Following last year’s success, the Grapes on the Green adults-only event will return to downtown Northbrook in June.
According to a news release, the event will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. June 15 at Village Green Park in partnership between the Northbrook Park District and the Village of Northbrook. Attendees can enjoy wine tastings from Glenview-based Chicago Wine, live music, a caricature artist, wine trivia, a painting activity, and free prize drawings.
“We are thrilled to partner with the village of Northbrook to bring Grapes on the Green back to Village Green Park,” Northbrook Park District Board President Lisa Chalem said in the release. “I loved this event last year. It was a great opportunity for the adults in our community to come together on a beautiful night to sit in the park, listen to music, and enjoy great wine.”
New this year is the Landmark Inn, a downtown Northbrook favorite, which will be onsite at Grapes on the Green with food and beverages for sale, including beer, the release said. People also can bring their blankets and picnic dinners.
“Village Green Park is a major highlight of Northbrook’s Downtown, making it the perfect setting for the second annual Grapes on the Green wine-tasting event,” Northbrook Village President Kathryn Ciesla said in the release. “We are excited to partner with the Park District to host an event that offers attendees a fun and exciting evening out in Northbrook.”
Musical entertainment will be provided by Steven Zane, a Northbrook resident who performs a variety of solo acoustic music, particularly oldies and classics such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Elton John, Ray Charles, and Muddy Waters, according to the release.
Chicago Wine, a family-owned business with a retail store in Glenview, will showcase nine varieties of wine, including five whites and four reds, the release said.
“We have a selection of greatest hits of wines from around the world,” said Mike Widmaier, who owns the business with his wife, Paula. “They hit on all the taste profiles.”
According to the release, the full wine selection will be: Bisol ‘Jeio’ Prosecco Brut, Italy; 2022 Pierre Sparr Riesling, France; 2023 Peyrassol Rose ‘La Croix’, Provence; 2022 Pazo das Bruxas Albarino, Spain; 2022 Kumeu River Chardonnay, New Zealand; 2022 Route Stock Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast; 2021 Arnaldo Caprai Montefalco Rosso, Italy; 2019 Altos Ibericos Crianza, Spain; 2022 Route Stock Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley.
Widmaier said the preponderance of “lightly chilled and refreshing” white wines is especially appropriate for summer.
People who purchase tasting tickets can enjoy 12, one-ounce sips of wine. They can also use multiple tickets together, such as three tickets for a three-ounce pour, or five tickets for a five-ounce pour.
“The nice thing about tasting tickets is that you can taste all of the wines, or you can home in on one or two wines that you want to enjoy,” Widmaier said. “It really gives people an opportunity to do whatever they enjoy best.”
The Widmaiers, Glenview residents, also showcased their Chicago Wine selection at last year’s Grapes on the Green event.
“We had a great time and a great turnout last year, and we are really looking forward to it this year as well,” he said. “We have plenty of neighbors and friends who are going to attend.”
Grapes on the Green takes place from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on June 15 at Village Green Park in downtown Northbrook. The event is for adults 21 years and older only; children, including those in strollers, and dogs are not allowed to attend, the release said.
Tasting tickets are $39 and include 12 one-ounce sips from various wines, a canvas tote bag, a signature Grapes on the Green wine glass, and a dessert. Additional wine tastings are $6 each. Non-tasting tickets are $29.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit nbparks.org/events/grapesonthegreen.
