CANTON − Wine, flickering candles and chocolate-covered strawberries set the romantic mood at Gervasi Destinations for a smitten couple in a new episode of the popular Netflix TV show “Love Is Blind.”
The Spa at Gervasi Vineyard was the site of a heartfelt conversation between Victor St. John and Christine Hamilton, one of the Ohio couples in search of love on the reality television dating show.
“Love Is Blind” put Gervasi in the spotlight for roughly four minutes. Gervasi, located on 55th Street NE, was among a smattering of Ohio locations shown in the episode, which dropped at 3 a.m. Feb. 25.
“As someone who gets to experience the magic of The Spa at Gervasi Vineyard every day, it was truly incredible to see ‘Love Is Blind’ choose our property as a filming location,” said Andrea Hartman, Gervasi’s marketing director.
“‘The Spa is such an intimate, romantic escape. It creates the perfect atmosphere for connection, relaxation and unforgettable moments.”
What kind of wine did the couple drink?
Gervasi was never identified on screen. But for those who have been there, the exterior of The Spa was instantly recognizable. An overview shot of Gervasi led into the segment as a camera swept over the vineyard.
Entering a suite at The Spa wearing white robes, Hamilton, 30, and St. John, 33, were immediately impressed with the aesthetics of a room featuring two spa beds, furniture and a table with a large plate of fruit, as well as chocolate-covered strawberries. Windows offered a view of the grounds of the 55-acre Tuscan-inspired estate.
The couple toasted and sipped Gervasi’s Lambrusco Bianco Amabile wine from the show’s signature gold glasses. Gervasi describes the wine as having a delicate sweetness with subtle honey and apple aromas.
“On the pallet, the sparkling wine imparts a soft, sensual sensation,” Gervasi’s website says. “It refreshes like a morning frost in the springtime.”
Why did ‘Love is Blind’ select Gervasi?
Hamilton, a speech-language pathologist, and St. John, a public policy assistant professor at Ohio State University, proceeded to stare into each other’s eyes and profess their deep love for each other.
“I can’t wait for the wedding day,” Hamilton said. “I’m like in a countdown in my head.”
St. John said he wanted to “slow down and take every last moment in.”
Hartman of Gervasi said Hamilton and St. John received massages. They also ate before filming at The Crush House in the private Bellina Room with the production team.
Although none of the TV show’s 32 participants are from Stark County, Netflix selected Gervasi because it popped up during a Google search of romantic destinations in Ohio, Hartman said.
The Gervasi segment was brief, but filming took several hours on a day in early April, she said.
Gervasi is offering a promotion at The Marketplace, where guests can purchase the style of gold wine glasses featured on “Love Is Blind.” The package costs $65 and also includes one bottle of Amore and blood-orange caramels.
The Amore Sangiovese Rosé wine is made from 100% Sangiovese juice extracted from the grapes.
More about the show
The show’s premise is reality television dating with a twist — singles meet on dates while separated in “pods” and then get engaged before seeing what their partner looks like.
Female and male contestants live in separate quarters. From first meeting to the weddings, the entire process and show spans about 40 days.
“Love Is Blind” is hosted by Nick and Vanessa Lachey.
‘Let’s go get married.’
Following engagements, couples spend time together, meet each other’s parents and live together. Lots of fun is intertwined, too, including a vacation to Cancun, a bachelor’s night at a monster truck show and bachelorette’s night at a casino.
All of it leads up to a wedding for each couple, although there’s no guarantee the man or woman will say I do at the altar.
The future looks promising for the couple who visited Gervasi, however.
Hamilton and St. John both expressed excitement with less than five days before the big day, which is expected to be featured in episode 12, scheduled for release March 4.
Seated across from one another and holding hands, St. John said excitedly, “Let’s go get married.”
Reach Ed at ebalint@gannett.com. Follow on Instagram at ed_balint and TikTok @edwardbalint.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Gervasi gets ‘Love Is Blind’ close-up. What did couple do at Canton destination?
Reporting by Ed Balint, Canton Repository / The Repository
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