Participants at the biannual wine walk in Fox Lake not only sample chardonnays and cabernets while visiting businesses in the neighborhood, but they also taste special appetizers, including homemade meatballs.
In fall, a local Realtor who makes the meatballs wasn’t able to participate, said Linnea Pioro, executive director of the Fox Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which sponsors the event.
Everyone was asking, “Where are the meatballs?” she said.
The meatballs will be back for the spring walk on May 14, and Pioro said she’s thinking of asking the Realtor to set some aside for her. She’s so busy during the event she never gets any.
“Our attendees say just coming for the appetizers alone is a plus,” Piori said. “It’s not just chips and dip. The businesses are creative with what they offer. The shops put out beautiful spreads.”
At one event when the chamber had beer on the sample list, a local cafe owner made a dipping sauce with beer and served it with little bratwursts, Pioro said. She also handed out recipes.
The chamber holds wine walks in October and May — and has found that at least for now, most folks who want to come can get tickets. The walk doesn’t fill up as quickly as some of the other local ones, Pioro said.
For $39, attendees get a commemorative glass, a goody bag and a map to the participating businesses where they can sample wines from two distributors — Glunz Family Winery of Grayslake and Midwest Wine of Volo, Pioro said.
They also choose a free bottle of wine to pick up two weeks later along with any wine they order. The pickup will be at the chamber office 9 to 11 a.m. May 28.
Some businesses also have specials and feature games at the event, and a martial arts studio will have demonstrations this year.
“It’s just such a relaxed, fun atmosphere,” Pioro said.
A jeweler has seen increased business since the wine walks started, Pioro said. At the event, she sells treasure boxes, some of which contain diamond bracelets, Piori said.
“It’s really a win-win for the attendees and the businesses.”
Piori said wine tasters come from the north and west suburbs, Wisconsin and Chicago. “We have people who have met here and they’ve created a name for themselves and now meet at every walk,” she said. “They have such a good time together.”
Pioro said the chamber is working on October’s walk and will try something new this year. “Stay tuned and check our website,” she said.
Sheryl DeVore is a freelance writer.
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Spring Wine Walk
When: 1:30-4:30 p.m May 14
Where: Village Hall, 66 Phillen Drive, Fox Lake
Tickets: $39. Pre-registration required
Information: 847-587-7474; www.discoverfoxlake.com