- November 1st: Trek through Ohio’s Conkle’s Hollow Rim Trail for gorgeous views
- November 2nd: Hike Southeast Ohio’s Conkle’s Hollow Gorge Trail
- November 3rd: Picture-perfect Cedar Falls is an amazing hiking location…check it out!
- November 4th: Brewfontaine in downtown Bellefontaine was voted #1 beer bar in Ohio
- November 5th: Use this Visitor’s Guide to explore Mount Adams in Cincinnati
- November 6th: Order a Detroit-style pizza from The Merchant House in Greenville
- November 7th: Sip some wine at Powell Village Craft Winery
- November 8th: Find Yourself Crossing Two States on Cincinnati’s Purple People Bridge
- November 9th: Watch how Dum-Dums are Made at the Spangler Candy Factory
- November 10th: Grab a cold beer at Mother Stewart’s in Springfield
- November 11th: Hike the Dyer’s Mill Trail at Battelle Darby Creek near Columbus
- November 12th: Enjoy a Home-Cooked Meal at Cecil and Lime in Springfield
- November 13th: Leisure Time Winery is the perfect way to enjoy Wine Wednesday
- November 14th: Choose from several amazing donuts at Stan the Donut Man
- November 15th: Happy Hour is best spent at Brandeberry Winery in Yellow Springs
- November 16th: Breakfast at Boyd and Wurthmann is a great way to start the day
- November 17th: Can’t resist Clifton Mill’s selection of desserts? Have two!
- November 18th: Listen for the train while sampling wine at Barrel Run Crossing Winery
- November 19th: Bring a cooler to stock up on snacks at Grandpa’s Cheese Barn
- November 20th: Explore Malabar State Park near Mansfield
- November 21st: Sample locally produced beers at Father John’s Brewery in Bryan
- November 22nd: Red Brick Tavern in Lafayette has served several US Presidents
- November 23rd: Create your own Wine Pairing at Sarah’s Vineyard
- November 24th: Dine at historic Kewpie Hamburgers in Lima
- November 25th: Arcanum’s A.R. Winery offers unique wines that are sure to please
- November 26th: Search out Eagles’ nests at Highbanks Metro Park
- November 27th: Historical John Rankin House was a safe haven for slaves on the Underground Railroad
- November 28th: Order wings and locally distilled brews at Deadlow Brewery
- November 29th: It’s a great day to hike Cantwell Cliffs in Hocking Hills State Park
- November 30th: Visit Ferrante Winery in Geneva that offers several local sweet wines
Tag Archives: Geneva
Hundley Cellars, A Cozy Winery in Ohio’s Grand River Valley
An adorable cottage sits in the midst of northeast Ohio’s wine country. With brown shingle siding, a stone fireplace, vaulted ceiling and hunter green roofing, it looks more like a hunting lodge than a Great River Valley winery . From the moment I arrived, I felt as though I was sitting in the midst of a best friend’s great room. The gorgeous light wood interior, accented with dark furniture was classic and extremely cozy.
I selected a table looking out towards the deck where it was still quite cold to be seated outside. I placed my order at the tasting bar for a flight of wines and a small plate from the simple snacks menu which included cheese, crackers and meat for an additional charge.
My wines arrived and shortly thereafter the Cheese Board which had some amazing samples of Cotswold (Gloucester with Chives, England) cheese, Red Dragon (with Whole Grain Mustard, Wales) cheese, Five Counties/Stripey Jack (England) Vintage Cheddar (Canada), pickles and artisan crackers. The meat selection was the perfect size that paired well with the wines I had selected.
Starting out with the Chardonnay, I noted the beautiful blonde color of the wine and simple body. Lightly oaked, this perfect buttery Chardonnay would pair quite nicely with a lovely Camembert. I knew that my sister will enjoy this wine over the holidays and added this to my list of wines I wanted to purchase.
The Estate Traminette was the color of sunshine and I could taste the minerals in this wine for certain. It was a perfect pairing with the crackers that were placed on my board as the third set from the left.
Interestingly, the Niagara had what appeared to be bubbles and I enjoyed this wine with the selection of meat. It was a semi-sweet wine that had a mild bite to its finish.
The Estate Seyval are grown on the property and are hand picked during harvest. With a color of light straw, this wine had a medium body and a short finish and I imagined it would be perfect with grilled salmon or a tuna steak.
The Late Harvest Vidal was another estate wine which had a hint of light green to its light yellow undertones. It had an intense honey taste with a strong apricot smell. The taste was fruity with a smooth texture and I knew this would pair well with my spicy Asian dishes.
The Merlot had a nice dryness and full body. A beautiful beet color, this purplish red wine was perfect with the meat and cheese and ended with a short tart finish.
My final sample was the Harvest Red. Solid red in color it had it had a very strong grape smell which reminded me of jam. A very sweet grape juice taste which I find to be typical of Ohio wines and always a delicious choice.
Hundley Cellars opened its doors in 2014 and offers an amazing selection of wines. Sitting on 35 acres in Ashtabula County, the property includes a beautiful outdoor deck to enjoy the pond and surrounding vineyards.
Have you had the opportunity to visit Hundley Cellars? I would love to hear about your visit and learn which wines you enjoyed most if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my visit to Hundley Cellars and wishing you many Happy Travels!
What to See and What to Do:
Hundley Cellars
6451 St. Route 307
Geneva, Ohio 44041
Telephone: 440 361 3088
- Hours: The winery is open from 12 PM to 7 PM on Wednesday and Thursday, 12 PM to 9 PM on Friday and Saturday and from 12 PM to 6 PM on Sunday. The winery is closed on Monday and Tuesday. 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, outdoor seating, wine, private 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 Lodge at Geneva on the Lake
4888 N. Broadway
Geneva on the Lake, Ohio 44041
Telephone: 866 806 8066
Where to Eat:
I recommend having snacks at Hundley Cellars because they are fabulous and unique! Here are a couple of suggestions close by if you would prefer a full menu option:
Chops Grille & Tap House
1752 State Route 534 South
Geneva, Ohio 44041
Telephone: 440 466 7427
Crosswinds Grille
5653 Lake Road East
Geneva, Ohio 44041
Telephone: 440 466 8668 x4
My favorite menu item is the charcuterie board. Crosswinds is known for its farm to table offerings where everything tastes so fresh.
Disclosure: Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.
Featured Ohio Winery: Ferrante Winery and Ristorante
A sweet, older couple in their 70s were enjoying a glass of wine while sitting at a high top in the tasting room. I had just ordered a few wine samples at Ferrante Winery and Ristorante and took a seat near their table so I could look out the window and feel the warmth of the sunlight beaming in. I was taken by surprise when the lady, wearing a classy blue and white suit, asked me if I was from out of town. She noticed that they had not seen me in here before and said that they could answer any questions I had about the wines because they were regulars. I smiled, thanked them for their hospitality and thought to myself, “I want to be her when I am her age.” I answered by telling them that indeed I was visiting for the weekend and had a couple of activities lined up for the next couple of days. Before I had finished my wine samples, Martha, Joe and I were sharing family pictures and had become best friends. Wine is guaranteed to bring people together.
Entering through the French doors at the stone entrance, I immediately noticed that the facility is quite large with plenty of outdoor space amidst endless rows of grapevines. The inside was absolutely gorgeous with a restaurant straight ahead or the tasting room and store to the left. Of course I was drawn to the store with its large selection of wine and beautiful flooring with multicolor slats. Close by was the wine bar, so after reviewing the wide selection of products, I placed my order for my wine tasting and caught up with the server, who was restocking the wine for the day.
Ferrante Winery provides a number of pre-set tasting menus, so I selected the Proprietor’s Selection Tray which included medium to sweet wines, “ a selection of Ohio’s unique & favorite wines.” Here is a list of my tasting notes related to this amazing wine selection.
- American Riesling win the Best Riesling at the Finger Lakes Wine Competition in New York
- Very clear, no legs and smelled fruity; I could taste apricot and peach and the wine had a perfect finish
- Finger Lakes Riesling which won 2 double gold awards in multiple competitions
- Very light wheat color; thicker consistency with a tart smell, tastes fruity with a slight mineral taste and a long finish
- Grand River Valley Vidal Blanc
- Similar in color to the American Riesling, this wine was very clear. It had the same consistency as the Finger Lakes Riesling with a crisp smell of apricot and apple; with a fuller taste it had a bold acidity; tasted very similar to an apple jolly rancher
- In 2017, this wine won Best in Show at the San Francisco Chronicle International Wine Competition
- Similar in color to the American Riesling, this wine was very clear. It had the same consistency as the Finger Lakes Riesling with a crisp smell of apricot and apple; with a fuller taste it had a bold acidity; tasted very similar to an apple jolly rancher
- Blanco – won the Gold in the OH wine competition
- Golden colored, thicker body and a great grapey smell, milder acidity; more fruity in taste (grape) with a short finish
- White Catawba – Gold OH Wine Competition
- Very light-bodied wine and very light yellow with a unique bouquet, not too fruity but with subtle grape taste
- Rosato – Best Blush in the OH Wine Competition
- Peachy pink in color, light body, subtle berry aroma, lingering acidity and short finish
- Jester’s Blush
- Beautiful peach color, lovely smell, sugary sweetness, taste the same over full palate, short finish
- Rosso
- Beautiful ruby red, grape juice with a kick; would taste amazing COLD!
- Pink Catawba – smells like cotton candy, medium body with a sweet finish
- Ice Wine – the Vidal Blanc is buttery and beautiful!
Founded in 1937 by Italian immigrants Nick and Anna Ferrante, the winery produced the Russo, Bianco, Concord and Niagara. Their son Peter moved the winery to its current location in 1979 and added the restaurant. Located in the Grand River Valley, some consider this area to be Ohio’s Mini Napa and I could not agree more. The vineyard offers an Italian inspired menu created by chef Nina Salerno. The gorgeous space is large enough for celebratory get-togethers or enjoy a glass of wine on the outdoors terrace while watching live weekend entertainment. The original farmhouse has been converted into their wine productio facility and is well-known for producing Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and their famous Grand River Valley Riesling.
For now, I will enjoy the wonderful company of Martha and Joe, learn more about their family and take note for any additional winery suggestions they may have for the area. Wine is such a beautiful way to bring people together and Ferrante Winery is one of the best Ohio wineries to enjoy a glass or two with new friends.
Have you had the opportunity to visit Ferrante Winery? Did you have lunch, dinner or enjoy a wine tasting? I would be happy to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my wine tasting at Ferrante Winery and wishing you many Happy Travels!
What to See and What to Do:
Ferrante Winery & Ristorante
5585 State Route 307
Harpersfield Township, OH
Telephone: 440 466 8466
Where to Stay:
The Lily Cottage
1164 Idlewood Drive
Geneva, OH 44041
Telephone: 440 853 9373
Where to Eat:
Check out Ferrante’s extensive menu! I thoroughly enjoyed the Gnocchi Brue made of “tender chunks of filet mignon simmered in our Merlot wine demi-glace with Portabello mushrooms and onions. Served on potato gnocchi and spiked with gorgonzola cheese!
What to Eat: The cuisine in northeast Ohio is very diverse with a wide variety of Old World cuisine. Here are a few recommendations:
- Assiette de Fromage (Cheese Plate) from L’Albratos for a wide ranges of cheese
- Barberton-style Fried Chicken, made from a Serbian recipe is an amazing dish from White House Chicken in nearby Barberton, Ohio
- Beef Cheek Pierogie’s from Michael Symon’s Lola
- Corned Beef Sandwiches from Slyman’s
- Polish Boy at Seti’s is a kielbasa topped with meat, coleslaw and ketchup.
- Pierogie’s from Sokolowski’s University Inn
- Veal Parmesan at Trattoria on the Hill in Cleveland’s Little Italy neighborhood
Old Firehouse Winery, Geneva On The Lake, Ohio
I could hear the beautiful, distinct sound of bagpipes through a large crowd of onlookers as I approached Old Firehouse Winery. I immediately took notice of the quaint little antique fire truck at the front of the building, half the size of the ones today, and entered the winery to sample a few of their wines. The sassy red barn had been converted into a firehouse before becoming a winery and restaurant twenty-five years later. “Old Betsy”, a 1926 Graham Brothers engine, represents the historical evolution of Old Firehouse Winery.
Standing in line with other patrons, I soon realized that the slushies were one of the winery’s best sellers. I was easily entertained by the television screen with interesting information about the winery and Old Firehouse wines.
I had watched the informative loop twice when I was next in line to be served. I decided to try the preset Sweet Wine Tasting Samples which included ten 1-ounce sized plastic cups for a cost of $8.99 plus tax.
The umbrella-covered table had a lakeside view where I could enjoy the beauty of Lake Erie. An Arts & Crafts Show had been set up in an open area where visitors browsed the booths and made a few purchases. During the summer, the fair takes place every Saturday from Memorial Day to Labor Day with hours from noon to 8.
Each Old Firehouse sample was numbered in the order of less sweet to the sweetest.
- The Firehouse White is made of Catawba grapes was a Gold Award Winner.
- The Firehouse Red is a semi-sweet wine, with a jammy taste and beautifully red in color.
- Made from the popular, local Niagara grape, my next sample was the Lighthouse Niagara wine.
- Lake Erie Riesling was surprisingly sweet compared to other Rieslings I have sampled in the past.
- Raspberry Reflections has a sunset hue, but with its aromatic raspberry scent, it was perfectly prepared with just a hint of raspberry flavor.
- Not quite sure what to expect with Spiced Apple, I was pleasantly surprised by its refreshing taste.
- Frosty Peach, a lovely summertime wine, was lightly flavored with a hint of peach.
- Grape Jamboree is typical of an Ohio sweet wine and is one of the winery’s best sellers. The Grape Jamboree is also an annual festival that takes place in Geneva during the month of September.
- Pink Catawba, with its deep cranberry color was the sweetest wine yet.
- My final sample was the Sweet Concord which tastes like grape juice that packs a punch. This was my favorite sample and I purchased a bottle to make some sangria on a hot summer afternoon.
The view from where I was sitting was absolutely gorgeous. Within a few feet from the seating area was an antique Ferris wheel at the edge of the lake. This stand-alone attraction is well known to the locals and was built in 1956. They call it the #5 Big Eli because it was fifth patent of George Ferris. Old Firehouse Winery has a port wine named after this colorful wheel and has a spectacular view from the top.
Strolling through the winery before leaving for the Lakehouse Inn and Winery, I could not pass up the opportunity to try the slushie and I quickly learned why they are one of Old Firehouse Winery’s best sellers.
Have you visited Geneva on the Lake and tried the wines at Old Firehouse Winery? I would love to hear about your fun experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for checking out my post about the Old Firehouse Winery and wishing you many Happy Travels!
What to See and What to Do:
Old Firehouse Winery
9425, 5499 Lake Road East
Geneva on the Lake, OH 44041
Telephone: 440 466 9300
Open seven days a week year around, the winery and restaurant provides daily entertainment during the summer months with extended hours over the weekend. For more information about the winery and their themed weekends which run from Memorial Day to Labor Day, check out their website.
Where to Stay:
Holiday Inn Express Ashtabula – Geneva
1831 Austinburg Road
Austinburg, OH 44010
Telephone: 440 275 2020
Where to Eat:
Biscotti’s Restaurant
186 Park Avenue
Conneaut, OH 44030
Telephone: 440 593 6766
Serving Italian cuisine, I ordered the Medallions Gorgonzola Alfredo to try their homemade Alfredo sauce, so rich and delicious.
Reflecting Back Over 2018 Travel and Blog Posts
What a great year for travel! From conquering France to exploring the Wild West of the United States, it was a wonderful year of exploring 2 continents and 5 countries. There were past memories of travels gone by as well as discovering amazing sites in my own back yard! Here are some of my favorite photos from this years’ travel blogs and the amazing journeys I experienced in 2018!
Asia
Philippines
Naomi’s Heart Mission in the Philippines: A Day of Travel
Flying Into Hong Kong Before Reaching the Philippines
Caribbean
The View of the Cruise Ship in Dominica
Puerto Rico
Walking Tour of San Juan: Part 1
The Raices Fountain in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
Walking Tour of San Juan: Part 2
The Cementerio de San Juan
Authentic Puerto Rican Costumes at Raices Restaurant
My First Mofongo Experience
Europe
Italy: Rome: St Peter’s Facade
St. Peter and the Keys
The Wealth of Monaco
Strolling the Port of Monaco
Spain: Barcelona and Its Architecture
La Sagrada Familia
Middle East
Israel
The Chapel of the Angels
Bethlehem: The Church of the Nativity
The Altar of the Nativity
The Topkapi Palace
United States
United States: California
The Joshua Tree
Beautiful La Jolla Cove, California
Seals at La Jolla Cove, California
Visiting the Rock at Morro Bay
The Coronado Hotel
United States: Georgia
Strolling Through Savannah
United States: Maine
Acadia, Whale Watching and Visiting the Doubling Point Lighthouse
Acadia National Park
Enjoying the Coast of Maine in Rockland
Kayaking Near Owl Head Lighthouse, Maine
United States: Massachusetts
Touring the House of the Seven Gables
United States: Michigan
Feeding a Baby Bear at Oswald’s Bear Farm
United States: Nevada
Slot Winners at Harrah’s
Welcome to Las Vegas!
United States: New York
The Gorgeous Falls on the US Side
United States: Ohio
The Patio in Winter
Cincinnati: Krohn Conservatory
Exploring Krohn Conservatory
Strolling through Inniswood Metro Park during Winter
Columbus: Zoo Lights
Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo
Ohio Festivals:
Making our own Banana Splits at the Banana Split Festival
Medieval Life at the Renaissance Festival
Exploring the Ohio Renaissance Festival
United States: Ohio Wineries
Entering Gervasi Vineyard in Canton, Ohio
Charcuterie Plate at Gervasi Vineyard
Moyer Vineyard Winery & Restaurant
United States: Rhode Island
A Furry Friend on Cliff Walk
United States: South Dakota
Visiting Mount Rushmore, South Dakota
United States: Wyoming
Beautiful Landscape from Cody, Wyoming
It is amazing how much ground one can cover in a year! This year will be another amazing travel year! Where did you go in 2018? Do you have any plans for this year? I would love to hear from you! Leave a message in the comments section! Happy Travels!
Disclosure: Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.
The Lakehouse Inn and Winery, Geneva On The Lake, Ohio
The bridal party was waiting for the ceremony to begin when I entered the Lakehouse Inn and Winery. The bride was having a private conversation with her father as her bridesmaids stood in line waiting to begin the wedding procession. The groom was standing at the end of the stone platform where attendees had taken their seats for the event. The gorgeous blue lake and small sandy beach provided the perfect backdrop for exchanging vows. The view was absolutely stunning and I had almost forgotten I was visiting a winery in Ohio.
I quietly ducked into the restaurant before the festivities began. The elegant tasting bar, with its large window, looked out onto Lake Erie. As I reviewed the wine menu, the bartender listed a number of wines that were no longer available, including Red Sky, the Scarti Di Cantina and the Cabernet.
I began my tasting with the Pinot Noir, one of my favorite varietals. I enjoyed the silky texture of this wine and could taste and smell a hint of berry.
The Vino Della Casa NV, translated as the “wine of the house” is a semi-dry, light-bodied, oaky wine with a very nice finish.
Their strawberry wine was a semi-dry and had undertones of strawberries in both its smell and taste.
Just Peachy tastes exactly as it sounds. I enjoyed the smell of this wine and the light orange color that looked like a freshly picked peach.
I decided to enjoy a glass of the Pinot Noir while looking out onto the lake and although I did not have a direct view of the wedding from where I was sitting, I could not help but feel as though I was imposing. Selfishly, I was hoping for the ceremony to end soon so that I could take the path down to the beach and relax in an Adirondack chair.
By the time I had finished my Pinot, the wedding ceremony was completed and I opted for a glass of Just Peachy that seemed more appropriate for the beach. There was a light breeze and just enough cloud coverage for a comfortable summer day. I was mesmerized by the view of the lake and found it difficult to believe I was in Ohio. Far from the Caribbean, I felt like I was on island time and swore to return at least one more time before the colder temperatures invaded this tropical paradise.
Have you visited Lakehouse Inn and Winery or one of the other Ohio wineries near Geneva? I would love to hear about your favorite wines and wineries if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reviewing my visit to Lakehouse Inn and Winery and wishing you many Happy Travels!
What to See and What to Do:
The Lakehouse Inn and Winery
5653 Lake Road, East
Geneva-on-the-Lake, OH 44041
Telephone: 440 466 8668
Where to Stay:
The Lakehouse Inn and Winery
5653 Lake Road, East
Geneva-on-the-Lake, OH 44041
Telephone: 440 466 8668
The Lakehouse Inn and Winery offers luxurious accommodations along Lake Erie. Their cottages are situated 100 yards from the water. All accommodations include breakfast at their restaurant, Crosswinds Grille.
Where to Eat:
Crosswinds Grille
5653 Lake Road, East
Geneva-on-the-Lake, OH 44041
Telephone: 440 466 8668
During the afternoon, we enjoyed a lovely winetasting within the restaurant and ordered the Charcuterie & Salumi Board (assorted house made cured meats, pickled vegetables, local cheeses and crostini) as well as the Baked Brie (Mayfield Road brie, puff pastry, seasonal jam, candied walnuts, toast points). We ordered a bottle of wine and headed out to the beach to relax on the Adirondack chairs for an afternoon of relaxation.
For dinner, we returned for the Caprese Salad and the Wood-Fired White Pizza (garlic, four cheese blend, red onion, red pepper and chicken).
What to Eat:
- Madsen Donuts
- Slovenian Hot Dogs at Eddie’s Grill
What to Read:
- Geneva on the Lake, A History of Ohio’s First Summer Resort, by Wendy Koile
- Geneva Lake by Carolyn Hope Smeltzer
Disclosure: Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.