It's the most wonderful time of the year — Taste the Season begins throughout Essex County Saturday.
Local wineries in EPIC Wine country will be offering up seasonal food and wine pairings, according to President of Essex Pelee Island Coast Wineries Steven Mitchell.
"There will be some different treats that aren't normally available during the regular parts of the year," says Mitchell, who is also President of Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery. "It will just depend on where you're going. That's the beauty of the exploration."
As heard on The Afternoon News, Mitchell told AM800’s Patty Handysides snacks and samples aren't completely free.
"We ask that there's a canned good donation brought to each winery. It's not necessarily a price of admission, but it's something that we ask to help out with the community," says Mitchell. "We like to collect that and give it to the food bank, because this is the time of year that people are in need."
He says local wineries will have holiday themed pairing for every occasion.
"Gift bags and boxes, gift packs put together with different food and wine items in them, and of course the gift of local wine," he says. "We make great wines in this area, and it's great to be able to show off what we have."
The Taste the Season Holiday Open House takes place between 12pm and 5pm Saturday and Sunday.
For more details visit www.epicwineries.com.
— with files from AM800's Patty Handysides.