By Aja Hannah
It’s March. You’re chilly and, honestly, in need of a little buzz. The Browns have been done, March Madness and baseball season hasn’t started yet. You want to stoke the fire in your belly but you’re tired of craft beers and IPAs.
Keep it classy and beat the cold with a drink unique to our cold temperatures — ice wine. Seven wineries of Grand River Valley will be celebrating the 2020 Annual Ice Wine Festival for three weekends.
Ice wine is made using frozen grapes (thanks to those chilly breezes off Lake Erie) and can only be referred to as “ice wine” if the grapes naturally freeze on the vine. Only a handful of countries and a few select states in the US have the climate to make the wine; ours is one of those.
What’s Special This Year
Thanks to popular demand, the festival will see extended hours in 2020 with an 11 a.m. start time. It’s not just tasting either. The wineries have events like ice sculpting, dog sledding and wood carving. Pop over from one winery to another and — though it may take a few weekends — sample all seven of the Grand River Valley wineries.
The admission ticket at each winery includes wine samples, an ice wine glass, appetizers and each winery’s special event. Transportation between wineries has also been expanded, so drinking and driving is not an option. Designated drivers are always welcome and receive non-alcoholic drinks, appetizers and a discounted entry price.
Participanting Wineries
The original five wineries of the Grand River Valley will be participating in the festival: Debonné Vineyards; Ferrante Winery & Ristorante; Grand River Cellars Winery and Restaurant; Laurello Vineyards; and St. Joseph Vineyards. Cask 307 Winery and South River Vineyards are joining in this year, too.
Despite the main festival days being held on the first three Saturdays in March, the wineries will be doing special events throughout weekdays during this timeframe.
On Friday evenings, select wineries will be hosting Tapas and Progressive Ice Wine dinners. For the competitive and spirited, there will be a Sunday Run and Ice Wine event. If you’re staying the week or taking a long weekend in the area, more laid-back activities include ice wine cooking classes, ice wine yoga, sangria making classes and live music. Additional fees or registration may apply.
History
Cindy Lindberg, the event coordinator, started the Annual Ice Wine Festival after experiencing Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Ice Wine Festival. At the time, she worked as a school psychologist during the week and at the wineries on the weekends and summers.
“Before the Ice Wine Festival, we never really did group activities with the other wineries. I sent out a letter to the others [wineries] that made ice wine and everybody jumped on it. The first Ice Wine Festival...300 people showed up. We were ecstatic,” said Lindberg.
Event Details
Cost is $7 at each winery, which includes wine samples, an ice wine glass at each winery, appetizer and special events. (Bring in a canned food item to help support our local food banks and receive $1 off per person.) Call 440.466.3485 for more information.