Sunshine and spirits add zest to Valley winery event

Photo by: Lisa-Ann Ishihara

Photo

Lisa Grafton of Hinckley and Gary Posage of Salem enjoy refreshments Sunday at the Mastropietro Winery in Berlin Center. The winery was celebrating its fifth anniversary.

By D.A. WILKINSON

wilkinson@vindy.com

BERLIN CENTER

Rural Mahoning County took on a European style Sunday at the fifth anniversary of the Mastropietro Winery.

Rain held off, and there was plenty of sunshine.

Dan Mastropietro, winery founder, said, “The weather was the best it’s been in the last three years.”

People came to try the wines at 14558 Ellsworth Ave.

Patrons could buy a bottle of wine and drink it outside in the sun and talk with their families. Or they could sit inside at the The Fifth Season Restaurant and Catering Co. Many of the families ranged from tots to seniors.

Mastropietro said it’s the first winery in Mahoning County outside of home-wine brews.

Hot-air balloons for the event were late, but Mastropietro said federal officials allow hot air balloons only under certain weather conditions.

But the 52-acre winery attracts wine lovers from wide distances

It’s a far cry from the owner’s former work as an electrician and general contractor.

Mastropietro said the one thing he needs to do is “slow down.”

But not when it comes to wine.

So far, the winery has created 17 wines and two specialty wines.

One specialty wine is ice wine.

“You have to let the grapes freeze at 7 degrees and thaw two times, and then press it,” he said.

Port is a sweet wine that has been made in Portugal for generations. Because of various titles and legal issues, he said he calls his version “Port-style.”

Gary Posage of Salem was at the winery Sunday along with his girlfriend, Lisa Grafton, of Hinckley. She said of the manmade lake at the winery: “It’s just so beautiful.” Posage said the food was very good.

Tracye Zimmerman and Randy Smith, both of Salem, were enjoying wine while watching the fish. The lake is stocked with catfish and bluegill.

Zimmerman said that the fish have no predators in the lake so they grow very large. They wait by the edge of the lake for food.

The couple are engaged to be married. Is a wedding at the lake in store? It’s a definite maybe.