The El Nino Wine Will Take You by Storm at A. R. Winery

3 June 202323 September 2024

All wines are not the same and Ohio wineries are learning how to ferment a wide range of products to create some of the most interesting libations in the state…including A.R. Winery.

I first noticed A. R. Winery while having dinner at Michael Anthony’s at The Inn in Versailles, Ohio. I have to admit, I was drawn to the adorable dog on the label, but when I learned it was a local wine, I was excited to try it. Supporting Ohio wines, I ordered a bottle of the “She Said Yes” a fabulous, semi-sweet wine, which paired quite nicely with the house carbonara. With plenty of time after dinner, I was eager to visit the winery and sample a few more wines.

Entering through the outdoor patio, I was immediately drawn to the winery’s laid-back, country character. Heading straight for the tasting bar, I met Russell, a co-owner of the winery (He is the R in A.R.). Russell is the wine maker and was happy to introduce me to the wines that he produces onsite. With his great sense of humor, I listened as he quickly ran through the highlights of each wine, explaining their distinct characteristics and flavors.

Angie, his lovely wife, was taking orders and serving customers on this busy night. Without missing a beat, she handled each interaction with such grace so I wasn’t surprised to learn she had been a meeting planner prior to opening the winery.

Russell is proud to point out that A.R. Winery is non-traditional as he explained that most of his wines are made from anything but grapes. With his enthusiasm, I couldn’t wait to try some of the interesting combinations he has created. I ordered a wine tasting ($5 for five) and purchased additional samples for $1 per pour thereafter.

Making wine is in Russell’s DNA. His grandfather was a winemaker back in the 1800s. He also knows the flavors that his clientele prefers and focuses on wines that sell in the Ohio region which are fruity and sweet.

Here is the selection of wine that I sampled that evening and a description of each:

Lock, Stock and Berries is a three time silver medal award winner and their most popular wine. Described as “a delicious blend of sweet blackberry, blueberry & red raspberry exploding in a mouthwatering finish. Best Chilled.” has a wonderful sweet smell and a beautiful color. Priced at $12.99 per bottle, it is the perfect summer wine on the deck.

County Fair Caramel Apple won the bronze medal at the 2016 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition. I love the fact that it is made of cider using local apples from Downing Fruit Farms and enjoyed its smooth silky taste. As the description suggests, “Let the sweet caramel & tart apple flavors take you back to the county fair!”. A bottle of this apple wine is available for $13.99.

Bluesberry is a “rich, sweet blueberry wine that has a smooth, bold and jazzy flavor. Pair this wine with your favorite tasty chocolates!” This was my first opportunity to try a blueberry wine, so I was not really sure what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised that it was not too tart and had a great balance of blueberry flavor.

OMB “Oh My Berry” is a strawberry wine with a nice, very light taste. Described as “rich, sweet strawberries full of flavor! This light refreshing wine has a pleasing aroma for all to enjoy!” And I couldn’t agree more, who doesn’t absolutely love the smell of fresh strawberries?

Forbidden Apple won both a gold medal and best of class awards at the 2015 Indy International Wine Competition. This wine, incredibly priced at $9.99 per bottle has a “smooth mixture of sweet apples. The taste of sweet cider turned wine will tempt your every taste bud”. I loved the perfect balance of apple and purchased a bottle to enjoy again during the fall season.

The next wine on my list was one of the most innovative of all the selections, Fortunately, there was one bottle left because it was sold out. El Loco Lime is “squeezed from fresh limes, it is a one of a kind wine! Sweet, zesty lime wine with a hint of tartness. If you love margaritas, you will love this wine!” This Bronze Medal Award winner is quite unique and it was recommended that I try it with some salt along the rim and I could have sworn I was drinking a margarita.

The El Nino Tropical will literally take you by storm. When Russell explained that with each sip I would taste a different tropical flavor, I had to admit I was a bit skeptical. Flavors of strawberry, pineapple, mango and papaya burst in tropical harmony and truly “warmed my every taste bud!” This chemical reaction is spectacular. Winning a Silver medal at the 2016 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition, I had to buy a bottle to share with friends.

The next white wine holds a special place in the hearts of Russell and Angie. It was their wedding wine that they labeled “She Said Yes”. This wine is described as a “full bodied, sweet white grape wine with hints of pineapple and tropical! Toast your wedding day with this perfect wine pick!” I can see why she said yes. This is a delicious wine and perfectly priced at $11.99 per bottle.

I absolutely love the catchy names of these wines as well as their flavors. Caught Red-Handed is “a fruity, sweet Fredonia red grape wine. Amazingly flavorful! Pairs well with a variety of fruits and cheeses!” This is a wine for any occasion.

Recently released is A.R. Winery’s Back In Blanc. Made from the Diamond grape, it is a “dry white wine with hints of crisp green apples and lemons.” I found it refreshing and is perfect for an afternoon drink on the porch.

With so many fascinating combinations of wines at A. R. Winery, it is no surprise that coming soon is their peach/peppermint bourbon barrel wine. Bourbon barrel wines seem to be popping up all over the state, so this will be quite a novel blend. I look forward to trying it at its release.

No doubt A. R. Winery caters to their customers and loves to offer unique blends of wine that are sure to please. Their outdoor seating area is fabulous and it is one of the few wineries where Ohio State University sports are televised, which is perfect for those Saturday afternoon football games. They also offer brick oven pizza which only proves A. R. Winery knows how to make their customers happy.

Have you visited A. R. Winery? Which wines did you absolutely love? I would be happy if you would let me know about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Cheers!

What to See and What to Do:

A. R. Winery
3564 Gordon Landis Road
Arcanum, Ohio 45304
Telephone: 937 417 0565

Please consult the winery’s website for hours of operation.

Where to Stay:

Artist Junction Bed & Breakfast
6100 Routzong Road
Greenville, OH 45331
Telephone: 941 780 2490

Where to Eat:

Maid-Rite Sandwich Shoppe
125 N Broadway Street
Greenville, OH 45331
Telephone: 937 548 9340

Maid-Rite has been serving these amazing loose meat hamburgers since 1934. Their signature beef sandwich, the Maid-Rite is only $2.15 and can be ordered with mustard, pickle and/or onion.

You can’t stop by Maid-Rite without checking out the “gum wall”. For years, people have been depositing their chewed up gum on the wall….so very interesting.

Books to Read:

The secret town: The story of the founding of Arcanum, Ohio, by William Gunder
The Ren Faire at the End of the World, by Josef Matulich

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Beautiful Rural Winery in Ohio: Olde Schoolhouse Vineyard & Winery

3 June 202222 September 2024

I narrowly escaped a torrential downpour as I entered the charming Olde Schoolhouse Vineyard and Winery in Eaton, Ohio. I took the last open stool in the corner of the tasting bar and began to review the wine menu. A group of regular patrons were finishing up their order for several cases of wine, so I was eager to hear what they purchased. I knew this would be a great start for coming up with my list of samples for my tasting.

Olde Schoolhouse Vineyard and Winery is Preble County’s first winery. Located in the 1890’s brick Oklahoma Schoolhouse Number Four, the beautiful renovations to the property include beautiful rustic golden walls framed with dark trim, floor to ceiling windows, keeping the original stone sills and the elegantly stained wooden floors. The result of the restoration was absolutely stunning considering the building had been vacant for over thirty years.

This young winery is already off to a great start winning several awards both in Ohio as well as Indiana. Olde Schoolhouse won Best Amateur Wine at the INDY International Wine Competition, which was quite an honor and award winning wine maker, Mr. Z was invited to judge the competition the following year. Another grand accomplishment for Olde Schoolhouse Vineyard was that they were the featured winery at the Ohio State Fair at the Taste of Ohio pavilion. I was excited to try some of these amazing wines, starting with the Noiret, a gold medal winner at INDY.

Noiret: Described as a dry, medium-bodied wine, the hint of oak compliments the smooth texture of the wine. Priced at $8 per glass or $14.99 per bottle, this wine is rich with color as well as taste.
Nightberry is one of Old Schoohouse Vineyard and Winery’s new additions. A lovely blend of semi-dry red wine and blackberry makes this wine perfect for any occasion. It is described as a fruit forward wine that finishes nice and dry. Price for a glass is $6 and bottle priced at $14.99.
The Riesling is another semi-dry wine, white with a light body. Surprised by its perfect balance, I tried a sample at the winery’s recommendation and found it to be airy with a classic finish. A glass of this wine can be purchased at $6.50 per glass or $16.99 per bottle.
The Traminette is a popular varietal in Ohio and Olde Schoolhouse took the silver medal at the INDY International Wine Competition. A semi-sweet wine with tropical aromas and flavors, I enjoyed the texture of the wine and would consider it medium bodied. Perfectly sweet, this wine is priced at $6 for a glass and $14.99 for the bottle.

With a hint of cherry, this bronze medal winner, Rebel Red is a fruity blend of Fredonia and Chambourcin grapes. Perfectly priced at $6 per glass or $12.99 per bottle, I knew this would be a hit with my sweet-wine loving friends.
The Valvin Muscat, made with a grape similar to the Moscato, will please all wine drinkers who enjoy sweet wines. This Silver Medal winner at the Indy International wine competition would be a great summer wine, chilled and carefully sipped on a hot afternoon. I learned from another customer that this wine makes an incredible slushie paired with Olde Schoolhouse’s blackberry wine. Winning a double gold award, the blackberry wine is obviously one of the winery’s most popular wines as it was sold out during my visit.
My final sample was the Pinkaliciouz, a pretty-in-pink colored wine made of a blend of grapes and berry wine. The wine was priced at $6 per glass and $15.99 per bottle.

Having finished my wine tasting, I ordered three bottles of wine, the Riesling, the Noiret and the Rebel Red and found the perfect spot overlooking the vineyards to enjoy my glass of Noiret.

One thousand grapevines replaced the former pasture in the spring of 2015. Crops of Marquette and Le Crescent will be ready in approximately four years. This will be a welcome addition to the winery as it continues to grow, producing over 6,000 gallons of wine each year.

History buffs will enjoy some of the memorabilia that hangs from the walls of the winery. From an annual school photo of children dating back to 1913 to an original Montgomery Seed Company bag, the winery preserves some of Preble County’s historical treasures.

The Olde Schoolhouse Winery is a wonderful place to host an event regardless of whether it is a corporate meeting or a baby shower. The party room boasts a 53 inch screen television and holds up to 50 guests, while the patio can accommodate 60. At the time of my visit, the winery was exploring the opportunity of purchasing a food license. For a list of current events as well as a schedule for their weekend entertainment, The Olde Schoolhouse’s Facebook page is a great way to stay connected. Their wines are sold at nearly 40 different locations such as Sutton’s Food in Arcanum and Ray’s Wine Spirits and Grille a local restaurant in Clayton.

Have you had the opportunity of visiting Olde Schoolhouse Vineyard and Winery? What were some of your favorite 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 lovely visit to Olde Schoolhouse Vineyard and Winery and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Olde Schoolhouse Vineyard and Winery
152 State Route 726 North
Eaton, OH 45320
Telephone: 937 472 WINE (9463)

Where to Stay:

Whispering Oaks Bed & Breakfast
1881 Route 127 North
Eaton, OH 45320
Telephone: 937 456 1121

Where to Eat:

Ray’s Wine Spirits Grill
8268 N. Main Street
Clayton, OH 45415
Telephone: 937 890 0300

The fish tacos were exceptionally fresh, creamy and full of flavor. I ordered the asparagus with my entree.

A Million Dollar View at Georgetown Vineyards, NOW GEORGETOWN TAVERN ON THE HILL

18 June 201916 March 2025

Situated in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Georgetown Vineyards was established on a parcel of land once owned by Thomas Jefferson. In addition to producing their estate wines, Georgetown Vineyards also makes wine from California grapes under the label, J. Nico Wine. In January, their Moscato made Amazon’s White Wine list.

The smell of cheese and tomato sauce was coming from the wood-fired pizza oven as I entered the winery. I selected a seat at the counter and decided to try a flight of sweet wines. I collected my wine samples and exited the tasting room to explore the pavilion and enjoy the intoxicating view of the city of Cambridge below.

There was plenty of seating both indoors and out to experience the wines of Georgetown Vineyards. The relaxed setting and friendliness of the staff felt as though I was stopping off at a friend’s house for the afternoon.

Georgetown Vineyards offers a list of pre-selected tasting options of four samples for the cost of $3.50. I decided upon the grouping that included an apple wine and three grape varietals, Fredonia, Concord and Niagara. Each sample was the size of a one ounce pour and there were additional flight options for the same price.

Here is an overview of my winetasting experience:

Apple – light tasting, not too strong, has a very light alcohol flavor and would be a super refreshing at a very cold temperature
Fredonia – loved the smell! Beautiful, dense reddish pink color with a sweet aftertaste, but colder, this would be another refreshing summertime drink.
Concord – love this grape! Cranberry color and so easy to drink. The flavors come out towards the back of my throat and tastes very similar to Fredonia.
Niagara – clear wine from one of the most popular grapes grown here in Ohio, it was not my favorite wine, but one that seems to be a common selection at most Ohio wineries.

These are just a few of the fabulous wines that are available at Georgetown Vineyards.

While enjoying the fabulous views and sipping my wine samples, I had the pleasure of meeting the resident cat, Miles. He’s a friendly little guy and if you give him attention he will be your friend for life. I am a cat lover, so he could have hung out with me all day.

In addition to wine tastings and a great selection of food options, Georgetown Vineyards schedules a wide range of activities for visitors throughout the week. Wednesdays are wine and paint nights with a local high school art teacher from Cambridge. Live entertainment draws a great crowd on Saturdays and a bonfire is lit as long as the weather cooperates.

There is nothing more entertaining and relaxing than the spectacular view from this cute winery on the hill. Looking down into the town of Cambridge, the location is nothing less than spectacular.

The total property covers fifty acres, with approximately four acres dedicated to the vineyards, which include Fredonia and Niagara grapes. These are perfect grapes for Ohio, hearty for acclimating to the winter months of the state.

The owner and winemaker of this fabulous winery is John Nicolozakes whose family originates from the Greek island of Crete. Growing up in the Greek tradition of pairing sumptuous food and delicious wines, he has become quite the expert at producing wines that mirror this Greek culture for which he is accustomed. He began developing his winemaking skills as a hobby out of his garage while working full time as a miner back in 1993. It wasn’t long after that he planted the first vines and opened up the winery for business in 1998. More vines were planted in 2013 to extend their vineyard an additional 140 x 30 feet wide.

Coming soon, Georgetown Vineyards will be selling craft beers under the label, Southside Brewing Company. This will be a great addition and will appeal to craft beer lovers to the winery as well! With the breathtaking view, exciting entertainment and a wide option of choices of food and drink, Georgetown Vineyards is positioned to continue its amazing success.

Are you already a fan of Georgetown Vineyards or have just recently visited? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Cheers!

What to See and What to Do:

Georgetown Vineyards
62920 Georgetown Road
Cambridge, Ohio 43725
Telephone: 740 435 3222

Hours: The winery is open from 11 AM to 8 PM on Monday – Thursday, 11 AM to 8:30 PM on Friday and Saturday. 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, Southside brewery, private events and scheduled events to include
Tips for Your Visit: During the nights when the winery provides entertainment, wine tastings are not available. As always, please drink responsibly.

There is an interstate sign off of I-70 and additional signage that will bring you to the winery. They are open year round and offer a variety of wines for tasting as well as brick-oven pizzas. There is a gift shop and of course, one of the most scenic views for an Ohio winery. Visit their website for more information about their wines, hours of operation and upcoming events or check them out on Facebook. Please note that the winery’s hours change from the winter to summer months.

Where to Stay:

Salt Fork Lodge and Conference Center
14755 Cadiz Road
Cambridge, OH 43725
Telephone: 740 439 2751

Salt Fork Lodge and Conference Center is one of Ohio’s State Park Lodges. This fabulous property offers a great selection of summer activities including pontoon rentals, hiking, fishing, archery, outdoor pool, beach, lounge, restaurant and more. The rustic accommodations of the lodge rooms were perfect for our extended weekend stay.

Where to Eat:

Georgetown Vineyards
62920 Georgetown Road
Cambridge, Ohio 43725
Telephone: 740 435 3222

Georgetown Vineyards offers a great selection of custom-made Wood-Fired Brick Oven Pizzas. I ordered the Margherita Pizza which was absolutely delicious with a perfect blend of tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese and basil, drizzled with olive oil.

Timber’s Restaurant at Salt Fork Lodge and Conference Center
14755 Cadiz Road
Cambridge, OH 43725
Telephone: 740 439 2751

During my first night’s stay, I had expected to order a full dinner, but after having left-over pizza from Georgetown Vineyard, I decided on an order of chicken wings with the tropical habanero sauce. The appetizer was the perfect size and I enjoyed the heat and sweet of the wing sauce.

The Forum
2205 Southgate Parkway
Cambridge, OH 43275
Telephone: 740 439 2777

Flaming cheese Saganaki is one of my favorite dishes and you can’t go wrong by ordering the Greek sampler. All foods are made from scratch and are absolutely delicious!

Books to Read:

The Mansfield Killings: A Novel Based on True Events by Scott Fields
Green Bay Tree by Louis Bromfield
The Haunted History of the Ohio State Reformatory by Sherri Blake

Photo Guide to Mansfield:

The Ohio State Reformatory’s Facade, Cell Blocks and scenes from the movie, Shawshank Redemption
The Iconic Carousel at Richland Carousel Park
Kingwood Hall, the peacocks and gardens at Kingwood Center Gardens
Malabar State Park’s home of Louis Bromfield, the farm animals on the property and Mt. Jeez
The beautiful view of Georgetown from Georgetown Vineyards