Enjoying some tastings during the Wine Express stop at Colio Estate Wines

While the weather may not really show it, it’s still winter and the 12th Annual Colio Estate Wines Festival of Ice is this weekend, February 11 and 12, 2012!

Colio is offering complimentary admission, you just need to bring a canned good in support of the local food bank. On Saturday, February 11, 2012, Colio will be hosting professional ice carvers and you can watch them chip away at the blocks of ice and vote on your favourite sculpture to help decide the “People’s Choice Award.”

Here are a few other highlights for the event at Colio on the Saturday:

  • Have you ever tried Icewine from an ice luge? Drinking from an ice luge is always great fun.
  • Colio will also be offering complimentary tours. You can take in one of three winery tours at 12:30pm, 2:00pm or 3:30pm.
  • Delicious Icewine and chocolate treats will be available, as well as in-store specials.

The event continues on Sunday and there’s fun for the whole family, snow or shine:

  • view the finished ice sculptures and find out who won the People’s Choice Award.
  • Nibble on complimentary cheese and crackers while tasting wine.
  • More complimentary winery tours offered.

All weekend long, enter to win a grand prize “Shores of Erie International Wine Festival” Weekend package, and SWOVA Gift Package.

Colchester Ridge Estate Winery

Other Lake Erie North Shore wineries are also participating in the fun. Colchester Ridge Estate Winery is hosting an open house from 12:00pm to 5:00pm on Saturday and 12:00pm to 4:00pm on Sunday. Guests will be provided with their “10 Things to Do with Ice Wine” recipe cards, 3 wine samples (including their decadent 2008 Gerwurztraminer Ice Wine) and delicious treats to enjoy while seeing a demonstration on how to create the perfect Ice Wine Martini. Glasses of wine and Ice Wine Martini’s will be available for $5 per glass. Canned good or $2 donation per person to join in the fun.

A tasting of red at Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery

Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery is also hosting some winter fun. Enjoy the crisp winter air with a skate around their lakeside pond with the whole family (weather permitting). After your skate enjoy the pondside fire to warm your hands and enjoy warm drinks, treats, and some of your favorite Sprucewood wines!

The Authors organization of Essex County will also be attending to display their works and sign copies. Topics range from fiction and children’s stories to local history and biographies. Discover local craftsmen from right here in Essex County.

Admission is a canned good and BBQ lunch will be available for purchase. So get on out and enjoy the splendor of the Festival of Ice.