The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Wine flows at Vintage Ohio event at Farmpark
Event continues today at Lake Metroparks Farmpark
“I think that, basically, people look at it as a tradition,. It’s a weekend people have been looking forward to for more than 20 years now.” — Jennifer Gerger, event coordinator for Vintage Ohio
Despite it being so rainy for a good portion of the day Aug. 4, scores of wine lovers turned out to enjoy the fruit of the vine during Vintage Ohio at Lake Metroparks Farmpark in Kirtland. It was the event’s 23rd year and, according to organizers, it’s growing larger every year — rain or shine.
“We actually had better attendance than we thought today, given the rain,” said Ohio Wine Producers Association Executive Director Donniella Winchell Friday after the clouds lifted around 7:30 p.m. Friday, adding that the cooler-than-lately temps in Lake County Aug. 4 made for a great pairing with the reds and the whites.
She said last year’s Vintage Ohio turnout numbered around 20,000 and organizers expect to make up for Friday’s lull in attendance on Saturday.
“Sure, attendance was down a little today because of the rain. But we expect to come in around 18,000 to 20,000 overall this year,” she said. Adding that putting such a popular event together wouldn’t be possible without the help of Jennifer Gerger, “who is the point person for the festival,” along with the five other OWPA staffers, two of whom are interns, and the cooperation of Lake Metroparks Farmpark and all the vendors and volunteers involved.
Gerger said it’s the event’s loyal following that also helps make it a good time for all.
“I think that, basically, people look at it as a tradition,” said Gerger, who is, officially, the event coordinator for Vintage Ohio. “It’s a weekend people have been looking forward to for more than 20 years now.”
Two such individuals there on Aug. 4 were Mentor-on-the-Lake resident Darin Hererra and his fiancee Jessica Pietrowski.
“I’ve been coming for years,” Herrera said. “I’ve been here since it started.”
He said he enjoys the atmosphere, the food, the wine and the music the event features year after year.
“It’s just a nice, relaxing time,” he said.
Pietrowski said she liked the variety of vendors there, too, “and the fireworks.”
When asked if they’d recommend the event to others, the pair offered a resounding “yes!”
“For sure — I’d highly recommend it,” Herrera said.
Pietrowski responded similarly.
“Absolutely — it’s just a fun, nice, relaxing time,” she said.
Another group of visitors, one hailing from as far away as Akron and Parma, agreed.
“This is my first time,” said Alicia Colage, who said some Lake County friends tipped her off about the event. “I thought it would be cool to come try all the wines from around the area.”
She added she likes a good Riesling and planned to sample a few.
Her friend, Mentor resident John DeCarlo, said it was his fourth visit to Vintage Ohio and that he enjoys everything about the event.
“I’m not really looking for anything in particular,” he said. “I’m just here to be social, get out and about and — who knows — I might find something, wine-wise, that I really like and haven’t tried before.”
Although it might not have been the turnout on Friday organizers hoped for, no thanks to the rain, for some visitors, like Herrera, it was an ideal situation because he’d never actually been able to fill out his tasting card until Aug. 4.
“Last year, it took forever because the lines were so long,” he said. “There was no way you could go to all of them. This year is the first time we actually got to hit all of them.”
He added that, on Saturday, which is supposed to be a nicer day, “we’d probably only get to taste wines from half of (the wineries).”
Vintage Ohio runs though 10 p.m. Aug. 5.