Ice Wine Festival sweetens weekends

Ice Wine Festival sweetens March weekends

Ice Wine Festival, set the first three Saturdays in March, is built around sampling of ice wine from Grand River Valley vintners.

The sweetest month of the year around here may just be March, when both ice wine and maple sugaring come into focus. Sounds of birds, green spikes of future flowers and longer days encourage weekend road trips to embrace the sweetness of spring as winter fades away.

The 14th annual Ice Wine Festival, set the first three Saturdays in March, is built around sampling of ice wine from a handful of Grand River Valley vintners, just as the Maple Driving Tour among maple producers gets underway in Geauga County on March Saturdays and Sundays.

There are dozens of ways to mix and match weekend visits for those joining the fun because participants decide where and when they wish to begin the sweet celebration.

Those wishing to build an Ice Wine Festival experience around a meal may wish to reserve a spot at the Friday-evening progressive dinners set for 6:30 p.m. March 2, 9 and 16 and priced at $59.50 per person, including tax and gratuity. Each course will include that winemaker’s suggested wine pairings. Participating wineries are a few minutes’ drive from each other.

The dinners begin with the first and second course at Debonne Vineyards in Madison. The third course is set for Grand River Cellars, also in Madison, while the fourth course will be at Red Eagle Distillery, next door to Debonne and just over the county line into Ashtabula.

All of the dinners are different from one another, but each features an element in which ice wine is an ingredient. Consider,

for instance, the ice wine glazed carrots served with the apricot glazed short ribs or salmon and the wine honey spread served with a baguette for the March 2 third course at Grand River Cellars.

Call 440-466-3485 for progressive dinner reservations.

Ice Wine Festival attendees begin at the winery of their choice, where activities such as ice carving, sled dog and cooking demonstrations and jewelry shows are scheduled on Saturdays. Ice wine marshmallows can be roasted at Grand River Cellars, ice-carving demos will take place at 1 p.m. March 3 at Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, where a wine pairing dinner also is available all three Saturdays. A 4-mile run between Debonne and Grand River

Ice wine can be made only in small areas of the world because the grapes are left on the vine after the traditional harvest season ends.

Cellars is set for March 4, a video of the ice wine harvest will be shown at Laurello, and jewelry will be showcased at St. Joseph Vineyards.

Ice wine can be made only in small areas of the world because the grapes are left on the vine after the traditional harvest season ends. Once winter temperatures reach 17 degrees or less, the grapes are harvested frozen and pressed immediately before they thaw. Because they have shriveled considerably in the months they’ve hung, the production of juice is smaller and the wines increase in price.

Ice wine is typically made from Vidal Blanc grapes, so one might think all the local ice wines would taste the same. But that is not the case, as those who visit several wineries during the festival will discover.

Laurello Vineyards will offer tastes of its Habanero Ice Wine, which it has been producing the past three years. Dried habanero peppers are added to the finished ice wine and left to soak for up to five days, depending on the heat of the peppers. When the peppers are removed, they’re taken to Mayfield Road Creamery in Orwell, where they are used to make Havarti

habanero cheese, which is sold at the winery.

“Hot summers mean hotter peppers,” says Kim Laurello, partner with her husband, Larry, in Laurello Vineyards.

She recommends making a cocktail with 1 ounce of Habanero ice wine and 1 ounce of vodka over ice, with a skewer of crisp bacon placed in the glass.

Its regular ice wine also will be offered during the Ice Wine Festival. Laurello’s ice wine typical sells for $30 for a 375-milliliter bottle but will be discounted during the festival.

Cindy Lindberg at Grand River Cellars will make ice wine martinis available at extra cost during the festival. She offers this recipe:

1 shot Grand River Cellars Vidal Blanc Ice Wine

1 shot Valley Vineyards Champagne

1 shot Red E Vodka from Red Eagle Distillery

Shake together with ice and serve over frozen grapes.

For the festival, each winery will provide a sample of its wines, an ice wine glass and a complimentary appetizer. Cost is $6 at each winery, but those who bring a canned food item for the local food bank get $1 off at each locations. Participating wineries are Debonne Vineyard, Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, Grand River Cellars, Laurello Vineyard and St. Joseph Vineyards.

Details: www.wggrv. com; 440-466-3485.

Those with children in tow may wish to visit one of the stops on the Maple Driving Tour of Geauga County. Stops that should be especially appealing to children include Sugarbush Creek Farm on Route 528 in Middlefield, 1.3 miles south of Route 322.

Take a wagon ride to meet “Mountainman Jeff” to learn about the early history of maple sugaring and discover how American Indians and pioneers made syrup. Then take a guided tour to see how modern technology does it. Relas in a wood framed tasting lodge to sample some of Geauga’s best syrup. All grades are available along with maple candy, maple butter and granulated maple sugar. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays, March 3 and 4 and March 10 and 11.

Or visit Snö Chalet at Punderson, 11755 Kinsman Road (Route 87), Newbury Township,

Here you can indulge in authentic Belgian waffles made with dough imported directly from Belgium and tasty waffles on a stick (gluten-free/vegan options available) with Geauga County maple syrup from Pleasant Valley View Farms of Montville. Also try maple lattes and maple s’mores to warm up after the state park’s free snow tubing with a tow lift, snow yoga or family game night. Find the Chalet on the first drive to the left after entering the state park. Details: 440-7732520.

CARL E. FEATHER Ice Wine Festival wineries will showcase these wines, along with appetizers, a wine glass and special activities on March Saturdays. A progressive wine dinner takes place at three wineries on Festival Fridays.

SUBMITTED Winemaker Larry Laurello prepares to dehydrate habanero peppers which then are soaked in ice wine. After soaking the peppers go to a cheesemaker to be incorporated into a habanero cheese to be sold at Laurello Vineyards.