Grand River wineries present tasting event

Staff report

MADISON

The Winegrowers of the Grand River Valley will present their seventh annual tasting event, Cask, Corks & Forks, from noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 7.

Participating in the drive-yourself tour are Debonne Vineyards, Ferrante Winery and Ristorante, Grand River Cellars Winery and Restaurant, Laurello Vineyards and St. Joseph Vineyards. The wine tasting, which includes the limited release of the Cask 1019 red wine, will be paired with appetizers that feature local meats, fruits and vegetables, to complement the wine.

All five participating wineries are within 10 minutes of each other. Each will feature their cask wine and another regional wine paired with an appetizer. The cost is $6 per person at each winery.

The Cask project was a joint effort of the five wineries, in which each purchased a 500-gallon cask barrel, and then put only regional red wines from their winery into it. The result was wines that are smooth, dry and full of flavors.

The first vintage in the barrel was in 2010 and a second vintage was added in 2011 and the third in 2012. This year’s blend was bottled in 2019; thus the name Cask 1019 – the year the project started (“10”) and the year the wine was bottled (“19”).

Each year, 100 gallons will be bottled from these barrels, making room for the next years’ harvest.

For information, go to wggrv.com.