FORESTVILLE - The recent break in the weather has moved everyone's mind to the outdoors. Individuals seem to be looking for some kind of event that can take them out of the house for the weekend. With the recent signs of spring fever showing, there is only one thing on the minds of winery owners in Lake Erie Wine Country, the wine trail's annual Wine and Cheese Weekend. With a sold out Wine and Chocolate Weekend earlier this year, it is anticipated that the upcoming event will also be a popular one.
This year's Wine and Cheese weekend will take place on Friday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the participating wineries on the Lake Erie Wine Trail. Each of the 23 participating wineries on the trail will present event attendees with a cheese inspired dish paired with one of their wines. Yancey's Fancy is the official cheese sponsor of this year's event and will provide an artisan cheese of each winery's choice for use in their selected dish. Ticket price includes a food and wine pairing at each winery, wine tasting, a wine glass, a copy of this year's recipe book, a gift from Lake Erie Wine Country and a $5 voucher to spend at a winery of choice.
Merritt Estate Winery will be serving a Loaded Pasta Salad paired with their bone dry Chardonnay. The popular winery is always looking to do something that stands out in order to make each attendee's visit memorable. This year Merritt will be hosting the mascot of Yancey's Fancy, Hot Stuff the Buffalo. Event goers will have the opportunity to get their picture taken with Hot Stuff. The pictures will then be posted on the winery's Facebook page where individuals may tag themselves and share their picture with the popular mascot on their own page.
In hopes of a fair weather weekend, Merritt will also be hosting an outdoor party to couple with the wine trail event. Their Sangria Slush Bash will take place on Saturday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. The outdoor experience will feature live music provided by a DJ, snacks, summertime grilling favorites and Merritt's award winning wines and Sangria Wine Slush for sale by the glass. Merritt will also be introducing a new product, their Slush Bucket. The package contains everything the consumer needs to make the winery's popular frozen summer drink in the comfort of their own home. Buckets will also be for sale at the event.
"The main purpose of a wine trail event is for attendees to be able to spend a weekend getting out of the house and having the time of their lives. We want to help them do that in every way we can," said Jessi Luke, Public Relations and Promotions person for Merritt Estate Winery. "We like to come up with something a little special to make each individual's visit to the winery just that much more memorable. We're not just throwing an outdoor party; it's a way to celebrate the wonderful customers we have gained throughout the years. Cheers to the consumer!"
For more information on the event or to purchase tickets, visit the Lake Erie Wine Country web site at www.lakeeriewinecountry.org. A recipe book containing dishes to be served at each participating winery is also available for download on the web site.
For more information on Merritt news and events, visit www.merrittestatewinery.com or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/merrittwinery.
Merritt Estate is located in Lake Erie Wine Country, the largest grape growing region of New York State located along the shores of Lake Erie. The grapes and wines produced by Merritt rival the quality of premium vintages throughout the world.
