Sampling Some Redneck Love at Kennedy Vineyard, New Madison, OH

25 June 201918 September 2024

Kennedy Vineyard was a welcome sight among the crops of corn and soybean of Darke County. As I approached the graveled driveway leading to the winery, grapevines were loaded with juicy varietals most popular in the Ohio wine region.

Having just opened for the afternoon, I entered the warm and welcoming winery with a casual and country style. There was plenty of seating but that would not last for long. As I took my place at the tasting bar, I was greeted by winery co-owner, Louisa Kennedy.

The large windows looking out into the vineyard provided stunning views of the DeChaunac grapes, planted over 10 years ago, by Barbara Kennedy, Louisa’s mother-in-law. Fields of corn were converted to vineyards and after many years of producing wine, the winery opened over two years ago. Additional varietals that thrive at Kennedy Vineyard are Chambourcin, Vidal, Cayuga, Concord, Steuben, Niagara and Catawba grapes.

The first wine I sampled was Lone Cedar Red, described as “a well-balanced and full-bodied wine with notes of sweet cherry”. Winning the 2015 Bronze Medal at the Finger Lakes Wine Competition, this wine was very smooth and beautiful in color. Named after the sole cedar tree which stands on the property, it is perfectly paired with a steak or can be enjoyed as a casual drink after a long day at work.

My next wine was “a semi-sweet wine full-bodied with bold flavors of blackberry and lingering black cherry.” Made with a blend including DeChaunac grapes, I enjoyed the wine’s subtle finish and beautiful label. I was not surprised to learn that it had won the 2015 Silver Medal Winner, Finger Lakes Wine Competition.

One of the qualities that I admired about Kennedy Vineyard was their passion to give back to their community. By purchasing their wine Resilient, proceeds from the sales are provided to help fund epilepsy research. I learned from Louisa that the teens that were photographed for the label are from a local high school. Although these students were diagnosed with epilepsy, they were excited for the opportunity to bring awareness of their illness and to show that they can live healthy productive lives.

While sampling the apple wine, Louisa explained their future plans to convert their barn into a processing room and to further expand the winery. She has an intense passion for wine and she is currently pursuing a degree in viticulture. Eager to share her knowledge and expertise, I enjoyed learning more about Kennedy Vineyards and the process of making wine.

I was ready for my next sample, Kennedy’s Redneck Girl. This is a beautifully colored blackberry wine which is one of their top sellers. A “soft sweet wine with lots of character and soft notes of cherry and raspberry”, this wine was awarded the 2015 Silver Medal at the Finger Lakes Wine Competition.

Louisa poured me a sample of Love at First White. A chilled sweet wine, this “elegant sweet white blend with bold flavors of the Niagara grape” is perfect for a hot summer day.

So what do you have when you combine Redneck Girl with Love at First White? Redneck Love, a perfect wine combination. I decided to purchase both bottles so I could enjoy these wines at home.

Spending time with the Kennedys was a great way to enjoy my afternoon. I was off to find a place for dinner when John recommended The Merchant House in Greenville. He insisted I try the Pig Candy and mentioned that the restaurant had recently opened about a month ago. Apparently it was already creating a local buzz, so I knew I had to check it out, but not without resisting the temptation to play with the winery’s adorable kittens one last time.

Have you visited Kennedy Vineyard and have a favorite wine that you would like to share? 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 amazing visit to Kennedy Vineyard and wishing you many Happy Travels. Cheers!

What to See and What to Do:

Kennedy Vineyard
3911 State Route 722
New Madison, OH 45346
Telephone: 937 273 8381

Hours: The winery is open from 6 PM to 9 PM on Friday and 2 PM to 9 PM on Saturday. The winery is closed from Sunday thru Thursday. Hours are seasonal and are subject to change. Please refer to the winery’s Facebook page for any updates to its hours of operation and listing of events.
Amenities: Weekend entertainment, wine tastings, wine club, wine baskets, wine, gift shop, 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.

Find Kennedy Vineyard on Facebook and don’t forget, they can also ship wines directly to you as well!

Where to Stay:

Best Western Monroe Inn
40 New Garver Road
Monroe, OH 45050
Telephone: 513 539 4400

Where to Eat:

The Merchant House
406 S. Broadway Street
Greenville, OH 45331
Telephone; 937 459 4405

Pig Candy is hands-down my favorite appetizer on the menu! Smoked, candied bacon, with cinnamon, sugar and unique blend of spices makes this selection a favorite of the restaurant’s patrons. The Pig Candy BLT is also a popular offering, which includes the amazing appetizer on bread with lettuce and tomato.

For pizzas, I can’t get enough of the Detroiter and Cherry Margherita pies!

Visiting Clifton Mill for Dessert with a Scenic View

13 October 201716 September 2024

Growing up in nearby Springfield, I have some great childhood memories of visiting Clifton Mill for their spectacular light show during the Christmas Holiday. I decided to visit during the fall to explore this unique flour mill and to enjoya piece of their delicious pie.

Tucked away in the little town of Clifton, Ohio, the mill is one of the largest remaining grist mills in the United States. It is powered by water with the help of a 20 foot water wheel, located along the outer banks of the Little Miami River.

Approaching the mill, I took a quick peek inside to see one of the seven floors used for making flour.

Just a close walk on the left side of the mill is the restaurant offering scenic views of the Little Miami River and the water wheel. Greeted by a friendly server, I was escorted to a sought-after window seat and handed a menu with a selection of pies.

With so many made-from-scratch options, I decided on the chocolate pecan pie. Sinfully decadent, this slice had a flaky crust topped with chocolate and pecans and lived up to my expectations. I thoroughly enjoyed every last bite. If I would have arrived sooner, I would have been tempted by their famous pancakes which are also one of the restaurant’s specialities.

The gift shop is located next to the restaurant and offers flour from its mill as well as a wide variety of country-style gifts and food times such as preserves, sauces and dips.

I was happy to find a two pound bag of apple cinnamon pancake mix and would make them for the brunch I was hosting the next weekend.

Settled in the year 1802, Clifton is a small town with a population of 150. There are several historical buildings within the city that are worth checking out as well. I am deeply grateful for the Satariano family for their passion in preserving the mill back in 1987 and their yearly display of holiday lights that bring thousands of visitors to the area each year.

Have you had the opportunity of having a meal at Clifton Mill or visited during the holidays for the lights? 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 afternoon dessert stop and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Clifton Mill
75 Water Street
Clifton, OH 45316
Telephone: 937 767 5501

The light display begins the day after Thanksgiving and open nightly through December 31st. Gates open daily at 5PM and the light show starts at 6PM. Gates close at 9PM and the lights are turned off 30 minutes after the gates close. Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve, the gates close at 8PM.

Parking is free and there is an admission of $10 for guests, 7 years and older, while children 6 and under can enter at no charge.

Where to Stay:

Mills Park Hotel
321 Xenia Avenue
Yellow Springs, OH 45387
Telephone: 937 319 0400

Where to Eat:

Clifton Mill
75 Water Street
Clifton, OH 45316
Telephone: 937 767 5501

Clifton Mill is open on New Year’s Eve with a full menu from 5PM to 8PM, and open daily for breakfast and lunch. Breakfast is served all day.

One of my favorite meals at Clifton Mill is the order of pancakes. They are huge! Their pies are delish as well.

What to Read:

Not That I Could Tell, by Jessica Strawser

Photo Guide to Yellow Springs:

Clifton Gorge
Colorful, Artsy Streets
Glen Helen Nature Reserve
John Bryan State Park
Sunflower Field, located at 4625 US-68, Yellow Springs (The Tecumseh Sunflower Field)
Wall Murals
- Preparation for Life Work by Axel Horn hangs in the Yellow Springs Post Office
- Village Cyclery is the location of the oldest mural in Yellow Springs
- “Keith’s Alley” located behind the shops on the east side of Xenia Avenue between Cory and Glen Street showcases several murals
- Winds Cafe displays one of the largest murals in town
- Ohio Silver Co. displays a beautiful painting by Maxfield Parrish
- The patio of Sunrise Cafe
- The Smoking Octopus displays the works of Sarah Dickens
- The Xenia Avenue Shops’ painting was created by local Mandy Knaul (Mandy Sue)
- Corner Cone mural designed by Pierre Nagley
- Kings Yard murals

Check out my write up on the holiday lights to experience the tradition of Clifton Mill that brings so much joy during the holiday season. I hope you make it a family tradition for you and your family.

The Old Arcana, Arcanum Ohio – NOW CLOSED

9 July 201531 August 2024

UPDATE: The Old Arcana is now CLOSED.

What initially drew me to The Old Arcana Restaurant was their Bourbon Praline French Toast, which was voted the best by Ohio Magazine. I was also interested in visiting Bear’s Mill in Greenville, so I combined the two for a pleasant morning in Darke County, Ohio. Passing through cornfields and small country towns, my GPS guided me to Arcanum with its red brick streets and charming antique shops.

The beautiful interior was rich with exposed brick walls, dark wood furnishings and simple, yet elegant table settings. The bar is the main attraction displaying the homemade desserts in the glass enclosure at the front, while in the back, servers are ringing up orders and pouring their customer’s beverages.

The menu offered a long list of Southern-style entrees with a few healthy options as well. My eyes were drawn to the sausage gravy and biscuits, three egg omelets with herb roasted potatoes or an order of pancakes and homemade syrup.

Lunch and dinner selections included comfort foods such as the Kentucky Hot Brown and burgers of fresh meat made from brisket. All menu items are made in-house with fresh ingredients purchased from local markets and farmers.

A unique list of starters such as falafel fries, deviled eggs and Reuben rolls, and an excellent selection of salads ranged in price from $6 to $8. While each item looked delicious, I was not swayed away from the Bourbon Praline French Toast.

As Janeen brought my meal to the table, I could smell the sweetness of the bourbon praline sauce and the candied pecans. Coupled with the subtle aroma of cinnamon and homemade whipped cream, I could not wait to dive in. Taking my first bite, I have to admit it tasted more like a dessert than breakfast. This rich cinnamon creation, loaded with pecan goodness, was sinfully delicious.

All desserts at The Old Arcana are made from scratch and the selection changes on a regular basis. Behind the counter, there was the carrot cake bread pudding, devil’s food cake, their signature banana pudding, strawberry tart parfait and their chocolate cake with strawberry icing. The temptation was overwhelming, but having had the decadent French toast, I was going to have to pass and plan for dessert on my next visit.

Janeen mentioned that her brother Jeff Besecker was the owner and successful self-taught chef behind some of the most amazing menu items. Her father was instrumental in the renovations of the restaurant, adding some personal touches such as the bench seating along the wall opposite the bar. The restaurant sells some of her father’s beautifully designed walnut and brown maple cutting boards as well as sycamore rolling pins.

After settling my check, I was determined to return soon for another of the restaurant’s top sellers, the Arcana Hot Brown. The Old Arcana Restaurant ranks high on my list of restaurants in the state of Ohio and is a hidden gem located in the farmlands of Darke County. Of course, the next time, I will definitely save room for dessert.

Have you had the opportunity to dine at The Old Arcana Restaurant? I would love to hear about your experience or to recommend any restaurant items that you have tried if you would kindly leave your comments below! Many thanks for reading about my experience at The Old Arcana Restaurant and wishing you many Happy Travels!

Where to Eat:

The Old Arcana Restaurant
109 W. George Street
Arcanum, OH 45304
Telephone: 937 692 0068

The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and accepts cash only for payment. The Old Arcana Restaurant also offers cooking classes, which are provided on their webpage. In March of 2016, they began a Supper Club to bring like minded foodies together to enjoy a meal in a slow, engaging environment. This is also an opportunity to meet the chef, the staff and “hear their inspiration behind the month’s dish”. Information about becoming a member of the Supper Club is also listed on their website.

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

The brick streets of Arcanum and the storefront for The Old Arcana Restaurant

Aprons for Sale at the Old Arcana Restaurant in Arcanum, Ohio

Cigar Box Guitars Available for Purchase at The Old Arcana Restaurant