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Tag Archives: Swiss cheese

Engineering Fabulous Wines, Vinoklet Winery

24 June 202323 September 2024

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It was a beautiful day, so I planned a visit to Vinoklet Winery & Restaurant on Cincinnati’s Westside.   As I pulled into the parking lot, I was more than surprised by the number of cars and was having a difficult time finding a parking space.

Vinoklet hosts a buffet style dinner over the weekends and is also a popular place for hosting events.  That evening, there was a family reunion, a business dinner as well as a bachelorette party.  I was incredibly grateful that the hostess found a small table for me in a corner when I explained I was interested in a wine tasting.

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In addition to sampling wine, I decided to purchase the cheese tray which included Swiss, Cheddar and Pepperjack cheese, pepperoni, crackers and grapes.  It was the perfect amount for the tasting, but I wished that I had booked a reservation for the buffet-style meal where fish, steak and shrimp were grilled to perfection served with salads, sides and decadent desserts.

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There are a total of nine wines available for tasting, arranged from dry to sweet with the reds to my left and the whites on my right.  I began my tasting with the Brother Joe, a cabernet sauvignon described as “A premium red wine made with cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc and chambourcin grapes.  Rich ripe flavors with an elegant finish”.

The Cincinnatus was next, which is a “dry red table wine made with Merlot and Chambourcin grapes.  Vibrant flavor with a harmonious finish”.  I picked up a bottle for our family cookout that weekend, knowing it would be perfect with steak.

I enjoyed the Sunset Blush and It was such a great, refreshing wine that I ordered a glass after my tasting.  This is a “semi-sweet wine made with Catawba, Vidal and Niagara grapes. Aromatic fruit with a zesty finish.”

The last red wine on the list was the La Dolce Vita, translated as “The Sweet Life” in Italian.  It is a “sweet red dessert wine made with Chambourcin and Concord grapes.  Soft and fruity to enjoy anytime”.

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Halfway into my tasting, I had the privilege of meeting Kreso Mikulic, the owner of the winery.  Checking in with his guests, he was enjoying a glass of wine.  Making his rounds, he stopped by my table after coming in from outside and we chatted a few moments about his winery.

Kreso is originally from Croatia, where wine was a part of his everyday life.  Just like many of the northern Italians, each of the members in his village grew their own grapes to produce wine for their families.  He actively participated in the process as a child and has years of experience making extraordinary wines.

Kreso went on to become an electrical engineer, moving to the US and finding work with the General Electric Aviation division.  He is credited with a variety of patents for the aerospace industry.   Once he retired, he opened the winery in 1980 and has been hosting guests in Colerain for nearly forty years.

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Sunset Blush

Continuing with my fifth sample, I learned that the Traminette is a grape blend of the Seyve, a French American hybrid with the vitis vinifera of German descent.  It is the next wine on my list and described by Vinkolet as a “premium wine with spicy characteristics of honey and florals”.  The taste was strongest towards the back of the tongue.

Tears of Joy is definitely a drier wine and is made with Vidal Blanc grapes.  It is “crisp and full of flavor yet soft to the palate”.  It was a little too dry for me, but I really enjoyed the Dreamer, a semi-sweet wine made with Vidal Blanc grapes and an Ohio favorite, the Niagara. The winery labels it as “perfectly balanced and delicate to the taste.”

In Vino Veritas was another favorite wine at Vinoklet Winery.  Also made with Niagara and Vidal Blanc grapes, this is sweeter than the Dreamer and would be a great wine to enjoy on a summer afternoon.

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Passion was the last wine in the tasting and was absolutely delicious.  I couldn’t resist and had to purchase a bottle to enjoy at home.

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What I liked most about the winery was that it is also a restaurant and banquet facility.  Located on rolling hills, I enjoyed walking out to the acres of vineyards that would soon produce grapes over the summer months.  Relaxing at the bonfire after dinner is a favorite pastime with many of Vinoklet’s customers and the sunsets from here are absolutely breathtaking.

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The Weekend Dinner option includes the buffet and there are Weekend Grillouts over the summer months offering a wide selection of meats.  In the evening, the winery sets up the fire pit when the weather permits.

Vinoklet Winery is the perfect location to enjoy an evening meal or celebrate a special event.  With the scenic views, delicious foods and award-winning wines, we found the winery more than exceptional.  What makes Vinoklet so special is also memorialized in Kreso’s philosophy.  When it comes to wine, “the best wine is the wine that pleases you the most”, and at Vinoklet Winery there are so many award-winning options from which to choose.   It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to make wines, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to be an engineer.

Have you visited Vinoklet and do you have a favorite wine from the winery? Do you have a favorite Ohio winery?  I would love to hear about it to experience it for myself.  If you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below, that would be great! Many Thanks for reading about our evening wine tasting at Vinoklet and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Vinoklet Winery & Restaurant
11069 Colerain Avenue
Cincinnati, OH  45252
Telephone:  513 385 9309

  • Hours: The winery is open from noon to 5 PM on Tuesday, noon to 8 PM on Wednesday and Thursday with wine tastings from noon to 4 PM, noon to 11 PM on Friday and Saturday with wine tastings from noon to 4 PM, from 1 PM to 5 PM on Sunday.  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 and schedule of events.
  • Amenities:  Weekend entertainment, dining, wine tastings, outdoor seating, online shopping, wine, private events and scheduled events
  • Tips for Your Visit:  Please note that the wine tastings are only provided during certain hours and are subject to change.  As always, please drink responsibly.

Where to Stay:

Hampton Inn Cincinnati – Northwest/Fairfield
430 Kolb Drive
Cincinnati, OH  45014
Telephone:  513 942 3440

Where to Eat: 

Enjoy the buffet at Vinoklet on Wednesdays and Thursdays or visit on Friday and Saturday nights for the opportunity to grill your own entree with a selection of side dishes, desserts and of course, wine!

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A Taste of Home at Sam and Ethel’s, Tipp City, Ohio

12 March 201614 September 2024

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I remember learning about Sam and Ethel’s in Tipp City, Ohio when my grandparents would visit here for breakfast on Sunday mornings.   This amazing diner in the heart of town has been serving delicious, down home meals since 1944.  That’s over 70 years of yummy food.

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The menu was endless with amazing options, including buffalo, but I had my mind set on their famous Reuben Sandwich, a decadent combination of rye bread, thousand island dressing, corned beef, Swiss cheese and sauerkraut.  My mouth was watering as I ordered this local favorite and one of Sam and Ethel’s best sellers. Along with their tenderloin and roundhouse club, each sandwich is served with their signature chips and garlic onion dip.

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The front room of the restaurant is reminiscent to the diners of the good ole days, where locals can sit at a counter and enjoy a hearty, home cooked meal or a cup of coffee with a slice of pie.  I found a seat at one of the booths where I could see the kitchen through the pass-through and was close enough to take in the delicious smell of meat cooking on the grill.

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When my sandwich arrived with a heaping of Sam and Ethel’s famous, homemade potato chips, I was in culinary heaven.  One of the most amazing sandwiches I had ever eaten, this Reuben was oozing with dressing and Swiss cheese.  The buttered bread was perfectly toasted with a generous portion of juicy corned beef piled high to make this the ultimate sandwich.

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While I was ordering my meal, the waitress mentioned Sam and Ethel’s signature dill dip and she asked if I wanted to try it.  The gentleman sitting at the bar turned from his meal to agree with her.  He further warned me that it was addictive and guaranteed I would not be able to stop eating it once I started.

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I was so happy I had asked for a to-go box, because secretly, I probably would have ordered another sandwich…it was that amazing,  I was disappointed that I didn’t save room for pie, but promised myself that on a return visit, I would definitely order one to share with my friends.

I learned a lot about Sam and Ethel’s from reading the menu.  This former single family home was built in 1869 and housed a variety of businesses before Bill and Flora Sensemen turned it into a restaurant in 1944.   Mom and Pop Pittinger bought the restaurant and ran it from 1947 to 1955 until it was purchased by Sam and Ethel Moore, giving the restaurant its current name. The restaurant stayed in the Moore family when Sam and Ethel’s son John took over and ran the business for forty years before selling the property to Keith Long in 2009.   The restaurant has won several awards including the 2012 Best Comfort Food and 2013 Best of Dayton Restaurants.  There is also a photo of former comedian and actor Jonathan Winters, a Dayton, Ohio native stopping in to enjoy a meal at this longtime eatery.

The Dayton newspaper had just written an article about Sam and Ethel’s famous pancakes, which are also a hit with the locals. I guess I will have to try them on my next visit.  Could I order the pancakes with a piece of pie on the side please?

Have you eaten at Sam and Ethel’s Restaurant in Tipp City?  What is your favorite menu item?  I would love to hear from you if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many Thanks and Bon Appetit!

What to See and What to Do:

Sam and Ethel’s Restaurant
120 East Main Street
Tipp City, Ohio  45371
Telephone:  937 667 0113

  • Hours of Operation: Monday – Saturday from 6AM to 3PM and on Sunday from 8AM to 2PM
  • What to Eat:  I highly recommend the Reuben sandwich with the chips and homemade dill dip, the fried bologna sandwich and any one of their fabulous pies!  For breakfast, enjoy their plate-sized pancakes and corned beef hash (I like mine crispy).  Enjoy!

Where to Stay: 

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Dayton North – Tipp City
1100 W. Main Street
Tipp City, OH  45371
Telephone:  937 667 5161

Where to Eat:

Sam and Ethel’s Restaurant
120 East Main Street
Tipp City, Ohio  45371
Telephone:  937 667 0113
Website:  www.samandethels.com

  • Hours of Operation: Monday – Saturday from 6AM to 3PM and on Sunday from 8AM to 2PM
  • What to Eat:  I highly recommend the Reuben sandwich with the chips and homemade dill dip, the fried bologna sandwich and any one of their fabulous pies!  For breakfast, enjoy their plate-sized pancakes and corned beef hash (I like mine crispy).  Enjoy!

Photo Guide for Tipp City: 

  • Canal Lock located just outside of town
  • Charleston Falls, 3538 Ross Road
  • Coldwater Creek for food photos
  • Mums during the Tipp City Mum Festival 
  • Gem City Ice Cream Mural, 1462 Harmony Drive
  • Tipp Roller Mill is an historic grist mill where they provide entertainment on Thursdays from May to December.

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About Me!

I have had a passion to travel for as long as I can remember and landed my dream job at the age of 19 on a cruise ship. The Suite Life of Travel is about those experiences as well as my future endeavor to explore this amazing world!

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