Local winery has plenty to celebrate this weekend — and you’re invited

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Last year, the Valley Vineyards 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve captured the director’s choice red-wine award. In 2014, the winery’s 2012 syrah and its 2012 cabernet franc tied for the designation of “Best Red Wine.” The same two wines in earlier vintages — the Valley Vineyards cabernet franc and the winery’s syrah — tied for “best red” in 2012, and the winery’s cabernet franc captured that honor solo in 2011.

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The winery's "Red Reflections" is a slightly sweet red wine made from the DeChaunac grape variety. It retails for $12.99 on the winery's web site.

The family-owned winery is hosting its annual beer and wine festival this Friday and Saturday, June 2-3, at the winery and brewery at 2276 East U.S. 22 at U.S. 3 near Morrow southeast of Lebanon.

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The Valley Vineyards Wine & Beer Festival will offer “A Taste of Warren County” as it celebrates the winery’s 47th anniversary from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday. It will feature food samples from local restaurants, food trucks and vendors; live music; cellar tours; tethered hot-air balloon rides and other events.

Attendees can sample Valley Vineyards wines, and craft beers from its Cellar Dweller brewery, by the taste, glass or pint.

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There is a $5 parking fee. No overnight parking is available.

Valley Vineyards was founded by the Schuchter family in 1970, and it has been family-owned and operated for three generations. It produces 20 wines from its estate-owned vineyards in southern Ohio.

In the director’s award competition, more than 20 wines were evaluated by a panel of judges on behalf of the Ohio Department of Agriculture director. Other 2017 award recipients are:

• Best White Wine: (tie) 2016 Ferrante Grand River Valley Vidal Blanc Ferrante Winery, Ashtabula Count; and 2015 Doughty Glen Misty Meiner Doughty Glen Winery, Holmes County

• Best Rosé: Terra Cotta Chambourcin Rosé Terra Cotta Vineyards, Muskingum County

In addition, Daniels presented Pamela Ledyard of Stoney Ridge Winery (Williams County) with the Grape Grower of the Year award, and Andrew Codispoti of Gervasi Vineyard (Stark County) with the Winemaker of the Year award.