CICERO'S VICTORIA'S VINEYARD Family's wine business ripens and grows

The owner envisions a gathering spot for people to relax.
By DON SHILLING
VINDICATOR BUSINESS EDITOR
HOWLAND -- Peter Cicero is sure he made the right decision in giving up his family's 40-year-old grocery and deli business.
Any change in business is a risk, but he thinks he's hit on a winner -- a gathering place featuring live entertainment and wine made on premises.
The concept will work, he says, because of the tradition of the family name and the quiet, almost-rural property at 4248 North River Road.
He is remodeling a home on the property to include a small retail shop with gift baskets, a full bar and a kitchen that will serve appetizers and limited menu. On the back of the building is a concrete porch that leads to field framed with trees.
"When I walk out here, I see tables set up, sunny days and a nice little jazz band, maybe an acoustic guitar," said Cicero, 44.
The most important feature, however, will be the wine that his family has been making for the past seven years.
Opening expected
He expects Cicero's Victoria's Vineyard, which also is the name of the family's wine, to open in about two weeks.
The business received zoning approval from Howland Township. Liquor permit applications are pending with the state, as well as a transfer of Cicero's wine-making permit.
The start of one business means the end of another. In March, Cicero sold the inventory and supplies of Cicero's Market so he could focus on the new business.
His father, Peter, started the grocery store in Warren in 1962, and his son moved it to Howland in 2000.
The younger Cicero said he simply has too much going on to keep that business. Besides the new development, the family will continue to operate a catering business, sell grapes and juice to area residents who make their own wine and assemble fruit and gift baskets.
"Something had to go," Cicero said.
Adding a plaza
Another new venture he is adding is a small plaza at the front of the property. Construction on the six-unit plaza will begin soon and be complete in four to six months, he said.
He and his wife, Victoria, bought the North River Road property two years ago and considered opening a banquet center for their catering business. Then they decided to build on the success of their own wine, which they have been selling at their store.
"As a small-business owner, you always are trying to figure out where you fit in. There are hundreds of delis out there. There are no wineries," he said.
Cicero aims to re-create the feel of the Lake Erie wineries that have become tourist attractions. He will use wine barrels as tables, place wine casks throughout the building and grow grape vines around the edge of the two-acre property.
He uses grapes bought from California and Ohio vineyards to make a variety of wines. He has been making wine at a Youngstown Road building but intends to move that onto the North River Road property.
Plans for making more
He said he has been making 2,000 gallons of wine a year but expects that to increase between 5,000 and 10,000 gallons with the new place.
The business has a good base to build on because of the familiarity of the Cicero name, he said. The family has a customer list of 4,000 people who have bought gift baskets and 3,000 people who have bought wine-making supplies.
Cicero has been selling grapes and wine-making equipment to area residents for 20 years and said this has been the best of his businesses lately.
Despite the emphasis on wine, Cicero's Victoria's Vineyard will have a relaxed, inviting atmosphere, he said.
"I want people to hang out, kick back and have a glass of wine or a Coke for that matter," he said.
shilling@vindy.com