Wines and winemaker's book to be introduced at event

Daniel Grace is carrying on the legacy that he and his brother Tim helped build with their father, Canton native, Frank Grace.

Frank spent time growing up in Steubenville and Canton before attending and playing football at John Carroll University. After a stint in the military, Frank moved to London to start a transportation and logistics company. That success led to the purchase of a 120-acre property in Panzano-in-Chianti, Italy, located in a hilltop town where monks had grown grapes for over three and a half centuries. The property had a windmill, or molino in Italian, that the Graces renovated.

Frank Grace and his son Daniel hand-sort grapes during the 2023 harvest at il Molino di Grace in Panzano, Italy.

“Mom and Dad always had one foot planted in Tuscany,” said Daniel when I caught up with him and Frank by phone a few years back.

At age 85, Frank still serves as the estate chairman of il Molino di Grace winery that was built in 1997. Daniel, 55, who was born in London, is now a managing director and co-winemaker along with Iacopo Morganti. Their stellar Chianti Classico and Super-Tuscan wines have been a favorite among wine critics near and far since their first release in 1999.

Daniel’s grandparents were involved in local journalism. Gertrude Grace was a writer for the Canton Repository, Youngstown Vindicator and the Marion Star back in the day. His grandfather Donald Grace was the business manager for the Canton Repository and the Steubenville Herald-Star. The written word is part of his DNA.

Daniel will be at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Fairlawn at 6 p.m. March 24 to introduce his amazing wines and talk about his debut novel titled “In the Wake of Golgotha.” His book tour also includes stops in Washington, D.C., Boston, Los Angeles and New York.

“The crucifixion was such a pivotal cultural, historical, and religious moment,” said Daniel by phone from San Francisco before attending a kickoff event for his new book. “The time was right to reimagine it,” he said as he went on to briefly explain the roles of Judas, now Jude Issachar and Pilate, known as Peter Pheiffer in the book. "It’s a story about crime, punishment and second chances and how we all carry our sins and our sorrow forward.”

After a welcome glass of Prosecco, Daniel will read a couple of short excerpts and talk about his debut novel while guests enjoy the wines of il Molino di Grace specially paired with four courses by Chef Beau Schmidt. Tickets for the pre-paid event are $79 plus tax and gratuity. Copies of the book and bottles of wine will be available for purchase and signing. Paperback $21.95 and hardback $31.95.

Enigma cabernet

There’s no doubting how well the Enigma cabernet pairs with a Tuesday to-go meatloaf dinner from the Remarkable Diner in Barberton.

There’s nothing difficult to understand about this wonderful cabernet sauvignon that was grown in the volcanic soil in the Red Hills Lake AVA in Lake County, California. Well, let me back up a bit. I am puzzled that a wine this good is only $14.99. Maybe that’s why it’s called Enigma.

There’s an abundance of rich black raspberry and chocolate-covered cherry flavors in every swirl. Kristal Aged Gouda from Heinen’s in Hudson is the perfect cheese to have with this cabernet that is also blended with 10% Petite Sirah, 6% Malbec, and 2% cabernet franc.

A $14.99 carry-out meatloaf dinner from the Remarkable Diner in Barberton was an exceptional pairing. You can check out their monthly To Go Tuesdays menu on their Facebook page. This tasty comfort dish came with creamy mashed potatoes and some buttery steamed vegetables. So delish!

I like to do thorough research so I had another glass with a bowl of spicy chicken tortilla soup. The bounteous red berry flavors certainly tame the zippy flavors of the soup. Pick up a few chocolate-covered cherries to have with your after dinner sips. You’ll thank me later.

Buy this wine at Krieger’s Market in Cuyahoga Falls, Beau’s Bar & Bistro in Copley, and the Wine Mill wine bar in Hudson.