Freedom Run Winery |

I know, I know… you are getting sick of my description of this trip. Well, I don’t usually travel so far and get to drink new wines, so please bear with me…

Freedom Run was named for its proximity to Canada which meant freedom for slaves escaping the south via the Underground Railroad. Indeed many of the older homes in the nearby towns and villages have hidden rooms in their basements for the purpose of aiding the escape of slaves. This stop on the tour was unique. There was a huge pack of cousins there and the winery was owned by a friend of my cousin, John (Buddy). So we got the VIP treatment.

Freedom Run was by far the most visitor friendly (if you are over 12), having a spacious and comfortable tasting room. Complete with leathers sofas and chairs and bars decorated with blown glass flowers in the style of Dale Chihuly (made by winery co-owner, Sean Manning).

We however, because we had such a large group were escorted into the wine making facility which is visible but separated from the tasting room. We learned about the individual wines while catching up with cousins. Our tour was led by two of the co-owners of the winery, Larry and Sandra Manning. The wines we tasted were:

Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Sauvignon
Catawba
Chardonnay
Manning Manor Blanc
Manning Manor Reserve (a dry Niagara aged in oak… most unusual)
Manning Manor Rose
Merlot
Niagara
Riesling
Semi dry Riesling

As we finish the tasting we were then treated to a tour of the wine making facility. We learned how the grapes are crushed and de-stemmed, how the juice is extracted, the need to turn the juice and fruit to extract the highest amount of flavor from the grapes (we even got to participate in the process…), how in larger fermenting vessels the fruit along the top of the barrel may be so strong that it can support the weight of a person, learned about the fermentation process as well as barrel aging.

The camaraderie and family feeling made me enjoy this winery more than all the others on the tour. The Manning’s are planning on restoring a barn on the property to be turned into a champagne house and also for use for community dances and other events. I wish them the best of luck in their endeavors and look forward to ordering more wine from them in the future!

And of course, thanks to my Mom for keeping the Angel and Imelda out of our hair so we could enjoy our tour…