Domaine Berrien Cellars showcases art, wine, music at the 10th annual festival

BERRIEN SPRINGS—It’s that time of year again when Domaine Berrien Cellars throws open the gates and invites the community to come down to the vineyard to enjoy a day of music, art, food and wine on July 26.

“We only do one giant event like this each year. We want to do it, and we want to do it right,” said Wally Maurer, co-owner of Domaine Berrien Cellars. “It’s a great event. We expect between 1,000 and 1,500 people over the course of the day.”

As in previous years, the Tenth Annual Art, Wine and Music Festival will include the opportunity for visitors to view and purchase fine arts produced by 25 artists.

“Every year is a new year. It will follow the same format as in years past, but there will be some new artists and some returning artists,” Maurer said. “It’s really art. We do jury it, and we try to get a nice mix. There’ll be jewelry, photography, woodworking, watercolors, pottery, baskets, and all kinds of unique fine arts and crafts.”

In addition to the art, three bands will be providing entertainment throughout the day from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.

“Bring your dancing shoes,” Maurer suggested. “We have some great bands coming out. Mike Talbott plays at the Hard Rock all the time, the Oblates of Blues are an awesome blues band, and Vince Miller will be there, too.”

Barbequed foods will be prepared by Chef Jim with The Outdoor Kitchen, and Domaine Berrien’s critically-acclaimed wines will be available for those who wish to purchase them.

“We will have a wine tasting tent,” Maurer said. “It will be the normal $5 charge for a tasting flight of five wines. You can buy a bottle or a glass of the one that you like, and you can drink it from a plastic cup, or we will sell you a glass if you prefer that.”

There will also be soft drinks and water at the event, and families are welcome to bring children, but there are no games or attractions planned specifically to entertain younger folks.

Another popular attraction is the annual raffle. Raffle tickets will be available for $2 each or 3 for $5, and prizes include items from Bixby Farms, Bridgman Premier Meat Market, Headhunter Sportfishing Charters and other local businesses.

“The raffle also includes gift certificates for use that day with the vendors at the festival,” Maurer added. “Those have been really popular in the past.”

Whether you plan to spend a couple hours or the whole day in the vineyard, Domaine Berrien’s Art, Wine and Music Festival is a fun time that you won’t want to miss.

“The cool thing is, it’s free. You don’t have to pay to park or get in,” Maurer said. “If you want to just come down and listen to the bands, you’re welcome to do that.”

More information about the event, which will take place at the vineyards at 398 E. Lemon Creek Rd. in Berrien Springs, can be found at www.domaineberrien.com. The vineyard can also be reached at (269) 473-9463.