Wine was the factor that brought the community and the vineyards to the same location Friday. The fourth annual Grape Expectations Wine Festival was hosted by the Clarion Hotel and featured the wines of eight wineries.
“We have raffles, music, food and fun,” Fredonia Chamber of Commerce President Heidi Seddon surmised. “Every year it gets bigger and better.”
The Dunkirk and Fredonia Chambers have worked together for the wine festival since the beginning.
“We are trying to bridge the gap between Dunkirk and Fredonia because we feel they are one community and we would like to bring them together,” Dunkirk Chamber of Commerce President Stephanie Pulvino said.
Pulvino also said that the wine festival fulfills the chambers’ mission in the community.
“Our mission is to promote area businesses, improve the quality of life in the community and raise funds to do other good works in the community. This is such a great way to get the community together with the wine community and do something together,” she said.
This year’s wine festival showcased the wine of eight wineries, all located on the Chautauqua and Lake Erie Wine Trail.
New to join the festivities were 7 Vines Winery of Westfield. Julie Brosious said she and her husband heard about the wine festival from their partner Vetter Vineyards Winery, which has participated for several years.
Garrett Morgan, a wine maker from Sparkling Ponds Winery, also a veteran of the wine festival, said that they come back every year because “it is a great place to promote our wine and see our partners in wine.”
Other wineries in attendance included Merritt Estate Winery, Liberty Vineyards and Winery, Woodbury Vineyards, Johnson Estate Winery and Willow Creek Winery.
A special feature of this year’s festival was wine slushes, which many enjoyed for cooling down on the warm day.
Pulvino said that the Chamber is happy to have all of the wineries at the festival to promote their wine and interact with the community.
Pulvino estimated 300 to 350 people in attendance this year and said that in the past the event has brought people from as far as Warren.
She also said the location in the Clarion has helped to bring guests of the hotel from out-of-town into the festivities.
“For the past four years we have had beautiful weather, beautiful food and beautiful wine. What better way to bring the community down to enjoy … and relax?,” Pulvino asked.
The next Chamber of Commerce event will be a networking mixer held Wednesday May 25 at the White Inn. For more information contact Heidi Seddon at 679-1565 or [email protected].
Article source: http://www.observertoday.com/page/content.detail/id/559521/Strong-showing-for-Grape-Expectations-wine-festival.html?nav=5047
