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