Vintage Ohio Celebrates Final Festival with Wine Food and Music

By Andi Anderson

Vintage Ohio is preparing for its final festival after celebrating 32 successful years of promoting Ohio’s wine industry. The event will take place on August 7 and 8 at the Lake Metroparks Farmpark, welcoming visitors from noon to 9 p.m. each day for a unique combination of wine, food, and entertainment.

The festival has long served as an important platform for Ohio wineries, helping showcase locally produced wines and supporting the state’s agricultural and tourism sectors. Visitors will have the opportunity to sample a variety of wines and learn more about Ohio’s growing wine industry.

A major attraction at this year’s event is the Culinary Tent, featuring demonstrations by well-known chefs and food specialists. Chef Lisa Pucci Delgado, Executive Coordinator of the Culinary Tent, will present Smoked Mac & Cheese and Open-faced Brisket Sandwiches. Her extensive culinary background includes television appearances and professional barbecue competitions.

Additional demonstrations will be led by Fred Hot Stoldt, founder of a hot sauce and spice blend business, who will prepare Chicken and Sausage Gumbo. Mike McCourt, member of the Blackstone Griddle Crew, will showcase Bacon Ranch Chicken Skewers with Turkey Bacon. Charles Haring, founder of Wild Wolves BBQ, will present Tri-tip Grill with Blue Cheese Sauce. These demonstrations will provide visitors with cooking ideas and food preparation techniques.

Another highlight of the festival is the VIP wine experience. Guests can upgrade their tickets to sample gold medal-winning wines from several respected Ohio wineries. Participating wineries include Baci Winery, Breitenbach Wine Cellars, Debonne Vineyards, Ferrante Winery, Gervasi Vineyard, Gideon Owen Wine Co., Grand River Cellars, Heron Creek Winery & Brady Vineyards of Ohio, M Cellars, Maize Valley Winery, Silver Crest Cellars, Stoney Ridge Winery, and William Vincent Wine.

The VIP experience offers access to premium wines that are often produced in limited quantities and are not commonly available during large public tastings. Information about ordering wines and visiting participating wineries will also be provided.

Live entertainment will add to the festival atmosphere, with Lyle Heath performing on Friday and Michael Brown performing on Saturday. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of complimentary food offerings, including gold medal-winning cheeses from the Ohio State Fair, BBQ Mac and Cheese, gourmet cashews, breads with olive oil dipping, crackers, and other snacks.

As Vintage Ohio celebrates its final year, the event will honor more than three decades of supporting Ohio wineries, local food businesses, and agricultural communities while providing visitors with a memorable festival experience.

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