Heineman’s Passionate about “Vine to Wine”

Heineman’s Winery, proudly crafting island wines since 1888, hosts the Ohio Wine Producers Association Island Wine Festival today.  The Association describes the Lake Erie Shores and Islands viniculture  this way:

Brisk sea breezes and the moderating influence of our Ohio’s own Lake Erie allows our vintners to produce grapes and make wine amid some of the country’s most scenic vistas. Throughout this ‘cool climate’ growing district, historic vineyards and wine families who have farmed them for generations are complemented by new plantings of Rieslings and chardonnays established by dynamic entrepreneurs. Numerous soil types, deposited by years of glacial movements provide fertile ground for great viniculture, new and old.

Fourth and fifth generations of Heinemans–Edward and Dustin–share the family wine making tradition.  Heineman’s and other local growers cultivate 50 acres of grapes on South Bass Island.  These produce twenty-seven labels of wine and two types of grape juice.  For an on-line preview, click HERE.

Ohio’s Island Wine Festival runs from 11am to 5pm.  Tickets are $35 at the gate.  Tickets include a free wine glass, 6 bottle tote bag (for the first 800 people), and samples from Chateau Winery, Helena; Deer’s Leap Winery, Geneva; Firelands Winery, Sandusky; Heineman’s Winery, Put-in-Bay; Lincoln Way Vineyards, Wooster; Majestic Oak Winery, Grand Rapids; and Ugly Bunny Winery, Loudonville. Live entertainment is by songwriter/musician Lucas Guy.