Tag Archives: Ohio Wine Month

Ohio Wine Month! Visit these Fabulous Ohio Wineries!

Updated May 17, 2024

In preparation of Ohio Wine Month in June, I began researching Ohio wineries and made a list of those I planned to visit.   Here is a comprehensive list of all of the fabulous wineries in Ohio, according to Sip Magazine!  I have provided links to my blog post for the wineries I have had the wonderful opportunity to visit!  I will continue my quest to visit more wineries and hope that you will explore them for yourselves!

Appalachian Region

Canal Country Region

  • 3 Roses Wine Cellar
  • Al-Bi Winery – CLOSED
  • Barrel Run Crossing Winery & Vineyard 
  • Bent Ladder Cider and Wine
  • Blue Barn Winery & Vineyard
  • The Blue Bird Winery at The Little Forest Inn
  • Breitenbach Wine Cellar
  • Cana Valley Winery, LLC
  • Casella Winery
  • Cherry Road Winery, LLC
  • Country Porch Winery
  • Crafted Artisan Meadery
  • Creekside Cottage Winery
  • Das Weinhaus
  • Diletto Winery
  • Doughty Glen Winery
  • Dragonfly Winery
  • Feisty Brood Meadery
  • Filla Cellars
  • Gervasi Vineyard
  • Gillig Winery – post coming soon!
  • Grape & Granary 
  • Green Eagle Winery
  • GRZ Vineyards, LLC
  • Halliday’s Winery
  • Island Palm Winery, LLC – CLOSED
  • It’s Your Winery
  • JC Wine Cellars
  • LaPorte Winery
  • Lil Paws Winery, LLC
  • Lincoln Way Vineyards
  • Lost Trail Winery
  • L’uva Bella Winery
  • Maize Valley Winery – post coming soon!
  • Mastropietro Winery Inc. – post coming soon!
  • Michael Angelo’s Winery
  • McAlpine Meadery
  • Meniru Meadery – CLOSED
  • Myrddin Winery 
  • Nautl Vine Winery
  • The New Frontier Cider Co.
  • Newman Creek Cellars
  • Perennial Vineyards
  • Red Horse Winery, LLC
  • Salvage Winery
  • Sarah’s Vineyard Winery and Art Gallery
  • School House Winery
  • Silver Moon Winery
  • Silver Run Vineyard & Winery
  • Slutz & Slutz Winery
  • Sunny Slope General Store & Winery
  • Swiss Heritage Winery
  • Tipsy Farmer Winery
  • Troutman Vineyards
  • Twigg Winery
  • Ugly Bunny Winery
  • Viking Vineyards & Winery – CLOSED
  • The Vine n Hop Shop
  • The Vineyards at Pine Lake
  • Vino Fabbricanti, LTD – CLOSED
  • Vino Novello Winery
  • West Main Street Winery
  • Weymouth Winery
  • The Winery at Wolf Creek
  • Winetageous
  • YOLO Winery

Capital City Region

  • 1285 Winery – post coming soon!
  • Autumn Rush Vineyard
  • Bear Vine Winery – post coming soon!
  • Blend of Seven Winery
  • Bokes Creek Winery – post coming soon!
  • Brandeberry Winery
  • Brothers Drake Meadery
  • Buckeye Lake Winery 
  • Buckeye Winery 
  • Bunker’s Mill Winery
  • Camelot Cellars
  • Clearcreek Country Vineyard
  • Cote Winery
  • Cypress Hill Winery – post coming soon!
  • Dalton Union Winery – post coming soon!
  • Eldchrist Winery – post coming soon!
  • Fox Winery – New Winery!
  • Good Vibes Winery
  • Hafle Winery
  • Hidden Lakes Winery
  • Manchester Hill Winery
  • Otter Creek Winery – New Winery!
  • Plum Run Winery
  • The Powell Village Winery & Tasting Room
  • Quail Crossing Cellars
  • Ravenhurst Champagne Cellars
  • Rhetoric Brewing Company
  • Rockside Winery Vineyards
  • Sand Hollow Winery
  • Shamrock Vineyard
  • Signature Wines
  • Slate Run Vineyard
  • Smart 1 Winery
  • Soine Vineyards – post coming soon! 
  • St. Ives Winery – post coming soon!
  • Three Oaks Vineyard
  • The Vault Wine Bar 
  • Via Vecchia Winery – CLOSED
  • Wagon Wheel Wines – New Winery!
  • The Wine Maker’s Shop
  • The Winery at Otter Creek, LLC – CLOSED
  • Wyandotte Winery 

Lake Erie Shores & Island Region

  • Benfeld Wines
  • Brady Vineyard & Heron Creek Winery
  • Chateau Tabeau Winery
  • The Corks Winery – post coming soon!
  • Crooked Tree Vineyard
  • D&D Smith Winery, LLC
  • Firelands Winery
  • Flat Rock Mead and Winery – CLOSED
  • Gar-Nay’s Winery
  • Gillig Winery
  • Heineman Winery
  • Hermes Vineyards & Winery – CLOSED
  • Hillside Winery – CLOSED
  • Jilbert Winery
  • Johlin Century Winery – CLOSED
  • John Christ Winery
  • Jubilee Winery – CLOSED
  • J. W. Dover & Heartland Winery – CLOSED
  • Kelley’s Island Wine Co. – post coming soon!
  • Klingshirn Winery
  • Knotty Vines Farm and Winery
  • La Familia Winery
  • Leisure Time Winery 
  • Lumberyard Winery & Supply
  • Majestic Oak Winery
  • Matus Winery
  • Mulberry Creek Winery
  • Gideon Owen Winery, previously Mon Ami Winery 
  • North Coast Wine Club
  • Paper Moon Vineyards
  • Quarry Hill Winery & Orchard
  • Rocky Point Winery
  • Sandy Ridge
  • Ski Lodge Winery
  • Stoney Ridge Winery 
  • Sycamore Lake Wine Co.
  • Vermillion Valley Vineyards
  • Vineyard at Evergreen Farm, LLC
  • White Shutter Winery
  • The Wineree
  • Wishmaker House
  • Your Wine Cellar, Inc. – CLOSED
  • Wolfs Wine Club

Ohio River Valley Region

Vines & Wines Region

  • Auburn Twin Oaks Winery – CLOSED
  • Bari Beauty & Health
  • Benny Vino Urban Winery
  • Biscotti’s Family Winery – CLOSED
  • Blind Squirrel Winery
  • The Brew Mentor – CLOSED
  • Buccia Vineyard
  • Candlelight Winery
  • Cask 307
  • CLE Urban Winery
  • Country Porch Winery
  • Day Dream Winery
  • Debonne Vineyards – post coming soon!
  • Deer’s Leap Winery – post coming soon!
  • Emerine Estates Winery
  • Emeritas Winery
  • Farinacci Winery
  • Ferrante Winery & Ristorante 
  • Goddess Wine House
  • Grand River Cellars Winery & Restaurant
  • Grande Wine Cellars – CLOSED
  • Greene Eagle Winery
  • Harpersfield Vineyard – post coming soon!
  • Hartford Hill Winery – recently added!
  • Hundley Cellars 
  • Juliet Sky
  • Kelly’s Island Winery – post coming soon! 
  • Kosicek Vineyards – post coming soon!
  • The Lakehouse Inn Winery
  • Laleure Vineyards
  • Laurello Vineyards, LLC – post coming soon!
  • Laurentia Winery
  • Lina Wines, LLC
  • M Cellars – post coming soon!
  • Maple Ridge Vineyard
  • Markko Vineyard 
  • Old Firehouse Winery
  • Old Mill Winery – post coming soon!
  • Park Avenue Winery
  • Put in Bay Winery – post coming soon! 
  • Rosabella
  • Sharon James Cellars
  • Silver Creek Wine Cellar
  • South River Vineyard & Red Eagle Distillery – post coming soon!
  • Spirits in Willoughby
  • Stable Winery
  • Baci Winery, previously St. Joseph Vineyard 
  • Stonegait Winery
  • Susec Chalet and Winery
  • Tarsitano Winery & Vineyards – CLOSED
  • ThornCreek Winery
  • Urban Vintner
  • Virant Family Winery
  • The Winery at Spring Hill

Make sure you visit the winery’s website to confirm hours of operation, wine menus and a list events for each location as some of the information may change each season.

If you are unable to visit ALL of the Ohio wineries, consider attending one of the many Ohio Wine Festivals throughout the state:

Featured Ohio Winery: Wyandotte Winery

A small vineyard and a beautifully groomed entrance greeted me as I arrived at Wyandotte Winery. Established in 1977, Wyandotte stakes its claim as the first and oldest winery of Central Ohio.

Entering the front door, I was met by a pleasant server at the wine tasting bar.  As I reviewed the wine list and the small plate items, I placed my order for the Meat and Ohio Cheese plate as well as seven wine samples, which were $1 per pour.  For visitors who buy six bottles of wine, ten free samples are included, while a 10% discount is provided for the purchase of wine by the case.

  • Carmenere Malbec Blend: lovely combination, not as dry as a Malbec, Pinot Noir or Merlot but had a hint of tartness; beautiful deep red color described with aromas of smoke and vanilla, cherry highlights, and a mild black pepper finish. $14.99  per bottle
  • Vin De Cacao – semi sweet red wine infused with cocoa; delicious and great for an after dinner drink; soft thick texture with a hint of chocolate described as off dry. $13.99 per bottle
  • Apple Hill – using apples from an orchard in Mansfield, this wine was crisp with a nice apple taste which was not too overpowering and had a hint of spice.  $13.99 per bottle
  • Grandstand – an Ohio Catawba; sweet white, all about the grape. $13.99 per bottle
  • Sweet William – Sweet American Table Wine mad of Ohio Foch and Niagara, a red/white blend.  A local favorite, this wine is sweet and fruity.  $14.99 per bottle
  • Hope is100% pomegranates making it sweet and tart.  Proceeds from this wine benefit cancer and you can purchase it by the glass for $8 or $14.99 per bottle.
  • Vintage Harbor Reserve Port – luxuriously rich fortified dessert wine available by the glass for $8 or by the bottle for $29.99.

Ask about their Heirloom Chardonnay, the Ice House (Ice wine from Gewurtraminer), Glass House from Vidal Blanc, wine slushies and sangria pitchers.

I enjoyed learning about the history of Wyandotte Winery, first established as Jones Wyandotte Wine Cellar.  The home-style winery was designed and built by Floyd Jones, which included a cellar where the wine was produced, and on the first floor, the tasting room, gift shop and living quarters of Mr. Jones and his family.  Floyd offered a variety of grape-based wines, while creating specialized wines from rhubarb, beets and dandelions.

In less than 10 years, the Jones family turned the winery into a prosperous business and sold it to Bill and Jane Butler in 1985.  Bill successfully continued the wine-making tradition and won many awards for his wine and became well-known for his Raspberry Champagne.  Expanding its operations to include the William Graystone Winery and Restaurant, the Butlers opened a second location in German Village in 1990 hosting elegant dinners and special events.

By 2004, Wyandotte Wine Cellar was up for sale and today’s owners, Robin and Valerie Coolidge re-opened Wyandotte Winery in 2007.

From harvesting and bottling, to fermentation and aging, all stages of wine production are conducted onsite.

Harvesting the estate Marquette grapes as well as collaborating with other fruit and grape growers, Robin incorporates Ohio produce as much as possible in creating his wines.  Some of the best local varietals include the Niagara, Catawba and Concord grapes while Riesling, Gerwurztraminer and Pinot Noir also thrive in the Ohio climate.  French-American hybrids that survive well in the cold temperatures include Baco Noir, Chambourcin, Seyval Blanc and Traminette.

Check out Wyandotte Winery’s wine making operation by signing up for a free wine cellar tour on Saturdays.

Wyandotte Winery offers several events throughout the year which are not only educational, but fun.  Valerie Coolidge is the wine and food pairing expert at Wyandotte and teaches guests how to pair food with wine for a more enjoyable experience.  There is plenty of space to host an event, celebrate a birthday or enjoy a special occasion.  With Wednesday Happy Hour and Friday night music, guests should check Wyandotte Winery’s website for fun events year around.

Valerie is also the genius behind the “Famous Wyandotte Wine Cakes” which are prepared with both wine in the batter as well as in the glaze.  The wine cakes are available both at the winery or by ordering them online.  Samples are available upon request at the winery.

Relax in the outdoor space at Wyandotte Winery and you may find yourself in the hammock.  Buy a bottle or enjoy a glass for $6 (a glass of Port for $8). Wine slushies in cherry, berry or kiwi as well as Sangria are also on the menu.  From the words of winemaker, Robin Coolidge, “Drink what you like!”

Have you had the opportunity to visit Wyandotte Winery  to sample some of their amazing 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 fabulous time at Wyandotte Winery and wishing you many Happy Travels!  Cheers!

What to See and What to Do: 

Wyandotte Winery
4640 Wyandotte Drive
Columbus, OH  43230
Telephone:  614 476 3624; 877 906 7464

Hours of Operation:
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and Saturday from 1 – 7; Friday from 1 – 9

Wyandotte Winery also owns Rockside Winery in Lancaster under the management of their son Ryan, opened in November of 2014.

Where to Stay:

Hilton Columbus at Easton
3900 Chagrin Drive
Columbus, OH  43219
Telephone:  614 414 5000

Where to Eat:

Cap City Fine Diner and Bistro
1301 Stoneridge Drive
Gahanna, OH  43230
Telephone:  614 478 9999

I was in the mood for real diner food, so I ordered the Warm Pretzel with (beer) Cheese to start and the Diner Meatloaf Sandwich as my entree.

Here are more of my favorite Columbus Classics:

  • Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream:  Known for her unique flavor combinations, Jeni Britton Bauer has made ice cream famous in C-Bus!
  • North Market:  A one-stop shop for universal cuisine, Columbus’ North Market is worth a stop in the Short North District of the city.
  • The Thurman Cafe:  The Thurmanator is the burger of all burgers at this longtime local cafe in German Village.  There may be a wait all burgers are made to order.
  • Schmidt’s Sausage Haus and Restaurant:  While the sausage at Schmidt’s is the official food of Columbus, it’s the amazing Cream Puffs that have the locals lining up at the door.

What to Read: 

  • Columbus: The Story of a City, by Ed Lentz
  • Columbus, Ohio: A Photographic Portrait, by Randall L Schieber and Robin Smith
  • Ohio in Photographs: A Portrait of the Buckeye State, by Ian Adams
  • Secret Columbus, by Anietra Hamper

Photo Guide for Columbus: 

  • Coffman Park: small ponds, bridges, white barn, pavilion, landscaping, public art
  • Columbus Museum of Art:  the grounds, inside artwork and special exhibits
  • Everal Barn and Homestead:  landscaping, white barn, beautiful lake
  • Frank Fetch Park:  gardens, brick paths, beautiful trees and landscaping
  • Franklin Park Conservatory:  beautiful gardens, artwork, flowers and special exhibits
  • Gantz Park:  barn, beautiful trees,
  • German Village:  brick streets, landscaping, parks, charming architecture, Old World charm, historical buildings
  • Grove City:  brick roads, small town, shopping area
  • Hayden Falls:  wooden walking path, waterfall
  • Historical Village of Hilliard:  a small village to include a schoolhouse, train car, chapel, log cabin, covered bridge, gazebo and granary
  • Homestead Park in Hilliard: walking path, covered bridge, barns, trains, tractor, pond and pet park
  • Inniswood Metro Gardens:  gardens, lily pond, herb garden, play area for children, secret garden
  • Ohio State House: rotunda and landscaping (photo permit required)
  • Ohio State University:  campus, landscaping, Mirror Lake, Ohio Stadium (you can pay a small fee to take photos inside)
  • Park of Roses in Clintonville:  various types of rose gardens
  • Riverfront Park:  city view, Scioto River, landscapes, fountains, walking paths
  • Schiller Park:  gardens, walking paths, stone columns, wooden bridge, small lake
  • Scioto Mile:  city views, Scioto River, landscapes, fountains, walking paths
  • Scioto Park in Dublin:  statue of Chief Leatherlips, river views, landscaping, and paths
  • Short North:  restaurants, italian village, shops, city views, murals
  • Topiary Park:  depiction of George Seurat’s 1884 painting, landscape, fountains, small pond, gazebo

Voted Best in Ohio! The Winery at Versailles

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Surrounded by cornfields in all directions, a white modest barn houses one of the largest producers of wine in the state of Ohio, The Winery at Versailles, the home of Rodeo Red.

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Stepping inside the winery, the gorgeous, Italian farm setting is accented with oak barrels and high ceilings.  The tasting room is beautifully laid out with bottles of wine and accessories displayed along the perimeter.  The open-style, tasting room has exposed beams, rustic posts and several round tables covered in black table cloths.

With a history connected to Annie Oakley, this winery has over twenty-five wines available for tasting.

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A young attendant provided me with a tasting menu and explained that their tastings are five one ounce samples or two ounces which also included a complimentary wine glass.  The wide range of wines made my decision difficult, but I decided on a diverse selection of red and white, both dry and sweet.

I submitted my list which included the Merlot, the Darke Red, Peach Mist, Rodeo Red and the Schwaartzbeeran.  Within a few moments my plastic tray arrived with the wines arranged from dry to sweet, starting with the Merlot.

Deep red and rich in color, this wine had a very robust body with a hint of oak.  I imagined it would be spectacular with a juicy steak or roast.  The cost of this wine is $15.99 per bottle.

Darke Red, named after the county from where it was produced, is a chilled red wine and I find it exceptionally refreshing.  It is a semi-dry wine and is a “blend of Chambourcin, Chancellor and Foch (grapes) to create a rich, fruity and hearty bramble-berry and textured oak flavor”.  The cost of this wine goes for $9.99 per bottle.

The Peach Mist was one of my favorite surprises on the wine list.  It was tart, but had an elegant taste, similar to a sweet tart or a Smarties candy.  “Well ripened juicy peaches give this sparkling wine a sweet yet soft and refreshing finish.  Perfect when chilled ice cold on a hot summer day!  Makes a fantastic peach Mimosa!”  $13.50

Rodeo Red:   This is an “all-time best seller here at the winery. Made from a blend of Concord and Niagara, this is the ultimate party wine.  One of our “Celebration of Country Life” series.”  Personally, all I can taste is fabulous grape juice.

Schwartzbeeren is one of The Winery of Versailles’ dessert wines and after having read the description, I had to try it.   “What can you say about a wine that tastes like blackberry pie in a glass? Made from 100% blackberries, this dessert wine can be warmed, poured over ice cream, or served just as a dessert itself.” IMG_9214

Nothing makes me happier than learning that a business gives back to its community.  I noticed in the list of wines, there are specific selections where proceeds are given to support some of the local charities.  The new Freedom wine is “a sweet white late harvest Riesling blend with notes of tropical fruit and a rich honey finish”.  This wine was named in honor of those men and women who have dedicated their lives and service to our country.  A $2 donation will be set aside for each sale of Freedom and donated to an incredible organization, Honor Flight – Dayton.  This non-profit group is dedicated to helping WWII, Korean and Vietnam war veterans and terminally ill veterans visit their national monuments in Washington DC.

A donation of $2 per bottle of Hope Whispers, a Riesling style wine with a soft pink hue, will be donated to Wayne Health Care Cancer Center in Greenville in support for breast cancer. This bottle sells for $14.99.

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I was elated when I learned that Carlena Sneed, events coordinator for The Winery at Versailles, had a few moments to chat about the winery.  She is a cheerful, enthusiastic young lady with a personality that lights up the room.  She provided me with a brief overview of the winery’s operations, the events that they host and how much she loves working for Mike and Carol Williams, the owners.

Not familiar with the wine season, I wanted to know when Ohio grapes are harvested.  I learned that the vineyards are at their peak in August or September and then shortly thereafter they are ready for reaping.   Since most of the grapes for their wines are grown here, they can produce about 100,000 bottles in the course of one year.  They also supply bulk juice for close to 70 wineries in the United States. Carlena mentioned that they grow the Steuben grapes that taste just like cotton candy off of the vine.

The winery hosts several events over the year.  In the spring the winery sponsors an Adult Easter Egg Hunt, where there is music, wine, random prizes and items for auction.   During the fall season, there is the annual Sips and Sounds event, full of wine and music.  Each weekend during the summer, the Winery at Versailles holds their Thrill to Grill restaurant style meal which includes a selection of one of five meats for grilling, potatoes, vegetables and a dessert for $60 per couple.  This also includes a bottle of one of the winery’s many delicious wines.

There is so much to love about the Winery at Versailles, and besides the wine, I admire the owners, Mike and Carol Williams for their strong sense of family.  After their daughter moved to Ohio, the Williams’ moved from Wilcox, Pennsylvania to be closer to her and their grandchildren.  They were excited to open another successful winery which brought them to their current location in Versailles, a property once owned by the aunt of Annie Oakley.

The names of some of the wines are drawn upon a horse theme or are named after one of their children or grandchildren.  I was drawn to the Lucia wine, named after their granddaughter, bottled in an elegantly twisted glass container.  The cute pink label is bejeweled and is perfectly designed to represent breast cancer survivors.

It is no surprise that The Winery at Versailles was voted as one of Ohio’s Best in 2016. Their wines are fabulous, the location is beautiful and the staff are outstanding.  And if having one winery was not enough, Mike and Carol will be keeping busy this summer as they open The Winery at Hunter’s Valley, their newest location in Liverpool, Pennsylvania.  Although the winery itself is smaller, it sits on 120 acres of vineyards along the Sesquahanah River.  A four and a half hour drive from Pittsburgh, the property provides million dollar views of the river, nestled in the Appalachian Mountains.   As the Williams family continue to put their faith in God above all else, treat their employees like one of their own and generously give back to their community, it certainly has proven to bring them success.

If you have had the opportunity to visit The Winery of Versailles, I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below!  Many Thanks and Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

The Winery at Versailles
6572 OH State Route 47
Versailles, Ohio  45380
Telephone:  937 526 3232

  • Hours: The winery is open from 10 AM to 6 PM on Monday through Wednesday and from 10 AM to 8 PM on Thursday and from 10 AM to 9 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, private events and scheduled events
  • Tips for Your Visit:  During the nights when the winery provides entertainment, wine tastings may not be available.  As always, please drink responsibly.

Where to Stay:

The Inn at Versailles
21 West Main Street
Versailles, OH  45380
Telephone:  937 526 3020

Where to Eat:

Michael Anthony’s at The Inn at Versailles
21 West Main Street
Versailles, OH  45380
Telephone:  937 526 3020

I have visited Michael Anthony’s several times and cannot bear to order anything else but the Fettuccine Della Casa, the house pasta cooked with crispy bacon, peas, Parmesan cheese and cream. The portion size is extremely generous and I have been known to eat the whole dish in one seating or save it for a couple more days for leftovers.

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

Yellow Butterfly Winery in Newcomerstown, Ohio

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Sipping on a glass of Country Rose, I enjoyed the gorgeous rural landscape in the eastern region of Ohio, home to the Three Rivers Wine Trail.  Painted bright yellow, Yellow Butterfly Winery stands out among the rolling hills of farmland, offering spectacular views of its vines from their two-story deck.

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Making its home in a 100 year old restored farmhouse in Newcomerstown, this fabulous winery is easy to find.  The beautiful rustic interior provides plenty of space for visitors to enjoy their wines.  The tasting bar is also located inside and I was prepared to sample a wide range of fruit wines as well as the traditional wines that I have come to love in Ohio.

The winery offers three wine samples for a dollar, and since there are so many interesting combinations, I selected a total of nine.

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The first wine on my tasting sheet is the Passionate Peach. The beautiful pale yellow color of this wine reminds me of straw, but smells like I am surrounded by a peach orchard.  It is crisp with a bit of thickness which reminds me of a dessert wine.

Strawberry Fields is a lightly colored fruit wine made of strawberries and apples.  There is a hint of strawberry in the smell and it has a light, fruity taste with a little stronger alcohol taste towards the back of my tongue.  This is a very refreshing wine, and I purchased a bottle to enjoy on a hot summer day.

While I am trying my second sample, Lisa, the head wine steward brings me a small taste of Cranrazzmatazz.  It is one of their newest wines and has been a huge success for the winery.   It has a deliciously unique fruity smell and tastes amazing. Made from a combination of cranberry, raspberry and apple, this is a very sweet wine with a smooth texture.

Wistful Watermelon is made from watermelon and apples.  I liken it to the watermelon-flavored Jolly Rancher with a tartness towards the back of my tongue.

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Sweet Meadows is lighter in color than the previous wines I had tasted and is made from a combination of both the Concord and Niagara grape.

Sweet Red is the perfect Concord grape wine which is popular among Ohio wine drinkers.

Country Rose is my favorite out of all of the wines and is perfect for any occasion.  I love the smell, the taste and the color of this wine and bought a bottle to enjoy later at home.

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I thought I would go out of my comfort zone and order a semi dry so I added the Ohio Vidal Blanc to my wine tasting.  Despite my usual preferences, I like this wine.   Put it on ice and this would be another great wine for the summer season.

My final selection is the Golden Apricot.  It has a great texture and consistency with a mild apricot flavor.

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At the Yellow Butterfly Winery, the winemaking process takes place on the property from start to finish.  Michael wasn’t shy about crediting the late Leland Weiss of Rainbow Hills Winery for helping him when he started out.  Each winery advertises for each other close to their properties, which goes to show the camaraderie in the Ohio wine business.  It makes me proud to be a part of it.

Michael enjoys having his guests get involved in the naming of his new wines.  When he releases a wine he offers tastings at a discounted rate.  But I’ll have to wait until next year.

I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation with Michael and admire his passion for converting skeptics into wine lovers.  “It’s all about drinking the wines that you like, any way you like to drink them,” says Michael. I ordered a bottle of Country Rose and decided to check out the view which is more than stunning.  I enjoyed the music, listening to the live entertainment and wanted to take in the moment.  It was a perfect afternoon to enjoy some delicious wine.

Have you visited Yellow Butterfly Winery?  I would love to hear about your experience or let me know your favorite wine from this amazing winery by leaving a message in the comments section below!  Cheers!

Many thanks to Michael White and everyone at Yellow Butterfly Winery for their generosity and hospitality.

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

What to See and What to Do: 

Yellow Butterfly Winery
11661 Blue Ridge Road
Newcomerstown, Ohio  43832
Telephone: 740 492 1216

  • Hours: The winery is open the months of February to December, Tuesday through Saturday from 11:30 AM to 6 PM and later on the weekends.  The winery is closed on Sunday and Monday.  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:  Please note that the wine tastings are only provided during certain hours and are subject to change.  As always, please drink responsibly.

Those that were on the tour were provided with a country BBQ Rib/Chicken or Steak Dinner with two sides, the winery’s famous wine cake and a wine tasting!  this offering is also available to those visitors who reserve in advance on Saturdays for a cost of only $25.  Dinner reservations must be made by Thursday by calling 740 492 1216.  Live entertainment is also available during the summer months, so check out their website for a list of events.

Where to Stay:

Hampton Inn
200 Morris Crossing Avenue
Newcomerstown, OH  43832
Telephone:  740 498 9800

Where to Eat:

Railroad Restaurant & Saloon
509 Main Street
Coshocton, OH  43812
Telephone: 740 575 4151

It was a day to try some fried food and I could not pass up the opportunity to try the deep fried pickles because I prefer the chips over the spears.   The spicy cajun dipping sauce was the perfect condiment.  I also ordered the lobster bisque which was creamy, delicious and full of lobster meat.

What to Read: 

  • Restored Ohio: History Brought Back to Life, by Glenn Morris
  • Lost Circuses of Ohio, by Conrade C. Hinds
  • A Taste of the Hocking Hills by Matt Rapposelli
  • Asylum on the Hill, by Katherine Ziff

Photo Guide for Southeast Ohio: 

  • Hocking Hills State Park, Athens, Ohio
  • The Wilds Safari Park, Cumberland, Ohio

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Naughty Wines at Knotty Vines Winery

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Several groups of ladies sat around a table enjoying a few bottles of wine as I entered the Knotty Vines Winery in Wauseon, Ohio.  Clearly, “The best wines are the ones we drink with friends.”

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It was my first visit to Knotty Vines and I was pleasantly greeted by Layla, who patiently waited for me to place my order.  I enjoyed reading the menu with its detailed stats on each of their wines from the price per wine and residual sugar (RS) levels.  Knotty Vines offers the opportunity to sample five wines for the cost of three dollars and I could not wait to get started.

My first selection was the Knotty White which is a sweet and fruity  white wine made from their “signature sweet Cayuga grapes.”

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My next wine selection just happened to be the winery’s best seller, the Knaughty Blush.  I enjoyed the “signature sweet pink Catawba, sweet yet delicate, Ohio’s Lake Erie Claim to Fame variety!”  I understood why this was a winery favorite with its sugary sass and intoxicating watermelon color…not to mention the label is too darn cute.

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Knotty Red is another irresistible blend produced by the winery.  Listed as one of its newest wines, this grape jelly flavored sweet wine is their “signature sweet concord & deChaunac blend, with a distinct aroma of Grandma’s jelly”.

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As Layla poured the Knotty Blue wine, I noticed the blue hue and distinct aroma of blueberries.  While this is a grape and blueberry blend, there is no doubt that I could taste the tartness of the berry on the finish. This is also a New Release from Knotty Vines Winery and I thoroughly enjoyed the perfect balance of the blend.  The winery describes it as “signature sweet blueberry with a kick of tart”.

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The Peachy Keen, which is a peach dessert wine, is my final sample. It has a golden hue that sparkles like a million dollars.  Layla mentions that some claim to taste cinnamon, but for some reason, all I was picking up was peach. It is described as a “peach dessert wine that finishes with apricot undertones, perfect to sip and savor”.

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During my tasting I had the wonderful pleasure of meeting Julie Nofziger, who owns the winery with her husband, Steve.   She is extremely kind and with a modest pride, told me about the success of their winery.  “This is our second career”, she stated, “prior to opening the winery, I was a teacher.” Knotty Vines Winery is in its fourth year and has grown exponentially since opening.  They have already accomplished their five year goals in two and a half years and will continue with their expansion to include additional fruit wines in the near future.

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The grapes that are harvested to create the wines for the winery were planted in 2008.  The winery sits in the heart of the crop, surrounded by endless vines, providing a scenic view.  It will be exciting to see the beauty of the vineyards at the height of their harvest, which takes place in late August and early September.  Future plans to plant a few hundred additional vines will bring the winery up to capacity, which means more delicious wines.

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By 5 o’clock in the afternoon, Knotty Vines Winery was a busy place.  I love that there are so many regulars who make this their afternoon stop after a long day of work.   I learned that the wine slushes, a fruit flavored mix which can be added to wine and frozen, are a great hit.  In addition to selling their wines, the winery also serves a variety of snack plates and a wonderful selection of wine-related merchandise.

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Knotty Vines Winery hosts a number of events and weekend nights of entertainment.  This year, they participated in the Defiance Home Show where they took place in a “tasting garden”, providing attendees an opportunity to sample their delicious wines.  In June, they bring in food trucks as a way of showing their customer appreciation and also host their “.5k wine crawl” where patrons are awarded with wine and food pairing stations strategically placed to complete half of a 5k distance.   This year, the event takes place on June 11th for a cost of $45 per person.
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I completed my wine tasting and decided to enjoy the ambiance of the winery with one more glass before heading home.  I had a difficult time making my decision among the 12 wines on the menu, but I decided that I would order the Naughty Blush and took a table in the newly expanded seating area at the winery.  I had a beautiful view of the vineyards from the window and mapped out the route I would be taking towards my way back home.  It was such a relaxing end to a wonderfully busy day and I see why it draws its happy hour crowd.

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

Have you had the opportunity to visit Knotty Vines Winery?  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:

Knotty Vines Winery
2920 CR 19
Wauseon, OH  43567
Telephone:  419 446 WINE (9463)

The winery is open all year around with changing hours to accommodate the winter and summer seasons.  For more information about the winery, the wines and to confirm the hours of operation, visit their website.

Where to Stay:

Holiday Inn Express & Suites
8135 OH-108
Wauseon, OH  43567
Telephone:  419 335 1177

Where to Eat:

Sullivan’s Restaurant
141 North Fulton Street
Wauseon, OH 43567
Telephone;  419 335 0790

I was looking for a nice cold beer and a simple dinner when I found Sullivan’s Restaurant in Wauseon, OH.  To be honest, I was pleasantly surprised by the extensive menu selections.  I decided on the Kettle Chip Crusted Walleye, since this is a popular fish found near Lake Erie.  The portion sizes are enough for at least two meals and the service was spectacular.

What to Read:

  • The Great Black Swamp:  Historical Tales of 19th Century Northwest Ohio, by Jim Mollenkopf
  • The Great Black Swamp III, by Jim Mollenkopf
  • The Firebugs of Northwest Ohio, by M. A. Mimi Malcolm
  • Railroad Depots of Northwest Ohio
  • Glass in Northwest Ohio, by Quentin R. Skrabac

Award Winning Wines at Henke Winery and Restaurant, Cincinnati

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Spending the day in downtown Cincinnati, I made a quick visit to my old neighborhood on the west side of the city.   Entering Henke Winery and Restaurant, I was surrounded by several wine awards as well as the yummy smell of garlic coming from the kitchen.  Sounds of Paul Simon were streaming over the intercom, I could not wait to start my wine tasting and fill up on some amazing pasta.

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Escorted into the tasting room, I could not help but notice the beautiful bay window with an urban view of the historic Cincinnati neighborhood town of Westwood.   The room was bright, cheery and I found a small table by the bar.   While waiting for a few moments, I took the liberty to explore the various wine displays and familiarize myself with the wines I would be sampling.

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Established in 1996, owner and vintner Joe Henke has a well-founded approach to his winery and restaurant.  With his focus on passion, quality and pride, it is no surprise that awards adorn the walls of the rooms, providing recognition for a large number of his wine blends, using a wide variety of grape varietals.  Joe began making wine as a hobby and for nearly 25 years, he has turned his passion into a living.  Ohio now boasts over 300 wineries, yet when Joe first started there were a total of 36.

I am excited to be working with Clay, one of the sommeliers at Henke, to assist me with my wine tasting.  I am offered seven wines for a nominal cost of ten dollars, which includes the beautifully etched glass as a souvenir.

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The Chardonnay is made from grapes grown in the Appalachian region, aged six months in American Oak barrels with a hint of apple, pear, butter and lemon flavors.  The color of the wine is a very light lemon shade, served warm, which I rather enjoyed.  I could taste the buttery flavors and agreed that there was a low acidity, which gave the wine a very smooth texture.  This wine is sold for $6.25 per glass or $14 per bottle to take home.

Bottled in a beautiful blue container, the Vidal Blanc is a white wine made from grapes in the Ohio Valley. Stored in stainless steel containers, this is a sweeter wine with flavors of apple, grapefruit and pineapple.  The taste of pineapple is stronger than the other fruits and the acidity of the wine can be tasted at the back of my tongue.  It was served chilled and I found it to be quite refreshing.  This wine can be purchased for $5.50 per glass.

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Winning the Gold Award this year, the Cellar Blush is Henke Winery and Restaurant’s best seller.  I love the beautiful peach hue to the wine and the smell is heavenly. Served chilled, it is a sweeter wine with flavors of kiwi, apricot, bubble gum, strawberry with an apple finish, which is what I adore about this wine.  This is a rosé, sweet blush wine that sells for $11 per bottle and $5.50 per glass.

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The Cabernet Franc has a perfect blend of flavors that include vanilla, blackberry and black cherry resulting in a full body taste.  Spending 12 months in new neutral oak barrels, this wine is perfect with steak.  The alcohol content of this wine is 15.5% and I can taste the blackberry on the top of my tongue.  It is a drier red and as I continue my tasting, there is a wonderful tang of cherry that lingers as well.  This wine has won several awards over the last few years both in Indianapolis and Ohio.

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Red Zinfandel is one of my favorite wines, so I was looking forward to trying the CinZin.  Henke Winery has been making this fabulous wince since the early 2000s and they have definitely perfected it.  With flavors of raspberry, prune, raisin and blackberry jam, this amazing combination gives the wine a fruity taste with a spice that hits you at the back of the tongue.

Sadly, I am nearing the end of my wine tasting as I eagerly await the Cabernet Sauvignon.  Clay mentions that this wine is similar to the Cabernet Franc in regards to the processing, but only 15.2% alcohol content and no residual sugars.

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A glass of Merlot was one my early red wines of choice and this was my next selection.  Made from Amador grapes grown in California, this wine exhibits flavors of nutmeg, vanilla, cherry and strawberry.  It also has a nutty flavor with a hint of raisin.   This wine is divine and rates high above most of the Merlots I have ever tasted.

Throughout this wine tasting, I have enjoyed savoring every drop of wine in my glass and I am down to my last sample, the Vendange a Trois.  This wine is a 10% blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, while the remaining 80% is Merlot.  With aromas of black cherry and violets, this is a softer wine with an alcohol content of only 13.7%.

There are so many reasons to like Henke Winery, not to mention the fifteen amazing wines they produce.  The wine tasting experience is formal and carried out with such precision.  I enjoyed the professional manner in which Clay provided me with such in depth information about each wine and gave me plenty of time to enjoy each sample.

I had the wonderful opportunity of meeting Joe Henke, the owner, who has been producing award-winning wines for over twenty years.  Prior to opening the winery and restaurant, Joe worked at Mallinkrodt Tool Company, but I could see that he was in his element, greeting customers, visiting tables and noticing how happy he was to talk about his wines.  His passion for winemaking extends to ensuring that each patron has a fabulous winetasting experience.

I was fascinated to learn that each year, Henke Winery hosts a cork contest called “The Window Garden”.  On display are various objects of artistry that have been created out of corks and some of them are unbelievably outstanding.

I recommend visit Henke Winery and Restaurant for a fabulous winetasting experience and delectable meal. I absolutely enjoyed my visit and was happy to learn that their products can also be found at Cincinnati’s Jungle Jim’s International Market in Fairfield.  Henke Winery exceeded my expectations and I look forward to visiting here again soon.

Have you visited Henke Winery and want to share your experience?  I would love to hear which wines rank high on your list, so leave a message in the comments section below!  Cheers!

What to See and What to Do:

Henke Winery and Restaurant
3077 Harrison Avenue
Cincinnati, OH  45211
Telephone: 513 662 9463

Visit their website for additional information about their wines, weekend entertainment and future special events.

Where to Stay:

Holiday Inn Express West
5505 Rybolt Road
Cincinnati, OH  45248
Telephone:  513 574 6000

Where to Eat: 

Henke Winery and Restaurant
3077 Harrison Avenue
Cincinnati, OH  45211
Telephone: 513 662 9463

For a starter, I selected the Awesome Pan Seared Cheese and ordered the  Center Cut Yellowfin Tuna as my entree.  Henke makes their own Ricotta Tortellini which is exceptional!

More of My Favorite Places to Eat: 

  • Skyline Chili:  My go-to meal at Skyline is the 4-way chili with onion served with oyster crackers and hot sauce.  I always pick up two York peppermint patties after cashing out.  Cincinnati chili is a beef based sauce served over spaghetti noodles and cheese.  Additional toppings include onions and beans.
  • LaRosa’s Pizza:  A local chain pizzeria, this Sicilian style pie is made with a sweet crust and sauce.  My favorite menu item is the Caprese pesto Flatbread Pizza.
  • Graeter’s Ice Cream:  It’s the French Pot process that makes Graeter’s Ice Cream so decadent and rich.  Towards the end of the process, they pour chocolate into the mix creating large chunks of yummy goodness.
  • Montgomery Inn BBQ:  Visiting the original Montgomery Inn BBQ at the boathouse is a culinary and scenic experience.  Their ribs are served with a sweet and tangy sauce that has since made them the “Ribs King” and a favorite among locals.  Load up on their amazing BBQ flavored Saratoga chips,
  • Glier’s Goetta:  While it looks like a slab of corn beef hash, this breakfast staple is made of sausage and oats, cooked until crispy.  Most breakfast restaurants carry it as a side, especially the local cafes and diners.
  • BonBonerie:  One of the most decadent pastry shops in Cincinnati, their rich confections are absolutely amazing.

Where to Drink:

Moerlein Lager House
115 Joe Nuxhall Way
Cincinnati, OH  45202
Telephone:  513 421 2337

Books to Read: 

  • Eligible:  A Modern Retelling of Pride & Prejudice, by Curtis Sittenfeld
  • Running, by J.T. Cooper
  • Dead Witch Walking, by Kim Harrison
  • Beloved, by Toni Morrison
  • Double Dutch, by Sharon M. Draper
  • Romiette and Julio, by Sharon M. Draper

Photo Guide for Cincinnati (as provided by Chris Thompson on FourSquare):

  • The John A Roebling Suspension Bridge
    • Pick a spot near the Covington pier and shoot north toward the Cincinnati skyline.  Shoot at sunset and underexpose by a few stops to get the lights just right.
    • The new lights on the bridge create excellent stars when you photograph them using a narrow aperture (~f/16 and above) on your camera. That means you’ll need a longer exposure (and thus a tripod).
  • General James Taylor Park
    • Shoot from the top of the flag pole mound to get more building reflections in your shot. Shoot at sunset or sunrise for great lighting.
  • Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal
    • Arrive first thing in the morning when the sun is coming up
  • The Fountain at Fountain Square
    • For great photos of the fountain: set your camera on a tripod and use a long exposure (2-5 seconds) to capture the running water. Get Carew or the colored lights above Rock Bottom in the background.
  • Fountain Square (look for reflections in puddles)
  • Celestial Restaurant in Mount Adams – The restaurant is now closed, but you may still be able to use the parking lot.
  • Carew Tower Observation Deck
    • Provides some neat photos of the highways snaking around the city. Set your camera on a tripod and use a long exposure to get moving car trails. It’s only open at sunset a few days each year.
  • Engine Company 46, 2733 Erie Avenue (at Michigan), Cincinnati
    • One of the most beautiful historic firehouses in all of Cincinnati. The firefighters here are used to having their photo taken while they work. Ask nicely and you can get some cool shots.
  • Cincinnati Observatory Center
  • Krohn Conservatory
  • Great American Ball Park
    • Shoot the front of the stadium around sunset to get a nice color blue in the sky. Get one of the player statues in your shot for extra effect.
  • Devou Park
    • The overlook next to the Drees pavilion affords a great view of the Cincinnati skyline. Shoot at sunrise or sunset for the best lighting. Underexpose slightly to get the city lights just right.
  • Newport Central Catholic for fireworks
    • Shoot the Riverfest fireworks from this location. Bring a long lens and a tripod. You’ll want a long-ish exposure (5-10 seconds) to capture the bursts, but make sure the skyline isn’t overexposed.
  • Riverfront Park
    • The colorful fountains make a great subject, but you need to use a relatively fast shutter speed (>1/20 or so) to catch the lights before they change color, leaving your pic with plain white lights.
  • American Sign Museum
    • Be sure to bring a tripod to capture all the signs. Manual white balance is the way to go, because there are so many crazy colors of lights that your camera won’t know how to react.

Making Wine at Grape & Granary for Ohio Wine Month

Located in a small shopping plaza in one of Akron’s industrial districts is the hidden gem, Grape & Granary.  Drawn to the opportunity of making my own wine, I had no idea what to expect.  The thought seemed interesting and I was looked forward to learning more about the process.  With a long list of wines available for purchase and production, I was a little overwhelmed, but decided to sample a few wines while reading over the instructions and information for making my own.

Selecting a table, I quickly learned that  I was seated near a wedding party, They were deciding which wine to make for their reception and choosing their labels for the wine.

In front of me was a selection of several wine glasses as well as spices for dipping oils and a basket of bread.  With a small fee of 50 cents per wine sample, I wanted to try a few flavors before making my purchase.  I was offered a long list of wines as well as specialty blends that I had never tried before.  Here is the list of wines that I sampled:

  • Strawberry White Merlot – delicious, great strawberry taste
  • Kiwi Pear – LOVE this one…it was like eating fresh pears
  • Sangria Zinfindel Blush – has a wonderful, fruity aftertaste
  • Raspberry Dragon Fruit – sweet and tastes like kool aid
  • Cranberry Chianti  – not too tart
  • Strawberry Riesling – a sweet, full strawberry taste
  • Summer Surprise is a watermelon Jalapeno wine; the watermelon flavor breaks the heat, but I thought it was too sweet
  • Jalapeno Ice Wine – AMAZING! WOW! I had to buy a couple of  bottles of this one! So unique!

I learned that the Peach Apricot Wine is their best seller, but they were sold out during the time of my visit.

Grape & Granary is also a distillery, so I had a list of options such as Grappa, Whisky, Brandy, Gin, Caffe Liquor or Limoncello.  Since the limoncello was a dollar per sample, I simply couldn’t resist.

One of the advantages of visiting Grape & Granary is that they also provide bread and dipping oils to sample.  The Herbes de Garlic Sea Salt was one of my favorite blends so I purchased a small jar for home.

During my visit, I was able to witness an engaged couple bottling wine for their upcoming wedding.  They had already selected their wine from a list of prepared wine juices.  Choosing the Luna Rossa, they met with the winemaker to incorporate the yeast into the juice and waited 7 weeks until it was ready to bottle.   The cork is then added and later a label would be placed on the bottle after printing.

The couple selected their label which would be ready in a couple of weeks and then the  process would be completed.  For the particular wine they chose, the cost would be $165 which would include 28 – 30 750 ml bottles.  The cost for labels was 30 cents and the bottles an additional charge.

I was so thankful for the opportunity to watch the wine making process and found it to be a fun, educational experience.   The Grape & Granary sells a wide variety of wine making kits and offers orders from their online store and catalog.  I decided to purchase a wine kit in hopes that I would have some success and then start a winery in Napa.

Have you had the opportunity to make your own wine at Grape & Granary or at another wine making venue?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below!  Many thanks for reading my post and I wish you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

The Grape & Granary
915 Home Avenue
Akron, OH  44310
Telephone:  330 633 7223

Where to Stay:

Country Inn & Suites
1420 Main Street
Cuyahoga Falls, OH  44221
Telephone:  330 926 1233

Where to Eat:

Beau’s on the River
1989 Front Street
Cuyahoga Falls, OH  44221
Telephone:  330 920 7530

I was so excited to find this amazing restaurant with a fabulous view along the Cuyahoga River.  I ordered a Wedge Salad and the Caprese Flatbread for my main entrée.

Plum Run Winery Soon to Offer Craft Beer

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Plum Run Winery had just completed their renovations to provide its customers a larger space for sampling its award-winning wines and hard cider.  I was looking forward to visiting this Grove City winery, so I called my friend Karen to join me for the afternoon.

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The winery, offering a wide selection of wines, includes a few of the sweeter wines most popular in the state of Ohio.  These varietals include dessert wines, sweet reds and roses as well as a lovely selection of fruit wines.  Here are the list of wines that we selected for our tasting:

  • Apple: The winery buys their apples from Hugo’s, a local orchard.  The color of the wine is yellow and a bit cloudy.  It has a delicious taste that ends with a bit of a bite. It is described as “a blend of Gold Rush, Winesap and Yellow Delicious Apples, Ohio Grown!” 5% RS, $15 bottle, $6 glass

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  • Niagara: Plum Run Winery’s classic “Ohio Sweet Wine”;  I really enjoyed this one and Karen did as well.  5% RS, $13 bottle, $6 glass
  • Scioto Red: The combination between the Niagara and Concord grapes, this wine is described as a “sweet red wine that is light, fruity and aromatic”;  Two sweet grapes that make the perfect combination that we enjoyed so much we picked up a couple of bottles.    4% RS; $13 bottle $6 glass
  • Cranberry: Described as “tart and sweet with the aromas of pure cranberry juice”, this wine also ranks high on my list; 8$ RS, $18 bottle $6 glass
  • Seyval Blanc: This would have been my second choice for wine as I really liked this one.  It had a butterscotch smell and a smooth flavor; The winery labels this one as a “semi-sweet wine with hints of apple and pear.” 4% RS; $14 bottle, $6 glass
  • Dessert Wine, Red Tail: This is such a fabulous wine, and sampling it with a piece of dark chocolate made it even more enjoyable.  A “port style wine made from the Rougeon and St. Vincent Grapes; bottled in 500 ml bottles [this is] a perfect wine in front of the fire”  9% RS and 19% ABV  $18 bottle, $8 glass
  • Our final sample was the raspberry wine which really does taste like raspberry jam and has a high acidity.

There were so many great choices of wine, and Plum Run will soon be offering Chilean Chardonnay and Chilean Malbec.  My favorite wine choice for this visit was the Red Tail Dessert Wine, so I stopped by the grocery store for some dark chocolate to pair with this smooth delicious port.

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Having opened in 2012, Plum Run Winery had recently added the rustic seating area to their tasting room.  With elegantly exposed brick walls, highlighted with thick wooden counters, the new stylish space adds a level of country sophistication to the wine tasting experience.  My favorite addition was the barnyard siding windows and added counter space.

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Dave Crosby and his wife Diane, are owners of Plum Run Winery and have been making delicious wines for over 30 years.  Dave is well-known in Grove City because he taught school before opening the winery.  In addition to wines, Dave has also created Dave’s Gold Apples, a hard apple cider which is delightfully refreshing.

The winery hosts a number of events over the summer, such as music on Fridays and Saturdays.  The second Tuesday, they host a Wine and Canvas event, while every third Saturday is Wine and Yoga.  There is plenty of space to bring your event to the winery should you choose to host a Pampered Chef, Tupperware Party, etc.  And to confirm such events, make sure you visit their Facebook Page, Grove City Brewing Company to confirm the dates and times.  You can also sign up for their monthly newsletter which lists the entertainment for the month and soon their website page will be up and running.

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There is plenty of seating to accommodate close to forty visitors indoors as well as forty outdoors on their patio, which is only open during the summer season.

Plum Run Winery is a vendor at the Grove City Wine and Arts Festival where fifteen to twenty wineries are represented.   The festivities take place over the weekend of Father’s Day with an entry fee of $20 to include a souvenir glass as well as a set number of tickets to purchase wine.  The Ohio Grape & Wine Conference, scheduled in winter is another venue that the winery attends.

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There is some exciting news from Plum Run Winery with their announcement to open Grove City Brewery scheduled for late June.  A former brew master from Buckeye Lake Brewery will be heading up the craft beer creations, so it is sure to be a success.

Have you sampled the wines at Plum Run Winery or have a favorite Ohio winery that you like to frequent?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the in the comments below.  Cheers!

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

What to See and What to Do:

Plum Run Winery
3946 Broadway
Grove City, OH   43123
Telephone:  614 991 0338

  • Hours: The winery is open from 11 AM to 10 PM on Tuesday – Thursday, 11 AM to 12AM on Friday and Saturday and from 11 AM to 6 PM 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 for a list of entertainment.
  • Amenities:  Weekend entertainment, dining, wine tastings, patio seating, Grove City Brewing Company, wine, beer
  • 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:

Drury Inn & Suites Columbus Grove City
4109 Parkway Centre Drive
Grove City, OH  43123
Telephone:  614 875 7000

Where to Eat:

Michael’s Hibachi
3985 Broadway
Grove City, OH  43123
Telephone:  614 317 7828

I had not visited a hibachi in such a long time that I was super excited to order some Japanese cuisine.  I started out with the Spider Roll and then ordered the Steak and Shrimp hibachi with a glass of wine.

Here are more of my favorite Columbus Classics:

  • Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream:  Known for her unique flavor combinations, Jeni Britton Bauer has made ice cream famous in C-Bus!
  • North Market:  A one-stop shop for universal cuisine, Columbus’ North Market is worth a stop in the Short North District of the city.
  • The Thurman Cafe:  The Thurmanator is the burger of all burgers at this longtime local cafe in German Village.  There may be a wait all burgers are made to order.
  • Schmidt’s Sausage Haus and Restaurant:  While the sausage at Schmidt’s is the official food of Columbus, it’s the amazing Cream Puffs that have the locals lining up at the door.

What to Read: 

  • Columbus: The Story of a City, by Ed Lentz
  • Columbus, Ohio: A Photographic Portrait, by Randall L Schieber and Robin Smith
  • Ohio in Photographs: A Portrait of the Buckeye State, by Ian Adams
  • Secret Columbus, by Anietra Hamper

Photo Guide for Columbus: 

  • Coffman Park: small ponds, bridges, white barn, pavilion, landscaping, public art
  • Columbus Museum of Art:  the grounds, inside artwork and special exhibits
  • Everal Barn and Homestead:  landscaping, white barn, beautiful lake
  • Frank Fetch Park:  gardens, brick paths, beautiful trees and landscaping
  • Franklin Park Conservatory:  beautiful gardens, artwork, flowers and special exhibits
  • Gantz Park:  barn, beautiful trees,
  • German Village:  brick streets, landscaping, parks, charming architecture, Old World charm, historical buildings
  • Grove City:  brick roads, small town, shopping area
  • Hayden Falls:  wooden walking path, waterfall
  • Historical Village of Hilliard:  a small village to include a schoolhouse, train car, chapel, log cabin, covered bridge, gazebo and granary
  • Homestead Park in Hilliard: walking path, covered bridge, barns, trains, tractor, pond and pet park
  • Inniswood Metro Gardens:  gardens, lily pond, herb garden, play area for children, secret garden
  • Ohio State House: rotunda and landscaping (photo permit required)
  • Ohio State University:  campus, landscaping, Mirror Lake, Ohio Stadium (you can pay a small fee to take photos inside)
  • Park of Roses in Clintonville:  various types of rose gardens
  • Riverfront Park:  city view, Scioto River, landscapes, fountains, walking paths
  • Schiller Park:  gardens, walking paths, stone columns, wooden bridge, small lake
  • Scioto Mile:  city views, Scioto River, landscapes, fountains, walking paths
  • Scioto Park in Dublin:  statue of Chief Leatherlips, river views, landscaping, and paths
  • Short North:  restaurants, italian village, shops, city views, murals
  • Topiary Park:  depiction of George Seurat’s 1884 painting, landscape, fountains, small pond, gazebo

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