Libertyville festival’s literally aging like fine wine
By Long Haw-Shu Special to The News-Sun February 19, 2012 6:42PM
2/18/12 Libertyville "Lets Wine About Winter" in downtown Libertyville on Saturday, Feb. 18th. The merchants of MainStreet Libertyville presented the afternoon wine tasting walk. | Dan Luedert~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: March 21, 2012 8:04AM
With a glass held in hand by people milling around happily in downtown Libertyville on Saturday afternoon, wine literally flowed freely.
It was the sixth annual Wine Tasting & Art Stroll organized by MainStreet Libertyville to bring more people to visit the stores on Milwaukee Avenue (Route 21), which cuts through the heart of the city. Thirty-three retailers participated by giving out wine to those carrying a special glass commemorating the event.
Ken Stemke, MainStreet chairman, estimated a turnout of 1,400 people for the three-hour festival which began at 1 p.m. It attracted 1,250 people last year.
“It’s a great success that keeps on growing each year — a great way to bring people downtown and to get into the stores,” he said.
“This has always been one of our premier downtown events,” added Pam Hume, MainStreet executive director.
To join in the wine-tasting stroll, all one had to do was to purchase a commemorative glass for $15 at one of the five sites downtown. With the glass as admission, a stroller could walk into any of the participating stores to sample wines offered. Generally, wine was given out sometimes in dribs and dribbles but never a full glass, apparently to make sure that tasters have room for their next stops. There were 33 stops.
Participating stores were jam-packed, many with a line stretched to the door. At the Oh, Olive Oil!, Rachael Woods of Gurnee, sampled a sweet red. With her was Jessica Clark of Mundelein.
“This is our fifth stop. I’m excited and I just love it,” said Woods, a dental hygienist at Woods Dental Clinic in Waukegan.
“It’s busy day. We’re selling a lot of olive oil and balsamic vinegar,” said co-owner Mary Koval.
Mickey Finn’s Brewery was thick with crowds where owner Brian Grano cheerfully offered samplers sour red raspberry ale among others.
“It’s getting bigger each year,” he said trying to make himself heard over the deafening noises.
Chocolate lovers kept on pouring into the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory where and owner Tom Lockowitz kept on pouring. “Red or white?” he asked and also gave away chocolate hearts wrapped in red.
“Between good wine and good chocolate, I’m not surprised at the turnout,” he said and added, “It’s fun to be part of the community.”
To make a refreshing difference, Bonnie Bock, owner of Someone’s In the Kitchen, served a non-alcoholic Senorita Margarita.
“It’s a break from all the alcoholic drinks,” she explained.
There were many happy takers who packed her store, brimmed with upscale kitchenware and utensils. A few were buying, others browsing. All seemed to enjoy her concoction.
“I’ve seen hundreds of new faces,” said Bock.
Outside, Steve Hamilton paused to refresh himself in the cold breeze. With him were his wife, Linda, and daughter Katie, who had her hands tied up with the family dog Georgia.
“We did it last year. We came back because we enjoyed it,” said Hamilton, who acknowledged that five glasses were his limit.
At Soccer Plus, owner Bob Naughtrip called the event “a good exposure” to his sporting goods business and “a lot of fun for the community” as he was busy pouring.
“Many people do not know we’re here. They may not be buying today, but they’ll remember us when they’re ready,” he added.
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