frozen. I love the whole terroir aspect of wine. You can actually taste the sun, wind, soil and the care of the winemaker as you sip a glass of wine from a particular area, say Walla Walla Washington. What can you say about artificial ice wine? "Wow, they did an awesome job adjusting the temperature of the freezer?"

This is like an artificial pearl. It might still glimmer, but it doesn't have the same soul as the treasure that is formed through the forces of nature. The natural process allows for variations in the temperature and differences in grapes in the cluster. We're talking about complexity versus a standardized commodity.

Ice wine is also a specialty of our region. If we have to put up with unbearably cold winters and seemingly unending steel-gray skies, at least we can get some recognition and enjoyment from ice wine. I don't want to walk into Giant Eagle one day and see the shelves stocked with mass produced ice wine from Modesto.

Technorati Tags: wine,icewine

Grand River Valley Ice Wine Festival Scheduled March 7th, 14th, and 21st

With cold weather comes the Ice Wine Festival, now in its 12th year. The festival is located in the Northeastern Ohio in the heart of the Grand River Valley Wine Region. The event will be held March 7, 14 and 21. Five area wineries come together to celebrate this golden nectar otherwise known as ice wine that can only be made in certain parts of the world. Not only is this wine unique but Grand River Valley ice wines have garnered top awards in international wine competitions.

The festival consists of 5 area wineries all within a 10-minute drive of each other. Each winery will provide a sample of their wines, an ice wine glass, and a complimentary appetizer. The event begins at noon and ends at 5 p.m. The cost is $6 per person at each winery.
Patrons begin at the winery of their choice for this fun, progressive Ice Wine tasting throughout the Grand River Valley wine region. Participating wineries include Debonné Vineyards, Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, Grand River Cellars Winery & Restaurant, Laurello Vineyards, and St. Joseph Vineyards. Making this event a progressive tasting is one of the reasons the event is such a draw. Patrons will have a unique experience at every winery and will be able to see different sights around the area.
Many wineries have added “extras” for people to enjoy. Some of the extras include special wine dinners featuring local meats, cheeses and vegetables, ice carving, dog sledding, food demonstrations and several artisans. Most of these “extras” are free but some will cost the patron a small additional charge. In addition, many of the winemakers will be on hand for people to talk to and other wines will be available for people to taste.
"This year is especially exciting for us here at Debonne Vineyards," says Tony Debevc, President. "Our 2013 Vidal Blanc Ice Wine garnered the top award at the San Francisco Chronicle wine competition being recognized as the sweepstakes winner for "Best Dessert Wine". In addition, our winemaker, Ed Trebets, garnered the same award for "Best Dessert Wine Maker". The festival provides a great opportunity for patrons to taste this award winning ice wine and the award winning ice wines at the other wineries as well.
Art Pietrzyk, owner of St. Joseph Vineyards, looks forward to the festival every year, "The Ice Wine Festival is a great opportunity for people to get out in March after another long and cold winter." He adds, "Ice Wine is unique and can only be produced in areas such as ours. Imagine that, a benefit from the cold!" The wines featured at the Ice Wine Festival are ‘true’ ice wines. The grapes are left on the vines at the end of the traditional harvest season and await Mother Nature to shift seasons from fall to winter. Once the grapes are truly frozen, and the temperature reaches 17 degrees or less, the grapes are picked and pressed immediately before they have a chance to thaw.
Out of town guests will be sure to want to check the local visitor’s bureau websites for places to stay the night. Since the Ice Wine Festival is in March, many of our hotels and restaurants are able to give top-notch service because it is a slower time of year and are able to offer wonderful amenities and are much less crowded.
In an effort to help the local food banks, the wineries are encouraging everyone to bring in canned food items for which they will receive $1 off at each location. For more information about the Ice Wine Festival call 440-466-3485 or visit www.wggrv.com for a list of details.

Appetizer Menu and Events

DEBONNÉ VINEYARDS: APPETIZER: Butternut Squash Soup with Diced Pears Sled Dog Demonstration all day Live music Friday night and Saturday afternoon. Field to Fork Progressive Dinner – each Friday evening. Call 440-466-3485 or www.debonne.com for more information on the dinner.
FERRANTE WINERY & RISTORANTE APPETIZER: Chocolate Hazelnut Pursette. View our custom designed evergreen Ice Wine Queen. Live music Friday & Saturday evenings. Join us for our 3 course Wine Pairing Dinner.  Available Friday, Saturday, & Sunday all three (3) Ice Wine Weekends!  No Reservations Necessary.  Visit FerranteWinery.com for our menu. SPECIAL CABERNET SAUVIGNON ICE WINE TASTING  Enjoy this unique and rare Ice Wine paired with Chef’s appetizer.  (small additional fee)
GRAND RIVER CELLARS WINERY & RESTAURANT APPETIZER: Blue Cheese & Bacon Mac & Cheese Featuring Ice Carving at 12 p.m; Delightful Soy Candles featuring Ice Wine Candles Ice Wine jelly samples and sales by Gathering Place; Ice Wine Marshmallow Roast All Day (small additional fee) Field to Fork Progressive Dinner – each Friday evening.  Call 440-298-9838 or www.grandrivercellars.com for menu or more information on the dinner. Live music Friday and Saturday evenings from 7:30-10:30.
LAURELLO VINEYARDS APPETIZER:  Silky Chocolate Mouse with a Savory Crunch Topping Featuring Beach Glass Jewelry by Rita Burns. Art show by Carolyn Mandato featuring European scenes.
ST. JOSEPH VINEYARDS APPETIZER:  Apple Strudel with infused Ohio Maple Syrup Art Show Krzys Family Maple Syrup Demonstration

Debonne Vineyards' Vidal Blanc Ice Wins Best Dessert Wine in San Francisco

Debonne' Vineyards, Ohio's largest estate winery, just received word that their 2013 vintage of Vidal Blanc Ice Wine won the "Sweepstakes Award for Best Dessert Wine" at the 2015 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. This event has become the largest competition of American wines in the world, with a staggering 6,300 entries in 2015. A panel of 60 prestigious experts judge these wines each year. The Sweepstakes Award is presented for wine that is considered to be the best dessert wine out of all the gold medal winning wines.
Debonne' Vineyards winemaker Ed Trebets commented on the 2013 vintage, "We picked the grapes on December 12th, which is historically early for the ice wine harvest and, as a result, there was a good balance of acidity and ripeness. Timing was perfect in order to get the best juice for winemaking."
True "ice wine" can only be produced in a handful of wine regions throughout the world. In order to be a true "ice wine" temperatures must drop to 17 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, and the grapes must be hand-picked and pressed while frozen. Ice wine sugars occur naturally during the freezing process. There is never any artificial freezing.
Owner Tony Debevc could not be more pleased. "This ice wine was harvested before the devastating Polar Vortex hit the Grand River Valley Wine Region in 2013/2014. We knew while harvesting the grapes that it was going to be a special vintage. The grapes were perfectly hand-picked at just the right time. We are honored to be recognized with such a prestigious award for a wine that is truly a labor of love."
The Debonne' Vineyards Vidal Blanc Ice Wine retails for $29.99. It will also be the featured wine for Ohio's 12th Annual Grand River Valley Ice Wine Festival on March 7th, 14th, & 21st. More information can be found here.

Debonné Vineyard Ice Wine Receives Crystal Grape Award

Photo of ice wine grapes frozen on the vine. Photo credit: Wikipedia.

We’re big fans of wines from Ohio’s Grand River Valley. One of the styles that flourishes there is ice wine, the sweet and difficult to produce nectar. We were pleased to hear about Debonné Vineyards receiving this important award.

Tony Debevc, president of Debonné Vineyards in Madison just received word his Grand River Valley 2013 Ice Wine was awarded the ‘Crystal Grape Award’ as the best of class ice wine in the prestigious Finger Lakes International Wine Competition. This Ohio ice wine beat out other wineries from New York, Canada, and Slovenia for the coveted award.

Led by head judge G.M.Pucilowski, who also coordinates the California State Fair Competition, more than 75 wine experts from across North America as well as from around the world evaluated over 3,700 wines submitted from every US state and more than 25 other nations.  The judges were selected from the ranks of sommeliers, restaurateurs, wholesalers, wine media and professional judges to reflect all facets of the wine industry and to give consumers confidence in the quality of the medals awarded. 

“On behalf of Ed Trebets and his winemaking team here at Debonné we are proud to be recognized with this prestigious award. It represents a validation of our viticulturists Gene Sigel's commitment to estate grown fruit here at Debonné and reinforces the place of the Grand River Valley as a region where both great grapes are grown and nationally respected wines are vinted,” said Debevc.

The wine competition and wine auction dinner that follows the competition donates all of the proceeds to Camp Good Days and Special Times to provide their programs free of charge  to children and their families who are battling cancer and other life challenges.

The Debevc family of Debonné Vineyards in Madison, Ohio has been growing grapes since early in the 20th century on their four generation family farm which now includes more than 170 acres of grapes making it the largest estate winery in Ohio. Since its establishment in 1971, the winery has been recognized as an innovator in viticultural techniques, as a thought leader in regional, state and national trade organizations and as one of the most popular tourism destinations in the Buckeye State.  For more information about Debonné Vineyards, visit www.Debonne.com

For information about the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition, visit www.fliwc.com

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Grand River Valley Ice Wine Festival Celebrates Its 11th Year Beginning March 1

For three Saturdays in March “ice wine groupies” will swarm to five area wineries in Northeastern Ohio, during the 11th Annual Ice Wine Festival. The event is sponsored by the Wineries of the Grand River Valley and will be held on three consecutive Saturdays, March 1, 8 and 15 from noon to 5:00 PM.
The focus will be on the next vintage of ice wine. Lovers of this golden nectar wine will come from all over the state of Ohio and neighboring states as well. It’s a celebration of a labor of love and a unique wine that can only be made in certain parts of the world.
The festival consists of five area wineries all within a 10-minute drive of each other. Patrons begin at the winery of their choice for this fun, progressive Ice Wine tasting throughout the Grand River Valley wine region. Participating wineries include Debonné Vineyards, Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, Grand River Cellars Winery & Restaurant, Laurello Vineyards, and St. Joseph Vineyards.
Making this event a progressive tasting is one of the reasons the event is such a draw. Patrons will have a unique experience at every winery and will be able to see different sights around the area. Many wineries have added “extras” for people to enjoy. Some of the extras include special wine dinners featuring local meats, cheeses and vegetables, ice carving, dog sledding, food demonstrations and several artisans. Most of these “extras” are free but some will cost the patron a small additional charge. In addition, many of the winemakers will be on hand for people to talk to and other wines will be available for people to taste.
“I love having the consumer down in my cellar so they can taste these wines”, says Cindy Lindberg, event coordinator and president of Grand River Cellars Winery. “Being down there among the tanks and barrels gives you a true understanding of a working wine cellar. Many other wineries have patrons in the cellars tasting wine as well as roasting ice wine marshmallows, or relaxing and looking at juried crafts while sipping on their ice wine. It's an opportunity to get out and embrace the cold weather and have a great time doing it."
The wines featured at the Ice Wine Festival are ‘true’ ice wines. The grapes are left on the vines at the end of the traditional harvest season and await Mother Nature to shift seasons from fall to winter. Once the grapes are truly frozen, and the temperature reaches 17 degrees or less, the grapes are picked and pressed immediately before they have a chance to thaw. This year's harvest was December 12th during the very early morning hours. The harvest was one of the biggest in history as the grapes were still well formed and hearty.
Out of town guests will be sure to want to check the local visitor’s bureau websites for places to stay the night. Since the Ice Wine Festival is in March, many of our hotels and restaurants are able to give top-notch service because it is a slower time of year and are able to offer wonderful amenities and are much less crowded.
Participants will need to determine a starting point at one of the participating wineries in the Grand River Valley. Each winery will provide a sample of their wines, an ice wine glass, and a complimentary appetizer. The event begins at noon and ends at 5 p.m. The cost is $6 per person at each winery. In an effort to help the local food banks, the wineries are encouraging everyone to bring in canned food items for which they will receive $1 off at each location. For more information about the Ice Wine Festival call (440) 466-3485 or visit www.debonne.com  for a list of details.
Appetizer and Event Menu
DEBONNÉ VINEYARDS - APPETIZER: Ice wine infused Chocolate Fudge - Sled Dog Demonstration all day. Field to Fork Progressive Dinner- each Friday evening. Ice Wine Raffle to support the “We Care” fund to help assist wounded soldiers. Call (440) 466-3485 or www.debonne.com for more information on the dinner.
FERRANTE WINERY & RISTORANTE - APPETIZER: Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with a Nutmeg Spice Ice Wine Marshmallow - Ice Wine Princess-all day. “A Touch of Glass” featuring Grape Jewelry.
GRAND RIVER CELLARS WINERY & RESTAURANT - APPETIZER: Pear, Walnut, & Caramel Tart - Featuring Ice Carving at 12 p.m. Delightful Soy Candles featuring Ice Wine Candles - Wine jelly samples and sales by Gathering Place - Ice Wine Marshmallow Roast All Day (small additional fee) - Field to Fork Progressive Dinner- each Friday evening. Call (440) 298-9838 or www.grandrivercellars.com for more information.
LAURELLO VINEYARDS - APPETIZER: Chocolate, Pepper & Nut Biscotti - Featuring Beach Glass Jewelry - Hand Painted Glassware.
ST. JOSEPH VINEYARDS - APPETIZER: Ohio Apple & Maple Strudel - Art Work featuring Jeff Suntala - Krzys Family Maple Syrup Demonstration.

Technorati Tags: icewine,wine,Grand River Valley winemakers

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Grand River Valley Ice Wine Festival Celebrates Its 10th Year; Event Continues March 9 and 16

Madison, Ohio – The 10th Annual Ice Wine Festival sponsored by the Wineries of the Grand River Valley is now underway with special events and delicious ice wine. The event continues Saturday, March 9, and  Saturday, March 16, from noon to 5:00 PM. The cost is $6 per person at each winery. In an effort to help the local food banks, the wineries are encouraging everyone to bring in canned food items for which they will receive $1 off at each location. For more information about the Ice Wine Festival call (440) 466-3485 or visit http://www.debonne.com for a list of details and a map.
Ten years ago a small group of wineries got together and decided to create a festival to showcase their ice wines, a wine that can only be made in certain parts of the world. What originally started as a one day festival drawing 250 people has grown to a three-day festival over the course of three weekends drawing close to 3,000 patrons. "Ice Wine Groupies" from all around the state and neighboring states come to the Grand River Valley wine region in Northeastern Ohio to taste this golden nectar of the gods called Ice Wine.
The festival consists of five area wineries all within a 10-minute drive of each other. Patrons begin at the winery of their choice for this fun, progressive Ice Wine tasting throughout the Grand River Valley wine region. Participating wineries include Debonne Vineyards, Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, Grand River Cellars Winery & Restaurant, Laurello Vineyards, and St. Joseph Vineyards.
Making this event a progressive tasting is one of the reasons the event is such a draw. Patrons will have a unique experience at every winery and will be able to see different sights around the area. Many wineries have added “extras” for people to enjoy. Some of the extras include special wine dinners, ice carving, dog sledding, food demonstrations and several artisans. Most of these “extras” are free but some will cost the patron a small additional charge. In addition, many of the winemakers will be on hand for people to talk to and other wines will be available for people to taste.
"It is wonderful for people to come and celebrate the harvest of this special wine", says Cindy Lindberg, event coordinator and president of Grand River Cellars Winery. "Coming to this festival truly engages the consumer in the celebration of ice wine with all the added extras this festival has to offer. Many wineries have the patrons downstairs in their private cellars, or roasting ice wine marshmallows, or relaxing and looking at juried crafts while sipping on their ice wine. It's an opportunity to get out and embrace the cold weather and have a great time doing it."
The wines featured at the Ice Wine Festival are ‘true’ ice wines. The grapes are left on the vines at the end of the traditional harvest season and await Mother Nature to shift seasons from fall to winter. Once the grapes are truly frozen, and the temperature reaches 17 degrees or less, the grapes are picked and pressed immediately before they have a chance to thaw. This year's harvest was December 4th as we picked throughout the night and into the early morning.
Out of town guests will be sure to want to check the local visitors bureau's websites for places to stay the night. Since the Ice Wine Festival is in March, many of our hotels and restaurants are able to give top-notch service because it is a slower time of year and are able to offer wonderful amenities and are much less crowded.
Participants will need to determine a starting point at one of the participating wineries in the Grand River Valley. Each winery will provide a sample of their wines, an ice wine glass, and a complimentary appetizer. The event begins at noon and ends at 5 p.m.

Appetizer Menu & Special Events

DEBONNE’ VINEYARDS: Blueberry & Blue Cheese Spread. Featuring Ice Carving at 2:00 PM; Sled Dog Demonstration. 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: Vidal Blanc Wine Peach Ravioli. Cooking Demonstration 1:00 PM; “A Touch of Glass” featuring Grape Jewelry. 3 Course Ice Wine Pairing Dinners March 1st, 8th, & 15^th.
GRAND RIVER CELLARS WINERY & RESTAURANT: Blue Cheese Mousse topped with Crumbled Bacon. Featuring Ice Carving at 12:00 PM. Wine jelly samples and sales by Gathering Place. 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: Savory Caramelized Onion & Bacon Crostini topped with Thyme Goat Cheese Mousse. Featuring Beach Glass Jewelry & Pottery.
ST. JOSEPH VINEYARDS: Golden Pound Cake drizzled with Warm Maple Syrup & Caramelized Nuts. Art Work featuring Jeff Suntala. Krzys Family Maple Syrup Demonstration.

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Finger Lakes Ice Wine and Sparklers Show Delicious Versatility

Quick, name a Finger Lakes grape variety! Chances are you said, “Riesling.” Riesling is the grape most associated with New York’s premier winemaking region – but the vintners in the Finger Lakes have talents that culminate in a spectrum of wines – from the driest sparklers to sweet dessert wines.

The TWAV tasting team gathered recently to take part in a virtual tasting to sample four ice style wines and three sparkling wines. The lineup included:

• Atwater Estate Vineyard 2008 Cuvée Sparkling Wine
• McGregor Vineyard 2008 Blanc de Noir
• Swedish Hill Winery Riesling Cuvée
• Casa Larga Vineyards 2008 Vidal Ice Wine
• Lucas Vineyards 2010 Vidal Iced Wine
• Knapp Winery 2010 Vidal Ice Wine
• Standing Stone Vineyards 2010 Gewurztraminer Ice

The Atwater Cuvée is a sparkling wine from the Seneca Lake appellation made with 66% Pinot Noir and 34% Chardonnay. It is handcrafted every two years using the traditional méthode champenoise. Atwater is known for their consistently clean, well defined white wines. The winery has an awesome view from their deck and it is one of the closest to the B&B we typically stay at while visiting the Finger Lakes.

The Cuvée was a crowd pleaser. The delicate bubbles were a treat. The wine was smooth with the Chardonnay being apparent on the nose. This is a versatile food wine.

The second sparkler was the McGregor 2008 Blanc de Noir. As the name suggests, this white wine is made with Pinot Noir grapes that typically yield a light red wine. A total of 1,800 bottles were made using the time-consuming méthode champenoise. The McGregor has 0.5% residual sugar but remains dry.

The Blanc de Noir was less effervescent than the Atwater and had a light nose. This is a pleasing wine from a seriously cool winery.

Swedish Hill Winery’s Riesling Cuvée rounded out the trio of sparkling wines. Swedish Hill is one of the largest wineries in the Finger Lakes. They regularly earn recognition on the state, national and international levels.

This Cuvée was the only one to have noticeable sugar (at 3.4%). There were 750 cases produced and it has 12% alcohol. Our tasting team detected peach on the nose and enjoyed the hint of sweetness on the palate. This is a good choice to appeal to both the sweet and dry wine lovers.

The second flight was ice wines, although I would term two of them ice-style wines since the grapes are frozen after harvest. Casa Larga’s 2008 Fiori Vidal Blanc Ice Wine led off the flight.

Casa Larga uses traditional German Eiswein techniques, harvesting the grapes late in December when the temperature drops below freezing for an extended period of time.

The body is thick with a pleasant nose. There is a bright sweetness with butterscotch and stone fruit flavors. This is a highly awarded wine. Although great ice wine can be made with a variety of grapes, Vidal seems ideally suited for this style.

Lucas Vineyards is the oldest winery on Cayuga Lake and they produce elegant fruit-driven Rieslings and a wide range of other wines. The Lucas 2010 Vidal Blanc Iced is not a traditional ice wine. The grapes are frozen post harvest. The result is certainly delightful.

This wine is honey on the tongue and the body is less syrupy than most ice wines, giving it almost a fruit juice quality. The aroma is most fragrant and the taste is like a refreshing pear. This was the team choice for best ice wine.

Standing Stone Vineyards specializes in Riesling and Gewürztraminer. The grapes for their 2010 Gewürztraminer Ice comes from their oldest Gerwurz vineyard. This is a non-traditional ice wine, with the grapes frozen post harvest.

The Gerwurz ice brings a bushel of unique flavors including spicy nutmeg and pumpkin. The bouquet is floral and perfumed. This luxurious wine will be perfect to accompany dessert after a hot Asian meal.

Knapp is a groundbreaking Finger Lakes winery. They were the first to plant Cabernet Franc (bless you!) and the first winery restaurant on Cayuga Lake. Their white wine program emphasizes fruit driven flavors with full bodied complexity in the mouth.

Rounding out the tasting was the Knapp 2010 Vidal Ice Wine. This has a whopping 23% residual sugar and a thick consistency. The grapes were harvested when it was 13 degrees Fahrenheit. On the nose there is white grape and sherry. On the palate there is a charming honey citrus flavor. It is a complete package of sweet goodness.

Our tasting left us with a great appreciation of the skill of Finger Lakes winemakers. The ice wines are simply superb, rivaling the best we have sampled. The sparkling wines show great promise and help demonstrate that the Finger Lakes is a wine lover’s dream destination, no matter what style you prefer.

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Grand River Valley Winegrowers Cool Hosts Of 9th Annual Ice Wine Festival

The flier for the 9th Annual Ice Wine Festival, hosted by the Winegrowers of Grand River Valley sports a photo of snowman in the middle of a swirl of snowflakes. The recent summer-like weather would reduce Frosty to a puddle of water in a flash but provides great traveling weather for visitors to Ohio’s wine country.

That was the case last weekend when we dropped in at the festival, which runs for three Saturdays in March. The festival continues this Saturday (March 17) from noon to five.The five participating wineries are Debonne Vineyards, Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, Grand River Cellars Winery & Restaurant, Laurello Vineyard and St. Joseph Vineyards. The cost is $6 per person for ice wine samples plus a complimentary appetizer. You can read more tickets, etc. at the link below the story.

Green Dragon and I aren’t big sweet wine drinkers, but appreciate the artistry and hard work that goes into making this tasty elixir. The grapes are harvested when frozen then immediately pressed. Here’s an important secret – taste in very small sips to enjoy the nuances and not be knocked out by the sugar.

This is one of the biggest events in Ohio wine country nestled near Lake Erie and in between Madison and Geneva. One winemaker told us that more than 600 people visited during the first Saturday of the festival – that’s a huge crowd for some mostly small wineries.

The festival is a blast. The wineries are rocking and people are in a boisterous and friendly mood. The sunshine and sweetness made it a great getaway for Green Dragon and me. We also enjoyed our stay at the Quail Hollow Resort in Painesville.

We started our visit at Laurello, which has a great tasting room plus a wide range of tasty wines. Our next stop was Ferrante. As usual, this winery is a class act. Most of the ice wine we sampled was from Vidal Blanc, which is perfect for this type of wine and thrives in our area. A few also offered ice wine from Cab Franc. The Cab Franc icewine at Ferrante was awesome with concentrated cherry and raspberry flavors. Green Dragon chose their Vidal Blanc ice wine as her favorite.

St. Joseph Vineyards Pinot Vista tasting room was next. It’s open, airy and a big improvement from their original tasting room. St. Joseph is known for their award-winning Pinot Noirs, but we sampled an awesome 2009 Gamay that is delicate but nicely structured with light fruit. They also produced a standout Late Harvest Vidal Blanc (the conditions weren’t cold enough to produce a true ice wine.

We headed to Debonne next, but the parking lot was full and it was as crowded as a Justin Bieber concert (is that dude still popular?). We pulled out of the parking lot and noticed a sign for South River Vineyards. They’re not a member of the winegrowers association, but they are one of our favorite area wineries.

It was also packed, probably more than it ever was when it was a church. We squeezed in and took a break from ice wine by sampling the Karma (Cabernet blend) and Dry Riesling. It was a massive party that we enjoyed from a prime viewing location. All was fine until we got up to leave. My jacket sleeve brushed against the wineglass sending it shattering on the floor. The hundreds of people in the room became silent – and then broke out in applause, which I acknowledged with upraised hands.

We cruised to Grand River Cellars and enjoyed our ice wine in their cellar, a first for us, while chatting pleasantly with another couple. GRC offered sparkling Vidal ice wine, which had enough frizzante to make it tickle. One of the best on our trip.

The only down note on the trip was when we tried to visit Farinacci Winery. This was at the farthest westerly part of our trip and we had good reports from our tasting team members. It was closed. On a Saturday? With hundreds of wine lovers roaming around just a couple miles away?

We zipped back to an old favorite, Harpersfield Winery. Their beautiful estate wines rate among our favorites in Ohio. I enjoyed the unique Musette blend of Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and Chambourcin (highly recommended). Green Dragon was sippin’ on a pre-release Pinot Gris.

You’ll be pleased with a visit to any of this wineries no matter the season – but if you can, catch the last Saturday of the ice wine festival before it melts away!

Technorati Tags: wine,icewine,Ohio wine

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Niagara-on-the-Lake Winery Visit: Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Winery

Another in our series of Niagara-on-the-Lake winery reports.
Jackson-Triggs is a heavyweight on the Niagara-on-the-Lake wine scene. Chance are you have heard of them even if you have never ventured north of the border. They are well known for their icewine, which is widely available in the US.

As we were driving to the winery we noticed an odd building in the distance and weren’t quite sure what it could be – the futuristic, industrial lines looked like it could be a power plant or something from Tron Legacy. Rolling closer we realized this was in fact our destination.

Without a doubt, this is one of the most unusual and coolest winery buildings you’ll ever see. It was past noon and we were ready for some food. We pulled out our cooler and picnic goodies and made ourselves at home at a picnic table with a good view of the winery and the vineyards.

The winery is a state-of-the-art facility and 20 times Jackson-Triggs

has been named Canadian Winery of the Year. The secret is out, however, and on the day of our visit, the facility was teeming with busloads of visitors. Jackson-Triggs is part of Vincor, which was purchased by Constellation, one of the world’s foremost wine and liquor companies.

My tasting was somewhat limited here. The tasting room was crowded and in order to pace myself (we had been visiting other wineries), I decided to sample just a couple of selections.

My first was the 2006 Niagara Peninsula Meritage. This is a blend of 37% Cabernet Franc, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon and 27% Merlot. This had some nice raspberry and plum flavor notes, but to me, it had a rough quality – perhaps due to high tannins.

My next selection was actually a Le Clos Jordanne wine. Jackson-Triggs and Le Clos Jordanne are stable mates within the Constellation brand. I sampled the 2007 Le Gran Clos Pinot Noir. This is a super premium Pinot that lists for about $70. It has dancing flavors of chocolate and cinnamon along with red fruit. 2007 was considered a top vintage and there is no doubt this is one of the premier Pinots in Ontario.

The winery is a showcase and also offers a full experience with winery tours, culinary events, and musical performances. You can also check out icewine from four different grapes: Gewürztraminer, Cabernet Franc, Riesling, and Vidal. A sparkling Riesling icewine is also offered.
This is a NOTL must-see.

Technorati Tags: wine,Niagara-on-the-Lake,Ontario

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Northeast Ohio's 8th Annual Grand River Valley Ice Wine Festival Begins March 5

  The 8th annual Grand River Valley Ice Wine Festival begins Saturday, March 5, and

Image via Wikipedia

continues for the next two Saturdays (March 12 and 19. Proceeds from the event will help local food banks.The festival will include ice wine tasting, special dinners and more.

Five wineries in the Grand River Valley wine region of Northeast Ohio, each within a 10-minute drive of the next, will participate:
-- Debonne Vineyards
-- Ferrante Winery & Ristorante
-- Grand River Cellars Winery & Restaurant
-- Laurello Vineyards
-- St. Joseph Vineyards

"Each of the five wineries are very different," says Kim Laurello, of Laurello Vineyards. "Because of this, participants will have a unique experience at each of them, and different activities are offered at each location."

Options include special wine dinners, ice carving, dog sledding, cooking demonstrations, and the work of several artisans. In addition, many of the winemakers will be on hand for people to talk to and other wines will be available for people to taste."

Participants will need to determine a starting point at one of the participating wineries. Each winery will provide a sample of its wines, along with a complimentary appetizer.

The event begins at noon and ends at 5 p.m. The cost is $5 per person at each winery. In an effort to help the local food banks, the wineries are encouraging everyone to donate canned food items, for which they will receive $1 off at each location.

Ice wine is a labor of love in the wine industry, and one that the Grand River Valley Wineries believe is worth celebrating.

"This year the ice wine harvest saw the harshest conditions," says Tony Debevc, of Debonne Vineyards. "A blizzard blew into the region, temperatures dropped, and the picking crews were called in."

Debevc described the wines featured at the Ice Wine Festival as "true" ice wines.

"The grapes are left on the vines at the end of the traditional harvest season and await Mother Nature to shift seasons from fall to winter," he said. "Once the grapes are truly frozen, reaching temperatures below 17 degrees, the grapes are picked and pressed immediately before they have a chance to thaw."

A list of lodging packages is available on the winegrowers' website, http://www.wggrv.com/. For more information about the Ice Wine Festival call (440) 466-3485 or visit http://www.wggrv.com/ for a list of details and a map. 

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Artificial Ice Wine: No Thanks! I'd Rather Freeze

   Margarine. Turkey bacon. Sugar substitute. Reduced-fat ice cream.

Image via Wikipedia

Enough already!

The latest assault on real food is artificial ice wine. I must declare upfront that I'm not a big fan of sweet wines. However, there is something elegant and special about ice wine.

Ice wine is made from grapes that are allowed to freeze on the vine. Timing is everything with the production of this delicacy. Across Ohio, Michigan and Ontario hearty bands of winery workers and volunteers help harvest the grapes that are used in the production of one of the most expensive dessert wines.

Making ice wine is a risky proposition because a slight variation in temperature can doom an entire crop. If a winemaker is successful, the ice wine is like liquid gold. The wine is typically sold in half bottles and can range from $35 to more than $75.

According to a recent Associated Press story, some winemakers are now harvesting the grapes earlier in the fall and simulating winter conditions in a freezer. This, they say, allows for a lower-priced product and one that is more consistent. Others are aghast.

A good quality Riesling ice wine from New York can cost $75 to $100, while the artificial version would run about $50.

I was surprised to learn that Glenora Wine Cellars, an awesome  Finger Lakes winery, offers an artificial ice wine (for $18). One of the coolest things about ice wine is that some poor soul had to go out at 5 AM into a frozen vineyard and harvest the grapes which then have to be pressed while still frozen. I love the whole terroir aspect of wine. You can actually taste the sun, wind, soil and the care of the winemaker as you sip a glass of wine from a particular area, say Walla Walla Washington. What can you say about artificial ice wine? "Wow, they did an awesome job adjusting the temperature of the freezer?"

This is like an artificial pearl. It might still glimmer, but it doesn't have the same soul as the treasure that is formed through the forces of nature. The natural process allows for variations in the temperature and differences in grapes in the cluster. We're talking about complexity versus a standardized commodity.

Ice wine is also a specialty of our region. If we have to put up with unbearably cold winters and seemingly unending steel-gray skies, at least we can get some recognition and enjoyment from ice wine. I don't want to walk into Giant Eagle one day and see the shelves stocked with mass-produced ice wine from Modesto.

Technorati Tags: wine,icewine

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Niagara-On-The-Lake Icewine Festival A Cool Event For January

Image by Andy Ciordia via Flickr

Snow draped vineyards and warm hospitality collide during the Niagara-on-the-Lake Icewine Festival. Events are scheduled in this scenic Ontario town daily throughout the month of January. Icewine comes to life as each of the Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake offer distinct events sure to leave a sweet taste in your mouth. For a full list of Winery events, click here.

In addition, the Heritage District will be the site of a variety of Icewine-inspired events, the flagship event being the Niagara-on-the-Lake Icewine Village. Held on January 22 and 23 from11 am to 5 pm, the event pairs Icewines from the 25 Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake with jazz music and Icewine-infused delicacies from Niagara-on-the-Lake dining partners. Admission is free.

Back in September TWAV visited the wineries of NOTL and we were dazzled by the wine and beautiful "tasting boutiques" at the wineries. Ice wines are a rare treat -- and done perhaps nowhere better than in Ontario. One of the wineries we visited was Strewn. I'm sorry I won't be able to get back there to try their Icewine Shake. Sounds tasty.

Reif Winery, another one of our favorites, is offering the Icewine Experience on weekends. You can taste a flight of Icewine paired with culinary delights at their Sensory Wine Bar. Start with a butternut squash soup paired with Riesling Icewine, next taste two Vidal Icewines, one paired with duck terrine and one paired with blue cheese for a sensory explosion. Finish with a strawberry truffle paired with Cabernet Franc Icewine. Reservations are not required but strongly recommended. Cost is $30 per person.

On the evening of January 22, Wine Country’s hottest Icewine “mixologists” will compete in the Icewine Cocktail Competition, where guests can sample the innovative Icewine cocktails created. Admission is free.

Icewine Legends, a tasting series lead by Niagara-on-the-Lake’s founding and upcoming Icewinemakers, allows guests to taste the legacy of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s most precious wine. It takes place the weekends of January 15-16, 22-23 and 29-30. The cost is $35 per person. For more Niagara-on-the-Lake Icewine Festival events, including Icewine & A Movie, a celebration of Icewine and 50 Years of Shaw Festival and Goodies for Grownups, an Icewine and dessert reception hosted by celebrity Chef Anna Olson, visit the Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake website.

Technorati Tags: wine,icewine,Niagara-on-the-Lake,Ontario

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Winning Wines Crowned in Ohio, Eastern and Riesling Competitions

Image of Swedish Hill Vineyard via Snooth

Wineries from Ohio and the Finger Lakes have been garnering accolades in three competitions for which results were announced last week.

The Ohio Wine Competition was held May 10-12 in Wooster, Ohio, and the 34th Annual Eastern International Wine Competition and Riesling Championship was held May 19-21 in Watkins Glen, NY.

The news was all good for Ferrante Winery of Ohio. Ferrante’s Gewurztraminer Signature Series 2008 (Grand River Valley) took overall best of show at the Ohio competition and a double gold at the Eastern competition. Their 2008 Vidal Blanc also nabbed a double gold. The Ferrante Pinot Grigio Signature Series 2008 (Grand River Valley) took the Best of Show honors in Ohio.

Debonne Vineyards took a double gold in the Ohio competition ice wine category with their Vidal Blanc Ice Wine Express.

Ravens Glenn Winery was awarded three Ohio golds for their Chardonnay, Barbera and Chardonel.
Also garnering honors in the Eastern International competition were Tabor Hill of Michigan with a gold medal for their 2008 Kerner, and Maize Valley Winery (of east central Ohio) which collected gold for their 2009 semi-sweet Riesling and their Summer Flig white blend.

Dr. Konstantin Frank’s Vinifera Cellars of the Finger Lakes remains the king of Riesling. Here are the results:

RIESLING CHAMPIONSHIP
Riesling Champion
Dr. Konstantin Frank, 08 Riesling, Finger Lakes (AVA), Bunch Select Late Harvest, $69.99
Best of Class
Best Dry Riesling
Eagle Crest Vineyards, 09 Riesling - Dry, Finger Lakes (AVA), $12.99
Best Semi-Dry Riesling
Chateau Ste Michelle and Dr. Loosen, 08 Eroica Riesling, Columbia Valley (AVA), $24.00
Best Semi-Sweet Riesling
Chateau LaFayette Reneau, 09 Riesling Semi-Dry, Finger Lakes (AVA), Estate, $14.99
Best Sweet Riesling
Dr. Konstantin Frank, 08 Riesling, Finger Lakes (AVA), Bunch Select Late Harvest, $69.99

Other Eastern International gold winners (DG indicates double gold) include:

Anthony Road (3), Atwater Estate Vineyards (DG for their ‘08 Dry Riesling), Chateau Lafayette Reneau (2 DG), Eagle Crest Vineyards (2), Fulkerson Winery, Glenora Wine Cellars, Heron Hill, Hunt Country, Knapp Winery, Lucas Vineyards, Swedish Hill (4 gold plus DG for their 2009 semi-sweet Riesling), and Thirsty Owl Wine Company.

Full results of the Eastern International Wine Competition can be found here.

Technorati Tags: wine

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

Technorati Tags: wine

Photo by Dominic Rivard