News

Apr 20, 2024

Lake Metroparks Farmpark set for 28th Vintage Ohio Wine Festival Aug. 4 and 5

Aug. 1—The Vintage Ohio Wine Festival, now in its 28th edition in Northeast Ohio, has evolved into an event with something for everyone. Set for noon to 9 p.m. Aug. 4 and 5 at Lake Metroparks Farmpark

Aug. 1—The Vintage Ohio Wine Festival, now in its 28th edition in Northeast Ohio, has evolved into an event with something for everyone.

Set for noon to 9 p.m. Aug. 4 and 5 at Lake Metroparks Farmpark in Kirtland, it's a time filled with wine, food, music and good company. This year adds learning to that list.

The 235-acre park — with its grassy knolls, pretty ponds and tall oak trees interspersed with picnic tables — is the ideal space for picnicking, dancing, feasting and general good times.

Twenty-six wineries will be on hand with tastes of what they do best. That number includes 16 wineries that have been awarded gold and double-gold medals that will be represented in a pair of "All That Glitters is Gold" tents in the center of the Vintage Ohio tasting area. Each ticket holder will be able to taste eight of those wines.

"These are premium wines that were hard for us to get," said Doniella Winchell, executive director of the Ohio Wine Producers Association, the sponsoring organization. "They all won gold medals at (the) 2023 Ohio Wine Competition, and this will be the only opportunity this year to experience so many Ohio gold medal wines at one event."

The gold medal-winning wines can't be purchased at Vintage Ohio, although information about the wineries will be available. A dozen of the most respected wine judges from California, New York, Florida, Indiana, Missouri and Michigan picked the winners, which include a trio of close-to-home Ohio wineries.

Meet Tom Baker of Schott Zwiesel at the Select the Correct Wine Glass Tent and discover what the company believes is the difference made when wines are served in glasses from its line of crystal stemware.

"M Cellars uses our stemware," Baker said.

The glasses are made using titanium and zirconia to make them break-resistant and can be safely washed in a dishwasher, he said. He'll also teach those coming to his tent how to swirl and taste wines.

Visit the Home Wine Making Tent to help you launch your own winemaking efforts. Regional wine authority Joe Hoover will give insight and instructions derived from his many years of experience.

Other specialty tents for learning more about wines will include the Wine Mixology Tent, where cocktails will be made by using wines being poured on the festival fields. The team will mix up four options using a rose, white, red and sparkling wine. Pay $7 for a sample of each cocktail or choose one for a full cocktail at $5.

The Cookie Dough and Wine Pairing Tent will feature four doughs from 3rd & Spoon cookie dough paired with participating wines.

Many wine tasters know whether they prefer dry or sweet wines, so make the rounds of tasting booths with a plan. Do your homework in advance with a visit to the websites of participating wineries, many of which are not the familiar, close-to-home Grand River Valley vineyards. Each winery will bring a half dozen or more of its wines for tastes, and those pouring them can describe what's being offered.

Breweries and cider makers also are on hand this year so you can better educate your palate.

Wineries will also sell glasses of wine, so once favorites are decided by tasting, choose a picnic spot and pull together your dining from among food trucks and vendor stands. Choices this year range from hot dogs to alligator kabobs, wings to Italian sausage, pierogies to shrimp and cheese grits. You may also wish to select your spot based on the music from two bandstands that will be played for dancing off your meal. We've gathered together the options to help you with your choices.

Participating wineries and what they're pouring

American Winery & Brewery, Wauseon: 5th Amendment, Senate, Fulton Fantasy, Angry Eagle, Sunshine Dew, Summer Time, Sunny Beach Lime and Hula Hula

Buccia Vineyards, Conneaut: Reflections of Lake Erie, Peachy Queen, Maiden's Blush, Bellissimo, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Dry Rosé, Cabernet Sauvignon

D & D Smith Winery, Norwalk: Sangiovese, Riesling, Sips & Giggles, This N That, Iswhatitis, Hillbilly Watermelon, He said She Said and Peach Wine

Deer's Leap Winery, Geneva: Pear. Peach, Dark Cherry, Cherry, Almond, Chocolate Strawberry. Blueberry, Raspberry amd Elderberry

Emerine Estates Winery, Jefferson: Cotton Candy, Crappy Cupcake, Seduction Pinot Noir, Caramel Apple, Chocolate Raspberry, Sassafras My Ass, Pink and Big Nuts

Firelands Winery, Sandusky: Firelands Chardonnay, Firelands Cabernet Sauvignon, Firelands Pinot Grigio, Mon Ami Semi Sweet Merlot. Mantey Cream Catawba, Mantey Blue Face, Lonz Haut Sauterne, Lonz Sangria

Hocking Hills Winery, Logan: Pinot Grigio, Lily of the Valley, Pink Moscato, Rose Lake Blush, Pinot Noir and Rockhouse Rouge

Lincoln Way Vineyards, Wooster: Six-Sixteen Rosé, Six-Sixteen White, Six-Sixteen Red, Twelve Forty-Five Silver, Twelve Forty-Five Ruby, Blackberry Fusion, One-Fifty Five White and One-Fifty Five Red

Olde Schoolhouse Vineyard & Winery, Eaton: Christman White, Gettin Hitched

Cabernet Franc, Red River, Diamond, Rebel Red, CircAss and Bad Ass Berry

Silver Crest Cellars, Madison: Rosie's Harvest, Riesling, Meritage Rosé, Dornfelder and Cabernet Sauvignon-Gerald Smith Vineyard

Ugly Bunny Winery, Loudonville: Vidal, 1814, Tickled Pink, Down the Rabbit Hole, Niagara and White Rabbit

Urban Vintner, Willoughby: Muddy Paw Cabernet Sauvignon, Muddy Paw Paisley White, Muddy Paw Tigger Rouge, Muddy Paw Benny Blush, Urban Vintner Chardonnay, Urban Vintner Cabernet Reserve and Urban Vintner Rosé

Food

Scott's Fire & Ice: Wood-fired pizza

Buckeye Concessions: kettle corn, cinnamon almond, cashew, pecans

Hidden Cafe: gyros, fries, philly steak and lemon shake

Ohio Farm Direct: grass-fed ice cream cone, grass-fed cheeseburger, grass-fed grilled cheese, grass-fed Reuben burger, grass-fed hotdog and grass-fed lettuce wrap

Queen Bean: coffee/ teas/chai. espresso coffee, iced coffee, hot cocoa, flavored coffee, smoothies,mixed fruit and milkshakes

Jilly Jeans Comfort Cuisine: pork or chicken schnitzel sandwich, chicken tender baskets, quesadilla, pierogi, wraps chicken or falafel, fruit or cheese or meat cup and cheese curds

Angello's 2 U: Italian sub, roasted red pepper chicken sandwich, mini cannoli, garlic parm fries, meatball sand, fresh chicken sticks

The Cleveland Fish & Seafood Company: Rocheck Concessions, smoked chicken wings, smoked sausage burger and bratwurst and fresh-cut french fries

Hunger Squad: Shrimp & cheesy grits, cilantro lime rice bowl

spinach artichoke chicken flatbread, pulled pork on pretzel bun and assorted fries

Dynamite Dawgs: Coney dawg, Polish boy, dawg pound, Dynamite dawg, plain dawg and garlic parm spud

Gary's World-Famous Foods: Italian sausage, boneless ribs and sirloin steak tips, angus burgers and hotdogs, corndogs, chicken tender basket, fries and mozzarella sticks

Sue's Homemade Pierogi: ethnic platter, fried items, pretzels

River Ranch: bison burger, elk burger, shrimp scampi, alligator burger, alligator kabobs and Angus burger

Grandma's Donuts: mini donuts, blended coffee, smoothie and

lemon freeze

Music

Aug. 4

Gate Entrance

11:30 a.m. — Julie Slattery

Stage 1

1 p.m. — Jim Ales

3:30 p.m. — Light of 2 Moons

6:15 p.m. — The Level Up Band

Stage 2

12:30 p.m. — Stan Miller

3:25 p.m. — Mike Williams on Sax

6:20 p.m. — Horns and Things

Aug. 5

Gate Entrance

11:30 a.m. — Jim Ales

Stage 1

1 p.m. — Miles Beyond

3:45 p.m. — The Breeze Band

6:30 p.m. — Forecast

Stage 2

12:30 p.m. — The Discovery Band

3:25 p.m. — Dirk Quinn Band

6:20 p.m. — Colin Dussault's Blues Project

Vintage Ohio Wine Festival

Producer: Ohio Wine Producers Association

When: Noon to 9 p.m. Aug. 4 and 5.

Where: Lake Metroparks Farmpark, 8800 Kirtland Chardon Road, Kirtland.

Tickets, Adults Sampler, $42; Designated Driver (Includes entry to the festival only), $10; children 4 to 17, $4; children 3 and under, free.

Info: visitvintageohio.com or 440-466-4417.