Featured Ohio Winery: Terra Cotta Vineyards

16 June 20248 February 2025

Passing cattle farms along the hilly landscape of Muskingum County, I approached Terra Cotta Vineyards in New Concord, Ohio. The long gravel drive boasted beautiful full grapevines that would soon be ready for harvest. It was an early Saturday afternoon, the calm before the storm as a large crowd was expected for the winery’s popular weekend cook outs with a selection of strip steak, marinated pork or salmon cooked over the grill.

The winery, owned by Donna and Paul Roberts, was first established in 1996 sitting in the midst of fifty-six acres. With an environment similar to the European wine regions, the Roberts family found the perfect terrior to grow quality grapes that can sustain the cold Ohio winters.

Entering the rustic winery, the light woods of poplar accented by the terra cotta walls were overshadowed by the gorgeous open, cathedral ceiling. The tasting table was to my left where I decided to try a few samples which included the Chambourcin, Steuben, Baco Noir, Catawba and the Terra Rosa.

I ordered a glass of the Terra Rosa and took a seat on the back porch to admire the dramatic valley views and rolling hills. I learned that beneath the beautiful green landscape was red clay soil and the region is known for its beautiful clay ceramics. In addition to their daughter, Alysia’s pottery, it was how the Roberts’ family came up with the name of the winery, Terra Cotta Vineyards.

So while I am enjoying the panoramic view and the delicious wine, I think about the upcoming harvest. While so many factors have an impact on the quality of the wine, all of the preparation and maintenance over the spring and summer will be important. But in the end, everything is about the harvest.

I would be interested in hearing about your visit to Terra Cotta Vineyards, if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Do you have a favorite wine or another Ohio wine suggestions? I would be happy to learn more about the Ohio wine industry and look forward to your message and recommendations. Wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Terra Cotta Vineyards
2285 Rix Mills Road
New Concord, OH 43702
Telephone: 740 872 3791

Please refer to the winery’s website for the most up-to-date information such as hours of operation.

Where to Stay:

Hotel Garland
150 Garland Way
New Concord, OH 43762
Telephone: 855 462 9255

Where to Eat:

Theo’s Restaurant
632 Wheeling Avenue
Cambridge, OH 43725
Telephone: 740 432 3787

Looking for authentic home cooking, we stopped at Theo’s Restaurant for lunch and ordered burgers and fries. The service was excellent and so was the food!

A Taste of Balinese Foods and Fruits

4 February 202222 September 2024

Experiencing the local food in another country is one of the highlights of my travels. During my visit to Bali, I was looking forward to trying the satay, the soups and to learn more about their exotic fruits. Prior to my trip, I decided to visit an Indonesian restaurant so I would have an idea of what to order and I was pleasantly surprised by all of the delicious options that would be available during my vacation.

From traditional, sit-down meals to the food stalls and roadside stands, there was no shortage of choices for experiencing an amazing meal in Bali. The fruit was incredibly fresh and deliciously unique from the Durian fruit to the Rambatan. There were a number of fruit stands throughout Bali where the generous merchants allowed me to try their produce before buying. There were pineapples, small bananas and mangoes which are popular in the United States, but they also had fresh tropical selections that tasted unlike anything I have tried back home.

One of the most colorful fruits I enjoyed was the pitaya, which is commonly known as the dragonfruit. Its external. layered skin is pink at the center turning green at its outer edges. It certainly looks like a dragon, but there is nothing scary about this fruit that comes in both sweet and sour flavors. This yummy fruit resembles the kiwi with small little seeds and a juicy flesh on the interior.

The mangosteen has a purple exterior which looks like an onion from afar. They grow on a tropical evergreen tree and have a juicy, sweet taste. Opening the fruit causes the rind to give off a purple sap which can stain clothes and skin. Inside they are segmented like the orange but the flesh of the fruit is white in color.

Finally, there is the Duran fruit. I had the opportunity to taste this spiny, thick skinned fruit on the first day of my arrival and it must be an acquired taste. The fruit has a strong odor which is sometimes described as kerosene, but it has a tender, runny-like pulp that is said to resemble an almond flavor with the thickness and texture of custard. I have to admit that I was not a big fan of the fruit, but I had later tried Durian ice cream which I found to be a bit more palatable.

Chicken Bakso was a staple of my diet during my visit to Bali. I absolutely love this dish!! Many of the locals refer to this as their Indonesian meatball soup and you can find it at the various food stalls throughout the island.

Some of the other snack foods that I enjoyed in Bali were bananas dipped in coconut, Krupuk (deep fried rice sugar) and the spinach fried with a peanut crust. There were so many options from which to choose, including other Asian snacks that included spring rolls, stuffed peppers and rice balls. Although some of the combinations seemed a bit interesting, I wanted to at least try them and was not disappointed.

Over the last couple of days in the south of Bali, the town of Kuta, I asked my driver to take me to a restaurant where I could have fish. He told me that there was a great place on the beach in Jimbaran, Bawang Merah Beachfront Restaurant and suggested that I try the red snapper. The dish was served with rice and it was absolutely phenomenal. The fish in Bali is a staple food for the locals and that is no surprise. There are a variety of dishes in Bali that include fish as the main ingredient and I planned to search for some of them to make once I traveled back home.

Have you traveled to a country where you fell in love with the food and wanted to replicate the foods you enjoyed? I would love to hear your story if you would kindly leave a message in the comments below! Many thanks for exploring the foods of Bali through my post! Wishing you many Happy Travels!

Where to Eat:

Road Side Stalls Throughout Bali

Bawang Merah Beachfront Restaurant
Kelan, Jimbaran Bay, Bali, 80361, Indonesia
Telephone: +62 361 770210

Nashville’s Belle Meade Plantation and Winery

22 September 201919 September 2024

A visit to Belle Meade Plantation was on the top of my list when my sister and I arrived in Nashville for a long weekend. In addition to all of the music-related attractions, we were also interested in some of the local historical sites and learned that Belle Meade was not only a plantation, but a winery and restaurant.

In the heart of the south, the grounds of this gorgeous estate are beautifully maintained and the home in pristine condition. Belle Meade’s exhibits are educational providing a detailed account of the plantation’s former owners, their everyday lives and an overview of their wide range of businesses.

I loved the simple, yet modern architecture of the home. The shuttered windows and classical columns are elements of a Greek revival façade. Under John Harding’s ownership in the early 1800’s, he grew the farm to include a blacksmith, a grist mill, saw mill and later a cotton gin.

Harding would later break into the industry of horse racing and breeding thoroughbreds. It was a home of high standing that entertained the likes of President Grover Cleveland and General Grant.

Strolling the grounds was a relaxing detour from the nightlife of Nashville’s Music Row. We had arrived early enough where we were the only visitors on the estate and embraced our own love for horses.

John’s son William took over the plantation in 1839 and continued in the business of horses, but it was in the early 1900s that the plantation would fall on hard times.

Belle Meade became famous for its thoroughbreds. In addition to racing, Belle Meade provided sire services and had many successful studs. The Enquirer (1880-1889) and Bonnie Scotland’s (1873-1879) bloodlines continue to dominate horse racing today after many generations. The Enquirer was named after Cincinnati’s newspaper and has been buried here at the plantation.

Belle Meade was, at one time, the largest plantation in the South. The Smokehouse, one of the 10 buildings that remains on the property, smoked approximately 20,000 pounds of pork each year.

The Gardener’s House and Greenhouse was one of the original buildings on the estate, a part of the Belle Meade plantation, circa 1890. The building was used as a private residence for the gardener and a location to store tools for gardening and to plant seeds for food and flowers.

The dairy supplied a variety of products such as cream, cheese, fresh milk and close to 250 pounds of butter each week.

Four generations of the Harding-Jackson families were buried in this mausoleum, designed by Nashville architect, Adolphus Heiman. Once the property was sold to Judge Jacob McGavock Dickinson, the family remains were moved to Mount Olivet Cemetery.

Belle Meade was known to have one of the largest populations of slaves who resided on its premises. After the Civil War, some of the freed slaves stayed on at the mansion to assist in the everyday tasks of keeping the plantation in business. A replica of the two room cabin offers an insight to the life of the slaves and history of slavery around the area.

In 1892, a large carriage house and stables were built at Belle Meade. The building was used to store and display the family’s carriage collection. Depending on the type of transportation, carriages would be selected for every day use such as trips into town or for special occasions when traveling to high-end social events. A 16 passenger double-decker carriage was available for a large group traveling with the family.

Visitors can explore Belle Meade Plantation on a self-guided tour or by guided tour of costumed guides for an additional cost. Specialty excursions such as Culinary Tours and, Progressive Plantation Tours can also be booked through Belle Meade.

At the end of the tour we decided to check out the restaurant’s menu, then wandered the gift shop and indulged in a free wine tasting.

The Winery at Belle Meade Plantation opened in November of 2009 producing wines from local muscadine grapes and blackberries. They offer an assortment of wines and wine-related products that are unique and native to Nashville. My absolute favorite was the Red Muscadine.

Just as John Harding had intended, Belle Meade continues to offer its visitors an assortment of quality products and services. The long time tradition of hospitality remains an integral part of the plantation as it had so many years ago.

Have you already visited the Belle Meade Plantation? I would love to hear about your experience if your would kindly leave a message below! Happy Travels!!

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

What to See and What to Do:

Belle Meade Plantation
5025 Harding Pike
Nashville, TN 37205
Telephone: 615 356 0501

Admission Fee: Mansion Tour Admission (lasts 45 minutes): $24 for adults, $20 for seniors 65+, Youth ages 6 – 18; Children 5 and under are free. Grounds Tour only: $15 for adults and $10 for youth; Segway Guided Tours: $35 for adults; Wine and Food Pairing is $35 per person; Private Tasting from $50 per person; The Battle of Nashville Tour which includes three battle sites starts at $48 per person and the one hour Journey to Jubilee Tour starts at $24 per person.
Hours: Daily from 9AM to 5PM with the exception of some holidays. Tours begin at 9:30 and the last tour of the day begins at 4PM. Belle Meade Plantation is closed on Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The Harding House, the on-site restaurant, provides seasonal hours, so refer to the website to confirm the hours of operation.
Amenities: Tour guides, restaurant, winery, wine tastings, self-guided tours.
Scenic View: The grounds are absolutely astounding and provide scenic views throughout the property.
Length of Visit: 3 hours to include the mansion tour, ground tour and winery tasting
Tips for Your Visit: The Journey to Jubilee tour is highly recommended which takes you through the slave exhibit. On the grounds tour you will have access to all of the out buildings as well as the previous gravesite of the owners. The winery makes a great muscadine and we enjoyed the wine tasting following our tour.

Where to Stay:

Hampton Inn & Suites Nashville
310 4th Avenue, South
Nashville, TN 37201
Telephone: 615 277 5000

Where to Eat:

The Harding House at Belle Meade Plantation
5025 Harding Pike
Nashville, TN 37205
Telephone: 615 356 0096

I can’t remember the last time I had homemade meatloaf, and when I learned that it was the house specialty, I couldn’t wait to dig into some southern comfort food! I also saved room for their bread pudding.

What to Eat:

Nashville Hot Chicken: Spicy chicken
Meat and Three: A meat and three sides

What to Read:

Because You’re Mine, by Rea Frey
A Murder in Music City, by Michael Bishop
All We Ever Wanted, by Emily Giffin

Photo Guide for Nashville:

Downtown Broadway
Opryland Hotel
I Believe in Nashville mural
Ryman Auditorium
The Parthenon at Centennial Park
Draper James Building
John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge

Raices Restaurant, San Juan, Puerto Rico

19 February 201817 September 2024

While riding the trolley throughout the town of San Juan, Puerto Rico, I noticed the restaurant Raices, which had been recommended by the hotel concierge. I decided to stop here after my walk along Constitution Avenue, hoping it would be open for lunch. I was looking forward to trying more delicious, traditional Puerto Rican cuisine.

As I approached the restaurant, the door was open, so I walked in, not realizing that I was interrupting a staff meeting. They kindly informed me that they would be open in a few minutes, so I took a place at the bench outside to wait.

Soon after, I was greeted by a lovely young lady wearing a white dress and a white head wrapping, a traditional Puerto Rican costume. I had worked up an appetite with a few hours of walking the Old Town, so she promptly seated me and took my drink order. I was so excited to order the pina colada and even more so when it had arrived in a tin cup, helping the drink to stay frozen.

Looking around the restaurant, I enjoyed the beautiful artwork of traditional island color and local scenes. The picturesque paintings were framed with window shutters to look as though I was looking into Puerto Rican homes or looking outdoors onto pastures and fields.

I asked my server for a recommendation and he reviewed the restaurant’s house specialties. There were too many fabulous options such as a mahi mahi, creole style stuffed with shrimp in garlic sauce or muslitos campstres which is pork country-style drumsticks in fricassee sauce. There was also a surf and turf option listed on the menu, which looked absolutely delicious.

I decided to order the skirt steak with a chimichurri sauce, which came with a side of mashed green plantains enough to feed two people. The steak was so tender it melted in my mouth and had a buttery flavor while the chimichurri sauce gave it a wonderful flavor of garlic and oregano. I asked if they had any hot sauce and the server brought me over a small dish. With all of the amazing spices, this has to be one of the best hot sauces I had ever eaten. It had a nice kick but not too hot that I could not enjoy my food. I asked if there was any way that I could order it from their store in the back, but it was a new recipe of the chef and was not yet available. I learned that I would be able to order it on their website soon, but until then I would have to call them to request it.

The history of Raices (roots) is quite an interesting one. The restaurant and store is based on the root principles of the Puerto Rican cooking and its flagship restaurant first opened in the town of Caguas in 2002. It became so popular that it now has three locations throughout the island…Caguas, Old San Juan and Hato Rey.

The owners take great pride in the history and culture of Puerto Rico. I loved the unique atmosphere of the restaurant and the period costumes. The 1940’s style wardrobe of the servers and their impeccable service are just as much a delight as the extraordinary food prepared here. A visit to Raices is guaranteed to have you leaving the restaurant satisfied and wanting to come back for more.

When you travel do you like to try new foods at the location you are visiting? What has been your most memorable dining experience? I would love to hear your story, so kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about our afternoon lunch at Raices! Wishing you many Happy Travels!

Where to Eat:

Raices Restaurant
#315 Recinte Sur Street
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Telephone: 787 289 2121

Kinkead Ridge Winery and Its Bright Future

8 September 201716 September 2024

Located in downtown Ripley, Kinkead Ridge Winery is an urban winery that has been producing exceptional wines over the last few years. I had the opportunity to meet the new owners, Dr. Don Bowers and his wife Anna Marie, during a wine event over the Memorial Day weekend.

Dr. Bowers provided me a list of his wines that included a detailed description. I began my tasting with the 2014 Lowell Marie Pinot Gris. “A nose of pear and melon is followed by a hint of fruity sweetness blending melon and pears with a rapidly developed crispness and a late burst of citrus rinds. The finish brings to mind Meyer lemon and shows a light minerality. A fine partner with hors d’oeuvres and milder cheeses, this wine will compliment seafood, white fish and mild chicken dishes. Serve chilled.”

The 2015 Lowell Marie Viognier Roussanne “opens with sweet white blossoms on the nose with a hint of honey. The style is off dry with pineapple and apple flavors from the Viognier (grapes) and mild citrus form the Roussanne (grapes). A relaxing refreshment by the glass, it would be enhanced by sharp, dry cheeses and cured meats. It will pair well with meals of chicken, veal or mild pork featuring creamy sauces and with shellfish especially seared scallops. The alcohol content is 15% while the residual sugar measures at 1.5%. The wine is 70% Viognier and 30% Roussanne.”

The 2014 Roussanne Viognier seemed much sweeter than the Viognier Roussanne, which is the perfect wine for me as I am beginning to learn more about the drier white wines. “This wine begins with orange blossom and flint of the nose revealing the Viognier. The flavor is pineapple with hints of tobacco and a bracing mouthfeel. The mixed herbal note and the distinct finish of lime zest gives voice to the Roussanne. This Rhone style white wine will complement aromatic cheese and salami, sausage and specialty hams and will being a bracing crispness to rich chicken and veal dishes, enrich scallops, cream sauces and pasta with shellfish.” A bottle of this wonderful wine is $14.99.

My last sample of white wine was the 2015 Lowell Marie Sauvignon Blanc Semillon. “This nearly equally partnership of two classic Bordeaux white varieties starts with aromas of lemon and green apple notes. Reflects a surprising smoothness that would enhance soft creamy cheeses, nuts and succulent cherries, figs or plums. This full bodied wine complements oysters, prawns, clams, flaky white fish, grilled salmon or tuna as well as chicken or veil. Serve gently chilled”, this bottle is available for $13.99 per bottle. I am a huge fan of seafood, so I purchased a bottle so that I could try it with my favorite grilled salmon recipe.

The 2014 River Village Cellars Traminette is a semi-sweet “captures the sweet fragrances of warm evenings, of honeysuckle and wild rose, of water lilies and lavender. …Like its parent, Gewurztraminer, this wine stands up to the fiery spices of Asian cuisine but this year’s vintage was a bit softer and sweeter for sipping…Serve chilled.” I enjoyed the spicy aftertaste of this wine which comes from the flavors of nutmeg, rose and star anise.

Described as a “New World hybrid grape with a pronounced character reminiscent of Gewirtztraminer from Alsace”, this wine was made from Traminette grapes provided by McCafferty Bridge Vineyard and has a very light flavor and fruity aroma.

Before moving on to the red wines, I enjoyed sampled some of the complimentary cheese and crackers provided by the winery. Since I love the dry reds, I was so excited to sample the Merlot, a 2014 Lowell Marie. Described as “light bodied and immediately drinkable, it is an early release especially well-suited for refreshing summer drinks and Sangrias as it doesn’t overpower fresh fruits and takes will to a bit of sweetness and sparkle. It also complements lighter outdoor meals and picnics and could be lightly chilled.” It is perfectly priced at $10.99 per bottle.

Kinkead Ridge’s 2013 River Village Cellars comes from the Chambourcin grapes also produced by McCafferty Bridge Vineyard. It is “full-bodied, deep-colored with notes of cassis, berry fruit and plum.” This wine is perfectly paired with “beef, lamb wild game and richly flavored cheeses”. Barrel aged nine months, the retail bottle price for this wine is $11.99. I enjoyed the taste of this wine and loved the aromas of stone fruit.

One of my favorite wines at Kinkead Ridge was the 2013 Estate Bottled Petit Verdot. “Hand harvested…, this intensely-colored dark purple tannic complex wine displays a fragrant nose with tones of violet and leather. Small-lot fermentations with hand punch-downs and classic small scale winemaking techniques were used to create this wine. Aged in premium French and American oak, one can enjoy this wine with beef, lamb or wild game. Tasting this wine will leave you wanting more!” A bottle of Petit Verdot can be purchased for $24.99 and is well worth the price.

Kinkead Ridge boasts two Cabernets and I enjoyed both of these wines immensely. The Sauvignon is “hand-harvested…, this wine is dark ruby red, well structured, and complex displaying classic Cabernet aromas of cassis, plum and black cherry. The process for creating this wine were similar to the winery’s Petit Verdot, also aged in premium French and American oak.” This excellent wine has a lovely, smooth texture.

The Cabernet Franc, bottled in 2013 was also “hand-harvested…this wine’s fragrant aromas of violet and black cherry precede a taste of full-bodied, richly flavored complexity, with raspberry and spice overtones.” This wine is perfect with “beef, turkey, pork and rich stews.”

During my visit, I had the opportunity to discuss the future of Kinkead Ridge’s Winery with new owner Dr. Don Bowers. He is a medical doctor by trade and since I work in the pharmaceutical industry in research and development, I found the explanation of his wine-making techniques to be very interesting…after all, it is all about chemistry. Dr. Bowers and his family are very involved in the day to day process of wine making. Having purchased Kinkead Ridge, the established winery has a long list of venues where their wines can be purchased and the owners have plans for expansion. I look forward to visiting the winery again in the future and continue to follow the winery’s success.

Have you had the opportunity to try some of the fabulous wines produced by Kinkead Ridge Winery? I would love to hear about your favorite wines and your experience with the winery if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.

I would like to thank Dr. Don Bowers and his family for their time and hospitality during my visit!

What to See and What to Do:

Kinkead Ridge Winery
904 Hamburg Street
Ripley, Ohio 45167
Telephone: 216 551 9093

Where to Stay:

The Signal House Bed and Breakfast
234 N. Front Street
Ripley, OH 45167
Telephone: 937 392 1640

Where to Eat:

Cohearts Riverhouse
18 N. Front Street
Ripley, OH 45167
Telephone: 937 392 4819

Delicious burger with a fabulous view of the Ohio River!

What to Read:

Ripley, Ohio It’s History and Families, by Eliese Bambach Stivers
Beyond the River: The Untold Stories of the Heroes of the Underground Railroad, by Ann Hagedorn
His Promised Land: The Autobiography of John P. Parker, Former Slave and Conductor on the Underground Railroad, by John P. Parker