An Essex County winery is about to undergo a major expansion.
Cooper's Hawk Vineyards is putting up a $1.2-million building adjacent to the existing winery.
The new addition will feature a restaurant that will be open for lunches from May to October in the height of tourism season. It will also have an events room to seat about 140 people.
The winery located at 1425 Iler Rd., between Kingsville and Harrow, opened three and a half years ago. Business grew faster than expected and owner Tom O’Brien says their current facility isn't big enough.
“We had 42 events last year not counting bus tours and tourisms and unfortunately, we are turning down lots of requests for groups that want 80 to 120 people,” says O’Brien. “So this is going to accommodate."
O’Brien says this shows the entire region, not just the wineries, is becoming a more desirable tourism spot.
“People are now learning that we have great wine,” says O’Brien. “Essex County has so much to do. History, birding, casino, music festivals, it’s all finally coming together and it takes time.”
The expansion project is expected to be completed by May.
