Grand River Cellars
by
K. L. Sullivan
Summary: Grand River Cellars offers visitors a tasting counter and restaurant with tasteful decorating. The ambiance is delightful. Detailed landscaping enhances the entrance. Consider purchasing Austin’s White or Austin’s Red. For every bottle purchased, one dollar goes to benefit Northeast Ohio Autism Group.
Approaching Grand River Cellars, the tasting room is located on a very long driveway between vineyards. The landscaping includes grapevines, chrysanthemums, daisies and ornamental grass. Located in a wooded area, Grand River Cellars has a sense of calmness. Large windows allow the outdoors in.
We met Cindy Lindberg, President of Grand River Cellars, who has a passion for the winery and restaurant. She says, “Come, enjoy and celebrate life.” She is excited about the future of the winery and restaurant. An artist friend of Cindy’s decorated the pleasantly styled restaurant and tasting bar. The result is a comfortable room with unusual attributes. On one wall, an old unfinished window frame is set over a wall painting giving one the sense of viewing vineyards just outside the window. On another wall, old shutters are attached to the wall giving the effect of a window.
The u-shaped tasting bar and padded stools make it a delightful place to taste wine with friends. A large fireplace surrounded with brown leather seating makes comfortable seating for guests, especially on a cold winter day.
Bill and Carol Worthy established the winery in 1976 as the Grand River Wine Company. Eventually the property changed hands and in 2005, Madison Wine Cellars, Inc. purchased the property and changed the name to Grand River Cellars. The winery has four acres of Vidal Blanc and leases vineyards from Debonné Vineyards. Currently they are producing 10,000 cases.
Guests can choose between a wine tasting at the counter or at a table. As we tasted wines, we talked with Cindy. A second label is the Stonewood Vineyard label. These wines include estate blends and sweeter wines. The restaurant has its own name: The Tipsy Grape Grille. Guests may choose from an array of items on the menu including: appetizers, sandwiches, grilled flatbreads & salads, entrees and desserts.
Cindy took us on a tour of the facility. Another room can be used for events or extra seating if the restaurant is full. Some events can be held in the room that holds stainless steel tanks and barrels aging wine. The area was set up for an event and provides a quiet old world charm.
The winery produces a special wine for supporting autistic children. Cindy spent several years as a school psychologist. She wanted to do something to support children with autism. Sales from two wines, an Austin’s Red and an Austin’s White go to support children. For every bottle sold, one dollar is donated to the Northeast Ohio Autism Group. A contest was held last year for the label on the bottles. There were fifty entries from children and Michael, a three year old diagnosed with autism created the label. Each year Cindy hopes to have children with autism send entries for the bottle label contest. At the time of our visit, the winery was sold out of Austin’s Red. In part, this is due to Applebee’s restaurants carrying local wines in many of their restaurants. Several Ohio Applebee’s carries the Austin’s Red wine.
White Wines
Austin’s White offered a fruit aroma with a hint of floral. The taste was sweet but finished crisp. The wine is a blend of Vidal Blanc, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay. Pinot Grigio 2006 had a citrus aroma with a grapefruit taste. It was crisp and refreshing. Riesling 2007 with a residual sugar of 1.5 was delicious. The aroma had nuances of peach. The taste was of peaches and sweet. The finish was crisp with a bit of drying.
Red Wine
Cabernet Franc 2005 offered a nose of cherry, pepper and earthiness. The taste had layers starting with cherry and then pepper. The finish was crisp with light tannins.
Dessert Wine
Vidal Blanc Ice Wine 2005 had a honey gold color. The aroma and taste was apricot and honeysuckle. There was acid on the finish and the aftertaste had a long lingering fruit taste. Cindy noted that the grapes were picked when the temperature was seven degrees.
When you have the opportunity, be sure to visit Grand River Cellars and discover their wines. Plan to stay awhile and enjoy the ambiance whether at the tasting counter or at the tables.
Grand River Cellars
5750 South Madison Rd. (Route 528)
Madison, Ohio 44057
GPS: N41° 42.996’ W81° 03.312’
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