GENEVA-ON-THE-LAKE — There is some pressure in owning Ashtabula County’s newest winery, Jim Pearson said, but sweet success is almost as good as fine wine.
Pearson, who is a partner in The Winery at Spring Hill, poured glass after glass of fruit wines and chardonnay Sunday at the Ashtabula County Medical Center’s Tastings of the North Coast at the Lodge and Conference Center at Geneva-on-the-Lake.
The annual event raises funds for the foundation, which in turn funds hospital projects including the Cleveland Clinic Cardiac Cath Lab at ACMC, hospital vice president of business development Tina Stasiewski said.
Stasiewski said the tasting usually raises about $18,000 for the foundation and has grown into a must-attend event. This year, 12 wineries participated.
“This year there were more wineries and restaurants than ever before,” she said. “Local business owners are eager participants, which suggests the event is well-received and well-liked.”
Pizzi’s Cafe was one of eight participating restaurants at the tasting and owner Dawn Griswold said she was excited to bring the cafe’s signature pizza to the lake.
“One of our servers is a friend of the event organizers,” Griswold said. “So we ended up participating. Really this is such a beautiful event.”
Griswold said Pizzi’s Cafe is getting ready to collect toys for Toys for Tots. Customers who bring in a toy get a free appetizer.
Ashtabula County Commissioner Peggy Carlo sipped her vino and nibbled on appetizers at the tasting. A former 30-year employee with ACMC, Carlo said she attends the event because she loves the wine and believes in what ACMC does for the county.
Patt Bowen, owner of The Sandy Chanty served lobster bisque and lobster dip on bread.
“I enjoy this tasting because it is good exposure for my restaurant, especially as the summer season winds down,” she said. “I always bring in my latest, greatest creations for people to try.”
Nick Kustala, owner of the Coffee Creek Estate, said he is looking forward to opening a new restaurant on Bridge Street in Ashtabula called The Fish Stick. This sushi and noodle bowl establishment will open after the new year.
Pearson said this is The Winery at Spring Hill’s first year at Tastings of the North Coast, nut it won’t be the last. Soon, vinters at the winery will bottle peach wine.
“We are so honored to be here. Our chardonnay is so popular and everyone wants to try some,” he said.
While wine, food and music were the focus of the Tastings of the North Coast, Stasiewski said the generosity of vendors and donors can’t be overlooked.
“It is a true testament to the open-heartedness and goodwill of the community to support the foundations and the projects that support and change the community for the better,” she said.
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