Vintage Ohio at Lake Metroparks Farmpark for two days of wine and more – Morning Journal

The two-day Vintage Ohio, always set for the first weekend in August, celebrates the fun of summer with much of what makes the season great.

Produced by the Ohio Wine Producers Association, it’s a festival of food, music and craft vendors, all framed around an array of canopy tents housing Ohio winemakers who offer flavors to those who attend. Groups of friends usually make it a traditional outing every summer.

Located on the lush, shady grounds of the 235-acre Lake Metroparks Farm Park in Kirtland, this year’s 27th Vintage Ohio features many Ohio vineyards for the first time. Although there is a chance of showers on August 5 and 6, the likelihood of heavy rain decreases towards the afternoon.

The 18 wineries offering tastes to ticket holders include those in Avon Lake, Wooster and Sandusky, as well as winemakers in Willoughby, Conneaut and Madison. It is therefore an opportunity to taste wines that you may never have encountered before.

Pick up a map as you walk in to locate the wineries you most want to experience. Winemakers are scattered among stands operated by restaurants, artisans and others showcasing their creations. Two stages along the edges of the area will have live music to listen to and dance to, while picnic tables and lawns ideal for laying down a blanket sit in between.

The Vintage Ohio Cooking School is near the entrance. There, chef Lisa Pucci Delgado lined up four-hour demonstrations of dishes that included an apple, cheddar and praline pecan salad with a French white balsamic vinaigrette; Pork Rind Encrusted Fried Pork; Grilled Tri-Tip; and tortellini with sausage, red pepper and spinach. Demonstrations start at 1:30 p.m. both days and end with a free dessert after the final demonstration at 4:30 p.m.

Food trucks and stalls manned by area restaurants will sell everything from pierogies to eggrolls, wood-fired pizzas, cheeseburgers and spiced elk burgers, as well as hot dogs, Polish sausages, scallops, kebabs and more. The best strategy is to order foods that will pair with your favorite wine and bring them to a picnic spot you have already chosen.

Much of the food can be eaten without utensils, which makes it easier.

The two music stages are far enough apart for easy listening with lively conversation or dancing. Check when your favorite numbers are playing before settling into a spot for your picnic.

Founded in the 70s by two Jamaican brothers, Friday night reggae band Jah Messengers have garnered many fans with their gigs across the region, while saxophonist Stan Miller’s cool jazz inspires others.

Wineries can also be researched in advance online. Be sure to visit Gervasi’s Vineyard, which operates a winery resort with lodging and catering in Canton, and the Olde Schoolhouse in Prebel County, which serves 20 wines in an old brick schoolhouse.

Classic and fun wines made from fruits and even dandelions will be served to ticket holders for Vintage Ohio on August 5 and 6 in Kirtland. (Courtesy of the Ohio Winemakers Association)

Although close to home in Willoughby for many, Ed Trebet’s Urban Vintner is not well known. He makes wine from fruit shipped in from all over the country to make it near downtown Willoughby, where those who visit can watch the process and taste the resulting wines. A Mentor native, Trebets was a chemistry teacher at Beachwood High School for many years before becoming the winemaker at Debonne Vineyards. He has won numerous awards for his wines while serving in this capacity and in 2016 decided to go it alone.

Vintage Ohio

When: Noon to 9 p.m. August 5 and 6.

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

Tickets: 21 and over, $37 in advance, $40 at the door; non-drinker/designated driver (include five soft drinks in the designated driver’s tent), including 18-20, $14; children 4-17, $4; 3 years and under, free.

Information: visit vintageohio.com.

Wine

Here are the wineries that pour into Vintage Ohio:

American Vineyard, Wauseon

Breitenbach Wine Cellars, Dover

Buccia Vineyards, Conneaut

D&D Smith Vineyard, Norwalk

Deer’s Leap Winery, Geneva

Firelands Wine Estate, Sandusky

Forever Craft Urban Winery, North Township

Gervasi Vineyard, Guangzhou

Hocking Hills Winery, Logan

Klingshirn Vineyard, Lake Avon

Lincoln Way Vineyards, Wooster

Olde Schoolhouse Vineyard and Winery, Eaton

Silver Crest Cellars, Madison

Swiss Heritage Winery, Dover

Pine Lake Vineyards, Columbiana

The Cellar, Sandusky

Urban Vinter, Willoughby

Vermilion Valley Vineyards, Wakeman

The music

Here is the musical program of Vintage Ohio

5 August

Step 1

1 to 3 p.m.: Hip to That

3:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. – Reflectionz Tribute Show & Band

6:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.: Discovery music

2nd step

12:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.: Risk factor

3:25 p.m. to 5:40 p.m.: Sudden change

6:20 p.m. to 8:35 p.m.: Jah Messengers Reggae Band

August 6

Step 1

1 to 3 p.m.: Stan Miller

3:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.: Big Horse

6:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.: Horns and things

2nd step

12:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.: Miles Beyond

3:25 p.m. to 5:40 p.m.: Artifex

6:20 p.m. to 8:35 p.m.: Forecasts

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