Washington Art Fair & Winefest Has New Haven Connections

This is the 40th year of the Washington Art Fair & Winefest and during this year’s celebration, there were two New Haven connections: Ralph Haynes, Pinckney Bend Distillery’s founder, and McKelvey Vineyards from New Haven. McKelvey Vineyards participated with nine other wineries from the Hermann and Augusta areas and one winery from Wentzville. The festival occurred over the weekend and featured an art fair of local artists in pop-up tents on Main and Elm Street, live music, the food court, and wine tasting. This year’s attendance was not as great as it has been in the past, but the weather was pleasant and the mood was quite upbeat. The question on many people’s minds was about the wineries from Augusta and how they were feeling about the influence from the Hoffman family on company investments and acquisitions in Augusta. Lots of press has been heaped on the newly acquired wineries that were in attendance during the wine fest. All the representatives from the newly acquired wineries were very excited about all the improvements they have been experiencing. 

The farmers’ market was set up for tastings during the Winefest, and on Sunday a special sip and savor event was held with voting by the public and judging by Feast magazine. The wineries paired various food items with their various wines. Several of the wineries featured their norton grape paired with roast beef, salmon puffs, or garlic crostinis. The People’s choice award went to Small Batch winery of Wentzville and Feast magazine judged Stone Hill Winery of Hermann to be their winner.

Local founder of Pinckney Bend Distillery, Ralph Haynes, was one of the original organizers of the Art Fair & Winefest in Washington 40 years ago. Ralph, along with John Beuke and George Bocklage, first organized the festival with the intent of having fun and allowing people to taste new wines from local wineries. It was a good start 40 years ago that turned into a signature event for Washington and local wineries today.