You’re at Home at Meranda-Nixon Winery, Ripley, Ohio

9 June 202416 March 2025

Located in Ripley, Ohio, east of Cincinnati, is Meranda-Nixon Winery. Surrounded by beautiful vineyards in a gorgeous rural setting, this winery is the perfect location for scenic views, total relaxation and much-needed wine therapy.

The charming winery looks like a page out of Country Living magazine with its fashionable displays and bottles of wine for purchase. It was a busy Saturday morning and the tasting bar was crowded with wine enthusiasts and first time visitors. Eagerly waiting to ease into an open spot, I couldn’t help but eavesdrop on several conversations to decide which wines I wanted to sample.

Maura Meranda, co-owner of the vineyard, reached over the crowd to hand me a wine list and welcomed me to the winery. I began my tasting with the Chardonnay, described as “aged in oak barrels…starting with a buttery flavor followed with a toasty oak flavor with a hint of lemongrass and butterscotch followed with a pleasant citrus finish”. This complex wine is full of flavor and has a heavenly, buttery smell (Imagine an oaky hot buttered popcorn…yum!). It won the 2016 Gold Medal Winner in the Ohio Wine Competition.

Easing into the semi-sweet wines, the Trotter White Wine is my next selection which has “tropical flavors with a smooth finish. Summer in a bottle!” This would be a fabulous wine chilled and enjoyed on a hot summer day.

The winery’s 2014 Catawba Estate wine is described as “a wonderful blush wine balanced with raspberry and strawberry flavors”. I loved the sweet hints of fruit that lingered for a perfect, smooth finish and decided to purchase a bottle to enjoy later.

Sparkling wines are oh-so-fabulous and there is nothing better than a cold bottle on a hot summer day or for a lovely, winter celebration. Meranda-Nixon’s Estate Sparkling Catawba is absolutely refreshing, winning a Silver Medal in the Ohio Wine Competition.

Crossing over into red wine territory, I am ready to try the Red Oak Creek, a “blend of Traminette and Norton grapes and is aged in stainless steel. This semi-sweet wine has pleasing berry and raspberry flavors. Enjoy room temperature or chilled.” I had just recently been introduced to the Traminette grapes, which I learned is a French-American hybrid native to the state of Indiana. Known to sustain cold temperatures, it is resistant to fungal diseases and is a popular grape among Ohio wine makers. The Norton grape, however, was quite new to me. Used in producing a more dry wine, the Norton was first grown in the state of Virginia gaining popularity in the 1830s.

For a great wine to drink with burgers, the winery produces their Estate Cabernet Franc which is described as a wine which has “cherry flavors followed by hints of vanilla and a smooth peppery oak finish!” (Pepper? I am always looking for that perfect spicy wine).

Winning the 2015 Silver Medal in the Ohio Wine Competition is the 2013 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon that is a “ruby red wine with black cherry notes from start to finish with hints of vanilla and tobacco.” This wine comes highly recommended with steak.

Although they only had a few bottles left, Maura poured me a sample of the 2013 Estate Norton. One of their best wines to date, it won the 2015 Silver Medal in the Ohio Wine Competition. I enjoyed the smooth, complex taste of this “full bodied, deep ruby red wine that has a little bit of a tart, sweet and bold berry flavor. It has a delicate but smooth oak finish and is aged 12 months in 100% American Oak!”

Enjoying the combination of pepper and vanilla, the 2013 Estate Reserve Cabernet Franc was one of my favorite wines at Meranda-Nixon. This grape grows well in southern Ohio due to warmer temperatures so the grapes can ripen on the vine prior to harvest. “Black cherry on the mid-palate…it shows complex aromas of freshly crushed fruit (blackberry and plum) pepper and tobacco. Velvet smooth tannins, dense and rich, this elixir fills every corner of the mouth its decadence.” In addition to winning Best of Show, it also took home the Double Gold Medal in the 2016 Ohio Wine Competition. James Suckling, former editor of Wine Spectator, compared Meranda’s Cabernet Franc to those wines made in France.

With a two-hour drive home, I decided to complete my tasting and stock up on a few of my favorite wines. This has been one of the best wine tastings I have experienced in Ohio to date and the wines are of superior quality. But don’t take it from me, even their dog Lucy likes to chew the corks.

I had the wonderful opportunity to sit down with Maura Meranda to learn more about the history of the winery and to enjoy a glass of wine and the beautiful view. She explained to me that her husband Seth grew up in Ripley on his family’s tobacco farm. With over 100 acres, they provided tobacco for Philip Morris until 2003. Having purchased half of the farm, Seth and his late wife Tina decided to start a vineyard with only three acres. In 2007, they opened the Meranda-Nixon Winery, planted more grapes and made wine until her passing in 2012.

Seth’s passion for winemaking continued the operation. He later met Maura and they were a perfect match for producing some of Ohio’s fabulous award winning wines. What impressed me the most was that I also had the opportunity to meet their children. It was such a pleasure watching them work alongside their parents and providing tours of the vineyards. At the age of 15, Austin was so knowledgeable about the wine-making process and telling me about the grapes they grow in the vineyard (I see a future winemaker in the making).

My visit to Meranda-Nixon Winery was more than just a tour and a tasting. They are a family that loves to share their desire to make great wines. They are committed to giving their visitors an enjoyable experience with an atmosphere that is both welcoming and relaxing.

You may arrive at Meranda-Nixon Winery as a guest, but don’t be surprised if you leave this beautiful place feeling like family.

Have you had the opportunity to visit Meranda-Nixon Winery? I would love to hear about your visit if you will kindly leave a message in the comments section below.

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What to See and What to Do:

Meranda-Nixon Winery
6517 Laycock Road
Ripley, Ohio 45167
Telephone: 855 651 9188

Hours: The winery is open from 1PM to 8 PM on Friday and from 11AM to 6PM on Saturday. Monday – Thursday, the winery is open by Appointment only. 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 are not available. As always, please drink responsibly.

Where to Stay:

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

Voted one of the top Bed & Breakfasts by Cincinnati Magazine in 2001.

Where to Eat:

Ripley Gourmet Tortillas
6 Main Street
Ripley, OH 45167
Telephone: 937 392 4000

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

Halliday’s Winery in Lake Milton, Ohio

4 June 202122 September 2024

While driving to Pennsylvania to visit my brother and his family, I would notice several road signs advertising the wineries of northeast Ohio. I was determined to make a stop on my way home in the little town of Lake Milton and had the opportunity to have lunch at Halliday’s Winery.

It was a busy lunch hour and I was greeted by a friendly server who sat me at a table near the window. Handing me a food menu and tasting sheet, I selected a flight of wines and a flatbread pizza.

The winery was named in honor of James Halliday who is settled along the Mahoning River over 200 years ago. The winery’s website includes a few interesting stories about the life of James Halliday who built a grist mill here and raised his family.

Waiting for my meal, I watched several families arrive, meeting each other for the afternoon. Children played near the entrance as families waited for a table. I could hear them discussing their week and upcoming plans as the room was filled with conversation.

With a few more minutes to wait, I read through the excerpts on their website about the Halliday family. My favorite selection was titled “The Mill”, which emphasized the coming together as a community to support each other and help in times of need.

My Asiago Basil flatbread pizza arrived topped with sharp asiago cheese, mild pepper rings and sweet basil.

Finishing lunch, I submitted my tasting sheet with the list of wine I wanted to sample.

Mozina Creek is described as a delightful merlot with Chambourcin and Chancellor hybrids added for character. This well balanced wine offers aromas of juicy red berries, off dry, fruity characteristics and a touch of light oak. Listed as a semi-dry, the wine is available at $8 per glass or $22 per bottle.
Darak Sunrise is a light bodied red full of Concord fruit flavor. Lush soft and smooth. Fresh grape aromas and flavors that provide a distinctive, juice taste. Listed as a semi-sweet wine, it is available for $7 per glass or $19 per bottle.
Carosello is a white Riesling wine with aromas of white peach, pear, mineral and floral accents. Rich mouth feel it is bright on the palate creating an appealing balance of fruit and acid. This semisweet wine is available for $9 per glass and $24 per bottle.
Sweet Sarah, made from local Niagara grapes tastes of candied lemon rind with hints of jasmine high notes. A popular sweet wine, it is available for $7 per glass and $19 per bottle.
Mead is a wine made from honey which comes from local northeastern Ohio bee colonies. It is available for $7 per glass and $40 per bottle.

Sampling wines and enjoying a light lunch, I enjoyed my time spent at Halliday Winery. Before leaving Lake Milton, I stopped by the state park to walk off my lunch, enjoying the scenic views of the lake before leaving for Columbus, excited to spend time with my family.

Have you visited Halliday’s Winery? Did you have lunch or sample their 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 quick stop in Lake Milton and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Halliday’s Winery
2400 NE River Road
Lake Milton, OH 44429
Telephone: 330 654 9463

Hours: Thursdays from 3 – 8PM, Friday and Saturday from noon to 10PM, Sunday from 11:30AM to 6PM

Featured Ohio Winery: Leisure Time Winery

12 March 201716 September 2024

Returning from the Spangler Candy Company, I decided to stop in Napoleon, Ohio to visit Leisure Time Winery where “Time for turning moments into memories!” is their motto. Cruising through the beautiful countryside of northeast Ohio, I was looking forward to sampling a couple of wines and enjoying a Saturday night of live music.

The sun was beginning to set when I arrived and I had a drive ahead of me to reach Columbus. I wished I would have set out earlier so I could enjoy the outdoor patio, but at least I was able to make it in time for the gorgeous sunset.

I made a stop at the bar to check out the selection of wines and began my tasting with Comfortably Numb, a bold red wine lightly oaked and a perfect balance of acidity. According to the wine list, this lovely red pairs perfectly well with steak and an assortment of game.

My next sample was Hocus Pocus, a semi dry, perfect blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio. I thought it would be fun to have a couple of bottles in preparation for the upcoming Halloween holiday.

I decided to review the menu and learned that Leisure Time is known for their pizzas. I wanted something light and ordered the pretzels, a great choice for sampling wine.

The Lazy Daze Riesling was surprisingly delicious. More sweet than dry, it was perfect and recommended for the summer months.

The staff are super friendly and placed my order for a cheese quesadilla as I decided on my next selection from the 12 wines which are all made on site. I opted for Comfort Zone, a semi-sweet wine which was so easy to drink. A sweet blend of chancellor and concord grapes, I could have easily mistaken this generous pour as a glass of grape juice.

I learned that the wines at Leisure Time Winery are made from grape juice that they purchase from various vendors. The Wine O’ Clock, made from local Niagara grapes, was the best sample I had sipped so far. I decided to buy a couple of bottles as well as purchased a glass to enjoy while listening to the amazing local, live band.

An hour passed while enjoying the entertainment and the wine, so it was time for me to begin the trek towards Columbus. I enjoyed my evening at Leisure Time Winery and wished I had lived a little closer so that I could stay a little longer.

Have you visited Leisure Time Winery in Napoleon? What was your favorite wine selection? 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 winery visit and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to Do and What to See:

Leisure Time Winery
16982 Country Road, M2
Napoleon, OH 43545
Telephone: 419 758 3442

Open Wednesday to Friday from 5PM to 9PM and Saturday from 12PM to 9PM. (Check their website for their summer hours). They are also open Mondays and Tuesdays for art & painting classes.

The winery is located 2 miles south of State Route 24 between Defiance and Napoleon. Check out their Facebook page for the most up to date information and hours of operation.

Where to Stay:

Sauder Heritage Inn
22611 OH-2
Archbold, OH 43502
Telephone: 800 590 9755

Where to Eat:

Leisure Time Winery
16982 Country Road, M2
Napoleon, OH 43545
Telephone: 419 758 3442

You don’t have to travel far for good food when visiting Leisure Time Winery. With a full menu, you can order their famous pizzas, paninis, large list of appetizers and desserts. The Margherita Pizza with jalapenos is my favorite!