You’re at Home at Meranda-Nixon Winery, Ripley, Ohio

9 June 202416 March 2025

Located in Ripley, Ohio, east of Cincinnati, is Meranda-Nixon Winery. Surrounded by beautiful vineyards in a gorgeous rural setting, this winery is the perfect location for scenic views, total relaxation and much-needed wine therapy.

The charming winery looks like a page out of Country Living magazine with its fashionable displays and bottles of wine for purchase. It was a busy Saturday morning and the tasting bar was crowded with wine enthusiasts and first time visitors. Eagerly waiting to ease into an open spot, I couldn’t help but eavesdrop on several conversations to decide which wines I wanted to sample.

Maura Meranda, co-owner of the vineyard, reached over the crowd to hand me a wine list and welcomed me to the winery. I began my tasting with the Chardonnay, described as “aged in oak barrels…starting with a buttery flavor followed with a toasty oak flavor with a hint of lemongrass and butterscotch followed with a pleasant citrus finish”. This complex wine is full of flavor and has a heavenly, buttery smell (Imagine an oaky hot buttered popcorn…yum!). It won the 2016 Gold Medal Winner in the Ohio Wine Competition.

Easing into the semi-sweet wines, the Trotter White Wine is my next selection which has “tropical flavors with a smooth finish. Summer in a bottle!” This would be a fabulous wine chilled and enjoyed on a hot summer day.

The winery’s 2014 Catawba Estate wine is described as “a wonderful blush wine balanced with raspberry and strawberry flavors”. I loved the sweet hints of fruit that lingered for a perfect, smooth finish and decided to purchase a bottle to enjoy later.

Sparkling wines are oh-so-fabulous and there is nothing better than a cold bottle on a hot summer day or for a lovely, winter celebration. Meranda-Nixon’s Estate Sparkling Catawba is absolutely refreshing, winning a Silver Medal in the Ohio Wine Competition.

Crossing over into red wine territory, I am ready to try the Red Oak Creek, a “blend of Traminette and Norton grapes and is aged in stainless steel. This semi-sweet wine has pleasing berry and raspberry flavors. Enjoy room temperature or chilled.” I had just recently been introduced to the Traminette grapes, which I learned is a French-American hybrid native to the state of Indiana. Known to sustain cold temperatures, it is resistant to fungal diseases and is a popular grape among Ohio wine makers. The Norton grape, however, was quite new to me. Used in producing a more dry wine, the Norton was first grown in the state of Virginia gaining popularity in the 1830s.

For a great wine to drink with burgers, the winery produces their Estate Cabernet Franc which is described as a wine which has “cherry flavors followed by hints of vanilla and a smooth peppery oak finish!” (Pepper? I am always looking for that perfect spicy wine).

Winning the 2015 Silver Medal in the Ohio Wine Competition is the 2013 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon that is a “ruby red wine with black cherry notes from start to finish with hints of vanilla and tobacco.” This wine comes highly recommended with steak.

Although they only had a few bottles left, Maura poured me a sample of the 2013 Estate Norton. One of their best wines to date, it won the 2015 Silver Medal in the Ohio Wine Competition. I enjoyed the smooth, complex taste of this “full bodied, deep ruby red wine that has a little bit of a tart, sweet and bold berry flavor. It has a delicate but smooth oak finish and is aged 12 months in 100% American Oak!”

Enjoying the combination of pepper and vanilla, the 2013 Estate Reserve Cabernet Franc was one of my favorite wines at Meranda-Nixon. This grape grows well in southern Ohio due to warmer temperatures so the grapes can ripen on the vine prior to harvest. “Black cherry on the mid-palate…it shows complex aromas of freshly crushed fruit (blackberry and plum) pepper and tobacco. Velvet smooth tannins, dense and rich, this elixir fills every corner of the mouth its decadence.” In addition to winning Best of Show, it also took home the Double Gold Medal in the 2016 Ohio Wine Competition. James Suckling, former editor of Wine Spectator, compared Meranda’s Cabernet Franc to those wines made in France.

With a two-hour drive home, I decided to complete my tasting and stock up on a few of my favorite wines. This has been one of the best wine tastings I have experienced in Ohio to date and the wines are of superior quality. But don’t take it from me, even their dog Lucy likes to chew the corks.

I had the wonderful opportunity to sit down with Maura Meranda to learn more about the history of the winery and to enjoy a glass of wine and the beautiful view. She explained to me that her husband Seth grew up in Ripley on his family’s tobacco farm. With over 100 acres, they provided tobacco for Philip Morris until 2003. Having purchased half of the farm, Seth and his late wife Tina decided to start a vineyard with only three acres. In 2007, they opened the Meranda-Nixon Winery, planted more grapes and made wine until her passing in 2012.

Seth’s passion for winemaking continued the operation. He later met Maura and they were a perfect match for producing some of Ohio’s fabulous award winning wines. What impressed me the most was that I also had the opportunity to meet their children. It was such a pleasure watching them work alongside their parents and providing tours of the vineyards. At the age of 15, Austin was so knowledgeable about the wine-making process and telling me about the grapes they grow in the vineyard (I see a future winemaker in the making).

My visit to Meranda-Nixon Winery was more than just a tour and a tasting. They are a family that loves to share their desire to make great wines. They are committed to giving their visitors an enjoyable experience with an atmosphere that is both welcoming and relaxing.

You may arrive at Meranda-Nixon Winery as a guest, but don’t be surprised if you leave this beautiful place feeling like family.

Have you had the opportunity to visit Meranda-Nixon Winery? I would love to hear about your visit if you will kindly leave a message in the comments section below.

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What to See and What to Do:

Meranda-Nixon Winery
6517 Laycock Road
Ripley, Ohio 45167
Telephone: 855 651 9188

Hours: The winery is open from 1PM to 8 PM on Friday and from 11AM to 6PM on Saturday. Monday – Thursday, the winery is open by Appointment only. The winery is closed on Sunday. 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: During the nights when the winery provides entertainment, wine tastings are not available. As always, please drink responsibly.

Where to Stay:

The Signal House Bed and Breakfast
234 N. Front Street
Ripley, OH 45167
Telephone: 937 392 1640

Voted one of the top Bed & Breakfasts by Cincinnati Magazine in 2001.

Where to Eat:

Ripley Gourmet Tortillas
6 Main Street
Ripley, OH 45167
Telephone: 937 392 4000

What to Read:

Ripley, Ohio It’s History and Families, by Eliese Bambach Stivers
Beyond the River: The Untold Stories of the Heroes of the Underground Railroad, by Ann Hagedorn
His Promised Land: The Autobiography of John P. Parker, Former Slave and Conductor on the Underground Railroad, by John P. Parker

Caesar’s Creek Vineyards in Xenia

11 June 202122 September 2024

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

Kinkead Ridge Winery and Its Bright Future

8 September 201716 September 2024

Located in downtown Ripley, Kinkead Ridge Winery is an urban winery that has been producing exceptional wines over the last few years. I had the opportunity to meet the new owners, Dr. Don Bowers and his wife Anna Marie, during a wine event over the Memorial Day weekend.

Dr. Bowers provided me a list of his wines that included a detailed description. I began my tasting with the 2014 Lowell Marie Pinot Gris. “A nose of pear and melon is followed by a hint of fruity sweetness blending melon and pears with a rapidly developed crispness and a late burst of citrus rinds. The finish brings to mind Meyer lemon and shows a light minerality. A fine partner with hors d’oeuvres and milder cheeses, this wine will compliment seafood, white fish and mild chicken dishes. Serve chilled.”

The 2015 Lowell Marie Viognier Roussanne “opens with sweet white blossoms on the nose with a hint of honey. The style is off dry with pineapple and apple flavors from the Viognier (grapes) and mild citrus form the Roussanne (grapes). A relaxing refreshment by the glass, it would be enhanced by sharp, dry cheeses and cured meats. It will pair well with meals of chicken, veal or mild pork featuring creamy sauces and with shellfish especially seared scallops. The alcohol content is 15% while the residual sugar measures at 1.5%. The wine is 70% Viognier and 30% Roussanne.”

The 2014 Roussanne Viognier seemed much sweeter than the Viognier Roussanne, which is the perfect wine for me as I am beginning to learn more about the drier white wines. “This wine begins with orange blossom and flint of the nose revealing the Viognier. The flavor is pineapple with hints of tobacco and a bracing mouthfeel. The mixed herbal note and the distinct finish of lime zest gives voice to the Roussanne. This Rhone style white wine will complement aromatic cheese and salami, sausage and specialty hams and will being a bracing crispness to rich chicken and veal dishes, enrich scallops, cream sauces and pasta with shellfish.” A bottle of this wonderful wine is $14.99.

My last sample of white wine was the 2015 Lowell Marie Sauvignon Blanc Semillon. “This nearly equally partnership of two classic Bordeaux white varieties starts with aromas of lemon and green apple notes. Reflects a surprising smoothness that would enhance soft creamy cheeses, nuts and succulent cherries, figs or plums. This full bodied wine complements oysters, prawns, clams, flaky white fish, grilled salmon or tuna as well as chicken or veil. Serve gently chilled”, this bottle is available for $13.99 per bottle. I am a huge fan of seafood, so I purchased a bottle so that I could try it with my favorite grilled salmon recipe.

The 2014 River Village Cellars Traminette is a semi-sweet “captures the sweet fragrances of warm evenings, of honeysuckle and wild rose, of water lilies and lavender. …Like its parent, Gewurztraminer, this wine stands up to the fiery spices of Asian cuisine but this year’s vintage was a bit softer and sweeter for sipping…Serve chilled.” I enjoyed the spicy aftertaste of this wine which comes from the flavors of nutmeg, rose and star anise.

Described as a “New World hybrid grape with a pronounced character reminiscent of Gewirtztraminer from Alsace”, this wine was made from Traminette grapes provided by McCafferty Bridge Vineyard and has a very light flavor and fruity aroma.

Before moving on to the red wines, I enjoyed sampled some of the complimentary cheese and crackers provided by the winery. Since I love the dry reds, I was so excited to sample the Merlot, a 2014 Lowell Marie. Described as “light bodied and immediately drinkable, it is an early release especially well-suited for refreshing summer drinks and Sangrias as it doesn’t overpower fresh fruits and takes will to a bit of sweetness and sparkle. It also complements lighter outdoor meals and picnics and could be lightly chilled.” It is perfectly priced at $10.99 per bottle.

Kinkead Ridge’s 2013 River Village Cellars comes from the Chambourcin grapes also produced by McCafferty Bridge Vineyard. It is “full-bodied, deep-colored with notes of cassis, berry fruit and plum.” This wine is perfectly paired with “beef, lamb wild game and richly flavored cheeses”. Barrel aged nine months, the retail bottle price for this wine is $11.99. I enjoyed the taste of this wine and loved the aromas of stone fruit.

One of my favorite wines at Kinkead Ridge was the 2013 Estate Bottled Petit Verdot. “Hand harvested…, this intensely-colored dark purple tannic complex wine displays a fragrant nose with tones of violet and leather. Small-lot fermentations with hand punch-downs and classic small scale winemaking techniques were used to create this wine. Aged in premium French and American oak, one can enjoy this wine with beef, lamb or wild game. Tasting this wine will leave you wanting more!” A bottle of Petit Verdot can be purchased for $24.99 and is well worth the price.

Kinkead Ridge boasts two Cabernets and I enjoyed both of these wines immensely. The Sauvignon is “hand-harvested…, this wine is dark ruby red, well structured, and complex displaying classic Cabernet aromas of cassis, plum and black cherry. The process for creating this wine were similar to the winery’s Petit Verdot, also aged in premium French and American oak.” This excellent wine has a lovely, smooth texture.

The Cabernet Franc, bottled in 2013 was also “hand-harvested…this wine’s fragrant aromas of violet and black cherry precede a taste of full-bodied, richly flavored complexity, with raspberry and spice overtones.” This wine is perfect with “beef, turkey, pork and rich stews.”

During my visit, I had the opportunity to discuss the future of Kinkead Ridge’s Winery with new owner Dr. Don Bowers. He is a medical doctor by trade and since I work in the pharmaceutical industry in research and development, I found the explanation of his wine-making techniques to be very interesting…after all, it is all about chemistry. Dr. Bowers and his family are very involved in the day to day process of wine making. Having purchased Kinkead Ridge, the established winery has a long list of venues where their wines can be purchased and the owners have plans for expansion. I look forward to visiting the winery again in the future and continue to follow the winery’s success.

Have you had the opportunity to try some of the fabulous wines produced by Kinkead Ridge Winery? I would love to hear about your favorite wines and your experience with the winery if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.

I would like to thank Dr. Don Bowers and his family for their time and hospitality during my visit!

What to See and What to Do:

Kinkead Ridge Winery
904 Hamburg Street
Ripley, Ohio 45167
Telephone: 216 551 9093

Where to Stay:

The Signal House Bed and Breakfast
234 N. Front Street
Ripley, OH 45167
Telephone: 937 392 1640

Where to Eat:

Cohearts Riverhouse
18 N. Front Street
Ripley, OH 45167
Telephone: 937 392 4819

Delicious burger with a fabulous view of the Ohio River!

What to Read:

Ripley, Ohio It’s History and Families, by Eliese Bambach Stivers
Beyond the River: The Untold Stories of the Heroes of the Underground Railroad, by Ann Hagedorn
His Promised Land: The Autobiography of John P. Parker, Former Slave and Conductor on the Underground Railroad, by John P. Parker