Harpersfield Vineyard
by
K.L. Sullivan
Summary: Harpersfield Winery concentrates on growing vinifera grapes and producing estate dry wines. The wines at Harpersfield are estate grown and estate bottled. They are one of the first wineries in the area to produce wines from only vinifera grapes.
Visitors arrive at the winery by driving along a picturesque driveway that has vineyards on both sides. In 1979, the Harpersfield family established the vineyards and winery. The area surrounding the tasting room was an apple orchard. Today the vineyard consists of 18 acres with plantings of Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Kerner and Auxerrois.
The rustic winery tasting room is located in a building that was originally a cider press. A large fireplace with a small brick oven at an end of the tasting room adds to the ambience of the area. A large stacked pile of wood was ready for a cold fall day. The tasting counter has an unusual curve with various geometric shapes of many colors including green, gray and brown. Behind the tasting counter, a blackboard lists wines available. Near the list, someone wrote a quote. “Life is good, Wine is good, Wine is life.”
Kathy Ribic, a tasting consultant, mentioned that the winery sells out of almost all of their wines. The winemaker uses American oak for the wines. The best selling wine is the Chardonnay 2006 Fut de Chene that aged in American oak. It is the best selling wine at the winery. The aroma offered oak and vanilla nuances. The taste was smooth with apple. The wine finished crisp with oak followed by butter. Chardonnay “Cuvee Sans Chene” had an apple aroma and taste. The finish was crisp with a long fruity aftertaste.
Other wines include Chardonnay, Les Reves 2007 that offered an aroma of apricots and apples. The taste was smooth with oak and butter. The finish was creamy with butterscotch. Gewürztraminer offered floral and spice aromas. The taste had rose petals and spice nuances. Its finish was crisp with a long fruit aftertaste. Pinot Gris 2007 St. Fiacre with 12 percent alcohol offered a floral aroma, a dry crisp taste and a lingering of floral nuances. Musette, a blend of Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and Chambourcin, had a garnet color. The aroma and taste were of cherries. The finish was crisp with a long cherry aftertaste and tannins. This particular bottle had a label with the owner’s ancestors pictured.
Outside of the winery, picnic tables were available for visitors. There are also tables and seating in the tasting room. On the day of our visit, the weather was lovely especially for November and visitors were enjoying the patio outside the tasting room. Several people visited the winery and bought a bottle or glass of wine than sat outside to enjoy the wine and the last warming rays of November sunlight. The winery offers music and events throughout the year. Check their schedule for music events on Friday and Saturday nights.
Harpersfield Winery
6387 State Route 307W
Geneva, OH 44041
GPS: N 41° 45.646’ W 80° 59.002’
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