Barrel Run Crossing Winery & Vineyard
by
Kathy Sullivan
Wine enthusiasts can enjoy tasting Barrel Run Crossing wines at the tasting room in Rootstown, Ohio. A few of the wines find their way to restaurants but by far the majority of wines are sold at the winery. Plan to spend time outside the tasting room in the comfortable outdoor setting.
In the cozy Barrel RunCrossing tasting room we met Nicole Albano, tasting room manager and Karl Hoisington, winemaker, who explained the background of the winery and talked about the individual wines. The winery name is for the train track running close to the winery. Trains run past the winery about every 15 minutes. A logo used on several wine bottle labels represents the railroad tracks crossing Barrel Run Creek.
The local vineyards are located on a fifth-generation farm, although the owners, Chad and Lisa Miller live in North Carolina where they also have a vineyard. Family members living in the Ohio area are involved in the Rootstown winery. One of the family members has a passion for decorating the winery with seasonal ornaments.
Vineyards
Vineyards on the current property were planted in 2006. The first harvest was 2009. Today the vineyards consist of 11 acres. The property also have an additional five acres of apple orchards. The vineyards have an assortment of grape varieties including, Frontenac, Frontanac Gris, Barbera, Marquette, St. Peppin, Traminette, Frontanc Blanc and St. Croix. The vineyard soil is a very clay loam.
Karl noted that while in college studying forensics, he worked part time at a winery where he discovered a desire for vineyard management and winemaking. He said that in addition to the vineyard grapes he also sources grapes. Most of the fruit for the wines is estate grown.
Events at Barrel Run Crossing Winery
The winery offers several events including a Halloween party. From May through October one large event is held each month. An example of an event in May is Herb Day when wines are infused with local herbs. During an October visit, the tasting room was filled with an array of Halloween decorations.
Barrel Run Crossing Wines
Engine Number 5 NV was a blend of Frontenac, Barbera, Corot Noir, and Cabernet Franc. This translucent red colored wine offered an aroma of red berry fruit. The taste reminds one of red raspberries and red cherries. The wine was medium-bodied with mild tannins. The finish was crisp and fruity. BRX NV was a blend of Merlot, Frontenac, Cabernet Franc and Corot Noir. This translucent red wine offered notes of cherries and raspberries. The mouthfeel was medium-bodied with mild tannins. The finish was crisp and fruity. BRX are the initials for Barrel Run Crossing.
765 was produced with Marquette and raspberry juice. The wine color was a translucent red with an orange hue color. The aroma was of raspberries and the taste was sweet with raspberry notes. The finish was crisp. Pair this wine with a comfortable rocking chair on a porch. Off the Tracks, one of the winery’s best sellers, was a blend of Frontenac and blackberries. The dark red with dark pink hue colored wine had an aroma blackberries. The taste was sweet with notes of blackberries. The finish was fruity and sweet.
Tipsy Conductor was produced with estate grown Frontenac Gris. One of the winery’s best sellers, this is a semi-sweet wine. The wine was a golden color with a hint of a red hue. The wine offered an aroma of fruit and a taste of sweet cherries. Pairing suggestions included cheese, appetizers, seafood and dessert Golden Spice with11% alcohol was a beautiful golden color. The wine was a blend of Frontenac Gris and peach . The taste was sweet and the finish of fruit and sweetness lingered.
Ciders
Cattle Dog cider with 8.5% alcohol was produced with apples from the onsite orchard and other orchards in Ohio. This dry cider was a light gold color with notes of apples and a lingering apple taste. Up a Creek cider had 7.5% alcohol. The semi-sweet cider was a pale gold color. This semi-sweet cider was produced with estate grown apples.
Wine lovers and train enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to Barrel Run Crossing Winery & Vineyard.
Barrel Run Crossing Winery & Vineyard
3272 Industry Road
Rootstown Ohio 44272
GPS: N41º 04.694’ W81º 11.608’
Article written October 2015
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