Ohio’s Lake Erie wine district produces a variety of tasty ice wines, similar to the most famous Niagara wines, but much more affordable. The area surrounding the eastern portion of Lake Erie enjoys a unique microclimate, with a longer growing season than most of the surrounding regions and fertile, sandy soil, a remnant from the Ice Age, when this pocket was part of the land bed. In addition, the breezes from the lake, which often stays unfrozen until way into December, keeps away a hard frost until late November or December.
Ice Wine, produced by allowing wine grapes to freeze on the vine concentrating their sugar content, is particularly well-suited to this climate. Several northeast Ohio wineries craft these wines, often with the American hybrid, Vidal Blanc grape. Below are a few of the best.
Debonne Vineyards – Located in the Grand River Valley, just south of the Village of Madison, family-owned Debonne Vineyards has been crafting wine for nearly 40 years. The winery’s Ice Wine is made from naturally frozen Vidal Blanc grapes that are hand-picked during the wee hours in early December. You can even join in the harvest. Debonne invites the public to assist in the picking. It’s a great way to learn more about Ohio wine-making.
Ferrante Winery – Just west of Geneva, also in the Grand River Valley, Ferrante Winery opened in 1979. The 65-acre winery, located just off of I-90, features a restaurant, tasting room, gift shop and outdoor dining area. Ferrante makes two Ice Wines–one using Vidal Blanc grapes and another with Cabernet Franc grapes. The former earned a gold medal at the 2006 Riverside (California) International Wine Competition.
Ferrante Winery
5585 N River Road West
Geneva, OH 44041-8388
(440) 466-6046
ferrantewinery.com
Laurello Vineyards
Laurello VIneyards is a smaller, boutique winery located east of Geneva, Ohio. The cozy, family-operated business has a popular tasting room with a fireplace that serves appetizers and pizzas right out of the wood-burning oven. Like Ferrante, Laurello’s makes both a Vidal Blanc and Cabernet Franc Ice Wine. This winery also invites friends of the business to join in picking the Ice Wine grapes and serves breakfast by the fire after the harvest.
Laurello VIneyards
4573 State Route 307 E
Geneva, OH 44041-7680
(440) 415-0661
laurellovineyards.com
Like most ice wines, Ohio Ice Wines are sold in 375 ml. bottles. Ice Wine is traditionally served as a dessert wine and pairs well with chocolate and raspberry dishes.
