Julie's Adventures In Wanderland

A Little Bit Of Italy in the Midwest

So, have you ever wanted to just escape for a couple of days in Italy? I mean, we all can dream, right? As residents of the oh-so-NOT-Italian state of Michigan, it never occurred to us that we could get our vineyard and villa fix by jumping on the road and heading south…..to Ohio that is, until we stayed at the Gervasi Vineyard .

It all started in a conversation about one of my favorite jazz artists, Bob James , that I found out there was a slice of Tuscany in of all places, Canton, Ohio. Yes, Fifteen minutes from the Pro Football Hall of Fame is a 55-acre estate that will have you wondering exactly how far you have traveled! In talking about my love for all that is the music of Bob James, (who wrote and performed the song “Angela”, better known as the theme song from television show Taxi), I discovered that he routinely appeared in concert at a place I never knew existed only a few short hours from our Detroit home. I trolled the Gervasi Vineyard website until I found the concert announcement and bought tickets and booked our 2-day stay.

Hit the Road Jack

We hadn’t been on a road trip in a while so we were excited to load up the car and hit I-75 on a Wednesday summer morning. We left Detroit stopping along the way at the usual highway rest stop (gotta grab that Starbucks and foodcourt breakfast), and passing cornfields and typical upper-midwestern topography on the three and a half hour drive to Canton. We exited the highway and traveled another four miles or so before arriving at our destination. It was as if we heard the angels sing as we drove through the stone entrance that announced our arrival at Gervasi.

Gervasi Vineyard was founded in 2009 by the Swaldo family and is not just a winery, but an entire small Italian village experience. You will find everything from food, to a luxurious boutique hotel, individual villas, the actual vineyard, grapes and all, walking trails and an entertainment venue all with a distinctly Mediterranean flair. Imagine walking along a charming cobblestone path, sipping a glass of pinot grigio, ignoring the folks rocking the Buckeyes gear……..Ah, but I digress……..

Stay

We chose to stay at the luxurious boutique hotel called The Casa, located in the rear of the property. Rooms are equipped with a fireplace, Beekman 1802 skincare products, a heated towel rack, refrigerators stocked with juices, soda and water, a variety of coffee and tea with a coffee maker, bathrobes, slippers and all of the elegance you would expect from a European getaway. (did I say, this is OHIO?)

The rooms have sliding doors that lead to a small patio with table and chairs for two and the building is shaped in a horseshoe around a small lake. If you wish to get closer to listen to the water that sprays into the lake, Adirondack chairs are spaced out so that you can relax and unwind.

They also have several villas which are comprised of four suites, each with a fireplace and bathroom. You can rent an entire villa or one room, however, you would have what amounts to a communal living room area where you would share space so unless you are comfortable with strangers, you might want to stay at The Casa. You can also book an entire Villa for up to 10 of your closest friends.

There is a Farmhouse for booking which is original to the property and dates back to 1830. It is a four bedroom, two bath house that sleeps 8 and comes complete with a living room, dining room, dressing room and full kitchen. This would be ideal for someone planning to be married on the property.

Time to Eat

You will find food for all palettes here that ranges from a casual experience at The Still House, a barrel room known as “The Cave”, and a more elegant dining experience at “The Bistro”. We ordered a fruit and cheese platter as well as chocolate covered strawberries and a bottle of wine that was in our well-stocked refrigerator when we checked in to our room. Everything we ate was absolutely delicious. Breakfast was included with our stay and you have the option of getting a voucher to eat at The Still House or having food delivered to the room each morning.

Check-in is strictly at 3:00PM which gave us time to grab a bite to eat at The Crush House, a lively two-story restaurant with a large bar and delicious menu. The sink in the bathroom had me running back to tell my husband, “You have GOT to go see the bathroom!” LOL I sent him off to see the sink, which is designed like a wine bottle with red lights outlining it’s shape, TOO COOL!

There is also The Piazza, an outdoor dining area where you can enjoy wood-fired pizzas and gelato for a casual dining experience.

Play All Day

We had dinner plans at The Bistro our first night in but afterwards walked around the property until we found live music being played in one of the lounges. We never had to get in our car once we parked on the day we arrived. During the day we walked the extensive trail that passes through several of the local communities. Gervasi also has a spa, large gift shop and often has events such as yoga and other wellness events, wine parings, spirit tastings, specialty dinners and concerts. There is a

The second night we had dinner then went to the beautiful outdoor pavilion to see Mr. Bob James. As we walked over, we were stopped before crossing the small bridge and witnessed a marriage proposal. (She said YES!) There is seating for no more than 300 guests in the Pavilion which makes every seat a good one. I even got to meet Mr. James after the show was over which made it even more special. The Pavilion can be rented for wedding receptions and there are gorgeous locations by the lake to exchange vows.

It’s Wine-O-Clock

Now, you cannot talk vineyard without talking WINE! Gervasi offers a wide variety of wines, from reds and whites to dessert wines. You will find imported Italian wines as well as some private labels created for Gervasi. Whether you’re a connoisseur who can tell the difference between a cabernet and merlot just by the sound of the cork popping, or someone who likes to drink because it’s Friday, (and hey, it’s always Friday SOMEWHERE, amIRight?) there is something for you at Gervasi. We even had something we never heard of before, a white lambrusco, that was delicious. The only problem we ran into was we couldn’t by a bottle to take home because it was a import made only for consumption on the property.

Gervasi also has a line of spirits ranging from a bourbon, rose vodka to an orange gin. You can do spirit tastings as well as wine tastings to see what moves you and the perfect place for that is The Cave, their wine tasting and barrel room.

Until We Meet Again: Cheers to Gervasi!

In a world where wineries are most often found in sun-soaked locations such as Napa and Sonoma Valley in California, Walla Walla, Yakima, or Woodinville in the Evergreen state of Washington, Gervasi Vineyard stands as an example that where there’s a will, there’s a way when it comes to us Midwesterners. An escape from the mundane and you don’t even have to grab your passport or make flight arrangements. Tuscany is a heartbeat away in the heart of Ohio at Gervasi Vineyard!