It was a beautiful spring day and I had set out for Barrel Run Crossing Winery & Vineyard to sample wine on the Canal Country Wine Trail.  The tree branches were just beginning to bud with new leaves as I approached the winery.  I had stopped short of a set of railroad tracks ahead in rural Rootstown, Ohio.  Stepping through the arbor, I entered the beautiful white farmhouse turned winery.

What was once a family farm over the last four generations, is now a vineyard with French-American hybrids.  These varietals, known to successfully grow in the climate of Ohio, are cold-hardy vines and resistant to disease. Barrel Run Crossing planted their first crop in 2008 with a selection of grapes to include Corot Noir, Frontenac, Frontenac Gris, Marquette, Noiret, St. Pepin, Traminette and Vidal Blanc.

Excited to sample a few wines, I studied the menu and soon realized the selections were cleverly themed around the railroad.  The $9.95 BRX Wine Tasting flight included a choice of five wines and a customized wine glass to take home.  Hardly noticing the description of the wines, I based my decision solely on the names starting with Locomotion, Engine Number 5, Tipsy Conductor, Off the Tracks and All Aboard.

Locomotion was labeled as a dry white blend of Chardonnay, Traminette and Vidal, a new crafted wine recently added to the menu.  The combination of estate grown varietals with the Chardonnay was the perfect balance resulting in a nice, smooth finish which could find myself easily pairing with a white sauce pasta.

“A True Ohio Dry Red Blend Wine with Cherry Notes and Blackberry and Plum Aromas” adequately described the Engine Number 5.  I enjoyed the subtle tart stone fruit flavors of this wine while tasting a hint of blackberry at the finish.

An estate wine, “crafted entirely from Frontenac and Frontenac Gris grown onsite”, the Tipsy Conductor is satisfyingly crisp with a lovely sweetness from a semi-sweet white.

All Aboard, was a white wine much sweeter than my previous selections.  Produced from the estate grown Vidal Blanc, I imagined this wine would be perfect on a spring or summer afternoon.

Off the Tracks, a sweet red created from the local estate Frontenac grapes is popular among Ohio wine drinkers.  The addition of blackberry juice gives this wine an added element of sweetness.

Barrel Run Crossing offers the Sugar-Luv chocolate pairing of truffles with five complementary wine samples for $7.50, every third Friday of the month.  They also host a food and wine pairing event by reservation only and encourage visitors to facilitate the space for family gatherings.

Have you had the opportunity to visit Barrel Run Crossing Winery & Vineyard?  I would be interested in hearing about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reviewing my port about my visit to Barrel Run Crossing and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Barrel Run Crossing Winery & Vineyard
3272 Industry Road
Rootstown, OH  44272
Telephone:  330 325 1075

Where to Stay:

Rocking Horse Inn
248 W Riddle Avenue
Ravenna, OH  44266
Telephone:  330 297 5720

Where to Eat:

Lil’ Paisan’s Pizzeria
4129 Tallmadge Road
Rootstown, OH  44272
Telephone: 330 325 4000

I went for the 9-inch Deluxe Supreme made with homemade pizza dough and fresh toppings.  I wished I would have ordered a larger size it was so good!