Epicure
I
f you like to taste a variety of
local wines, take a cooking class,
enjoy a fabulous culinary
experience, or just relax in a
charming Italian villa, you should
plan a getaway to the lovely Gervasi
Vineyards in Canton, Ohio. The
vineyard is the best kept secret
in the area, hidden away in a quiet
neighborhood, but you will soon
spot the elaborate entrance. A
large 55-acre estate which includes
5 acres of vineyards producing a
variety of grapes, two restaurants,
an outdoor pavilion for weddings and
other events, a cozy shop, an event
center, and 24 guest suites housed
in some amazing, Tuscan-influenced
villas, it’s a pleasant surprise.
That same Tuscan influence of the
family who purchased and built the
vineyard is felt throughout the
property in every detail from wine
bottle shaped sinks in The Crush
House restaurant, to the gorgeous
faucets in the bathroom villas, and
even chandeliers made from wine
bottles. The Swaldo family is
originally from Italy and Grandma
Gervasi (her maiden name) was
known for her wonderful cooking.
Gervasi Vineyard is truly a family
location as several family members
work at the vineyard so their
traditional Italian heritage which
includes great food, wine, fun, and
an appreciation for beautiful things
is evident everywhere.
One of the most unusual activities
you can experience at the vineyard
is the extensive culinary and wine
tasting classes offered at The
Cucina, in the Villa Grande, which
also includes event space and the
check in area for the Villas. With a
large, professional, working kitchen
and a dining area to enjoy what
you prepare, they offer classes
on cuisines of Mexico, Japan, Italy,
or South America, and even some
focusing just on specific items
like seafood.
Most of the classes are hands-on
and everyone in the class will get
personalized instruction from one
of the experienced chef instructors
to create a meal that you will sit
down and enjoy with a glass of wine.
My husband and I observed and
photographed the seafood cooking
class and were amazed at the
detailed work that went into
preparing the beautiful final
products – which they were kind
enough to share with us! There are
also some demonstration classes,
where you observe a master chef at
work and get to sample as they cook.
You can register online at the
Gervasi Vineyard web site but they
fill up quickly, so do it soon if you
are interested. Dress casually and
comfortably and don’t worry about
an apron; you will get a free one
to take home as part of your
registration fee. Kids 15 and older
can also register for the classes and
they do offer some cooking classes
for smaller children as well. The fee
for the class includes a glass of wine
with your meal although not while
cooking – for safety reasons!
Although we did not participate in
a wine tasting class, this is one of
their specialties, and they offer a
variety of classes. Whether you are
new to wine or have your own wine
cellar, they offer classes that will
have you thinking about and learning
to appreciate a wide variety of
wines. There are classes on wine
appreciation, demystifying wine
tasting, wine and food pairings, or
looks at wine vintages of I Fǒ