Tag Archives: Rodeo Red

Voted Best in Ohio! The Winery at Versailles

IMG_9211

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.

IMG_9212

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.

IMG_9218

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.

IMG_9222

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.

The Vault Wine Bar: Eclectic Menu and Extensive Wine List

Running in from the rain, I entered The Vault Wine Bar and was pleasantly surprised by the beautiful interior that was formerly a bank.  Located in the historic town of Shelby, this gorgeous wine establishment offers a wide range of wines, including those from Ohio, and an awesome menu.

The beautiful white marble with veins of black stopped halfway up the wall.  Subdued colored hues of paint colored the drywall reaching up to the white-painted tin ceiling.  A large bar ran halfway through the room leaving just enough space for a walkway and additional tables for seating to the right.

Away from the entrance at the far end of the bar, stood the beautiful blue vault that once stored thousands of dollars.  Today it is the perfect place for storing wines.

Having looked over the wine menu, I thought I would order wine from Firelands, a well known Ohio winery, starting with the Gewurtztraminer and then the Dolceto (made with litchi and passion fruit) and their Ice Wine.

Ready to order dinner, the menu was extensive with so many delicious options.  Did I want to order an appetizer like the Stuffed Jalapenos or the Stuffed Dates?  Or should I select a larger meal like the BBQ, the Spareribs or The Vault Pizza with horseradish and caramelized onions?  Seriously, this was the most difficult decision I had to make all week.

Michelle, the server behind the bar, was absolutely fabulous and helpful after telling her which options interested me.  In the end, she recommended the stuffed dates and suggested that I save room for dessert.

The stuffed dates arrived and they looked decadent.  These little bits were stuffed with bleu cheese, wrapped in bacon, baked and then drizzled with a balsamic reduction.   Full of flavor, each succulent bite of goodness made me wish I would have placed an order for two.

My wine glass was empty and the lovely couple sitting diagonal from me suggested that I order the sangria to compliment the dates.  The sweetness of the wine really brought out the tangy taste of the balsamic reduction and the combination was absolutely fabulous.  I was happy for the recommendation and we quickly became fast friends, having the love of wine in common.  They introduced themselves as Amy and Joe and said that The Vault Wine Bar was one of their favorite places to hang out in Shelby.  Amy mentioned that they enjoy spending time here on Saturdays and Thursday nights because they have a band, usually country, rock or the 80s.

Amy and Joe finished their pizza and were meeting up with some friends, so we exchanged our personal information, accepted each other’s friend request on Facebook and promised to get together soon.

Finishing my wine and meal, I wanted to check out the upstairs area, which can be reserved for special occasions.  The outside patio seats 70 and is also available, but with tonight’s rain, it was best to stay indoors.  The view from the upper floor was lovely, looking down onto the primary restaurant space, the bar, tables and chairs and wall of wines. The spacious room upstairs was elegantly decorated with hardwood floors, leather sofas and chairs.  The wooden paneling looked as though it was original and I imagined that there were office up here at one time.  Looking out the window, I could see the main street and noticed that the sun was beginning to set.  I needed to pay my bill and then make the drive back to Columbus, but not before sneaking a peak at the outdoor patio.

Have you visited the Vault Wine Bar or nearby wineries in Richland county?  I would love to hear about your experience or any recommendations for a future visit.  Many thanks for reading about my stop at The Vault and wishing you many Happy Travels!  Cheers!

What to See and What to Do:

The Vault Wine Bar
29  West Main Street
Shelby, OH  44875
Telephone:  567 292 9081

The winery offers over 30 wines by the glass and I decided to support Ohio wines by ordering the Gewurtztraminer from Firelands, the Versailles Niagara and Cypress Hill’s blueberry wine.

Where to Stay:

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson
2069 Walker Lake Road
Mansfield, OH  44906
Telephone:  419 747 2227

Where to Eat:

The Vault Wine Bar
29  West Main Street
Shelby, OH  44875
Telephone:  567 292 9081

The Stuffed Dates I ordered were phenomenal and the menu changes regularly.  Check out The Vault Wine Bar’s Bacon Ranch Deviled Eggs, Goat Cheese Stuffed Jalapenos, or the Pretzel Sticks with a white cheddar beer cheese!  The pizzas are also fantastic and my favorite is the Caprese Pizza with basil pesto, tomato slices, fresh mozzarella and a balsamic reduction drizzle.

Hafle Winery in Springfield Offering a Great Selection of Ohio Wines – NOW CLOSED

IMG_6423

Springfield, Ohio is making its mark on the Ohio wine industry with the re-opening of Haflé Winery in 2015.  Many residents may remember the winery which once occupied the estate located on Upper Valley Pike in the 1970’s.  For many wine enthusiasts and local residents in the surrounding area, this was a welcome comeback.

IMG_6424

Family-owned and operated, Haflé Winery is a quaint winery and restaurant offering a unique selection of wines, as well as a full-service bar.  Located in the northwest region of town, the lovely estate and winery resides in a rural setting surrounded by a dense forest of fifty acres.

There was a comfortable, cozy feeling as I entered the dimly lit wine tasting area and bar.  I took a seat and placed my order for a glass of wine.  I sipped on a White Zinfandel by Vista Point and began a conversation with the patrons who make Haflé Winery a weekly stop each Tuesday.  With beer specials and discounts on wine, I could choose from over 40 wines available to sample before making my purchase.  The best deal at Hafle is a flight of five wines (with generous pours) for ten dollars.

IMG_6430

The wine menu was unique in the fact that it offered Ohio-made wines in addition to amazing reds and whites from all over the US.  I learned from one of the customers sitting beside me that Dan Haflé, Jr., the owner, was working behind the bar.  Mr. Haflé helped me choose five samples according to my wine preference and he was eager to tell me about the history of his family’s winery.

Without a moment of hesitation and while keeping up with his clients at the bar, Dan explained that it was his father, Dan Sr., who first came up with the idea of opening a winery in the late 1960s.  According to Dan, his father had a friend in fellow farmer Ken Schuchter who also shared his passion for drinking wine. They would both soon turn their love of wine into a business with Haflé Winery based in Springfield and Valley Vineyards in Morrow.  By 1969, Dan Sr., planted his first vines and through trial and error successfully began producing his own wine and so it was there in 1974 that the original winery came into existence. Over the next 20 years, the Haflé family would find themselves in a continuous struggle to grow grapes in the soil of this region, and by 1994, the outlook seemed bright.  And just when the business was continuing to grow, the EPA presented them with another challenge.  With the expansion of the winery, the EPA determined that the current sewer structure was inadequate. The Haflés would either need to pay for their own stand-alone system or connect to the city which would cost them thousands of dollars.  Due to the complicated logistics and expense of the agency’s requirements, the Haflés were forced to close their doors for business in the mid-90s.

Fast forward twenty years later and Dan Haflé, Jr. has revived Hafle Winery having re-opened in 2015.

IMG_6433

And as I sat on the edge of my seat throughout Dan’s amazing story, my flight of wine had already been poured.  I chose the Vista Point Merlot, a red wine from the Napa Valley of California.

The next glass was the Dark Horse Petite Sirah (dry) from Modesto, California.

Next I sampled a local Ohio winery, the Rodeo Red (semi sweet) from the Winery at Versailles and then the Mon Ami Concord (sweet), also an Ohio wine.

My final selection was the St. James Blackberry wine (sweet) from St. James, Missouri and I determined that the Rodeo Red from Versailles was my favorite wine from the flight.

IMG_6434

I decided to order dinner before the kitchen closed and was excited to try a thin crust pizza with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese and fresh basil.  The specials for the night included a Cuban Sandwich ($12), Blackened Tuna Dinner for $15 and Black Bean soup.

I leisurely enjoyed my wine and soaked up the atmosphere while continuing my conversation with Dan.  He explained to me that during the warmer months, the winery offers outdoor seating and scheduled entertainment. They also supply steaks and seafood that customers can cook on the grill.

IMG_6432

It was an incredible evening of drinking wine, catching up with old friends and making new ones.

It is true that Ohio is becoming more recognized as a state producing award winning wines.  In addition to the wide selection of wines, what makes Haflé Winery unique is that it holds liquor licenses to both produce its own wine as well as serve liquor in its establishment.  And although outsiders may recognize Haflé Winery as a newcomer to Ohio’s wine industry, they will be surprised that it has a rich history of winemaking all its own.

Do you have a favorite winery in Ohio that you like to visit?  Have you visited Haflé Winery and would like to share you experience?  I would love to hear from you if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below!  Many thanks for reading about my visit to Haflé Winery and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Haflé Winery
2369 Upper Valley Pike
Springfield, OH
Telephone:  937 399 1221

  • Hours: The winery is open from 5 PM to 9 PM on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday;  5 PM to 10 PM on Friday and 12 PM to 10 PM on Saturday. The winery is closed on Monday. Hours are seasonal and are subject to change. Please refer to the winery’s website for any updates to its hours of operation.
  • Amenities:  Weekend entertainment, dining, wine tastings, wine, gift shop, private events and weekend cookouts.

I would like to thank Dan Haflé, Jr. for his hospitality in providing me with the history of Haflé Winery and recommending some great wines!

Where to Stay:

Courtyard by Marriott Downtown
100 South Fountain Avenue
Springfield, OH  45502
Telephone;  937 322 3600

Where to Eat: 

Hafle Winery’s menu offers a wonderful selection of appetizers, sandwiches,  dinners and salads.  The winery hosts popular weekend cookouts with live music entertainment.

More favorite Springfield eateries:

  • Schuler’s Donuts:   Their chocolate cream-filled doughnut is their best seller…”home of homemade”. The bakery has several locations in Springfield.
  • Simon Kenton Inn:  This historical home is an inn, restaurant and entertainment venue.  With great food, I love the atmosphere of the Simon Kenton Inn.
  • Guerra’s Krazy Tacos:  One of my favorite places to eat in Springfield, Guerra’s is known for their unique gourmet tacos.
  • Salato Deli:  I love stopping by this deli for their charcuterie board
  • Le Torte Dolci Bakery;  Located next to the Salato Deli, this European French bakery also serves amazing gelato.
  • Mike & Rosie’s Deli:  This staple of Springfield is located near the Wittenberg campus and I am extremely fond of their Reuben sandwich.

Where to Drink: 

What to Read:

  • The Book of Springfield, Ohio, 1906, by Springfield Commercial Club
  • Springfield, Ohio:  A Summary of Two Centuries, by Tom Dunham
  • Ridgewood in the Country Club District, by Tamara K. Dallenbach
  • Still Standing:  A life of pain, adversity and perseverance, by James Cooper
  • Hometown Killer, by Carol Rothgeb

Photo Guide for Springfield, Ohio:  

  • Hartman Rock Garden
  • Westcott House, Frank Lloyd Wright House
  • Glen Helen Nature Preserve in nearby Yellow Springs
  • Heritage Center of Clark County
  • Tecumseh Land Trust in nearby Yellow Springs
  • Ohio Caverns in nearby Bellefontaine
  • Oakes Quarry Park in nearby Fairborn, Ohio

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