By Melissa Wentarmini
Associate Editor
Grand Marais is preparing to uncork an evening of flavor and creativity on Saturday, Sept. 13, when the Wine Tasting and Art Auction on the Bay returns for its second year.
From 4 to 9 p.m., the green space overlooking Lake Superior will host an event that Chamber of Commerce Secretary Kelly Cleary calls “the perfect way to spend a Saturday evening — sipping wine, browsing unique art and soaking up the view of the bay.”
For $30 in advance ($35 at the gate), admission comes with 10 wine tickets to sample from a curated mix of red and white wines, chosen with the expertise of the Grand Marais Mercantile and its distributor.
Alongside the pours, attendees can expect canned craft beer, canned cocktails and non-alcoholic options like soda — ensuring, as Cleary put it, “a little something for everyone.”
No tasting would be complete without food, and each guest will also receive a cheese sampler, thoughtfully packaged and designed to complement the wine selections.
“Last year we paired different cheeses with each wine,” Cleary said. “It was a hit.”
For those who want to make the evening even more memorable, the chamber will offer a playful “Match Your Mood” wine glass option: unique vintage glasses collected from thrift shops that will be available for purchase at the door for $5.
If the wine brings people in, the art keeps them talking. The event features both a silent auction earlier in the evening and a live auction that kicks off around 6 p.m. Last year, more than 70 works were available, and organizers expect even more this year.
Pieces come from local artists in a variety of media, as well as the Grand Marais Historical Society, which brings its own creative touch.
“They’ve got treasures of old photos,” Cleary said. “Last year one piece was a historic photo printed and mounted in a vintage four-pane window frame. That went up for auction and people loved it.”
Canvas prints, donated artwork and other one-of-a-kind creations round out the selection.
The event doubles as a fundraiser for both the Grand Marais Chamber of Commerce and the Historical Society, and the community’s support is clear at every level. Businesses can sponsor tables — gaining visibility and providing volunteers who pour the wines for the evening.
“Last year we learned that sponsors loved it,” Cleary said. “It’s a way for the community to meet business owners face-to-face and for businesses to give back in a fun, interactive way.”
The inaugural event drew about 70 attendees, and Cleary said excitement has only grown since then.
“The community was super excited afterwards,” she said, “and we’ve had even more volunteers step up this year.”
While the details of wine, art and cheese make this event sound enticing, perhaps its biggest draw is the setting itself. The green space opens directly onto the bay, offering sweeping lake views that shift with the sunset as the evening unfolds.
“What better way can you spend a Saturday evening than sipping wine overlooking the bay and browsing art?” Cleary said.