Wine Fest 2008 Grape escape
Motorists driving northeast on Route 20 with their windows rolled down notice the smell is everywhere -- the smell of grapes.
It's the unmistakable sign you've traveled into a patch of Lake Erie's wine country, and a subtle reminder that the thousands of people descending on North East Township's Gravel Pit Park and North East Borough's Gibson Park are there for Wine Fest 2008.
In a large white circus-type tent, five local wineries handed out wine samples to thirsty festival-goers.
Nick Mobilia, owner of Mobilia Farms and Arrowhead Wineries, said he believed 20,000 to 25,000 people were going to walk one or both parks this weekend. He said that thousands passed through the tent in the back of Gravel Pit Park throughout the day.
"Fabulous ? freakin' unreal," is how Mobilia described the festival. "It's cool, so people aren't as intoxicated as they would be when it's hot. You cannot buy through advertising the exposure you get at this event."
He said most tasters were going after his wineries' semisweet red and white wines as well as their dry-red variety.
"They're just flying out of here," Mobilia said.
Organizers advertised about 75 vendors are at the parks throughout the weekend, and those that showed included local sign and pottery artists, a fragrant candle seller as well as other boutiques offering home dor items.
Will Edwards, 24, of Waterford, a Presque Isle Wine Cellars employee, said his company's wine booth was busy throughout the day.
"We've been pushing bottles since 11 a.m.," Edwards said.
The best wine at the festival, said North East resident Holly Weinheimer, is left to the opinion of those drinking it. Her favorite, though, was the blended Rieslings.
"It is unique for the area," she said.
She also spoke to the importance the festival has for people in North East and for anyone who enjoys wine.
"Everything is here for every age, a playground, music for adults, the wine tent. My sister would rather come home now than for Thanksgiving," said Weinheimer, 23.
Her friend, Erie native Jillian White, 26, now of Pittsburgh, said she enjoys the festival, in part because of the open atmosphere.
"They don't like wine in Pittsburgh," White said. "Here you get to drink wine outside, in a sweatshirt, without sitting at a martini bar, on a bale of hay. It's nice."
STEVEN SWEENEY can be reached at 870-1675 or by e-mail.