Tag Archives: peach wine

An Awesome Approach to Wine Tasting…Blend of Seven Winery

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When I arrived at Blend of Seven Winery, I could not have imagined what I would learn about wine this afternoon.  Taking a seat at the busy bar, I was in for an unforgettable wine tasting experience.

Located on a quiet, country road in Delaware, Ohio, Blend of Seven has a sweet beginning that centralizes around the importance of family.  “It was how we came up with the name of our winery.” said Steve, co-owner and winemaker.  “When Sandi and I married, our blended family totaled seven with my three children and her two”.

You will notice that many of the wines are named after their children and their grandchildren as well.

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Steve takes pride in his ability to create unique wines that would make even Willy Wonka proud.

So it came as a surprise when I learned that Steve was not always a wine drinker.  He quickly credits his wife, Sandi for introducing him to wine and he was hooked.  On one of their dates, they decided to visit a winery and for Steve’s next birthday, Sandi bought him a wine making kit.   After a couple of years of developing their own wines, they opened a winery on London Road and the Blend of Seven Winery had its start.

The winery shortly grew out of their space and they had to find another location to expand.  They purchased the property once home to historic Delaware restaurant, The Branding Iron.  After months of renovations, the Blend of Seven Winery reopened in October of 2015.

What I find fascinating about Steve is his unique, fun-loving approach to introducing his wines.  With so many varieties on his list, I asked him to select the  best sellers and I decided to start from there.

Kimmie K, a sweet wine, was my first pour.  This is a “Cabernet Sauvignon with acai berry and raspberry with a hint of chocolate”.  After taking a sip of this delicious wine, Steve brought over a piece of dark chocolate and told me to take another taste after eating the candy.  I was blown away by how the chocolate changed the flavor of the wine.

I have always been a fan of the Pinot Noirs, Merlots and Malbecs, but living in Ohio, there are so many sweet wine selections that I have come to enjoy these wines as well.  For my next selection, Steve suggested that I sample his signature concord wine, Trouble and I enjoyed drinking this intoxicating grape juice.

Blend of Seven is known for developing wines from a wide range of fruit, so I decided it was time to try Ricki’s Peach Tree.  Served chilled it is described as an “amazing blend [that] tastes like peach right off the tree,”  Steve suggested I close my eyes, imagine that I was in Georgia and that I would “feel the fuzz on the roof of my mouth.”

My next selection was the semi-dry, Blue-Eyed Beauties, a Niagara wine with blueberry added.  The taste of the berry really comes out with this wine.

One of Blend of Seven’s specialty wines is the Coconut Wonder which is a “refreshing blend of coconut and pineapple”.  I had not thought about fermenting coconut, so I was curious to try a sample.  I could taste the coconut, but it was the pineapple that gave this wine its boost of sweetness.  Pair this wine with a piece of dark chocolate and you have an “Almond Joy”.

Steve had one more trick up his sleeve when he provided me with a generous pour of Tosha’s Chaos.  Described as a sweet wine with a unique blend of raspberry and a cotton candy aroma, I could have sworn I was drinking a Jolly Rancher.
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I had completed my list of wine selections, and Steve asked if I would be interested in trying another creation he co-developed with a local ice cream maker.  He returned with a container of homemade blackberry ice cream and poured Kimmie K over it.  Steve also combines his concord wine, Trouble with peanut butter ice cream and Ricki’s peach tree with vanilla ice cream for an “adult float” type of dessert.

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My visit to the Blend of Seven Winery was mind-blowing, and I left amazed at the various ways non-traditional foods and wines could be paired together.   I also admired the laid-back atmosphere and Steve’s exceptional technique of thinking outside of the box.   He doesn’t take his job too seriously, just serious enough to keep Blend of Seven Winery in business and surprising their patrons with new and improved combinations.  I say with deep respect and admiration that he is the Willy Wonka of Winemakers.

Blend of Seven Winery is also very generous and holds charity events to give back to various organizations such as the Wounded Warrior project.  They also sponsor a chili cook off each fall where the winner can decide which charity to support in place of winnings.  Each year, at the end of May, the winery invites all of its customers to an anniversary party which lasts a full day with plenty of food, music and of course, fabulous wine.

Have you had the opportunity to visit Blend of Seven Winery?  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 outrageous visit at Blend of Seven Winery and wishing you many Happy Travels! Cheers!

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Steve and Sandi for their time and hospitality during my visit.  Please note that all comments provided were based solely upon my own opinions and experience.

What to See and What to Do:

Blend of Seven Winery
1400 Stratford Road
Delaware, OH  43015
Telephone:  740 417 4286

  • Hours: The winery is open from 3 PM – 8:30 PM from Tuesday through Thursday, 3 PM – 9 PM  on Friday, 12 PM to 9PM on Saturday.  Kitchen closes at 8:15 PM Tuesday through Thursday and closes at 8:45 PM on Friday and Saturday.  The winery is closed on Monday.  Please refer to the winery’s website for any updates to its hours of operation and list of entertainment/activities.
  • Amenities:  Weekend entertainment, dining, wine tastings, wine, private events, and scheduled events such as Thirsty Thursday, Canvas & Wine, Sip & Craft, Movie and Popcorn Dinner Nights and Sip & Mani
  • 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:

Hampton Inn Columbus/Delaware
7329 State Route 36 & 37
Sunbury, OH  43074
Telephone:   740 363 4700

Where to Eat:

Bun’s Restaurant
14 W. Winter Street
Delaware, OH  43015
Telephone:  740 363 3731

You can’t miss the sign for Bun’s in the charming town of Delaware.  I wanted to stop in for a small bite to eat at the bar and ordered the Tzatziki & Hummus.  Served with pita bread, one can also request an order for vegetables for an additional charge.

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

Moyer Vineyard Winery & Restaurant, Manchester, Ohio – NOW CLOSED

UPDATE:  Moyer Vineyard Winery & Restaurant is permanently closed.

Gorgeous vineyards overlooked the Ohio River and a secluded gazebo offered privacy to guests who wanted to enjoy the spectacular scenery of Moyer Vineyard Winery & Restaurant. Sounds of Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett shared the airwaves as I waited for my wine tasting on the second story balcony with a riverfront view.  I flipped through the menu and found myself immediately drawn to this mystical place, so I read the fascinating decades of history that had eventually led to the opening of the winery.

It wasn’t long and the fifteen small pours of wine were delivered to my table.  I could smell the fruit from the wines and slushies on the tray and was so excited to start my tasting.

  • Starting out with the Chardonnay, it is a dry white with a clean finish, very smooth with a beautiful clear color; it has a slight sweet aftertaste.
  • The Vidal Blanc is an estate grown grape that is also very clear in color and I find it to be a little drier, yet smoother than the Chardonnay.
  • River Valley White is a moderately sweet estate blend that has a sweeter smell with a dry finish that lands towards the back of my tongue.
  • Merlot is full bodied with an oak taste that I absolutely enjoy.
  • Cabernet Sauvignon is a rich full bodied dry red and it is absolutely perfect for a Cab.
  • Chambourcin is an estate grown wine.
  • River Valley Red is another moderately sweet estate blend with a perfect balance of sweet and dry. It has a fruitier taste than the Cabernet Sauvignon.
  • Country Home Red is the most popular wine at Moyer Winery and Vineyard and it is a sweet red made from the Concord grape. Smelling like grape juice it has a rich, full jammy taste.
  • Blush is a semisweet with a hint of Concord, which makes this wine such a beautiful color, a light pink with a very light smell it has a floral taste at the finish.
  • Strawberry fruit wine smells just like fresh picked strawberries that I could enjoy as an after dinner drink for dessert or poured over ice cream.
  • Red raspberry is the winery’s most popular fruit wines and it has a delicious, full berry flavor.
  • Peach is light and delicate and it has a refreshingly sweet taste.
  • Strawberry sangria made my heart sing with its strawberry jam flavor that was crazy amazing.
  • Peach sangria tastes like nectar and has been created with perfection with a wonderfully rich taste.
  • Mixed berry sangria tastes like a Jolly Rancher hard candy and could drink any one of their sangrias on a daily basis (I really could!…yum).

I paid for my tasting and ordered the country home red, strawberry and peach wines and was so sad that they did not bottle their amazing sangria.  I walked the grounds of the restaurant and had permission to wander through the vineyard where they grow the winery’s estate Vidal Blanc, DeChaunac and Chamborcin grapes.

When I returned to the restaurant, I had the opportunity to meet Tom Hamrick one of several owners who discussed how he became associated with the winery and his current involvement with the restaurant.  He was happy to share with me some fun facts about the history of the property which is fascinating as you can read for yourself:

Situated on prime riverside real estate, the River By Restaurant opened in the late 1920s offering Nickelodeon music, square dancing and bootleg beer (oh yes, prohibition!).  I imagined boats tied up to the riverbank and the latest Ford model-T cars parked along the side of US 52.  Women wearing their flapper style dresses and wearing choche hats to accentuate their coiffed bob hairstyles.  While their dates are sporting slim dark suits, matching vests and a fedora hat….just a place to get together for the evening, dancing the night away.

In the mid 1930’s the barn-like structure built close to the restaurant became a training ring for amateur boxers. Cincinnati’s Ezzard Charles, a professional boxer and former World Heavyweight Champion was known to have made an appearance or two.

The restaurant would be hit hard by the flood of 1937 where six feet of muddy water made its way to the present day dining room.   By the late 1940s, the restaurant would be converted into a private gambling club called “The Top Hat” and would eventually become a truck stop in the 1950s and 60s.

Ken Moyer’s dream to become a vintner would transform the property into a winery that originally offered bean soup, French bread, cheese and of course, wine.  He later added the gorgeous deck with relaxing views of the Ohio River and his wine list continued to expand with their production of fabulous wines.  At the height of the winery’s success, the Moyers decided to sell their business.  A close group of their dear friends were entrusted to maintain the winery and restaurant with as much love and care as Ken and his wife Mary had done over the past 27 years.  From where  I was sitting, my conversation with Ken only proved that the restaurant would continue with its success.

Have you visited Moyer Vineyard Winery & Restaurant?  Did you order dinner and try their fabulous 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 visit to Moyer Vineyard and wishing you many Happy Travels.  Cheers!

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

What to See and What to Do:

Moyer Vineyard Winery & Restaurant
3859 US Route #52
Manchester, Ohio  45144
Telephone:  937 549 2957

Where to Stay:

Riverhaven B&B
407 West Front Street
Manchester, Ohio  45144
Telephone:  937 549 1999

Where to Eat: 

Moyer Vineyard Winery & Restaurant
3859 US Route #52
Manchester, Ohio  45144
Telephone:  937 549 2957

Have dinner at Moyer Vineyard Winery & Restaurant!  I recommend the River Valley Salmon and save room for the Toasted Pecan Caramel Ball!

Photo Guide for Moyer Vineyard Winery & Restaurant: 

  • Views of the Ohio River from the second story winery
  • Gazebo along the Ohio River
  • The Vineyards