Enjoy delicious wine and food at the Toast of Ohio Wine Festival

Want to Go?
WHAT: Toast of Ohio Wine Festival
WHEN: 6-9 p.m. Friday, August 10 & 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, August 11
WHERE: Sandusky Greenhouse, 620 Elm Street, Sandusky (Friday) & Sandusky Bay Pavilion, corner of Meigs and Water Streets, Sandusky (Saturday)
COST: $5-$20, depending on packages purchased
INFO: 419-624-0274 or www.sanduskymaritime.org

Get prepared to sample the best wines northern Ohio has to offer, while also trying foods from some acclaimed restaurants.

The annual Toast of Ohio Wine Festival will be taking place from 6-9 p.m. on Friday, August 10 at the Sandusky Greenhouse, located at 620 Elm Street in Sandusky and from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. on Saturday, August 11 at the Sandusky Bay Pavilion, located at the corner of Meigs and Water Streets in Sandusky.

“This year we will have 10 different wine makers offering tasting,” said Annette Kluding, director of the Sandusky Maritime Museum and coordinator of the event. “All of the makers are from wineries in northern Ohio, so all the wine that will be available has been produced right here by the lake.”

With local wineries like Firelands, Stony Ridge and Maize Valley participating, attendees will have a wide variety of wines to choose from. Some of the wines that will be offered at the festival will include riesling, merlot and chardonnay.

“We will also have food vendors on hand and they will be selling appetizers that pair well with the wine being served,” Kluding said. “Some of the food items that will be sold include scallops, cheese and cracker trays, and other small items that fit well with the wine.”

With over 2,000 people expected to attend this event, it is a fun activity to do with a significant other or a group of friends.

“This area is fantastic for growing grapes because Lake Erie stays warm in the fall, so the grapes have a better growing season,” Kluding said. “Wineries have been popping up all over this area and people really enjoy going to the winery and relaxing after a long work week.”

This event is the perfect opportunity to support local businesses, while also cutting loose and having a fun night out.

Local artists will also be selling their artwork at the event, so you can even do a little shopping while you taste the wines.

General admission to the Toast of Ohio Wines Festival $5 and includes a wine glass and 2 wine tickets. An admission package is available for  $20 and includes a wine glass, 10 food tickets and 10 wine tickets. Additional wine tickets are 4 for $3, food tickets are $1 per ticket and an additional wine glass is $4.

For more information on the Toast of Ohio Wine Festival, visit www.sanduskymaritime.org/.