Springfield, Ohio is making its mark on the Ohio wine industry with the re-opening of Haflé Winery in 2015. Many residents may remember the winery which once occupied the estate located on Upper Valley Pike in the 1970’s. For many wine enthusiasts and local residents in the surrounding area, this was a welcome comeback.
Family-owned and operated, Haflé Winery is a quaint winery and restaurant offering a unique selection of wines, as well as a full-service bar. Located in the northwest region of town, the lovely estate and winery resides in a rural setting surrounded by a dense forest of fifty acres.
There was a comfortable, cozy feeling as I entered the dimly lit wine tasting area and bar. I took a seat and placed my order for a glass of wine. I sipped on a White Zinfandel by Vista Point and began a conversation with the patrons who make Haflé Winery a weekly stop each Tuesday. With beer specials and discounts on wine, I could choose from over 40 wines available to sample before making my purchase. The best deal at Hafle is a flight of five wines (with generous pours) for ten dollars.
The wine menu was unique in the fact that it offered Ohio-made wines in addition to amazing reds and whites from all over the US. I learned from one of the customers sitting beside me that Dan Haflé, Jr., the owner, was working behind the bar. Mr. Haflé helped me choose five samples according to my wine preference and he was eager to tell me about the history of his family’s winery.
Without a moment of hesitation and while keeping up with his clients at the bar, Dan explained that it was his father, Dan Sr., who first came up with the idea of opening a winery in the late 1960s. According to Dan, his father had a friend in fellow farmer Ken Schuchter who also shared his passion for drinking wine. They would both soon turn their love of wine into a business with Haflé Winery based in Springfield and Valley Vineyards in Morrow. By 1969, Dan Sr., planted his first vines and through trial and error successfully began producing his own wine and so it was there in 1974 that the original winery came into existence. Over the next 20 years, the Haflé family would find themselves in a continuous struggle to grow grapes in the soil of this region, and by 1994, the outlook seemed bright. And just when the business was continuing to grow, the EPA presented them with another challenge. With the expansion of the winery, the EPA determined that the current sewer structure was inadequate. The Haflés would either need to pay for their own stand-alone system or connect to the city which would cost them thousands of dollars. Due to the complicated logistics and expense of the agency’s requirements, the Haflés were forced to close their doors for business in the mid-90s.
Fast forward twenty years later and Dan Haflé, Jr. has revived Hafle Winery having re-opened in 2015.
And as I sat on the edge of my seat throughout Dan’s amazing story, my flight of wine had already been poured. I chose the Vista Point Merlot, a red wine from the Napa Valley of California.
The next glass was the Dark Horse Petite Sirah (dry) from Modesto, California.
Next I sampled a local Ohio winery, the Rodeo Red (semi sweet) from the Winery at Versailles and then the Mon Ami Concord (sweet), also an Ohio wine.
My final selection was the St. James Blackberry wine (sweet) from St. James, Missouri and I determined that the Rodeo Red from Versailles was my favorite wine from the flight.
I decided to order dinner before the kitchen closed and was excited to try a thin crust pizza with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese and fresh basil. The specials for the night included a Cuban Sandwich ($12), Blackened Tuna Dinner for $15 and Black Bean soup.
I leisurely enjoyed my wine and soaked up the atmosphere while continuing my conversation with Dan. He explained to me that during the warmer months, the winery offers outdoor seating and scheduled entertainment. They also supply steaks and seafood that customers can cook on the grill.
It was an incredible evening of drinking wine, catching up with old friends and making new ones.
It is true that Ohio is becoming more recognized as a state producing award winning wines. In addition to the wide selection of wines, what makes Haflé Winery unique is that it holds liquor licenses to both produce its own wine as well as serve liquor in its establishment. And although outsiders may recognize Haflé Winery as a newcomer to Ohio’s wine industry, they will be surprised that it has a rich history of winemaking all its own.
Do you have a favorite winery in Ohio that you like to visit? Have you visited Haflé Winery and would like to share you experience? 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 Haflé Winery and wishing you many Happy Travels!
What to See and What to Do:
Haflé Winery
2369 Upper Valley Pike
Springfield, OH
Telephone: 937 399 1221
- Hours: The winery is open from 5 PM to 9 PM on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; 5 PM to 10 PM on Friday and 12 PM to 10 PM on Saturday. The winery is closed on Monday. Hours are seasonal and are subject to change. Please refer to the winery’s website for any updates to its hours of operation.
- Amenities: Weekend entertainment, dining, wine tastings, wine, gift shop, private events and weekend cookouts.
I would like to thank Dan Haflé, Jr. for his hospitality in providing me with the history of Haflé Winery and recommending some great wines!
Where to Stay:
Courtyard by Marriott Downtown
100 South Fountain Avenue
Springfield, OH 45502
Telephone; 937 322 3600
Where to Eat:
Hafle Winery’s menu offers a wonderful selection of appetizers, sandwiches, dinners and salads. The winery hosts popular weekend cookouts with live music entertainment.
More favorite Springfield eateries:
- Schuler’s Donuts: Their chocolate cream-filled doughnut is their best seller…”home of homemade”. The bakery has several locations in Springfield.
- Simon Kenton Inn: This historical home is an inn, restaurant and entertainment venue. With great food, I love the atmosphere of the Simon Kenton Inn.
- Guerra’s Krazy Tacos: One of my favorite places to eat in Springfield, Guerra’s is known for their unique gourmet tacos.
- Salato Deli: I love stopping by this deli for their charcuterie board
- Le Torte Dolci Bakery; Located next to the Salato Deli, this European French bakery also serves amazing gelato.
- Mike & Rosie’s Deli: This staple of Springfield is located near the Wittenberg campus and I am extremely fond of their Reuben sandwich.
Where to Drink:
- Mother Stewart’s Brewing Company: Springfield’s only brewery, Mother Stewart’s showcases nine craft beers produced onsite.
What to Read:
- The Book of Springfield, Ohio, 1906, by Springfield Commercial Club
- Springfield, Ohio: A Summary of Two Centuries, by Tom Dunham
- Ridgewood in the Country Club District, by Tamara K. Dallenbach
- Still Standing: A life of pain, adversity and perseverance, by James Cooper
- Hometown Killer, by Carol Rothgeb
Photo Guide for Springfield, Ohio:
- Hartman Rock Garden
- Westcott House, Frank Lloyd Wright House
- Glen Helen Nature Preserve in nearby Yellow Springs
- Heritage Center of Clark County
- Tecumseh Land Trust in nearby Yellow Springs
- Ohio Caverns in nearby Bellefontaine
- Oakes Quarry Park in nearby Fairborn, Ohio
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