It was a day of clinking glasses and wine and cheese sampling Saturday at the annual Great Lakes Wine Fest at Michigan International Speedway.
More than three dozen Michigan-based wineries and breweries, as well as local hospitality-themed businesses, were on hand to share their wares with the public.
Ed Gerten from Pentamere Winery of Tecumseh said the festival is an opportunity to introduce businesses like his to a larger demographic.
“It’s a good crowd and everyone’s enjoying themselves,” Gerten said. “We’ve been introducing a lot of people to our line of wine jelly.”
The line was also steady at another local vendor’s booth, Cherry Creek Old Schoolhouse Winery of Woodstock Township. Chef and wine consultant Marian Gray said visitors were reporting in from as near as the Irish Hills to more distant places, including Canada and Ohio.
“It’s a great opportunity to not only renew relations with those we met last year, but meet new customers,” Gray said. “MIS is doing a phenomenal job promoting the area and all the great things the Irish Hills has to offer.”
Dave Beaver and Julie Stotler of Chelsea were among the hundreds of those who visited the various booths Saturday. Stotler said she found the festival informative and was pleased to see the local vendors all in one location.
“The atmosphere is great,” Beaver said. “Almost everything we’ve tasted has been good.”
Allison Pruitt of Devils Lake said she was impressed with the festival’s offerings.
“We tour wineries and breweries across the state, and with them all under one roof at the same time, it was good to compare what they have to offer,” Pruitt said.
Article source: http://www.lenconnect.com/features/x1950127062/Wine-beer-festival-brings-hundreds-to-Michigan-International-Speedway
