'Vines in the Ville' Wine Festival Planned in Catonsville

By Sonia Su

A wine festival is set for Oct. 12 in Catonsville, featuring small, boutique wineries and vendors from throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.

There will be food and bands from noon to 6 p.m., including Dirty Little Secret, a blues-rock band, according to the event's Facebook page.

A little over a year ago, Sherry Welch, a longtime Catonsville resident and president of The Welch Company, had the idea to bring an upscale wine festival to town, said event coordinator Kathryn Welch. Kathryn is Sherry's daughter.

And now, ideas and plans are coming together, and the event is set for noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 12 at Strawberry Fields, 827-829 Frederick Rd.

Called Vines in the Ville, it will benefit three, local nonprofits: Catonsville Community Foundation, Catonsville Women's Giving Circle and Catonsville Rails to Trails.

"We are really excited," Kathryn Welch said. "We think Catonsville is a great town, and we think that the people are going to really enjoy our festival. We're trying to make it small and unique and boutique—just like Catonsville is."

Welch said her mother, who is actively involved in community organizations, formed a committee and helped bring in sponsors—The Welch Company included.

They will be working with Dave Carney from The Wine Bin in Ellicott City, she said.

The committee hopes to attract more than 500 wine enthusiasts, Welch said. "We're excited to have it downtown and hope that we'll bring in people not just from the Catonsville area, but also all over Baltimore and Maryland." 

Tickets will be on sale starting the week of Aug. 12.

Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. That price includes 10 tasting tickets, but you can buy more: $15 for an additional 10 tickets. Non-drinkers' admission tickets are $15.

"We just hope that people from around Baltimore will come out to support three great charities and have a great time drinking wine and enjoying food," Kathryn said.

Like Vines in the Ville on Facebook to enter for a chance to win a festival totebag, and to stay up-to-date on the event.

You can also apply for a vendor space, and wineries can also apply.
Check out the latest festival vendors on the event website, where the wineries list will be updated soon.

For more info, questions or participation information, call 443-834-3823, email vinesintheville@gmail.com, or visit www.vinesintheville.com.

Do you think Catonsville is a good place for a wine festival? Tell us in the comments.