Fresh Fork Ohio Wine Country Tour 

Fresh Fork Market is proud to offer its customers a unique educational experience in the Grand River Valley (Geneva, OH).  On Sunday, June 26^th, we’ll visit four of Ohio’s finest vineyards and wineries.  The focus of the event is to learn about how wine is agriculture, from the growing of grapes, pressing of juice, wine making, and food and wine pairing.  This event is ideal for novices and experienced wine connoisseurs.    

NOTE:  This event is NOT on Fathers Day.  I learned that lesson last year!  Oh, and yes, that is a cheesy picture of Allyson and I from last year's wine tour enjoying the fruits of our work!

Agenda for the Day

The day will consist of four stops, each approximately 1.5 hours each.  On stop 3 we will enjoy a delicious lunch overlooking Ferrante’s vineyards.

 Stop 1:  South River Vineyard:  10 AM

Here we will learn about the agriculture side of the wine business.  We'll take a tour of the vineyards with winery owner Gene Sigel.  Gene will explain to us how they grow grapes, what varieties and why, and how grapes are harvested.   Gene will also explain about the micro-climates of the Grand River area and how they are ideal for certain grapes, including quality Bordeux viniferas and other hybrids (such as what South River grows).

We’ll then go inside their 200 year old church for a wine tasting of their delicous wines! 

 Wine tasting included at this stop.

 Stop 2:  Laurello Winery, 12 PM.

Here we’ll learn about taking grape juice and turning it into wine.   Discussion will include different production processes, materials, and how Ohio wines are unique.  Tasting included here.

Stop 3:  Ferrante Winery.  1:45 PM

At this stop, we’ll sit down for a delicious three course lunch, including local ingredients. Each course will be paired with a wine.  The chef and winemaker will explain to us how they paired the wines and answer questions you have about proper food and wine pairing (if such a perfect set of rules exist!).   

Food and tasting included here.  If anyone went on last year's trip...you'll be looking forward to this delicious lunch again! 

Stop 4:  Debonne Vineyards and Winery.  4:00 PM

Here we’ll explore the “wheel of wine.”  The discussion will focus on different varietals, production techniques, climates and soils, and the flavors associated with those conditions.  Further discussion will follow about winery as a tourism attraction and how the Debonne's have created a very successful winery on both quality of wines and unique events.  

Also, we'll be there during the Debonne Jazz Festival, so live jazz music will be presented.  This stop also has a micro-brewery on site, so we'll take some time and focus on the beer production and how it compliments their winery.  

Tasting included at this stop.