by Jim Grow » Sat Oct 27, 2018 8:54 pm
While visiting my sister in NE Ohio I made time to visit several high-end Lake Erie AVA wineries ( Harpersfield and Ferrante) and spent all of 5-6 minutes at each. They were much more about the sizzle and less about the substance. Then I finally found Markko Winery which I have been hoping to visit for decades. It was well worth the search as it is NOT well directed by the local tourism dept. Tucked in the middle of a large wood lot, you better know the address. we were the only visitors there at noon but more folks quickly joined us. Arnie was mentored by Dr. Frank, I,m thinking in the early/mid 60's, and he obviously learned well. We started off with the 2015 Chardonnay (all pours were generous and free) and went thur 2013 and 2012 (great yr.) (no 2014 due to total loss from extreme cold) then on to Riesling of various years and three different Cabernets with some C.F. etc. in the blend. Somewhere in all of that Arnie brought out a 1991 Chardonnay from a bottle opened yesterday that was absolutely mind-boggling even if a tiny bit past prime. Well, to make a long story a bit shorter I was enthralled and asked many questions and ended up buying a few Chards. and a LH Chard also. I believe he is more well known for his Chards. than red or Rieslings but they were respectable also. Arnie went looking for a bottle of the 1991 Chard.at his next-door home that I wanted to buy but could not find it. Maybe next time and there WILL be a next time. Probably the most exciting 2 hrs. I have ever spent with a wine maker! Arnie is an American wine maker without equal and so unassuming as to be unknown to many wine lovers. I feel blessed with this encounter and will visit him again (soon I hope as he is not a young man).
