Category Archives: Wineries

The Vault Wine Bar: Eclectic Menu and Extensive Wine List

Running in from the rain, I entered The Vault Wine Bar and was pleasantly surprised by the beautiful interior that was formerly a bank.  Located in the historic town of Shelby, this gorgeous wine establishment offers a wide range of wines, including those from Ohio, and an awesome menu.

The beautiful white marble with veins of black stopped halfway up the wall.  Subdued colored hues of paint colored the drywall reaching up to the white-painted tin ceiling.  A large bar ran halfway through the room leaving just enough space for a walkway and additional tables for seating to the right.

Away from the entrance at the far end of the bar, stood the beautiful blue vault that once stored thousands of dollars.  Today it is the perfect place for storing wines.

Having looked over the wine menu, I thought I would order wine from Firelands, a well known Ohio winery, starting with the Gewurtztraminer and then the Dolceto (made with litchi and passion fruit) and their Ice Wine.

Ready to order dinner, the menu was extensive with so many delicious options.  Did I want to order an appetizer like the Stuffed Jalapenos or the Stuffed Dates?  Or should I select a larger meal like the BBQ, the Spareribs or The Vault Pizza with horseradish and caramelized onions?  Seriously, this was the most difficult decision I had to make all week.

Michelle, the server behind the bar, was absolutely fabulous and helpful after telling her which options interested me.  In the end, she recommended the stuffed dates and suggested that I save room for dessert.

The stuffed dates arrived and they looked decadent.  These little bits were stuffed with bleu cheese, wrapped in bacon, baked and then drizzled with a balsamic reduction.   Full of flavor, each succulent bite of goodness made me wish I would have placed an order for two.

My wine glass was empty and the lovely couple sitting diagonal from me suggested that I order the sangria to compliment the dates.  The sweetness of the wine really brought out the tangy taste of the balsamic reduction and the combination was absolutely fabulous.  I was happy for the recommendation and we quickly became fast friends, having the love of wine in common.  They introduced themselves as Amy and Joe and said that The Vault Wine Bar was one of their favorite places to hang out in Shelby.  Amy mentioned that they enjoy spending time here on Saturdays and Thursday nights because they have a band, usually country, rock or the 80s.

Amy and Joe finished their pizza and were meeting up with some friends, so we exchanged our personal information, accepted each other’s friend request on Facebook and promised to get together soon.

Finishing my wine and meal, I wanted to check out the upstairs area, which can be reserved for special occasions.  The outside patio seats 70 and is also available, but with tonight’s rain, it was best to stay indoors.  The view from the upper floor was lovely, looking down onto the primary restaurant space, the bar, tables and chairs and wall of wines. The spacious room upstairs was elegantly decorated with hardwood floors, leather sofas and chairs.  The wooden paneling looked as though it was original and I imagined that there were office up here at one time.  Looking out the window, I could see the main street and noticed that the sun was beginning to set.  I needed to pay my bill and then make the drive back to Columbus, but not before sneaking a peak at the outdoor patio.

Have you visited the Vault Wine Bar or nearby wineries in Richland county?  I would love to hear about your experience or any recommendations for a future visit.  Many thanks for reading about my stop at The Vault and wishing you many Happy Travels!  Cheers!

What to See and What to Do:

The Vault Wine Bar
29  West Main Street
Shelby, OH  44875
Telephone:  567 292 9081

The winery offers over 30 wines by the glass and I decided to support Ohio wines by ordering the Gewurtztraminer from Firelands, the Versailles Niagara and Cypress Hill’s blueberry wine.

Where to Stay:

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson
2069 Walker Lake Road
Mansfield, OH  44906
Telephone:  419 747 2227

Where to Eat:

The Vault Wine Bar
29  West Main Street
Shelby, OH  44875
Telephone:  567 292 9081

The Stuffed Dates I ordered were phenomenal and the menu changes regularly.  Check out The Vault Wine Bar’s Bacon Ranch Deviled Eggs, Goat Cheese Stuffed Jalapenos, or the Pretzel Sticks with a white cheddar beer cheese!  The pizzas are also fantastic and my favorite is the Caprese Pizza with basil pesto, tomato slices, fresh mozzarella and a balsamic reduction drizzle.

Caesar’s Creek Vineyards in Xenia

Rows of young vines bordered the gravel drive leading to the pole barn of Caesar’s Creek Vineyards.  I left a cloud of dust behind me, wondering if the winery was open on this Friday afternoon, because it seemed unusually quiet, or maybe I was just early.  Approaching the large double doors into the entrance, I stepped into a beautiful large tasting room that I had all to myself.  Trisha kindly offered me a list of wines and  I was so excited to sample a few wines, beginning with the Traminette 2013.

The Traminette is a semi-dry white wine “with orange blossom aromas. Notes of citrus on the palette.” I love the smell of this wine while the texture and taste was crisp yet smooth.  I enjoyed the light flavor of the wine and decided that this was one of my favorite wines from Caesar’s Creek Vineyards. To purchase a bottle, the cost was $15.95 and $6 a glass.

I decided to branch out with a sample of Creek Stomper.  My preferences are the drier reds and fruity wines, but I am surprised by how much I am enjoying the whites.  This 2013 wine is a semi-sweet white wine with apples and honeydew on the nose and palette.  I can definitely taste the apple but I am really stretching to savor the honeydew flavors but regardless, I definitely enjoy the smooth body of the wine.  They say you have to keep drinking wines to improve your wine tasting abilities, so that won’t be a problem.

My next sample was Just Peachy which is described as a sweet white wine with “delicious peach nose and palette.”  As soon as Trisha uncorked the bottle, my nose took in the beautiful fruity bouquet of peach and my mouth began to water.  This is such an easy wine to love.

Headwaters White is another 2013 vintage that is “very sweet with notes of honey and tangerine”.  I enjoyed the wine, but struggled to taste the fruit so I moved on to Miss Petunia Pie.

Of course, who doesn’t love the picture of a little Shih Tzu frolicking around in the grass as the label on the bottle?  Similar to a dessert wine, this is made from Frontenac Gris Grapes and California Chardonnay.  It has a thick texture and comes in a half sized bottle for $12.95.  I set aside a bottle of Miss Petunia to take home to enjoy at a later date.

My final tasting was the 2013 Twilight which is a semisweet with bright notes of cherry, undertones of citrus and a clean finish.  I learned that this is made from the Cayuga white grape which is a hybrid of Schuyler and the Seyval Blanc.  I enjoyed the fruity taste and gorgeous color, so I purchased another wine to take home.

I explained to Trisha that I was new to learning about wines.  She said that tasting and trying new wines were the perfect way to become more acquainted with wines.  She also suggested a couple of references that she thought would be helpful.  In addition, she mentioned that I contact Chip Emmerich from Burnet Ridge to set up an appointment for a tour.  She stated that he is very knowledgeable about wine and would give some great advice and encouraged me to try their Purple Trillium.

I was so thankful for the opportunity to learn more about Caesar’s Creek wines.  When I asked Trisha about the vines, she said that they planted their first vines in 2005 where they grow nine varieties of hybrid grapes on seven acres.  With the recent winter vortex, some of the grapes would take longer to produce grapes. I left Caesar’s Creek Vineyards with three bottles of wine and an abundance of suggestions and tips.  I could totally get used to this.

Have you had the opportunity to visit Caesar’s Creek Vineyards?  Did you have a favorite wine?  I would love to hear about your visit if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my afternoon at Caesar’s Creek Vineyards and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Caesar’s Creek Vineyard
962 Long Road
Xenia, Ohio  45385
Telephone:  937 479 4278

The winery’s hours change seasonally, so please reference the winery’s website for hours of operation.

Where to Stay:

Ramada Xenia
300 Xenia Towne Square
Xenia, Ohio  45385
Telephone:  937 372 9921

Where to Eat:

Acapulco Restaurant
88 Xenia Towne Square
Xenia, Ohio  45385
Telephone:  937 374 0582

The chips and salsa remind me of my days in Southern California, authentic and a little spicy.  I ordered the chicken burrito with rice and beans which was enough to feed me for three days.

What to Eat: 

  • Award-winning wings and steaks at Nick’s Restaurant
  • Tenderloin Sandwich at Linda’s Family Restaurant

What to Read: 

  • Ohio Town:  A Portrait of Xenia, Ohio by Helen Hooven Santmyer
  • Herbs and Apples by Helen Hooven Santmyer

Halliday’s Winery in Lake Milton, Ohio

While driving to Pennsylvania to visit my brother and his family, I would notice several road signs advertising the wineries of northeast Ohio.  I was determined to make a stop on my way home in the little town of Lake Milton and had the opportunity to have lunch at Halliday’s Winery.

It was a busy lunch hour and I was greeted by a friendly server who sat me at a table near the window.   Handing me a food menu and tasting sheet, I selected a flight of wines and a flatbread pizza.

The winery was named in honor of James Halliday who is settled along the Mahoning River over 200 years ago.  The winery’s website includes a few interesting stories about the life of James Halliday who built a grist mill here and raised his family.

Waiting for my meal, I watched several families arrive, meeting each other for the afternoon.  Children played near the entrance as families waited for a table.  I could hear them discussing their week and upcoming plans as the room was filled with conversation.

With a few more minutes to wait, I read through the excerpts on their website about the Halliday family.  My favorite selection was titled “The Mill”, which emphasized the coming together as a community to support each other and help in times of need.

My Asiago Basil flatbread pizza arrived topped with sharp asiago cheese, mild pepper rings and sweet basil.

Finishing lunch, I submitted my tasting sheet with the list of wine I wanted to sample.

  • Mozina Creek is described as a delightful merlot with Chambourcin and Chancellor hybrids added for character. This well balanced wine offers aromas of juicy red berries, off dry, fruity characteristics and a touch of light oak.  Listed as a semi-dry, the wine is available at $8 per glass or $22 per bottle.
  •  Darak Sunrise is a light bodied red full of Concord fruit flavor.  Lush soft and smooth. Fresh grape aromas and flavors that provide a distinctive, juice taste.  Listed as a semi-sweet wine, it is available for $7 per glass or $19 per bottle.
  • Carosello is a white Riesling wine with aromas of white peach, pear, mineral and floral accents. Rich mouth feel it is bright on the palate creating an appealing balance of fruit and acid.  This semisweet wine is available for $9 per glass and $24 per bottle.
  • Sweet Sarah, made from local Niagara grapes tastes of candied lemon rind with hints of jasmine high notes.  A popular sweet wine, it is available for $7 per glass and $19 per bottle.
  • Mead is a wine made from honey which comes from local northeastern Ohio bee colonies.  It is available for $7 per glass and $40 per bottle.

Sampling wines and enjoying a light lunch, I enjoyed my time spent at Halliday Winery.  Before leaving Lake Milton, I stopped by the state park to walk off my lunch, enjoying the scenic views of the lake before leaving for Columbus, excited to spend time with my family.

Have you visited Halliday’s Winery?  Did you have lunch or sample their wines?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my quick stop in Lake Milton and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Halliday’s Winery
2400 NE River Road
Lake Milton, OH 44429
Telephone:  330 654 9463

Hours: Thursdays from 3 – 8PM, Friday and Saturday from noon to 10PM, Sunday from 11:30AM to 6PM

Mastropietro Winery in Berlin Center, Ohio

It was a beautiful sunny day exploring Ohio’s Amish Country when I happened upon an Italianate winery in Berlin Center, Mastropietro Winery.  The winery is surrounded by acres of vines producing estate grown varietals such as Vidal Blanc, Chambourcin and Frontenac grapes, perfect for the winter temperatures.  In addition to these hearty Ohio grapes, the winery also brings in northern California fruit for expanding their wine offerings.

Mastropietro Winery was the first to open in Mahoning County in 2005.  In addition to wine, they offer a lovely selection of sangrias, slushies and dessert wine.  With a full service bar, visitors who may not be interested in wine, can purchase craft beers, snacks and appetizers.

Grandfather Joseph began making wine in their basement which led to starting their business.  Soon, Joseph’s son Daniel, wife Marianne and sister Cathy were supporting the winery as well and were making award-winning wines.

The winery and tasting room hosts a number of events.  In addition, there is a spacious banquet hall for private events such as weddings.  In the summer, they sponsor concerts, a balloon festival and car shows.

Arriving in the afternoon, I noticed the stunning Tuscan-style property with plenty of outside seating.  I had decided on a glass of Dolce Bianco to start and found the perfect place to admire the surrounding fifty-two acres and enjoy the welcome silence.  Firepits are also available for guests, perfect for the cooler spring and fall weather.

Mastropietro was a welcome stop on my visit to Amish Country and I look forward to returning for one of their summer events and to restock on the Dolce Bianco.

Have you had the opportunity to visit Mastropietro Winery?  Which wines did you sample?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my lovely visit to Mahoning’s Mastropietro and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Mastropietro Winery
14558 Ellsworth Road
Berlin Center, OH 44401
Telephone:  330-547-2151

St. Joseph’s Pinot Vista Vineyard in Madison, Ohio

When I arrived at St. Joseph Vineyards, I was aware of the winery’s reputation for making some of the best wines in Ohio.

Founded in 1987, Doreen and her husband Art Pietrzyk, moved from Cleveland to Ohio’s Grand River Valley after perfecting their wine-making skills over several years since 1972.  Art was an engineer, so of course he was curious to learn how wine was made, so he began his own operation making wine from grapes and concentrate.

Art and Doreen’s curiosity for making wine led them to work with such winemakers as Bill Worthy in the Grand River Valley, Doug Mooreshead at Presque Isle Winery and favorite local, Arnie Esterer of nearby Markko Vineyard.   They also reached out to Ohio State University’s agriculture division, traveled the world to sample lots of wine and eventually purchased land to start growing their own grapes.

The drive to reach the vineyards was absolutely stunning with twists, turns, valleys and hills.  The gravel road eventually reaches the winery which was built in 1999. Approaching upstairs, the smell of cedar escapes the tasting room where the winery’s medals and wines are displayed while the basement houses the winemaking operations.

Standing behind the counter was Doreen, pouring her award-winning varietals from their local vitis vinifera grapes.

According to Doreen, there are seven acres of grapes, mostly red from Ohio’s Grand River Valley with an additional six acres of white grapes in Conneaut’s Lake Erie Appellation. They types of grapes they have planted include Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz and Vidal Blanc.

I couldn’t resist a glass of the Saperavi, a popular grape from the country of Georgia. The name means “dye”, which relates to the deep, red color of the wine, almost black in color. With a full body and dynamic texture, this wine is my favorite at St. Joseph Vineyard.  Considered a bit jammy, the taste of the wine changes after the second day.  Smelling of berries, it also tastes fruit-forward and would be perfectly paired with steak.

The wine label is a replica of the beautiful stained glass window on the property.  Perfectly recreated, it resembles the elegance and artistic nature of the winemakers and their process.

White Wines

  • Pinot Gris:  A dry wine with orange, citrus and honeysuckle fruit flavors
  • Chardonnay:  A dry, complex and intense wine made “sur-lie style” with apple and buttery flavors
  • Sauvignon Blanc: A fruity wine rich in tropical, pineapple floral and herbal character
  • Riesling:  A semi-dry fruity wine intense with apple, citrus and melon flavors
  • Vidal Blanc: A semi-dry Germanic style wine enlivened with pear, peach and apricot fruit flavors
  • Ice Wine:  This special sweet dessert wine is made from grapes that are picked and pressed while still frozen to extract a highly concentrated juice.

Red Wines

  • Pinot Noir: A bright red with luscious bing cherry and strawberry flavors, coupled with hints of violet.
  • Reserve Pinot Noir:  A big intense red with black cherry and plum flavors along with clove spice and cedar tones with a perfume bouquet with hints of roses.
  • St.  Joseph Noir: A proprietary red blend which includes varieties such as Pinot, Cabernet, Petit Shiraz, Merlot, Shiraz and Sangiovese.
  • Merlot: A dark red wine teeming with raspberry, currant and plum aromas.
  • Shiraz: The Shiraz is Rhone-style red with blueberry, clove and peppery flavors.
  • Cabernet / Cabernet Franc: Big Red Cabernet with berry, plum and vanilla notes.

St. Joseph’s Vineyard’s philosophy comes from a Bible verse from the book of Matthew.  “Wherefore ye shall know them by their fruits. The good vine bears good wine.”  (Matthew 7:16).

The Pietrzyks have lived up to their philosophy, creating award winning wines for years and I am ready to grab a couple bottles of Saperavi and enjoy the fruits of their labor.

Have you visited St. Joseph Vineyards?  What was your favorite wine?  I would love to hear from you if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my visit to St. Joseph Vineyards and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

St, Joseph Vineyards
6060 Madison Road
7800 Warner Road (tasting room)
Thompson, Ohio  44086
Telephone:  440 298 3709

Main Room is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11AM to 6PM during the spring and fall and open Friday and Saturday from noon to 7PM, all year.

Where to Stay:

The Lodge at Geneva on the Lake
4888 N. Broadway
Geneva on the Lake, Ohio  44041
Telephone:  866 806 8066

Where to Eat:

I recommend having snacks at Hundley Cellars because they are fabulous and unique!  Here are a couple of suggestions close by if you would prefer a full menu option:

Chops Grille & Tap House
1752 State Route 534 South
Geneva, Ohio  44041
Telephone:  440 466 7427

Crosswinds Grille
5653 Lake Road East
Geneva, Ohio  44041
Telephone:  440 466 8668 x4

My favorite menu item is the charcuterie board.   Crosswinds is known for its farm to table offerings where everything tastes so fresh.

Disclosure:   Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.

The Winery at Wolf Creek in Norton, Ohio

Taking the last sip of my wine sample of Space Cowboy, I noticed a group of bubbly young college students walking through the door of The Winery at Wolf Creek, dressed for a bachelorette party. They approached the tasting bar where I was enjoying a glass of wine when we struck up a conversation.  It was their first time here, so they asked what I was drinking and if I had any suggestions for what they should order.

This was their first winery experience but they were not new to wine. We discussed which types of wine they would normally purchase and I shared with them my wine list with all of my hand written notes.   I suggested that they start out sampling some of the wines before they commit to a bottle.  They agreed that the sweet, fruit wines were more their style so they started out with samples of Blue (blueberry), Original Sin (apple) and Space Cowboy (peach).

The server set them up as I took a glass of Redemption out to the patio, waiting for a pizza from Fat Boys.  Redemption is a French-hybrid blend that is light on the sweet side which I absolutely enjoy chilled.

I took a menu outside to look over the beer selection that includes craft beers from local and popular breweries as well as ciders and fruit based ales.  The Winery at Wolf Creek has a limited menu of cheeses, meat and crackers but they welcome patrons to bring their own foods to enjoy with their wines while enjoying the spectacular view.

With a few minutes to spare, I reviewed my tasting notes and information that I had collected from my server.  Distracted by the beautiful view of the Akron skyline, I noted which wines I would be purchasing before leaving the winery.

The Vignoles was my first sample which is a semi-sweet estate wine that I found had a lingering sour finish.  This having been my first experience with this wine, I was curious to learn about specific food pairings that may alter the taste of the wine and found an unusual list to include pumpkin and ginger-based foods as well as gingers snaps*.

One of the varietals grown on the estate, Vignoles is one of three grapes that make up about 80 percent of their white wine production which also includes the Pinot Gris and Leon Millot.

Peppery and smooth, the Zinfandel was my absolute favorite but having learned that the winery makes a great Cabernet Franc, I had to sample this wine as well.

Summit County provides a grape growing terrior that includes sandy loam, clay loam and gravel.  Because the climate is similar to the Loire Valley in France, this provides the potential as a perfect location for growing Cabernet Franc and Chambourcin varietals.

Switching over to sweet wines, Sweet Revenge is a beautiful Ohio rose that the winery has been making for over twenty years.  A blend of Seyval Blanc and French Hybrid wines, this crisp, delicious wine is a classic.

I am always interested in sampling the fruit wines from Ohio wineries because they have the potential to be extremely fruity or combined with grapes, have subtle notes of fruit flavor in the blend.  Blue, a semi-dry blueberry wine was rich in color as well as a little tart which I found to be an absolute lovely combination.

Original sin is the perfect name for this crisp, apple based wine, but it is Space Cowboy that wins my vote with its full peach flavor in every sip.

The sun is starting to set on this beautiful, brisk October evening. I bring myself inside where I can continue admiring the outside view from the beautiful glass windows of the tasting room.

My pizza had just arrived, so I ordered a bottle of Zinfandel, knowing that the winery can repackage the remaining wine for me to take home.

The Winery at Wolf Creek is open year around, with limited hours during the winter season.  Cellar tours are available by appointment and wine tastings are offered daily.  The winery offers a great selection of wine accessories, clothes, gift baskets and of course, wine which ranges from $14 to $24 per bottle.

The bachelorette party is going strong in the tasting room and I stop by to inquire how they enjoyed the wines.  The bride-to-be, dressed in red, mentioned that they had such a difficult selecting a favorite that they purchased one of each to enjoy with their large group.  I told her to beware of the Big Bad Wolf as I exited the winery, happy to see they were having the time of their lives.

Have you had the opportunity to visit The Winery at Wolf Creek?  Did you pack a picnic or order some food?  What was your favorite wine?  I would love to hear about your visit to The Winery at Wolf Creek if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading my post about The Winery at Wolf Creek and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

The Winery at Wolf Creek
2637 South Cleveland Massillon Road
Norton, Ohio  44203
Telephone:  330 665 1445

Where to Stay:

The Whimsical  Pig Bed & Breakfast
2682 South Cleveland Massillon Road
Norton, OH  44203
Telephone: 330 576 6104

Ron and Sue Bishop were absolutely lovely hosts.  The French toast for breakfast was amazing!

Where to Eat:

Wolf Creek Tavern
3044 Wadsworth Road
Norton, OH  44203
Telephone: 234 571 4531

Seated on the outside patio, I was so excited to try an order of homemade pierogis and I selected the fish and chips for my entree.

Yellow Butterfly Winery in Newcomerstown, Ohio

IMG_0859

Sipping on a glass of Country Rose, I enjoyed the gorgeous rural landscape in the eastern region of Ohio, home to the Three Rivers Wine Trail.  Painted bright yellow, Yellow Butterfly Winery stands out among the rolling hills of farmland, offering spectacular views of its vines from their two-story deck.

IMG_0861

Making its home in a 100 year old restored farmhouse in Newcomerstown, this fabulous winery is easy to find.  The beautiful rustic interior provides plenty of space for visitors to enjoy their wines.  The tasting bar is also located inside and I was prepared to sample a wide range of fruit wines as well as the traditional wines that I have come to love in Ohio.

The winery offers three wine samples for a dollar, and since there are so many interesting combinations, I selected a total of nine.

IMG_0863

The first wine on my tasting sheet is the Passionate Peach. The beautiful pale yellow color of this wine reminds me of straw, but smells like I am surrounded by a peach orchard.  It is crisp with a bit of thickness which reminds me of a dessert wine.

Strawberry Fields is a lightly colored fruit wine made of strawberries and apples.  There is a hint of strawberry in the smell and it has a light, fruity taste with a little stronger alcohol taste towards the back of my tongue.  This is a very refreshing wine, and I purchased a bottle to enjoy on a hot summer day.

While I am trying my second sample, Lisa, the head wine steward brings me a small taste of Cranrazzmatazz.  It is one of their newest wines and has been a huge success for the winery.   It has a deliciously unique fruity smell and tastes amazing. Made from a combination of cranberry, raspberry and apple, this is a very sweet wine with a smooth texture.

Wistful Watermelon is made from watermelon and apples.  I liken it to the watermelon-flavored Jolly Rancher with a tartness towards the back of my tongue.

IMG_0864

Sweet Meadows is lighter in color than the previous wines I had tasted and is made from a combination of both the Concord and Niagara grape.

Sweet Red is the perfect Concord grape wine which is popular among Ohio wine drinkers.

Country Rose is my favorite out of all of the wines and is perfect for any occasion.  I love the smell, the taste and the color of this wine and bought a bottle to enjoy later at home.

IMG_0865

I thought I would go out of my comfort zone and order a semi dry so I added the Ohio Vidal Blanc to my wine tasting.  Despite my usual preferences, I like this wine.   Put it on ice and this would be another great wine for the summer season.

My final selection is the Golden Apricot.  It has a great texture and consistency with a mild apricot flavor.

IMG_0866

At the Yellow Butterfly Winery, the winemaking process takes place on the property from start to finish.  Michael wasn’t shy about crediting the late Leland Weiss of Rainbow Hills Winery for helping him when he started out.  Each winery advertises for each other close to their properties, which goes to show the camaraderie in the Ohio wine business.  It makes me proud to be a part of it.

Michael enjoys having his guests get involved in the naming of his new wines.  When he releases a wine he offers tastings at a discounted rate.  But I’ll have to wait until next year.

I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation with Michael and admire his passion for converting skeptics into wine lovers.  “It’s all about drinking the wines that you like, any way you like to drink them,” says Michael. I ordered a bottle of Country Rose and decided to check out the view which is more than stunning.  I enjoyed the music, listening to the live entertainment and wanted to take in the moment.  It was a perfect afternoon to enjoy some delicious wine.

Have you visited Yellow Butterfly Winery?  I would love to hear about your experience or let me know your favorite wine from this amazing winery by leaving a message in the comments section below!  Cheers!

Many thanks to Michael White and everyone at Yellow Butterfly Winery for their generosity and hospitality.

Disclosure:  Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.

What to See and What to Do: 

Yellow Butterfly Winery
11661 Blue Ridge Road
Newcomerstown, Ohio  43832
Telephone: 740 492 1216

  • Hours: The winery is open the months of February to December, Tuesday through Saturday from 11:30 AM to 6 PM and later on the weekends.  The winery is closed on Sunday and Monday.  Hours are seasonal and are subject to change.  Please refer to the winery’s website for any updates to its hours of operation and schedule of events.
  • Amenities:  Weekend entertainment, dining, wine tastings, outdoor seating, online shopping, wine, private events and scheduled events
  • Tips for Your Visit:  Please note that the wine tastings are only provided during certain hours and are subject to change.  As always, please drink responsibly.

Those that were on the tour were provided with a country BBQ Rib/Chicken or Steak Dinner with two sides, the winery’s famous wine cake and a wine tasting!  this offering is also available to those visitors who reserve in advance on Saturdays for a cost of only $25.  Dinner reservations must be made by Thursday by calling 740 492 1216.  Live entertainment is also available during the summer months, so check out their website for a list of events.

Where to Stay:

Hampton Inn
200 Morris Crossing Avenue
Newcomerstown, OH  43832
Telephone:  740 498 9800

Where to Eat:

Railroad Restaurant & Saloon
509 Main Street
Coshocton, OH  43812
Telephone: 740 575 4151

It was a day to try some fried food and I could not pass up the opportunity to try the deep fried pickles because I prefer the chips over the spears.   The spicy cajun dipping sauce was the perfect condiment.  I also ordered the lobster bisque which was creamy, delicious and full of lobster meat.

What to Read: 

  • Restored Ohio: History Brought Back to Life, by Glenn Morris
  • Lost Circuses of Ohio, by Conrade C. Hinds
  • A Taste of the Hocking Hills by Matt Rapposelli
  • Asylum on the Hill, by Katherine Ziff

Photo Guide for Southeast Ohio: 

  • Hocking Hills State Park, Athens, Ohio
  • The Wilds Safari Park, Cumberland, Ohio

IMG_0870

Old Firehouse Winery, Geneva On The Lake, Ohio

I could hear the beautiful, distinct sound of bagpipes through a large crowd of onlookers as I approached Old Firehouse Winery.   I immediately took notice of the quaint little antique fire truck at the front of the building, half the size of the ones today, and entered the winery to sample a few of their wines.  The sassy red barn had been converted into a firehouse before becoming a winery and restaurant twenty-five years later.  “Old Betsy”, a 1926 Graham Brothers engine, represents the historical evolution of Old Firehouse Winery.

Standing in line with other patrons, I soon realized that the slushies were one of the winery’s best sellers.   I was easily entertained by the television screen with interesting information about the winery and Old Firehouse wines.

I had watched the informative loop twice when I was next in line to be served.   I decided to try the preset Sweet Wine Tasting Samples which included ten 1-ounce sized  plastic cups for a cost of $8.99 plus tax.

The umbrella-covered table had a lakeside view where I could enjoy the beauty of Lake Erie.  An Arts & Crafts Show had been set up in an open area where visitors browsed the booths and made a few purchases. During the summer, the fair takes place every Saturday from Memorial Day to Labor Day with hours from noon to 8.

Each Old Firehouse sample was numbered in the order of less sweet to the sweetest.

  • The Firehouse White is made of Catawba grapes was a Gold Award Winner.
  • The Firehouse Red is a semi-sweet wine, with a jammy taste and beautifully red in color.
  • Made from the popular, local Niagara grape, my next sample was the Lighthouse Niagara wine.
  • Lake Erie Riesling was surprisingly sweet compared to other Rieslings I have sampled in the past.
  • Raspberry Reflections has a sunset hue, but with its aromatic raspberry scent, it was perfectly prepared with just a hint of raspberry flavor.
  • Not quite sure what to expect with Spiced Apple, I was pleasantly surprised by its refreshing taste.
  • Frosty Peach, a lovely summertime wine,  was lightly flavored with a hint of peach.
  • Grape Jamboree is typical of an Ohio sweet wine and is one of the winery’s best sellers.  The Grape Jamboree is also an annual festival that takes place in Geneva during the month of September.
  • Pink Catawba, with its deep cranberry color was the sweetest wine yet.
  • My final sample was the Sweet Concord which tastes like grape juice that packs a punch.  This was my favorite sample and I purchased a bottle to make some sangria on a hot summer afternoon.

The view from where I was sitting was absolutely gorgeous.  Within a few feet from the seating area was an antique Ferris wheel at the edge of the lake.  This stand-alone attraction is well known to the locals and was built in 1956.  They call it the #5 Big Eli because it was fifth patent of George Ferris.   Old Firehouse Winery has a port wine named after this colorful wheel and has a spectacular view from the top.

Strolling through the winery before leaving for the Lakehouse Inn and Winery, I could not pass up the opportunity to try the slushie and I quickly learned why they are one of Old Firehouse Winery’s best sellers.

Have you visited Geneva on the Lake and tried the wines at Old Firehouse Winery?  I would love to hear about your fun experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for checking out my post about the Old Firehouse Winery and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Old Firehouse Winery
9425, 5499 Lake Road East
Geneva on the Lake, OH  44041
Telephone:  440 466 9300

Open seven days a week year around, the winery and restaurant provides daily entertainment during the summer months with extended hours over the weekend.  For more information about the winery and their themed weekends which run from Memorial Day to Labor Day, check out their website.

Where to Stay:

Holiday Inn Express Ashtabula – Geneva
1831 Austinburg Road
Austinburg, OH   44010
Telephone:  440 275 2020

Where to Eat:

Biscotti’s Restaurant
186 Park Avenue
Conneaut, OH  44030
Telephone: 440 593 6766

Serving  Italian cuisine, I ordered the Medallions Gorgonzola Alfredo to try their homemade Alfredo sauce, so rich and delicious.

Featured Ohio Winery: Hanover Winery

The Pink Toad Party, Hanover Winery’s fundraiser for breast cancer was well underway when I entered the tasting room.   A steady stream of women, many dressed in pink, stood in line to order the winery’s Pink Toad Blush in support of a great cause for loved ones and fellow breast cancer survivors.  I felt honored to listen to some incredible journeys of survival from the brave women who had battled cancer and the dear family members who cared for them along the way.

I have since returned to Hanover Winery several times because of its picturesque, rural setting, its charming tasting room and of course, wonderful selection of wines.  I, myself, am particularly fond of the Statesman and the Black Dahlia wines, yet there are over twenty-five wines to sample and purchase.  From wonderful dry reds to a wonderful range of fruit wines, the winery offers a wide variety of award winning wines that are sure to please.

Here is a list of wines I have sampled:

REDS:

  • 2015 Malbec: Robust, full body dry red with interesting notes of plums and dark berries. Notably higher tannins with a sweet tobacco finish.  $23.99;  Residual Sugar: 0%;  Alcohol:  3%;  This wine was awarded a Silver Medal at the 2018 Finger Lakes International Competition
  • Cabernet Sauvignon: Bold layers of dark fruits with subtle notes of vanilla and caramel.  Medium smooth tannins.  Well balanced in oak with a nice finish. $36; Residual Sugar: 0%; This wine was awarded the International Double Gold Medal at the 2017 Competition
  • Chambourcin: A complex red wine with rich dark fruit flavors, oak aged;  $13.99;  Residual Sugar:  1%;  This wine was awarded a Gold Medal at the Ohio Wine Competition

  • Black Dahlia: Merlot Blackberry, dark and delicious; $18; Residual Sugar:  5%;  This wine was awarded the Bronze Medal at the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition
  • Baco Noir: A bold dry red with layers of plum and vanilla flavors, oak barrel aged;  $17; Residual Sugar:  1%
  • Pink Toad: Flavorful Catawba, a nice blush wine; $9.99; Residual Sugar: 9%; This wine was awarded the Bronze Medal at the Ohio Wine Competition

  • Sweet Lizzy: Sweet rose’ wine named in memory of our black Labrador Lizzy.  $10.99; Residual Sugar:  9%;   This wine was awarded the Gold Medal at the 2018 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition and a Bronze Medal from the Ohio Wine Competition

WHITES

  • Chardonnay: Stainless steel fermented lightly oaked; $13.99; Residual Sugar  5%
  • Vignoles: Dry, oak aged with hints of pineapple and apricot.  $12.99; Residual Sugar:  1%; This wine was awarded the Bronze Medal at the Ohio Wine Competition

FRUIT

  • Dammit Annie: A delicious blend of Blackberries and Haskap Berries; Sweet enough for dessert.  Named after their Labrador Annie;  $16.99; Residual Sugar:  5%
  • Peach: A smooth and delicious peach wine. A great summer treat  $11.99;  Residual Sugar: 9%; This wine was awarded the Silver and Bronze Medals at both the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition and the Ohio Wine Competition

PORT

  • Attitude: A port style dessert wine, oak barrel aged.  Alcohol 19.5%; $23.99; Residual Sugar: 5.9%; This wine was awarded the Silver Medal at the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition.

SPECIALTY

  • Unleashed: Raspberry Riesling, a sweet Riesling blended with real raspberries.  Labeled in memory of our yellow Labrador Ellie; $13.99; Residual Sugar:  5%;  This wine was awarded the Silver Medal at the Ohio Wine Competition

Additional wines available at Hanover Winery include:

REDS

  • 2015 Tampranillo
  • Marquette
  • Marechal Foch
  • Hanover Red
  • Mason’s Red
  • Soft Red

WHITES

  • Soft White
  • Vidal Blanc
  • Riesling – New Release
  • Traminette – New Release
  • Seyval Blanc
  • Hanover White
  • Kiss Me

FRUIT

  • Blackberry
  • Ohio Apple
  • Cranberry

SPARKLING

  • Bubbly

My drive from Oxford took only about ten minutes and the rural route was a welcoming change to my city life.  I could use a little leisurely wine time and knew I had finally arrived when I noticed the rows of Marquette and Seyval grapes.

According to Eddie McDonald, co-owner of the winery, the vines were planted in the spring of 2016 and it will take a few years until the crop produces grapes.  He and his wife Elizabeth opened the winery in 2009 after making wine for family and friends as a hobby for over ten years.  Known as Butler County’s sole winery, the gorgeous property is perfect for relaxing along the pond with a bottle of wine, enjoying the weekend entertainment or attending one of Hanover Winery’s many sponsored events. Visit their website to learn more about Hanover’s Annual Summer Wine Festival in August (expect a large turnout) and their Annual Animal Rescue Fundraiser in the Spring.

Business was soon picking up and Eddie was needed to bring some more wine up from their “wine cellar”.  He asked if I wanted to check it out and of course I was curious to see where the magic happens.  The entertainment was setting up on the patio, so I stopped by the tasting table and ordered a glass of Pink Toad to enjoy the pond.  I brought my list of wines to purchase for upcoming events, and bought a few favorites for my friends and family.   While Hanover Winery is one of my favorite wineries to visit because of the hospitality of Eddie and Elizabeth and the delicious award winning wines, I always enjoy visiting with the resident celebrities, Mason and Annie.

Have you had the opportunity to visit Hanover Winery?  What wines did you try?  I would love to hear about your visit if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about one of my favorite Ohio wineries and wishing you many Happy Travels.  Cheers!

What to See and What to Do:

Hanover Winery
2165 Morman Road
Hamilton, OH  45013
Telephone:  513 863 3119

Where to Stay:

The Elms
75 South Main Street
Oxford, OH  45056
Telephone:  513 524 2002

Where to Eat:

LaRosa’s Pizza Hamilton
770 NW Washington Blvd.
Hamilton, OH  45013
Telephone:  513 347 1111
Website:  www.larosas.com

Ohio Winery: Powell Village Craft Winery

Taking a seat at the beautiful rustic bar at Powell Village Craft Winery, I couldn’t help but notice the young lady sitting next to me talking into her phone.   Overhearing her conversation, she was trying to set a date to move to Colorado.  Working out the logistics, she sat in front of her computer enjoying a glass of wine.

I ordered a wine flight and soon thereafter, Katie had wrapped up her plans and made a phone call to her boyfriend to pick her up.  She explained that lately she has been down on her luck and it seemed that her car wouldn’t start.  Waiting at the winery, she had managed to schedule her move out of state all while enjoying a glass of Merlot.  I guess her luck was starting to change.

Conveniently located in a charming suburb of Columbus, the winery, owned by Jeff and Gina Kirby, has been open for six years.  Currently, they are in the process of opening another winery in Tucson, which is similar in design and construction to Powell Village and are looking to franchise the winery.

I hardly waited  five minutes when the server offered to pour me a paddle wine flight or four half glasses for $15.  Since there were quite a few selections that I wanted to try, I opted for the $1 per tasting.   Their reserve wines and ice wines are $2 each were worth the additional cost.

Their menu included a variety of flatbreads, butcher’s block, bread and dipping oil, cheese plate, garlic bites and hummus with veggies.  Perfect combinations to pair with a large assortment of wines.

Each sample was a generous one ounce pour and I began my tasting with the Pinot Noir. Medium bodied, this beautiful brownish red wine has a tangy first sip with a perfect finish.

In addition to Pinots, I love Merlots and this one caught me off guard with a sweet start but it finished with a smooth texture and taste.

Switching over to some of the sweet wines offered by Powell Village, the blackberry has a super sweet smell and a gorgeous ruby color, with a light, airy fruity taste.

I wrapped up my last three samples trying some of the lighter, fruity wines which are  popular with Ohio wineries.  The peach smelled like fuzzy peaches picked right off of the tree, having a thick texture with a simple fruit flavor.

The white cranberry is just as tart as one would expect but it was a perfect blend with grapes.  My final sample was kiwi-pineapple, heavy on the pineapple taste yet an extremely refreshing wine.

The winery also offers seasonal sangrias like the pomegranate and cherry during the spring and summer months while the cranberry is popular for the fall.  There are also wine slushies, a popular option where wine is combined with a mix and frozen as a fun, fruity drink.

In addition to Happy Hour on Fridays and Saturdays, Powell Village Craft Winery is available on Sunday and Monday for private events, while Thursdays are Ladies’ Night.

I finished my last glass of wine and Katie had finally confirmed a date for moving her belongings out west.  She decided to call her boyfriend for his ETA while I purchased a bottle of Soulmate, Powell Village’s yummy Merlot.  Here’s hoping that if I am ever stranded, a winery will be close by.

Have you had the opportunity to visit Powell Village Craft Winery?  What was your favorite wine?  I would love to hear about your visit if you will kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my visit to Powell Village Winery and wishing you many Happy Travels!  Cheers!

What to See and What to Do:

Powell Village Craft Winery
50 Liberty Street
Powell, Ohio  43065
Phone:  614 505 7465

Where to Stay: 

Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center
100 Green Meadows Drive South
Lewis Center, OH  43035
Telephone: 855 892 4543

Where to Eat: 

Powell Village Craft Winery
50 Liberty Street
Powell, Ohio  43065
Phone:  614 505 7465

Why leave when you can try one of Powell Village Craft Winery’s amazing flatbreads?  We ordered the Buffalo flatbread with spicy chicken, buffalo sauce and Mozzarella cheese.  They will give you ranch dressing for dipping should you need to cool the heat.  Yum!