New Year's Eve Winery Events

Two Ohio wineries, the Old Firehouse Winery and the Winery at Versailles, want to help you ring in the new year on December 31.

The Old Firehouse Winery, 5499 Lake Road, Geneva-on-the-Lake, is offering the “Firehouse Un-New Years Eve.” Which they bill as "no over-priced admission, no band, no cover charge, and no mediocre buffet." It's just you, the wine, and the festive ambiance of Old Firehouse Winery. You are invited to come in early, and stay late. The winery will be open until 1:00 a.m. Phone 800-UNCORK-1 for more information.

You are invited to join The Winery at Versailles, 6572 State Route 47, Versailles, for their "A Night in Hollywood" New Years Eve Celebration from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on December 31. Come as your favorite actor or actress. A movie trivia challenge is planned followed by dinner and photos on the red carpet. The evening will finish with the awards ceremony. Light fare, toasting and great wine will be featured. Watch out for the stalking paparazzi. The tickets $20 per person. Reservations are a must. Call (937) 526-3232 for reservations and more information.

Photo by Wes Peck

From Your Friends at TWAV

2009 Vintage: Patience Pays Off for Michigan's Winemakers

Visitors to Michigan's 71 wineries can taste the first wines from the 2009 vintage next spring. What they may not realize is that the grapes for those wines had a tough season on the vine. It was cold. It was wet. There was extreme cold in February and unexpected frost in early October. Not ideal growing conditions for wine grapes.


Doug Welsch, with Fenn Valley Vineyards, says 2009 "will be remembered as one of the most difficult years to grow wine in the Northeast U.S. One significant bright spot was the four weeks of above-normal temperatures and sunny weather during late August and into September."

According to Tom Zabadal, grape specialist with Michigan State University Extension, Michigan's wine grape crop endured the lowest number of "growing degree days" (days where the temperature is above a minimum threshold) in 14 years. Growers throughout the state held off on harvest as long as possible to get additional heat, and many removed clusters to allow the remaining grapes to ripen more fully.

The good news, according to Welsch, is that "this was a stellar year for white wines. Early white varieties, including Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay and Riesling, have great fruit forward character and a pleasant acidity that makes the wine seem fresh and alive." Winemakers on Old Mission Peninsula also report that early whites have "lively acidity and show a refreshing fruit character."

Matt Moersch, with Round Barn Winery, agrees. "Our early season thinning has really paid off. Even with the rain and cool temperatures, we are still pulling in nice, clean fruit. Quality wins over quantity this time around. Look for the Chardonnay to be a standout in the 2009 vintage!"

But don't dismiss the reds just yet, says Joe Herman, with Karma Vista Vineyards. Although Herman says quantity is down, the reds show promise. "The juice from the reds is deep, almost inky; it's amazing with the weather we've had this season," he said.

Michigan's wine industry continues to grow. Seven new wineries opened in 2009, bringing the total using predominantly Michigan-grown fruit to 71. Many wines from the 2009 vintage will be available beginning in spring 2010, though some reds may not be released for a year or two. Some wineries will celebrate the vintage with new-release and other special tastings. To learn more about the vineyards and wineries of Michigan, visit http://www.michiganwines.com/ or contact the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council at 517-241-4468.

The Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council is an 11-member panel that supports the growth of the grape and wine industry in Michigan. It is housed in the Michigan Department of Agriculture, which is the official state agency charged with serving, promoting and protecting the food, agriculture and agricultural economic interests of the people of the state of Michigan.

New Year's Eve Eve Party at Viking Vineyard

Don't want to leap hastily in the new year? You can ease your way in with a New Year's Eve Eve event scheduled Wednesday, December 30, from 6:00 to 10 p.m. at Viking Vineyards, 268 Old Forge Road,
Kent, Ohio.

The annual party allows you to celebrate the end of the old year and the coming of the new year twice. Or, you can just avoid the New Year's Eve madness (and traffic, and police check points, etc.) altogether. Enjoy a glass or two of wine with friends and family, munch some hors d'oeuvres, listen to some great fun music, and relax before you get ready for the real party the next day.

The menu includes Italian sausage, their "famous" meatballs, cheeses, veggies and dip, rolls and butter, dessert, plus more.The price for this munchfest is only $7.50 per person, plus tax, due at the time of reservations.

The food will be out from 6:00 to 8:00, then you can stay for the rockin' music of Tequilla Bob and the Flip Flops from 8:00 to 10:00. Fun, fun! Reservations and pre-payment are due no later than Dec. 27. The winery can only seat the first 76 people in the Lake View Room, so don't delay. Above that, attendees will be seated in the tasting room with the wide screen TV and live feed of the music (if you've been there for Tequila Bob, you know it works really well).

Call (330) 678-2080 or e-mail: viking@vikingvineyards.com.

Perrysburg Arts Council Schedules Benefit Wine Tasting

The Perrysburg Area Arts Council has scheduled a benefit wine tasting to take place Tuesday, December 29, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Aficionado Wine & Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444).

The Perrysburg Area Arts Council is recognized as the official arts organization for both the City of Perrysburg and Perrysburg Township. It is funded by tax deductible donations from individuals and business sponsors, the City of Perrysburg and Perrysburg Township.


The Perrysburg Area Arts Council offers and facilitates arts events including Concerts on the Lawn, a summer series of concerts held at Commodore Square, the Fiber Arts Show, summer art camp, youth art scholarships and public art displays. PAAC also offers programs in the schools and occasionally sponsors guest artists.

 The cost is $20 per person and $10 of each tasting fee is  donated to the Perrysburg Arts Council. Please tell your family and friends, and come out and support this great cause.

Photo: Owner Steve Parks displays two of the sparkling wines scheduled for the Saturday evening tasting at Aficionado Wine & Cigars in Perrysburg. Aficionado will be the site for a special benefit wine tasting on December 29.

Wine Tastings & Events: Week of Dec. 21, 2009

Wednesday, December 23
Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-8 PM, $15.

Vino 100 Shop and Wine Bar, Promenade West, 3355 Briarfield Blvd, Suite D, Maumee -- (419) 866-8466. Christmas Cabernets. Join us in the wine shop as we taste through five fantastic cabernets so you can find the perfect bottle for your holiday celebration! All day event. (Store hours 12 noon to 10:00 p.m.)

Thursday, December 24 - Christmas Eve 

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Thr Procrastinator's Tasting. Hey, I'm talking to you! Wine makes a great gift for just about anyone. It's also fun to drink. Cost $1 to $3 per sample.


Vino 100 Shop and Wine Bar, Promenade West, 3355 Briarfield Blvd, Suite D, Maumee -- (419) 866-8466. Special hours: The wine shop will be open from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm. The wine bar will be open 12:00 pm until 6:00 pm.

Friday, December 25 Merry Christmas 


Saturday, December 26
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). Sparkling Wines and Champagne. 1. Argyle Brut, 2. Mumm Napa Cuvee M, 3. Roedere Brut Premier, 4. A. Margaine Premier Cru Demi-Sec. $10 tasting.

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000—Noon to 5 PM. Customer Appreciation Tasting. Special pricing. Pay by the sample or for the whole flight.

Technorati Tags: wine

Fenton Winery Plans NYE Gourmet Dinner

The Fenton Winery & Brewery, 1545 N. Leroy St.,  Fenton, Michigan, is presenting a New Year's Eve gourment dinner on Thursday, December 31, beginning at 7:00 p.m. The cost is $49 per person or $38 (non-alcoholic). Tax and gratuity not included. Payment is required at time of reservation. Call (810) 373-4194 or e-mail info@fentonwinery.com for reservations or information.

The menu will feature mini crab cakes with Dijon beurre bBlanc,  pan seared, wild caught lump crab meat with Panko breadcrumbs. Four Season’s Market Salad with assorted mixed greens, tomato, English cucumber, Amish egg, Traverse City cherries, double-smoked bacon, roasted pepitas, smoked Gouda, balsamic vinaigrette. Land & Sea: strip steak medallion and Lobster Thermidor with wine sauce, sweet potato cake, fresh green beans. Tuxedo Truffle Torte (dark and white chocolate mousse, layers of chocolate and yellow cake garnished with fresh raspberries.

Guests will have a choice of micro-brewed beer and/or wine for the course pairings. Gourmet food for the evening is provided by Four Seasons Fresh Market.

The Fenton Winery & Brewery was opened in January 2008. What originally started as a winery offering tastings and retail bottle sales, grew over the first year and a half to offer wine by the glass, a full menu of food, and Fenton's best variety of live music. The winery now offers more than hand-crafted wines, Sangrias, house made sodas, flavored coffees, and desserts from local markets. The Fenton Winery added its brewing operations in December 2009. The owners are Matt and Ginny Sherrow.

Photo by Heather Katsoulis