The Vineyard at Evergreen Farm is a local winery run by Chris Dues along with his daughter and Cofounder, Gina Dues. Chris started making wine when he was 16 years old as a hobby and it grew into a business.
Growing up, Gina helped her father with winemaking.
“Coldwater has grown in the past few years with businesses like our own,” said Gina Dues. “It’s good to see that we’re growing as a community.”
The Dues family all pitch in with the winery in some form or another. They all work other jobs in order to help their business grow; this is why the winery is open only on weekends.
The establishment has an array of 20 wines that range from sweet to semi to dry. The main seller is the Dues Les Rouge, a blend of red and white grapes.
“It [the Dues Les Rouge] was created on a slow night in the lasting room, and it has gained a great following since, including our sweet and dry wine drinkers,” said Gina Dues.
Their wines are mainly fruit-based with a few wildcards thrown in, such as the Dandelion and Rhubarb wines. All wines are made on site and the ingredients are locally sourced except for their strawberries from Florida and pineapples.
The winery is in a remodeled barn down the lane from the Dues’ home. Future plans include expanding the winery into the north end of the barn.
“We plan on putting in big windows on the west walls with pallet boards on them to hang artwork on. We’ll also have restrooms permanently in the building along with new flooring,” said Gina Dues.
Artwork is an important factor to the winery. About each month, they will have different artists’ work displayed. These pieces are eligible to be purchased along with different crafts that the winery creates throughout the year.
The Vineyard at Evergreen Farm also promotes local artists in another sense.
“We have events almost every weekend. They range from bridal showers to birthdays and even baby showers,” said Gina Dues.
This month, the winery will have performers such as Bill & Co., Dianne Hart, Butch Rinderle, and Neal & Angela Acoustic. The winery also hosts events such as Crafting with Gina and Catholicism 101.
Evergreen Farm was named aptly after the fact that when the plot was first purchased, the previous owner only had evergreen trees planted.
According to their website, evergreenwinery.com, the tasting hours are Fridays and Saturdays from 6-10 p.m. Guests can also visit by appointment for specific times.
The winery has been federally licensed since April 2015.
People are encouraged to visit the winery at 4249 Siegrist Jutte Road Coldwater, OH 45828 or online on Instagram, Facebook or their website.
Not 21? No worries!
While the winery will not serve you alcohol, you are able to purchase packaged snacks, water and pop. Guests are also able to carry-in food for events such as bachelorette parties or a date night.
According to a Facebook post on March 15, the winery will offer curb service Monday through Saturday from 5-7 p.m.
“PLEASE continue to support your local businesses in this trying time,” according to the post.
Coronavirus is a respiratory illness spread between people in close contact with each other or through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing. To protect yourself and those around you, cover coughs and sneezes and avoid contact with the eyes, nose and mouth. Symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
