How to go
What: 13th Annual Vinoklet Art and Wine Festival
Where: Vinoklet Winery, 11069 Colerain Ave., Cincinnati
When: Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 10-11
Cost: Free
Saturday’s schedule
Grape Stomping Competitions – 5:45 p.m.
Music:
Kenny Cowden – 1-3 p.m.
Ms. Jaz – 2-4 p.m.
Dave Sedlak – 4-9 p.m.
Second Wind – 7-11 p.m.
Sunday’s schedule
Fried chicken dinner
Music:
Anna and Milovan – 1-2:30 p.m.
Color Guard and Gun Salute – 2:30 p.m.
Dave Sedlak – 1-5 p.m.
Pure Grain – 4-5 p.m.
Dallas Moore and the Snatch Wranglers – 5-7 p.m.
COLERAIN TWP. — Napa Valley is within reach this coming weekend without having to make a trek to California.
Vinoklet Winery sits on 30 acres of rolling hills, and is bringing the artisan atmosphere of California’s premier vineyards to Southwestern Ohio as it hosts its 13th annual Arts and Wine Festival Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 10-11.
The festival will feature fine art for sale by area artists, wine-tasting of the vineyard’s award-winning brands, grape-stomping competitions, food, live music and a fried chicken dinner to cap the weekend’s events on Sunday.
In its 30th year of operation, Vinoklet started originally as a hobby for its owner, Kreso Mikulic, a retired engineer who came to the Cincinnati-area from the former Republic of Yugoslavia in 1968.
His father owned a small, Italian-style winery in his former country, Mikulic said, giving him the impetus to start a winery himself.
“It was a hobby of mine that got out of control,” Mikulic chuckles.
It’s a hobby, however, that Milkulic has seen grow into the only working winery and vineyard in Hamilton County, a bed and breakfast, and a restaurant amongst a picturesque setting that could pass for a vineyard in Italy.
“It’s a very pleasant, romantic place,” Mikulic said. “It’s one of the most romantic places in Cincinnati.”
Mikulic has also seen four of the vineyard’s eight brands of wine produced from his “hobby” garner gold and silver medal awards at the New York State, Indianapolis International, Finger Lakes, N.Y. and Ohio State Wine Competitions while also finding their way to the shelves of local Kroger grocery stores.
Wine won’t be the only item for crowds to sample or purchase during the weekend’s festivities. Approximately 60 vendors — some from as far away as Florida and Michigan — will ply their wares such as handmade quilts, soaps, pottery, photography, paintings and sculptures during the two-day festival, said Jackie Goins, a Vinoklet employee of 11 years.
“It’s a lot of different stuff,” Goins said. “It’s really interesting and it’s all quality (merchandise).”
The festival also includes free live music in the vineyard’s amphitheater and artist’s areas as the schedule is packed with local acts including Tri-State favorites Second Wind, Pure Grain and Dallas Moore.
“We have more recognized entertainment (this year),” Goins said.
Parking and admission for the festival is free, with additional parking available at Germania Park, 3529 W. Kemper Road, with shuttle transports to the winery. A portion of festival sales will also be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project, an organization providing services and programs to injured military service members as they transition to civilian life.
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