Lake Erie Wine Country hosts Wine & Cheese Weekend April 21-23

credit: freedigitalphotos.net/Stuart Miles

Lake Erie Wine Country kicks off the 2017 season with their annual Wine & Cheese Weekend event, taking place Friday through Sunday, April 21-23. Ticket holders can visit any or all of the 22 participating wineries, where they will enjoy a special wine paired with food samples created with Yancey’s Fancy cheeses.

This year, each winery has chosen a country around which they developed their food and wine pairing. Countries including Austria, Mexico, Poland, Trinidad and India will be represented. There is a diverse and delicious array of food offerings for this year’s “international” cheese and wine event. Streusel Kuchen, Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole, Grape Chutney, and Bavarian Cheddar Ale Soup are just some of the food samples that can be savored along with the perfect complementary wine.

Tickets are now on sale for Wine & Cheese Weekend at only $38 per person; one ticket is good for all three days. They may be purchased online at www.lakeeriewinecountry.org before Tuesday, April 18 at 10 a.m. Tickets are usually sold-out before this deadline, so advanced purchase is necessary. 

A designated driver ticket is available for only $20 and includes everything but wine. Friday and/or Sunday only tickets are only $28 each. This entitles ticket holders to enjoy all of the benefits of the event on Friday and/or Sunday only, but not on Saturday. As in the past, ticket holders will receive a food and wine pairing sample at each winery, additional wine tastes, a wine glass, recipe booklet, $5 voucher for wine purchase, and this year, a gift of another $5 voucher.

Ticket holders plan their own itinerary, enjoying each winery on a self-guided tour on Friday from noon-6 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; and Sunday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 

Wine & Cheese Weekend will kick-off a busy 2017 tourist season in the region. Throughout the summer, the 22 individual wineries will host their own special events that include free concerts in the vineyards, vineyard walks, festivals, winemaker’s dinners and other exciting event offerings. Special events for all wineries are listed at www.lakeeriewinecountry.org. There are also listings for lodging, dining, transportation and other area attractions.

BfloGirlTravel: Lake Erie Wine Country

credit: Wikimedia Commons/Jonnymccullagh

Lake Erie Wine Country, along the southern shore of Lake Erie in both Pennsylvania and New York, offers 23 unique wineries that have won hundreds of national and international wine quality awards. The wineries themselves have been evolving over the past few years to include other agricultural beverages such as distilled spirits, hard ciders, and microbrews.

“Some of our wineries now provide wine-by-the-glass, seating areas, beautiful gift shops, extended hours, and a great variety of entertainment,” says Lake Erie Wine Country executive director and author Julie Ellis. “On any given weekend throughout the year, visitors may find live music, vineyard walks, winemaker’s dinners, or wine and art events. We even have wineries that now provide food. That was unheard of just a few years ago.” 

Lake Erie Wine Country is a thriving destination for tourists and wine lovers, and it continues to grow.  There is proof in the fact that several wineries are expanding their production and wine tasting areas.

“Those who haven’t visited our region in the past couple of years will be pleasantly surprised to see the new facilities, events, beverages, and wine offerings.” said Ellis.

Lake Erie Wine Country’s 23 wineries are wrapping up their grape harvest and preparing for two Harvest Celebration Weekends, Friday through Sunday, November 4-6 and November 11-13. Ticket holders can visit participating wineries where they can enjoy a special wine paired with a delicious “harvest” food sample. As in the past, ticket holders will also receive additional tastings, a wine glass, recipe booklet, a $5 voucher and a gift. Hours for each of the two Harvest Celebration Weekends are: Friday, noon-5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Ticket holders can plan their own itinerary, enjoying a self-guided tour to each winery they choose to visit. Tickets are now on sale for the Harvest Celebration Weekends at $35 per person. One ticket is needed for each weekend and is good for all three days. Advanced ticket purchase is recommended as tickets are limited, and they are usually sold-out before the event begins; tickets can be purchased online at www.lakeeriewinecountry.org. Designated driver tickets are available for only $20 and include everything except wine; an alternate beverage is provided to designated drivers. The region now offers a Friday and/or Sunday only ticket for just $31.

The food and wine sample pairings for all wineries can be found at www.lakeeriewinecountry.org along with detailed information on the double-weekend event. The website also lists events all year long for all 23 wineries. Wineries are open year-around for tours and tastings.

Quotes in this piece provided by Lake Erie Wine Country.

Lake Erie Wine Country Wine & Art Saturday – May 21, 2016

credit: Wikimedia Commons/
Al Silonov

Lake Erie Wine Country, an association of 24 wineries between Silver Creek, NY and Harborcreek, PA, will host its annual Wine & Art Saturday on May 21. Guests will enjoy wine tasting while exploring various works of art from regional artists, including painters, sculptors, jewelry makers, glass and metal artisans and photographers. 29 artists will be on hand at 18 participating wineries to display, sell, and demonstrate their art.

This is a free event – no tickets or reservations are required, but tasting fees may apply at some wineries; event hours are noon -5 p.m. Guests are invited to stop at any of the participating wineries in any order to enjoy wine and art. Winery and artist pairings for the event include:

• 6 MILE CELLARS:  Evan Everhart (metal sculpture)
• 21 BRIX WINERY:  Carrie Tredo (mixed media, sculpture, mosaic, origami jewelry); James Hoggard (photography); Susan Mackay (painting)
• ARUNDEL CELLARS:  Toni Kelly (painting – birds, landscape), Annyssa Conti (charcoal drawing, painting)
• BURCH FARMS WINERY:  Jack Paluh (painting)
• COURTYARD WINERY:  Hosting 3 art classes (11, 1:30 & 4) - create a chalkboard plaque! We teamed up with Art Erie Barn and artist Colleen Welca. Classes are 2 hours long, supplies provided. Cost: $25. RSVP at 814-725-0236.
• HERITAGE WINE CELLARS:  Julie Weatherley (painting, acrylics, mixed-media)
• JOHNSON ESTATE WINERY:  Amanda Bracy (photography)
• LAKEVIEW WINE CELLARS:  Patti Larson (photography); Christine French (jewelry, mixed media)
• LIBERTY VINEYARDS & WINERY:  Rebecca Eckstrom (hand painted glassware)
• MAZZA CHAUTAUQUA CELLARS/ FIVE & 20:  Andrew Newton (metal sculpture)
• MAZZA VINEYARDS:  Cara Webster (graphic signs)
• MERRITT WINERY:  Cindy Flattery (painting); T. J. Glendinning (photography)
• NOBLE WINERY:  Lila Mansell (jewelry); Cecilia Price (oil painting)
• PENN SHORE VINEYARDS:  Randy Roberts (wildlife painting)
• SENSORY WINERY:  Barbara Yerace (Yerace Glass Studio of Erie demonstrating lampworking, glass bead making, hand-blown items)
• SOUTH SHORE WINE COMPANY:  Vanessa Mazza (painting, mixed media); John Ballard (driftwood art)
• SPARKLING PONDS WINERY:  Fred Cole (ceramics, painting, calligraphy)
• WILLOW CREEK WINERY:  Deborah Metzger (beach glass working - demos & classes); Julie Manning (hand-painted wine glasses); Mike Briggs (painting); Cindy Shields (painting); Patti Kramer (polymer clay jewelry)

Find out more at www.lakeeriewinecountry.org.