Grand River Valley Wineries Offer Fall Events

GENEVA, Ohio – The Grand River Valley wine region’s lineup of fall events begins this weekend with Dinner and a Thrill.

The Halloween-themed evening will take place every Friday and Saturday through October at Grand River Cellars and Regal Vineyards.

Participants begin their evening with dinner at Grand River Cellars, which includes a sample of their Fright White wine and Blood Red wine.  After dinner, a trip down the road leads them to Regal Vineyards, where the Haunted Winery & Corn Maze awaits.

This $32 package gives participants $15 toward any appetizer or dinner, admission to the Haunted Winery and maze (a $40 value).  Tickets must be purchased in advance online at www.debonne.com.

HARVEST CRUSH TOUR: Ever wonder what Chardonnay juice tastes like before it’s fermented into wine?  The Harvest Crush Tours at Debonne Vineyards and Grand River Cellars provides an opportunity to have this rare harvest immersion experience.

 Participants begin at Grand River Cellars with a food and wine pairing demonstration in the cellar.  Along with their four samples of wine paired with appetizers, participants will also sample fresh pressed grape juice from that week’s harvest.  Participants then drive to Debonne Vineyards for another tasting experience that will include four wine samples and two fresh-pressed juices.  Following the tasting is a harvest tour to include grape pressing, the processing facility, and the juice house.

The tours run on Wednesdays through Oct. 26.  The cost is $40 per person.  Reservations are required; go to www.grandrivercellars.com.

ADULT TRICK OR TREAT: Cask 307 Winery, Debonne Vineyards, Grand River Cellars, South River Vineyards, Red Eagle Distillery and the Black Door Tavern are teaming up for the annual Adult Trick or Treating Trail.

The trail runs the entire month of October.  Participants can go any day they choose.

Each location is offering a Halloween themed appetizer paired with two wine samples or a specialty mini cocktail.  Each location will also offer a seasonal cocktail that you may wish to purchase while you are there.

Grand River Cellars is also offering a Halloween candy and wine tasting tray.

The trail is $8 per person at each location. Participants who get their trail card stamped at all locations will be entered to win into a wine country overnight getaway package.

PUMPKIN CARVING: Grand River Cellars is offering a master class in pumpkin carving with professional pumpkin carver Michael C. Gradomski. The fee is $35 for an uninterrupted hour of hands-on instruction, which includes a drink from the Grand River Cellars, loaned carving tools, loaned pumpkin light, a pumpkin (already hollowed out) that you’ll carve and take home, and instructions on aftercare to preserve your work. Reservations are required in advance at www.grandrivercellars.com.

TURKEY TROT: The annual Grand River Valley Turkey Trot is not a race, but another great tasting experience focused on the Thanksgiving Dinner.  Join Debonne Vineyards, Grand River Cellars, Cask 307 Winery, Ferrante Winery, and Laurello Vineyards on Saturday, Nov. 5, from noon-5 p.m.  Each winery will offer a Thanksgiving themed appetizer and two wine samples featuring a Grand River Valley wine that will make dinner complete.  The cost is $8 per person and each winery will make a monetary contribution to the local food banks from event proceeds.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.