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A Winelovers Guide to Lake Erie Wine Country

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Along the southern shore of Lake Erie where it borders Pennsylvania you will find the vibrant and always evolving wineries of Lake Erie Wine Country. The Lake Erie AVA is the largest grape-growing region east of the Rockies and a treasure trove of activities but for this post, I’ll highlight six wineries that will provide visitors an itinerary upon which they can build as they become more familiar with the area. 

I’ll start with the winery I consider to have the most name recognition of the region’s producers. Mazza Vineyards and South Shore Wine Company are two destination wineries for first-time visitors or seasonal travelers. Both are a good starting point to explore the wines that these legacy wine companies offer. Mazza Vineyards 11815 E. Lake Rd (Rt5) North East 814-725-8695  South Shore Wine Company 1120 Freeport Rd (Rt89) North East 814-725-1585 http://enjoymazza.com

Our next stop is 6 Mile Cellars and as its name suggests it is located on 6 Mile Creek in Harborcreek. This is the closest winery to downtown Erie making it a convenient stop for visitors. This boutique winery’s tasting room is in a one hundred-year-old horse barn that has been repurposed into an inviting space to enjoy their diverse selection of wines. 5727 Firman Rd Erie 814-580-8375 http://6milecellars.com

Route 20 provides easy access to the popular Courtyard Winery in North East. No tasting at Courtyard’s beautiful tasting room is complete without trying their Chambourcin.  10021 West Main Rd North East 814-725-0236  http://courtyardwinery.com

Continuing on Route 20 we arrive at Arundel Cellars & Brewing Company 11727 East Main Rd North East. This winery is a landmark in the area and is well-known to travelers on Route 20. 814-725-1079 http://arundelcellars.com

If you want to try something different but still taste distinctive wines, consider Burch Farms Country Market & Winery. You can shop at their country market for farm fresh produce, and assorted baked goods from their bakery, and taste their wines. Located at 9210 Sidehill Rd North East

http://burchfarmscountrymarketandwinery.com 

Erie, Pennsylvania offers something for everyone and is an easy drive for many in Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio. If you haven’t given this region much thought as a day trip or getaway option please take a minute to see if it’s right for you. 

Photo credit: http://lakeeriewinecountry.org

Award-Winning Winery For Sale

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If you have ever dreamed of owning a winery and leading the exciting life of a winemaker, well here’s your chance. Tod and Jean Manspeaker have made the decision to sell their Briar Valley Winery in Bedford, Pennsylvania and embark on the next great adventure of their lives.

Here’s a little background on the winery. The latest Suckling Review gave their Brair Valley Proprietor’s Red and Merlot 91pts and the new Chardonnay 90pts. The International Wine Review scored their Lemberger and Merlot 91pts and Chardonnay 90pts. Briar Valley continues to produce highly rated wines year after year fulfilling a legacy of excellence without fail.

COMMENTS: Rare and unique opportunity to own a family-owned and operated winery! This is an award-winning and turn-key business! Some of their prestigious awards include the Governor’s Cup, a gold medal in the San Francisco’s Chronicle for the Riesling, double gold and best of show in Riesling in the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition and many others. Included in this offering is 7,200 square foot building currently producing 1,000-2,000 cases of wine annually with space to easily produce 5,000-10,000 cases; all production equipment; all inventory; goodwill; and all licenses. The license allows the production of still and sparkling wines, distilled spirits, and hard cider. The tasting room is leased space located in the heart of downtown Bedford, beer sales are also permitted here.

MLS 51709    Click here:   Click here for link to listing

For more information please contact Sean Bardell at Howard Hanna Bardell Realty     814-623-8622  email: STBardell@yahoo.com

Gervasi Vineyard = Tuscany in Ohio

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Recently my wife and I had the pleasure of enjoying an overnight visit to Gervasi Vineyard in Canton, Ohio. If you are looking to escape to a little piece of Italy for a day or two this is an excellent “No passport required” option. All the buildings and amenities at Gervasi fit

The Crush House

effortlessly into the 55-acre Tuscan-themed property. This premier destination winery

resort boasts fine Italian dining ranging from the “The Bistro” located in the meticulously restored original barn to the trendy “Crush House” with its casual dining choices and views of the winemaking operations. We did our wine tasting at the Crush House where we sat at the bar which afforded us the added entertainment of watching the chefs in the open kitchen work their magic. The small plates we ordered to accompany our flights were excellent.

Gervasi Vineyard makes three very good estate wines from the grapes harvested from the

Tanks in the Crush House

five acres of vineyards located on the property. The other wines they offer are made from grapes sourced mainly from California and the Finger Lakes of New York. We found these wines to be very well-made and enjoyable to drink. The menu also includes craft beer, select imported wines and distilled spirits made on site in “The Still House”. The Still House is a café  with a coffee bar by day then transforms into a cocktail lounge by night with live music, Gervasi signature spirits, draft beer, wine and snack food.

“The Piazza” delivers an alfresco dining venue where guests can savor the relaxing view of the lake. We chose to dine at “The Bistro” which offers patrons a rustic upscale Italian

North Vineyard

dining experience. We ordered Chef Jerry’s Famous Tuscan Beef Short Ribs and paired them with a Barolo from the Italian Piedmont. Everything at The Bistro was upscale, plentiful and presented in a friendly and helpful atmosphere. I found this attention to detail and customer service a constant in all of my interactions at Gervasi. 

We stayed in the newly opened boutique hotel appropriately named “The Casa”. The Casa has 24 individual suites with king-sized beds, gas fireplaces that light with the press of a button, heated floors and a covered patio overlooking the pond and courtyard. A complimentary Italian-style continental breakfast is available each morning and will be delivered to your room. 

“The Villas at Gervasi Vineyard” has been named “Best Wine Country Hotel” by USAToday

The Lake at Gervasi Vineyard

two years running and is a Four Diamond hotel. Each villa has four suites with fireplaces. A complimentary breakfast is also included at the villas. The villas can be reserved as an individual suite or as an entire villa. These accommodations are just a short walk from all that Gervasi has to offer. 

“The Farmhouse” is the property’s original 1830 farmhouse that has been completely restored and modernized. The Farmhouse sleeps 7-8 guests with four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a large wrap-around porch. 

Gervasi Vineyard is the perfect option for someone looking for a break from the daily routine of life. Whether it is a romantic getaway, girl’s weekend or even a business meeting Gervasi will leave you with “bei ricordi”.  The NFL Football Hall of Fame is only a short 15-minute drive from, Gervasi. One last thing, be sure to pick up a bottle of Gervasi’s very

Gervasi”s Courtyard Fire Pit

own imported Italian olive oil. “Delizios”

Gervasi Vineyard 1700 55th St NE Canton, OH 44721  (330) 497-1000  http://Gervasivineyard.com

Island Wine Festival

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The Island Wine Festival was held October 5th & 6th, 2013 on the grounds of the Put-In-Bay Winery in Put-In-Bay, Ohio.  Put-In-Bay is on South Bass Island in Lake Erie and is only a short ferry ride from Port Clinton.  The festival was set up under several large tents where vendors and local wineries displayed more than 400 wines that were available for tasting and purchase.  I was disappointed that more Ohio wineries were not represented because I wanted to taste a variety of their wines and see how the industry was progressing .  I did taste a dry Traminette offered by Chateau Tebeau Winery from Helena Ohio, one of the few Ohio wineries in attendance.  Chateau Tebeau grows a variety of grapes and owner Bob Tebeau told me this years harvest was excellent, with the Brix as high as 26.  Chateau Tebeau didn’t suffer the frost that hit many of the vineyards in Western Pennsylvania this spring.  It was the end of the season at Put-In-Bay but we all had a good time enjoying the party atmosphere that this destination is famous for, the only thing

Put-In-Bay Winery

Put-In-Bay Winery

The Miller Ferry arrives at Put-In-Bay from Port Clinton

The Miller Ferry arrives at Put-In-Bay from Port Clinton

missing were the in season crowds.  When visiting Put-In-Bay I suggest stopping by the Put-In-Bay Winery and Heineman Winery to get a little taste of island wine.  You can walk between the wineries or make the trip in a rented golf cart, the preferred mode of transportation of tourist on the island, but always remember you can be charged with D.U.I. even when driving a golf cart!  

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Saturday Night Jive for a Cause

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Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger of the Pittsbur...

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger of the Pittsburgh Steelers prior to a game (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

     The Vineyard at Hershey will be hosting “Saturday Night Jive for a Cause” on July 14, 2012 from 6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.  The event will feature an open air concert by Not Quite Einstein.  Come and enjoy music under the stars along with a bonfire, roasted corn, s’mores and the handcrafted wines of The Vineyard at Hershey.  Pack a picnic dinner and bring your blanket or chair then join some friends for a summer evening of fun.

     Tickets to the fundraiser are $20.00 each and can be purchased at The Vineyard at Hershey website.  All ticket proceeds will benefit the Big 33 Scholarship Foundation.  The Big 33 Scholarship Foundation provides academic scholarships for students throughout Pennsylvania and Ohio.  There will also be a live auction featuring some great experiences for you to bid on as well as a bottle of The Vineyard at Hershey’s  own wine that has been autographed by Pittsburgh Steelers Ben Roethlisberger.  So make plans today to attend “Saturday Night Jive” and help make this event a success for the Big 33 Scholarship Foundation.