Fans of ice wine are invited to head over to Northeast Ohio all month long to celebrate an interesting product born of the region’s geography and winter weather.
Ice wines — made from grapes that are late-harvested in freezing weather to concentrate their sweetness — are a thing in the Grand River Valley, where wineries always expect a lot of Western Pennsylvanians to attend their annual ice wine festival.
Last year’s 18th fest was, due to COVID-19, a low-key affair, but the 19th comes back strong with events throughout March at many wineries along the Grand River near the Lake Erie Coast around Ashtabula.
For people who like their ice wine, well, chill: Wineries are offering tastings daily, from 11 a.m. or noon to 5 p.m.. Bigger gatherings, with vendors and activities such as ice carving, are happening on Saturdays. Other events such as wine dinners are scheduled on Fridays and other days throughout.
Stops — within a 10-minute drive of each other — are Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, Debonné Vineyards, Grand River Cellars Winery & Restaurant, Laurello Vineyards, Cask 307 Winery, South River Vineyards and, new this year, Red Eagle Distillery, which will be serving an ice wine cocktail.
For the Ice Wine Trail tastings, each place will provide an ice wine sample and glass with an appetizer for $7 per person. Some wineries are accepting donations of canned goods, or donating some proceeds to area food banks. Designated driver tickets are $4.
Get the full details and schedules at wggrv.com.
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