5. Grand River Valley Ice Wine Festival

This one is a bit of a drive but well worth it. This weekend (and last weekend) is the ice wine festival at the wineries of the Grand River Valley. Ice wine is a sweet dessert wine made from grapes that were frozen while still on the vine. The water inside the grapes freezes but the sugar and solids do not which creates a more concentrated and sweeter wine.

The wineries that participate are Debonne Vineyards, Ferrante Winery, Grand River Cellars, Laurello Vineyards and St. Joseph Vineyards. The price is $5 for each winery you visit ($4 if you donate a can of food). There are many activities including ice carving, dog sledding demonstrations, jewelery shows along with wine samples and appetizers. Bring your can of food to support a local food bank while enjoying some time with family and friends.

The festival runs this Saturday, March, 13, 2010 from Noon to 5 PM.

http://www.debonne.com/

http://www.ferrantewinery.com/

http://www.grandrivercellars.com/

http://www.laurellovineyards.com/

http://www.saintjosephvineyard.com/