Harvest Ridge Winery Tasting Room, Delaware

Last night we had a delightful time at Harvest Ridge Winery’s opening dinner. The new winery is located about 20 minutes from Dover, Delaware. We started off in the winery where visitors could view the press pad and stainless steel tanks. After touring the winery and enjoying appetizers and wine, we left the tank room and proceeded to the nearby tasting room and event room.

The idea and driving force behind Harvest Ridge Winery is Chuck Nunan. However, this winery with vineyards, tasting room and event room is a family production. Chuck, his wife, sons and daughters-in-law, and Chuck’s parents all attended the celebration of the opening of the winery that included a gourmet dinner. Neighbors, friends and wine enthusiasts attended this welcoming of Delaware’s fourth winery.

While touring the Harvest Ridge winery guests tasted a Chenin Blanc Riesling wine. The wine was a light yellow color. The aroma offered floral (roses) hints. The taste was floral with notes of peaches. The wine had some sweetness but dried on the finish. The wine was very nice as a stand-alone wine or with appetizers. The dinner had six courses and each course was paired with a different wine from Harvest Ridge.

The gourmet dinner began with Baked Oysters Asiago with Fennel & Apple paired with a 2012 Chardonnay. The Chardonnay was a straw color. The aroma and taste reminded one of apple with a hint of pear. The finish was crisp and fruity. The second course was Parsnips & Pear Soup with Brown-butter & Almonds paired with Viognier 2011. This wine was a yellow color with a floral aroma and notes of roses and honeysuckle. Then we started with the red wines. The 2011 Merlot was paired with Roasted Quail with a Black Garlic Romesco  & Pork Belly Hash.  The Merlot was a translucent red with earthy notes and mild tannins. Next the Malbec 2012, a ruby color, was poured to be enjoyed with the succulent Short Rib Cacciatore with a Sweet Pepper Ravioli. The Malbec offered notes of dark fruits. The finish was of leather and dark fruits. Bold tannins accompany the finish that had fruit yielding to leather. The 2012 Vidal Blanc was served with the dessert of Fig Tart with a Mascarpone Sorbet. Vidal Blanc was a light straw color with hints of a floral aroma. The taste was also floral and reminded one of daisies with a hint of honeysuckle. The finish was crisp and slightly sweet.

We enjoyed our visit to Harvest Ridge Winery and welcoming the 4^th Delaware winery. We look forward to seeing Harvest Ridge Winery growing as well as seeing the Delaware wine industry expanding.

Cheers! Kathy and Terry