BY DAVID ECK
Enquirer Contributor
![[wine fest]](/editions/1998/09/26/wine_180x122.jpg)
Rick Johnson of Middletown gets a taste from Missy Johnson of Middletown.
(Gary Landers photo)
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MORROW -- From the reaches of northern Michigan to Morrow, they come for the people, the good times and, of course, the wine.
"We're known from coast to coast," said Warren Reed, a Morrow resident who helped organize the Valley Vineyards Wine Festival 28 years ago. "We've had them from Paris."
The festival, one of the Tristate's most popular fall events, runs through 11 p.m. today, and will attract more than 50,000 people to the winery on U.S. 22 - Ohio 3 in Morrow.
"It's a work-free weekend," said former Cincinnatian Mike St. Amour, who lives in Grand Haven, Mich. "It's sort of a ritual. We come and have a good time."
Mr. St. Amour will spend the weekend camping at the winery.
On the rolling farmland near the festival grounds, dozens of tents, campers and recreational vehicles will become weekend homes for the diehard festivalgoers.
They will spend the weekend enjoying the music, riding their bicycles along the Little Miami River and drinking wine.
"It's relaxing," said Carol Younce of Dayton, a 15-year veteran of the festival who came in on Wednesday and will stay through Sunday. "The people are really nice and we make new friends."
Sitting around a pop-up trailer, John Laake would not let a recent relocation from Cincinnati to Lexington keep him from the festival he has attended for seven years.
"You can stay here, drink and have a good time," he said. "We come Thursday night (and) we stay through Sunday morning."
Out on the festival grounds, Rosalind Reade munched an ear of roasted corn. An open bottle of champagne was nearby.
"I always like to get the barbecued pork ribs," the Morrow resident said.
The winery tries to cater to the campers, letting them set up for free, providing firewood and encouraging them to stay as long as they want.
"Those campers, they don't care whether it snows, rains or shines, they're here," said Valley Vineyards owner Ken Schuchter. "We'll attract people from all over."
And this year there will be plenty of wine for both the out-of-towners and locals alike. The warm, dry summer has brought grapes to the peak of flavor, growers say.
"The long growing season will allow the fruit to come off the vine (about three weeks) earlier than normal and allow the vine to go into the winter in a very healthy condition," said Donniella Winchell, director of the Ohio Wine Producers Association. "We're excited about what's coming up."
Grapes that are more flavorful make a more full-bodied wine, Mr. Schuchter said. Festivalgoers cheered that news.
If you go
The Valley Vineyards Wine Festival runs through 11 p.m. today. Samples of dozens of wines will be available, as well as food and music. For information and directions call: 899-2485.
![[wine fest]](/editions/1998/09/26/wine_550x372.jpg)