Geneva’s Festival of the Vine opens with food, wine, music

GENEVA – Edgar Alamilla stirred a grill full of seasoned, diced skirt steak for Altiro Latin Fusion Restaurant’s tacos, which would include tomatillo sauce, queso fresco and a sprinkling of shredded roasted potatoes.

At the other end of the Flavor Fare Tent Friday at Geneva’s Festival of the Vine was Masterpiece Bread, where owner Mike Scorzo cut hefty squares of focaccia bread just out of the oven.

“We just started this my wife and I,” Scorzo said. “We’ve only been open barely a week, so this is a great opportunity for us to get out there and let people know we’re here.”

Opening night for Festival of the Vine drew people from all over.

Sierra Scroggins of Westmont was eating a steak taco from Tacatz Tacos, another offering at Flavor Fare. Her friend, Erica Bolger of Bartlett said she already had one and pronounced it delicious.

Elaine and Phil Posard of Glendale, Wis., said they ate fajitas, also from Tacatz.

“It was really wonderful,” Elaine said.

Dessert was a lemon bundt for her and a chocolate one for him from Nothing Bundt Cakes.

It was the first time they had ever been to Geneva or to Festival of the Vine.

“Summerfest is going on, but it’s crowded and it’s noisy with the bands,” Elaine said. “I was looking at things going on in the Midwest … and we drove two and a half hours for dinner.”

After dessert, she said she would have some wine.

“I think this is really really neat. I really do,” Elaine said. “It’s just the right size for us.”

Still, the couple planned to drive back that night to see to George, their Polish lowland sheepdog.

As coincidence would have it, they adopted George from a rescue in Geneva eight years ago, Phil said.

Laura Mielke of Geneva said she just moved to Geneva last year with her husband and was enjoying her first time at Festival of the Vine.

“We’re finally able to come to all the events,” Mielke said.

Nancy and Jamey Darnold of Elburn were enjoying some wine.

She started out with a chardonnay, he had some Seven Moons Red Blend and then some Goofy Boots beer as a chaser.

“It was awesome,” Jamey said.

“We’re going to listen to the music,” Nancy said. “Tomorrow, we’re going to eat, walk around and spend the day here.”

The festival continues through Sunday with a craft fair, wine tastings and events and varied musical entertainment.

A full schedule is available by visiting the Chamber’s website, genevachamber.com.