Tag Archives: Sauvignon Blanc

CPT: Cape Town Airport

It was a wild ride, but I had finally arrived in Cape Town, South Africa.    Departing the Columbus International Airport, my flight was scheduled to arrive in Atlanta, but with a delay at CMH, I was rerouted through Detroit, Michigan.  Because of the delay, I missed my connection in Frankfurt, and lost a full day in Cape Town.

Waiting for my luggage by the carousel, I finally realized that my suitcase did not arrive. Baggage claim was nearby and I could see that there were several other passengers who were waiting as well.  Within about twenty minutes, I stepped up to the window and was asked to complete the lost luggage claim.  Handing the form back to the agent, I needed to reach the Hertz counter to pick up my rental car.   I couldn’t help but take in the impressive displays and took a few moments to read up on the highlights of Cape Town.

One of the most surprising finds was to learn that South Africa was under a water restriction during my visit.  From 2014 to 2017, the country’s water supply dropped from nearly 93 to 23%, resulting in a water crisis in 2018.  In January, the water had reached such an all-time low, that the country issued a crisis where water conservation was the utmost of importance.

One of the most beautiful murals at the Cape Town Airport is titled “Flying Madiba.” Unveiled in 2015, this gorgeous tapestry is displayed in honor of Nelson Mandela who championed “human rights around the world.”  Madiba, Mandela’s clan name, was imprisoned for his pursuit of civil rights.  This spectacular artwork was designed by Czech artist Peter Sis and woven by France’s Atelier Pinton.

In my research of Cape Town before my visit, I learned so much about the wines the Cape Town area produces.  I was so excited to try the various varietals, that I had actually made room in my luggage so that I could bring back a few bottles.

I was most surprised that this region has been making wines for over 350 years.  With its perfect climate and soil, Cape Town produces such wines as Pinotage, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, Merlot, Chenin Blanc, Cabernet-Sauvignon and Bordeaux-style red blends.

Kalk Bay, a cute little fishing village in Cape Town, was voted as one of the coolest towns by Forbes Magazine.

The Long Walk of Freedom display represents Robbin Island and the location where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years before the fall of apartheid.   I was so excited to have made reservations to visit this historical place in the next couple of days.

The beautiful, bright colored structures remind me of the photos of the homes of Bo-Kaap, the Malay district of Cape Town.  With its cobblestone streets. this neighborhood is beaming with culture, incredible restaurants and history.  I was so excited to explore this amazing neighborhood and try some amazing, local cuisine.

Yet, what was even more exciting was the opportunity to see penguins on the beach.  I learned that there are seven beaches in South Africa where penguins make their home: Bird Island, Boulder Beach, Dassen Island, Dyer Island, Robben Island and St. Croix Island.

So exhilarated with so many options in Cape Town, how would I decide?

Have you visited Cape Town?  What was your favorite place and would you visit again?  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 arrival into Cape Town and I hope you read more about my amazing vacation.  Wishing you many amazing travels in your future!

What to See and What to Do: 

Robbin Island
Cape Town 7400 South Africa
Telephone:  +27 (0) 21 409 5100

  • Admission Fee:  Adults: R550 ($35 per adult); Children (ages 2 – 18): R310 ($18 per child)
  • Hours:  Open daily from 9AM to 3:30PM
  • Amenities:  scheduled tours, tour guide by former prisoners, special exhibitions, ferry transportation to the island, bus transportation on the island,
  • Scenic View:  Gorgeous views of Cape Town from the ferry and island.  There are penguins on Robben Island as well.
  • Length of Visit:  At least 2 – 3 hours to see the highlights
  • Tips for Your Visit:  You can pay an additional fee for pick up from your hotel.  Wear comfortable shoes for walking and remember your passport.  There will be plenty of opportunities for photos so don’t forget your camera.  The tour is based on the weather of the seas and may be cancelled, so if you are staying over several days, select this option at the beginning of your visit to Cape Town.  You may want to consider taking medication for motion sickness for the ferry.  Bring additional money to tip your guide.

Top 5 Wineries in South Africa

Boschendel Wine Estate
Pniel Road, Groot
Franschhoek, 7690, South Africa
Telephone:  +27 21 870 4200

One of the oldest and most picturesque wineries in South Africa, this estate is known for its Boschendel Brut.

Babylonstoren
Klapmuts, Simondium
Simondium, 7670, South Africa
Telephone:  27 21 863 3852

Babylonstoren produces 13 different grape varieties over 232 acres.  In addition to its winery, Babylonstoren offers cottages, restaurants, spa treatments and garden.

Jordan Wines Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch Kloof Road, Vlottenberg
Stellenbosch, 7604, South Africa
Telephone:  +27 21 881 3441

Twenty five minutes from Cape Town International Airport, the Jordan Wine Estate is an ultimate wine destination with vineyards, luxury suites, a bakery and spectacular views.

Waterkloof
Old Sir Lowry’s Pass Road, Somerset West
Cape Town, 7130, South Africa
Telephone:  +27 21 858 1292

Producing organic wines on land that was once the feeding ground of local sheep, Waterkloof is a full-fledged organic farm.

Beau Constantia
1043 Constantia Main Road, Constantia
Cape Town, 7130, South Africa
Telephone:  +27 21 794 8632

Overlooking False Bay, this spectacular boutique winery is also a magnificent restaurant

Kalk Bay is a 35 minute drive from Cape Town, South Africa,  Known for its caves, it is recommended to schedule a tour with a local who is familiar with the cave routes.  There are fabulous restaurants along the coast and lovely places to stay with scenic views.

Bo Kaap is another neighborhood in the heart of Cape Town.  Colorful houses line the  streets and restaurants offer traditional dishes.  Dating back to the 1760’s, this area was once known as the Malay Quarter when Indonesians and Malaysians were brought here as slaves. Be sure to check out the Bo Kaap museum.

Where to Stay:

Radisson RED V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
No. 6, Silo, Silo Square, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
Telephone:  +27 87 086 1578

Where to Eat:

Harbour House V&A Waterfront
Quay Four, Ground Floor, V&A Waterfront
Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
Telephone: +27 21 418 4744

In addition to their sushi, the views of the V&A Harbor are spectacular!

What to Eat: 

  • Amaural Don Pedro is a dessert cocktail made from  the marula fruit, indigenous fruit
  •  Biltong and Droewors are air dried meat and sausage, a traditional South African meal.  Cured with vinegar, salt, spices and sugar, this dish can also be made with ostrich and wild boar. a cream liquor made from South African
  • Bobotie is a dish inspired from the country’s Asian settlers.  This casserole dish is made of minced meats simmered in spices then topped with egg and milk then baked.
  • Boerewors are sausages formed into a coil and cooked on a BBQ (braai);  boer means farmer and wors is sausage.
  • Braii / Shisha nyama are barbecues and many butchers will set these up in front of their shops.
  • Bunny Chow is a popular street food in Durban where hollowed out loaf breads are filled with spicy curry.
  • Chakalaka & pap, a vegetable dish is typically served with barbecued meat.
  • Malva Pudding is a dessert inspired by the Dutch who settled in Cape Town.  Similar to a sticky pudding, it is made with an apricot jam and smothered in a hot cream sauce.

What to Read:

  • Long Walk to Freedom, by Nelson Mandela
  • A History of South Africa, by Frank Welsh
  • Burger’s Daughter, by Nadine Gordimer
  • Cry, The Beloved Country, by Alan Paton
  • Jock of the Bushveld, by Sir James Percy Fitzpatrick

What to Photograph:

  • Lion’s Head – The Top and Wally’s Cave
  • Boulder’s Beach for the Penguins
  • Cape Point for its stunning views
  • The Bo-Kaap for its vibrant colors
  • Street art in Woodstock
  • Muizenberg and St James for their colorful bathing boxes
  • Top of Table Mountain
  • Chapman’s Peak Drive
  • Robben Island
  • The amazing wineries

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

Hocking Hills Winery in Athens, Ohio

After making several trips to Athens to visit my sister, I decided to stop by Hocking Hills Winery in Logan on my way home to Columbus.  Beckoned by billboards along US-33, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to sample locally-produced wines and purchase a couple of bottles for myself.

Max and Loris Davidson owned the property and raised cattle on the farm until the land was passed down to their family by 2008.  Wanting to maintain the farm for agricultural use, it was their grandson, Blaine, who came up with the idea to plant a vineyard to produce wine as Hocking Valley Vineyards.  That same year, 2013, they planted their first 600 vines on just over one acre.  The grapevines included the hearty French-hybrid varietals that would thrive in the cold weather of Ohio to include the Chambourcin, Traminette and the Vidal Blanc.

The large room is a great meeting place with the tasting bar on the opposite side of the entrance.  I grabbed a seat and a menu and within minutes ordered their wine flight where I could sample eight of their sixteen varietals.

Their estate grown wines include:

  • Vidal Blanc, first harvested in 2013 from their estate grown grapes. It is a full bodied white which pairs with shellfish and chicken.
    • The Vidal Blanc grapes are also used to make the Lilly of the Valley wine
  • Sauvignon Blanc, first harvested in 2016 from the Lontue region of the Curico Valley of Chile, South America.  Pairs great with grilled chicken as well as Greek and Mexican cuisine.
  • Traminette, first harvested in 2017

Additional Wines:

  • Chardonnay aged in American Oak for 8 months
  • Pinot Grigio from grapes harvested from the Lontue region of the Curico Valley of Chile in South America. The cool wine region allows the grapes to flourish in the Andes Mountains providing a crisp, dry white.
  • Riesling from the Columbia Valley of Washington state in a cool climate resulting in semi-sweet wine which balances out rich, saucy dishes.  (This was one of my favorites!)
  • Moscato from Lodi, California
  • Sweet Chardonnay from California’s Central Valley
  • Malbec
  • Syrah
  • Zinfandel from Lodi, California is a region where much of the great Zinfandel is produced. Pair this wine with rich meats.
  • Hocking River Red, a sweet red wine blend
  • Rock House Rouge
  • Balanced Rock Port, a dessert wine
  • Peach Wine Slushy
  • Raspberry Wine Slushy

While the winery has been winning awards since 2015 and their wines have also been recognized by a number of organizations:

Awards and Recognition?

  • 2019: Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor!
  • 2019: Riesling awarded a Silver Medal at the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition!
  • 2019: Chardonnay awarded a Bronze Medal at the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition!
  • 2019: Hocking River Red awarded a Bronze Medal at the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition!
  • 2018: Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor!
  • 2018: Petite Syrah awarded a Bronze Medal at the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition!
  • 2018: Trillium awarded a Bronze Medal at the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition!
  • 2017: Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor!
  • 2015: New Business of the Year Award by the Hocking Hills Chamber of Commerce!

Hocking Hills Winery offers a nice menu of appetizers ranging from $8 to $20 and visitors can also order food from local restaurants through UberEats, DoorDash or from the restaurant’s website as well.

What to See and What to Do:

Hocking Hills Winery
30402 Freeman Road
Logan, OH  43138
Telephone:  740 385 7117

  • Hours: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 1PM to 8PM,  Friday from 1PM to 10PM and Saturday from 11AM to 10PM; Closed Tuesday
  • Tips for Visiting Hocking Hills Winery:  The winery caters to hikers, so make sure to stop by!  In addition to wine, the winery provides additional juices and water.  Children are permitted as well as dogs.  They do not accept reservations.  Their white wines are vegan but egg whites are used in their red wines to soften the tannins.  Outside food and beverages are not permitted but they have a menu which is also located on their website.

St. Joseph’s Pinot Vista Vineyard in Madison, Ohio

When I arrived at St. Joseph Vineyards, I was aware of the winery’s reputation for making some of the best wines in Ohio.

Founded in 1987, Doreen and her husband Art Pietrzyk, moved from Cleveland to Ohio’s Grand River Valley after perfecting their wine-making skills over several years since 1972.  Art was an engineer, so of course he was curious to learn how wine was made, so he began his own operation making wine from grapes and concentrate.

Art and Doreen’s curiosity for making wine led them to work with such winemakers as Bill Worthy in the Grand River Valley, Doug Mooreshead at Presque Isle Winery and favorite local, Arnie Esterer of nearby Markko Vineyard.   They also reached out to Ohio State University’s agriculture division, traveled the world to sample lots of wine and eventually purchased land to start growing their own grapes.

The drive to reach the vineyards was absolutely stunning with twists, turns, valleys and hills.  The gravel road eventually reaches the winery which was built in 1999. Approaching upstairs, the smell of cedar escapes the tasting room where the winery’s medals and wines are displayed while the basement houses the winemaking operations.

Standing behind the counter was Doreen, pouring her award-winning varietals from their local vitis vinifera grapes.

According to Doreen, there are seven acres of grapes, mostly red from Ohio’s Grand River Valley with an additional six acres of white grapes in Conneaut’s Lake Erie Appellation. They types of grapes they have planted include Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz and Vidal Blanc.

I couldn’t resist a glass of the Saperavi, a popular grape from the country of Georgia. The name means “dye”, which relates to the deep, red color of the wine, almost black in color. With a full body and dynamic texture, this wine is my favorite at St. Joseph Vineyard.  Considered a bit jammy, the taste of the wine changes after the second day.  Smelling of berries, it also tastes fruit-forward and would be perfectly paired with steak.

The wine label is a replica of the beautiful stained glass window on the property.  Perfectly recreated, it resembles the elegance and artistic nature of the winemakers and their process.

White Wines

  • Pinot Gris:  A dry wine with orange, citrus and honeysuckle fruit flavors
  • Chardonnay:  A dry, complex and intense wine made “sur-lie style” with apple and buttery flavors
  • Sauvignon Blanc: A fruity wine rich in tropical, pineapple floral and herbal character
  • Riesling:  A semi-dry fruity wine intense with apple, citrus and melon flavors
  • Vidal Blanc: A semi-dry Germanic style wine enlivened with pear, peach and apricot fruit flavors
  • Ice Wine:  This special sweet dessert wine is made from grapes that are picked and pressed while still frozen to extract a highly concentrated juice.

Red Wines

  • Pinot Noir: A bright red with luscious bing cherry and strawberry flavors, coupled with hints of violet.
  • Reserve Pinot Noir:  A big intense red with black cherry and plum flavors along with clove spice and cedar tones with a perfume bouquet with hints of roses.
  • St.  Joseph Noir: A proprietary red blend which includes varieties such as Pinot, Cabernet, Petit Shiraz, Merlot, Shiraz and Sangiovese.
  • Merlot: A dark red wine teeming with raspberry, currant and plum aromas.
  • Shiraz: The Shiraz is Rhone-style red with blueberry, clove and peppery flavors.
  • Cabernet / Cabernet Franc: Big Red Cabernet with berry, plum and vanilla notes.

St. Joseph’s Vineyard’s philosophy comes from a Bible verse from the book of Matthew.  “Wherefore ye shall know them by their fruits. The good vine bears good wine.”  (Matthew 7:16).

The Pietrzyks have lived up to their philosophy, creating award winning wines for years and I am ready to grab a couple bottles of Saperavi and enjoy the fruits of their labor.

Have you visited St. Joseph Vineyards?  What was your favorite wine?  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 St. Joseph Vineyards and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

St, Joseph Vineyards
6060 Madison Road
7800 Warner Road (tasting room)
Thompson, Ohio  44086
Telephone:  440 298 3709

Main Room is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11AM to 6PM during the spring and fall and open Friday and Saturday from noon to 7PM, all year.

Where to Stay:

The Lodge at Geneva on the Lake
4888 N. Broadway
Geneva on the Lake, Ohio  44041
Telephone:  866 806 8066

Where to Eat:

I recommend having snacks at Hundley Cellars because they are fabulous and unique!  Here are a couple of suggestions close by if you would prefer a full menu option:

Chops Grille & Tap House
1752 State Route 534 South
Geneva, Ohio  44041
Telephone:  440 466 7427

Crosswinds Grille
5653 Lake Road East
Geneva, Ohio  44041
Telephone:  440 466 8668 x4

My favorite menu item is the charcuterie board.   Crosswinds is known for its farm to table offerings where everything tastes so fresh.

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

Featured Ohio Winery: Mon Ami Winery, now Gideon Owen Wine Company

Update:  Mon Ami Winery is now Gideon Owen Wine Company

Sumptuous smells of garlic and cheese reached the table within seconds before my pizza arrived.  I ordered the Margherita Pizza, a glass of Concord and the menu’s recommended wine pairing, Pinot Noir. I had just spent the Labor Day weekend exploring nearby Lake Erie’s Put-in-Bay and planned to stop for lunch at one of Ohio’s oldest and largest wineries, Mon Ami Restaurant and Historic Winery.

I arrived early passing through the Mon Ami arch to avoid the Saturday night crowd. Mon Ami’s weekend entertainment and decadent seafood buffet can leave visitors waiting hours for a table.

The dramatic façade of the winery, constructed of limestone and sand, was designed and built by George Loeb.  Construction of the initial structure began in the 1850s, but was halted during the Civil War, becoming a temporary, make-shift prison for the Confederates.  The building was finally completed in 1872.

The history of Mon Ami began in 1873 when a cooperation of grape growers and vintners established Catawba Island Wine Company.  While Prohibition saw the closing of many Ohio wineries, Mon Ami survived by producing and selling altar wine.  Generating 130,000 gallons of wine, the estate was purchased by Mon Ami Champagne Company in 1937, one of the few American wineries producing the finest champagne.

The fire of 1945 destroyed much of the upper rooms of the original winery and it was at this time, Mon Ami decided to open its restaurant, collaborating with the local Zapone family.  Mon Ami continues its tradition of offering up-scale cuisine in its Main Dining room with a selection to include Alaskan crab, Prime Rib and Executive Chef specials.  Sommology recommendations are listed on Mon Ami’s menu, making it easy to decide which wine to pair with one’s food order.

The Chalet offers a more casual seating environment with live Jazz on Sundays and additional entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights.

I passed on dessert so that I could sample some of Mon Ami’s wine in the wine tasting room.  Tasting Flights range from $5 – $7 or $1 per wine and an additional charge for dessert wines, liquors and champagne.  I was so excited to sample the limoncello in additional to some of my favorite wine varietals.

Mon Ami’s spectacular collection of wines include California premium wines of Chardonnay, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz and Zinfandel in addition to their Ohio line of estate wines such as Proprietor’s Reserve Chardonnay and Cabernet, Riesling, Gewurtztraminer and Pinot Noir.

Mon Ami Winery hosts, on average, seven weddings over a weekend not to mention additional banquets and special celebrations throughout the year.  From photographs in the arbor and rose garden or weddings in the wine cellar, the winery offers a wide range of on-site venues to celebrate that perfect occasion.

I inquired about the Loretta Pagnini Cooking School which features demonstrations and classes taught by Pagnini, a teaching chef who offers cooking tips, teaches a wide range of kitchen techniques.   I knew that this would be a wonderful experience for a weekend with the girls.

Have you visited Mon Ami Winery?  What was your favorite part of your visit?  Dinner?  Wine Tasting?  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 fun afternoon at Mon Ami Restaurant and Historical Winery and wishing you Many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Mon Ami Restaurant & Historic Winery
9845 East Wine Cellar Road
Port Clinton, OH  43452
Telephone:  419 797 4445

The winery is open seven days a week, but the hours differ from the Winter to the Summer season, so check their website for hours of operation.  Reservations are only taken on select holidays (Easter, Mother’s and Father’s Day, Thanksgiving, New Year’s Eve), so it is first-come, first-served.   For Holiday Reservations call 419 797 4445.

Many stores throughout Ohio carry the popular Mon Ami wines, but purchases can also be made through Mon Ami’s online store.

Where to Stay:

South Beach Resort
8620 E. Bayshore Rd.
Marblehead, OH 43440
Hotel Reservations;  419 798 4900
Cottage Reservations:      419 798 5503

Where to Eat:

Mon Ami Restaurant & Historic Winery
9845 East Wine Cellar Road
Port Clinton, OH  43452
Telephone:  419 797 4445

During the weekends, Mon Ami hosts a seafood buffet on Saturday and Sunday brunch which are both very popular. Arrive early!

What to Eat:

  • Assiette de Fromage (Cheese Plate) from L’Albratos for a wide ranges of cheese
  • Barberton-style Fried Chicken, made from a Serbian recipe is an amazing dish from White House Chicken in nearby Barberton, Ohio
  • Beef Cheek Pierogie’s from Michael Symon’s Lola
  • Corned Beef Sandwiches from Slyman’s
  • Polish Boy at Seti’s is a kielbasa topped with meat, coleslaw and ketchup.
  • Pierogie’s from Sokolowski’s University Inn
  • Veal Parmesan at Trattoria on the Hill in Cleveland’s Little Italy neighborhood

 

Plan a Visit to Buckeye Lake Winery for Ohio Wine Month in June

What better place to enjoy a bottle of wine than alongside the beauty of Buckeye Lake in Ohio?   Buckeye Lake Winery was my first choice for a girl’s day of wine tasting, so I called a couple of my Columbus girlfriends to join me and began our 25-mile road trip to Thornville.

We arrived at 11 AM when the winery opened and was met by the winery’s proprietor, Tracy Higgenbotham and a large truck of fermented grapes arriving from Napa Valley.  Tracy welcomed us, provided us with menus and excused himself for a moment while we decided on what to order for lunch.

Within minutes, we had ordered several wine samples, the charcuterie plate, Boursin with Pecan & Honey and the Fig and Gorgonzola flatbread.  Several other options we considered were the Brie Wedge with fruit and a house made port reduction, Buckeye Lake Winery’s signature Winery Chips with a garlic cream sauce, bleu cheese, Parmesan and scallions as well as the Caprese Flatbread.  One look at the brunch menu and we all agreed we needed to make reservations soon to share the Bananas Foster French Toast.

Chatting it up with Tracy, he was eager to tell us about the winery and his previous experience visiting California’s wine country on business trips.  With his passion for great food and delicious wine, he and his wife Laura opened the winery to bring the Napa Valley experience to Ohio.   Tracy explained that he works directly with vineyards in Napa, Sonoma, Lodi and the Russian River Valley, personally selecting the grapes that go into making his wines.  Wine production begins at custom crush houses where the grapes are fermented and then he coordinates the shipping of the product to complete the aging, blending and bottling of the wine in Ohio.

While most of Buckeye Lake Winery’s wines come from grapes in California, Tracy knows that the Ohio wine drinkers like their sweet wines and has collaborated with local Ohio grape growers to make the winery’s popular Sweet Lake View.

White Wines

  • Lake View White – Dry White Wine, California: The winemaker’s selection is a limited release blend of Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc and is clean, bright and fruity $23 / $7
  • Pinot Grigio, Russian River Valley: This wine is aged in stainless steel tanks and is minerally rich. It has a honeysuckle and pear taste $24 / $7
  • Sauvignon Blanc – Napa Valley, California: Bright floral notes with tropical fruit, honeysuckle and a clean finish.  $26 / $8
  • Chardonnay – Napa Valley, California: This wine is barrel aged for 10 months and is clean and bright with hints of smoky toasted oak vanilla, green apples and pears.  $32 / $9

Red Wines

  • Lake View Red – Dry Red Wine, Lodi California:  The winemaker’s selection is a limited release blend of Petite Sirah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon and is full bodied with a soft finish.  $29 / $8
  • Cabernet Sauvignon – Lodi California: This wine is barrel aged for 18 months and has hints of black cherry, blackberry and oak with a soft finish.   $32 / $9
  • Zinfandel – Lodi, California: This wine is produced with grapes from 100 year old vines and is barrel aged for 18 months.  It is jammy, spicy and rich with a velvet finish.  $43 / $9
  • Cabernet Sauvignon – Napa Valley, California: This wine is barrel aged for 18 months in oak barrels and is rich, robust with black cherry flavor and a hint of dark chocolate and tobacco.  $75 This wine is sold by the bottle only to Wine Club members and is not included in wine tastings

Ohio Wine

  • Sweet Lake View, Ohio Wine: Sweet Lake View is produced and bottled at Buckeye Lake Winery.  The wine is aged in stainless steel tanks and has hints of citrus, peach and honey  $18 / $6

Prices are subject to change, so visit Buckeye Lake Winery’s website for the most up-to-date information.

Our lunch had arrived and we could not stop raving about our selection.  The Fig and Gorgonzola flatbread was spectacular with a perfect mix of saltiness from the bacon, the sweetness of the figs and caramelized onion with bursts of garlicky goodness.  The charcuterie plate was a generous portion of meats and cheeses (homemade goat cheeses with either apricots or blueberries), a few grapes, olives and French bread with a delicious marmalade.   We could not wait to dig into the Boursin with Pecan & Honey but waited to make it our dessert to this divine trio of small plates.

While it would have been lovely to have dined inside of the wine cave, we found a table outside so that we could enjoy the soothing view of Buckeye Lake.  We shared a bottle of Chardonnay, Zinfandel as well as our meals while catching up on the latest gossip.  We shared photos, secrets and happily stayed longer than planned.  Feasting on spectacular meals and delicious wines, enjoying the spectacular views, we couldn’t help but feel that we had truly arrived in Napa.

Have you had the pleasure of visiting Buckeye Lake Winery?  What did you think of the fabulous wines and food?  What were your favorite wines and menu items?  I would love to hear about your experience sampling wines at the winery if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.

Many thanks for catching up with me at Buckeye Lake Winery 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:

Buckeye Lake Winery
13750 Rosewood Road
Thornville, OH  43076
Telephone:  740 246 5665

Where to Stay:

Best Western Lakewood Inn
122 Arrowhead Drive
Hebron, OH  43025
Telephone:  866 599 6674

Where to Eat: 

Buckeye Lake Winery
13750 Rosewood Road
Thornville, OH  43076
Telephone:  740 246 5665

Buckeye Lake Winery has extensive menu of starters and meals that have been customized to pair with their wines.

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