Ridgefield wine wins gold medal with city grapes

RIDGEFIELD — Community members gathered at Gouger Cellars Winery & Restaurant, 26506 N.E. 10th Ave., on Sept. 22 for a ceremonial bottling of Ridgefield Roundabout Red 2018, a Marechal Foch wine that business owner Gary Gouger made from the city’s roundabout grapes, which he believes is a first in the state. “It was a fabulous day! We started with an opening toast where I thanked the ex-mayor Ron Onslow for taking my idea to the city council in 2014,” Gouger said. They bottled 41 cases for the city of Ridgefield and won’t be available for sale otherwise. “Together with myself, Ron and his wife, Sandy, the city council and volunteers, existing plants were moved, vines were planted and posts, wires and drippers were installed in two roundabouts in Ridgefield.” The grapes were harvested in 2018. Goucher wanted to see how the quality would hold up to other Marechal Foch wines, so he sent it to the New York Finger Lakes International Wine Competition, where it received an International Gold Medal. “This was quite an exciting journey and I hope that the city will make it available for others to taste in hopes to promote this wonderful varietal,” Gouger said.