Firelands Winery tasting room in Ohio

Several wineries in Ohio are offering a delightful way to enjoy celebrating the Sweetest Day holiday.

Sweetest Day, always celebrated on the third Saturday of October takes place this year on October 21. This is a special day especially for those with the proverbial sweet tooth. Not a well-known day, but certainly an enticing day especially for those who like sweets. Sweetest Day was started in Cleveland, Ohio in the early 1920s. The story goes that Herbert Birch Kingston, a philanthropist, wanted to be kind especially to poor children and the elderly. He began distributing candy to many. Another story is that in 1922, 12 candy makers in Cleveland distributed 20,000 candy boxes. Much later florists and Hallmark joined in the fun to celebrate Sweetest Day.

According to the Ohio Wine Producers Association, Sweetest Day is celebrated in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and West Virginia. In addition areas in Pennsylvania and New York celebrate Sweetest Day. Oddly enough the custom is also observed in much farther away Washington State.

The Winery at Versailles

If you want to celebrate Sweetest Day this year with someone special, consider attending the Autumn Wine Affair at the Liberty Aviation Museum in Port Clinton, Ohio.

Wine lovers can choose to attend an afternoon session or an evening session.  The event will include live music. Light refreshments will be available for purchase. A limited number of VIP tickets are available. VIP tickets include an additional hour of tasting and access to the winemakers.

Eight of Ohios numerous wineries will participate in this special wine event. Wineries will include:

• Chateau Tebeau, Helena
• D & D Smith Winery, Norwalk
• Firelands Winery, Sandusky
• Gillig Winery, Findlay
• Heineman’s Winery, Put-in-Bay
• It’s Your Winery, Medina
• Mon Ami Historic Winery, Port Clinton
• The Winery at Versailles, Versailles

Fabbioli Cellars in Virginia

As I searched for activities involving Sweetest Day wine events, I learned that Sweetest Day events also take place in other states.

For example, in Northern Virginia, on Saturday Fabbioli Cellars is offering an additional chocolate pairing on the tasting plate.

Cambria Estate Vineyard & Winery in Santa Maria, California is offering their 90 point Rosé at a special price of six bottles for $120. Anyone interested in this offer should contact Jessica Bewley at jessica.Bewley@cambriawines.com.

Cambria Estate Winery

In West Virginia, a special train ride with wine and chocolate will take place. The Lorain and West Virginia Railway is offering a one and a half hour train ride that will include sampling chocolate and four wines from Matus Winery. This is popular as it is already sold out!

Cheers!
Kathy