Canton to become a wine lover's target

Canton will soon be home to a brand new weekend destination for area wine lovers! Gervasi Winery, a 55-acre site currently under construction, will feature a wide variety of wines made from on-site vineyards set amid beautiful surroundings on the city’s northeast end.

The vision of successful businessman and now-agricultural entrepreneur Ted Swaldo, Gervasi Winery is named after Swaldo’s mother. This exciting new project became a reality in December 2008, when Swaldo purchased the property on the site of the former Jabberwalky Tree Farm and began construction. Work to install infrastructure support, relocate trees, and renovate buildings is well underway.

The site’s historic buildings, lush greenery, fertile fields, and five-acre lake offer an ideal location for a winery and vineyard. The complex features a farmhouse built in 1833, a rustic barn, and several other minor structures that will be used in the wine manufacturing process.

The site plan also includes the construction of an stone gate entry, a walking trail on the grounds and other related recreational features. The winery, slated to open in February 2010, is estimated to cost between $2.5 million to $3 million to build – the majority of which is privately funded.

The City of Canton is proud to have provided funding assistance for infrastructure improvements on the site that allowed the project to continue. An estimated 15 to 20 full-time jobs will be created by this new business, with approximately 35 additional employees being hired during the busier summer season.

Wine-Tasting Holidays with UK’s Only Vineyard Tour Operator

Visit Eastbourne.com has teamed up with the UK’s only vineyard tour operator, English Vine Tours to offer visitors to the resort the chance to enjoy a wine-tasting holiday in and around Sussex.

From full day tours taking in some of the region’s most famous vineyards including Carr Taylor, Plumpton College, Seddlescombe Village and Bookers, to half day tours incorporating a morning’s wine-tasting followed by a tutorial with a professional artist or an afternoon at the races, visitors can choose from a range of excursions to boost their break in Eastbourne.

Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism, Cllr Susan Morris said “The vineyard tours are fantastic and really offer visitors the chance to do something a little different while on a day out or holiday in Eastbourne. We are very pleased to be working with English Vine Tours to extend an already endless list of ideas for things to do in the town, and with several bookings coming in already, I think the vineyard tours will prove very popular all year round.”

English Vine Tours are working with VisitEastbourne.com to offer two dates a month for vineyard tours and experiences, kicking off mid September with a Wine and Horse Racing Experience.

Visitors can book now for a Red Hot Poker Day, combining a vineyard tour and tasting with a trip to the races. Visitors can enjoy an afternoon flutter with a unique racing experience.

Visitors booking the tour will be treated to an exclusive afternoon at the races, with a turf tour, chance to view the paddock rooms, free drink, afternoon tea and gallery viewing.

The only company in the UK to offer escorted vineyard tours, visitors travelling to Eastbourne can book now to enjoy a unique experience and explore the region’s beautiful vineyards and taste some of the south east’s top award-winning vines.

Special about Australia's wine industry

Australia is such a large country that almost every climate and soil type can be found. This means that we are able to produce all of the major wine types, from red wines to white wines, fortified wines (such as port), and sweet wines to sparkling wines.

It is not just the climate and variety that makes our wine special. Places such as the National Wine Centre in Adelaide and the National Wine and Grape Centre are leading the world in research and education. Students can study viticulture (grape growing) and wine making at university and, once they have graduated, are in high demand throughout the world.

Australia also has some of the oldest grape vines in the world. Many of Europe's established vineyards were destroyed by disease in the 1800s with the only survivors being the vines brought to Australia. In order to preserve these, our viticulturalists have developed some of the vine management techniques now used throughout the world. We have also invented ways to produce wines with fewer chemicals and, of course, Australia is the home of the wine cask.

Australian wines can now be found for sale in over 100 countries. In fact, we are one of the main exporters of wine in the world and the United Kingdom now imports more wine from Australia than it does from France. Australian wines have won medals at almost every major international wine competition and set records for the price of a single bottle. And just think, all this since that first bunch of grapes was harvested just over 200 years ago.

Taste Your Way Through Michigan's Scenic Wine Country

Start planning your Michigan wine-tasting tour today with the newly released Michigan Wine Country magazine!

This complimentary magazine is published annually by the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council and features tour maps and information about Michigan’s 40 wineries.

Learn about the delicious fruit wines and spirits made in Michigan; check out the extensive calendar of events to plan your fun for the whole summer; and discover Vintage Michigan–a club designed for Michigan wine enthusiasts that offers discounts at wineries, restaurants and retailers throughout the state.

April is Michigan Wine Month

To celebrate and recognize the significant role Michigan’s wine industry plays in supporting the state’s economy, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm has proclaimed April as “Michigan Wine Month.” April is the perfect time to visit vineyards and experience Michigan’s impressive selection of wines. From wine tasting classes, to complete winery tours, the wine industry offers many events for enjoying and learning about Michigan’s award-winning wines.

Michigan’s grape and wine industries contribute nearly $800 million dollars annually to our local economy and provide more than 5,000 jobs across the state. With 14,600 acres of vineyards and 2,000 acres devoted to wine grapes, Michiganis ranked as the fourth largest grape growing state, and eighth in wine grape growing production. Because wine and grape production is a long-term process, an investment in a Michiganvineyard is also a lasting commitment to Michigan’s economy and workforce.

Attracting more than 800,000 visitors annually, the state’s vineyards and wineries offer many options for local tourism. With warmer weather approaching, April offers you a great opportunity to enjoy high quality wines alongside Michigan’s blossoming springtime scenery. Whether you are planning a weekend or simply a day trip, wine tours and tastings deliver an exceptional experience and a chance to discover the rich history of winemaking in Michigan.

Excitement and interest in Michiganwines continues to grow with dramatic increases in sales over the last 10 years. The excellent quality of these local wines has been recognized with more than 800 medals awarded to Michiganwines in various regional and international competitions throughout 2008. Many of these winners received gold medal honors, including wines from Chateau Fontaine, St. Julian, Lemon Creek Winery, and many more. As a matter of fact, Michiganwines have become so popular and nationally recognized that the 2007 A Capella Riesling White Ice Wine from Black Star Farms was served this year at the White House during a Governors dinner.

With increasing interest and a growing acreage of local vineyards, Michiganwines continue to play an integral role in strengthening our state’s economy. So, this month, sample a taste of Michigan and support your local vineyard or winery with a tour or tasting of our state’s finest wines

Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Fair (HKIWSF)

The Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Fair (HKIWSF) will be held from November 4th- 6th, 2009. The wine market in Asia is growing with increasing affluence. It is estimated that the wine consumption in Asia will be doubled and increase to US$27 billion by 2017. The Chinese mainland and HK, currently constituting 60% of Asia’s wine consumption, will become the world’s eighth largest market.

Hong Kong is set to become a wine trading and distribution centre of Asia. The wine market in Hong Kong is growing rapidly. On February 27, 2008, the Hong Kong Government (HKG) abolished its 40% excise duty on wine. The market has responded favorably to the wine duty exemption. From March to December 2008, the total value of imported wine reached US$335 million, representing an increase of 82% over the same period in 2007.

The Hong Kong Government is committed to developing Hong Kong as a regional hub for wine distribution and trading. Opportunities for U.S. companies include:

• Wine trading


• Wine related tourism


• Training and education on wine appreciation and culture


• Technology and services related to transportation, storage and display of wine