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

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

Strolling the Island of Key West

13 October 201919 September 2024

The road trip to Key West had finally come to a close as we crossed the bridge into the southernmost part of the United States. After checking into the Huron House, we finally found a parking spot a few blocks away and started our mid-morning exploration of Key West.

Several members of our group wanted to start bar hopping while a few of us wanted to wait at least until the afternoon before a pitstop at Sloppy Joe’s. Splitting up in two groups, the explorers entered the Mel Fisher’s Treasures Store on Duval Street. It was exciting to see first-hand some of the treasures that Mel found from the Atocha. Original coins start at $2465.

We explored t-shirt and souvenir shops set in two-story Victorians and tropical-themed Key West boutiques. We bought Key Lime pies and sampled rum cakes from the West Indies.

Bahama Village is a colorful, revitalized neighborhood that includes a market as well as upscale shopping and lodging. This section of Key West was named for the Bahamians that made The Keys their home and now displays colorful murals and island restaurants.

Located on Duval Street is The Strand. Once a theater that had opened in the 1920s, today, it houses a Walgreens Pharmacy. This location was also a Ripley’s Believe it or Not attraction before 2002 and each business had kept the facade which is a lovely attraction.

We held out until late afternoon to have lunch and agreed on the authentic Sunset Tiki Bar with its Tahitian-inspired decor. I ordered the grouper strips with a dill dip that was absolutely delicious and ordered a Mai Tai served in an Easter Island-esque plastic cup.

After a great meal and our first drink, it was time to meet up with our party half of the group, unsure of what we would be getting ourselves into, but we were ready to find out.

Have you visited Key West? What were your favorite shops, activities, restaurants and bars? I would love to hear about your visit if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my visit to The Keys and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Mel Fisher’s Treasures
613 Duval Street
Key West, FL 33040
Telephone: 305 295 9555

Open 10AM to 4PM daily.

Don’t forget to stop by the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum located at 200 Greene Street!

Montage Key West Collection – shop has closed

Bahama Village – 16-block neighborhood, a short walk from Old Town.

The Strand (now Walgreens Pharmacy)
527 Duval Street
Key West, FL 33040

Sunset Tiki Bar – Located on the Marina
The Galleon Resort
617 Front Street
Key West, FL 33040
Phone: 305 295 0207

Where to Stay:

Heron House
512 Simonton Street
Key West, FL 33040
Telephone: 305 294 9227

Where to Eat:

Sunset Tiki Bar – Located on the Marina
The Galleon Resort
617 Front Street
Key West, FL 33040
Phone: 305 295 0207

What to Eat:

Ceviche
Conch Fritters
Crab Cakes
Grouper
Lobster
Mahi Mahi
Shrimp

What to Read:

To Have and Have Not, by Ernest Hemingway
Key West, Tequila, a Pinch of Salt and a Quirky Slice of America, by Jon Breakfield
Gumbo Limbo, by Tom Corcoran
Florida Keys Volume 1: A History of the Pioneers, by John Viele

Photo Guide to Key West:

Casa Marina Key West
Charming Houses and Front Porches
Ernest Hemingway Museum
Fort Zachary Taylor
Hens and Roosters
Higgs Beach
The Kapok Tree
Key West Lighthouse
Key West Mural
La Concha Hotel
Marilyn Monroe at Tropic Cinema
Mile Marker 0
Mural at Waterfront Brewery
The Old Pier Behind Casa Marina
Rainbow Walkways at 801 Bourbon Bar
San Carlos Institute
Smathers Beach
Southernmost Beach Cafe
Southernmost House
Southernmost Point Bouy
The Strand

Raven’s Glenn Vineyard and Winery: A Sweet Wine Experience

2 July 201918 September 2024

If you live in Ohio, you have most likely heard of Raven’s Glenn Vineyard and Winery. I first learned of Raven’s Glenn while attending the AAA Travel Show in Columbus. Meeting the winery reps attending the booth, I was excited to see they were pouring wine. Promising to visit, I made a weekend of exploring the Three Rivers Wine Trail near Coshocton, Ohio and I could not have picked a better day for wine and wanderlust. Entering the winery, I felt miles away, surrounded by Tuscan charm and endless rows of vines.

I approached the tasting bar at the perfect time as a motor coach had pulled in with a busload of excited wine tasters. Within minutes, the winery was packed with visitors enjoying an afternoon of wine tasting and lunch. Raven’s Glenn Vineyard and Winery produces a long list of wines that are sure to compliment any wine lover’s palate. The winery makes it easy to decide which wines to sample with pre-selected packages and recommendations. I couldn’t pass up the semi-sweet and sweet wine options which included the following:

White Raven which is described as a “semi sweet white, inviting, fruity, fragrant. Blended Niagara varietals, grapey, crisp and clean finish”…all I can say is this hardly tastes like a wine but rather grape juice which is absolutely spectacular. It would not be difficult to enjoy this wine chilled by the pool on a hot summer day.

My next selection is the Raven Rouge, a semi-sweet red is a “Concord blend with other estate grapes, fruity and grapey, serve chilled or room temperature.” I found this wine delightful and very similar to the White Raven, a wine I could keep on hand at all times.

The White Merlot is a semi-sweet Rose which is described as “smooth with a mixed berry taste, sweet jammy flavors, clean finish worthy to bear the name Merlot.” This is not your average, dark red, drier Merlot, but I wouldn’t turn away a glass of this fabulous wine.

I had the opportunity to try the Strawberry Lemonade which is a semi-sweet with “hints of strawberry with lemon aromas. Citrus tones with a clean berry finish”. I was absolutely smitten with this wine because it is so different than what I had expected. Another wonderful summertime selection for a tropical day.

I was excited to try Raven’s Glenn Sangria which is a sweet wine described as “a delightful combination of luscious, zesty, tropical fruits that started as crisp apple wine”. Like they say…an apple a day. I will take two bottles please.

I was pleasantly surprised to see a tropical wine on the menu. Tropical Temptations is a sweet wine described as a wine of “ripe mango and papaya with hints of coconut and a smooth lingering finish. This wine was perfect for transporting me to an exotic beach with the sound of waves crashing around me. I enjoyed the fruit combination of this blend.

Raven’s Glen Wildly Cherry is also a sweet wine with a “deep yet gentle flavor….reminiscent of eating a fresh picked black cherry”. I was delighted by the beautiful color and smooth taste of this fabulous, fruity wine.

The Blackberry Wine is super sweet, but I was also able to try this as a spritzer which cuts down the sweetness and makes it a fun bubbly wine to drink for all occasions. It is a “sweet and smooth…well rounded blackberry aromas will prepare your senses for a gentle modestly sweet wine”. It is perfectly priced at $13.99 per bottle.

Chantilly Lace is an incredibly tasting dessert wine with “soft aromas of apricots and honeysuckle, succulent sweet and creamy flavors with a long lingering finish. I remembered tasting this at the AAA exhibit a couple of years ago and fell in love with this wine. Priced at only $9.99 per bottle, I had to pick up a couple of bottles.

After experiencing a fabulous wine tasting, I made a reservation with the restaurant where there were a few visitors ahead of me waiting to be seated. From where I was standing, I noticed the towering stone fireplace and stunning picture windows which let in the afternoon’s light. Tables were at a premium as they were occupied with customers who had just completed their tasting and couldn’t wait to enjoy the fabulous Italian selections from the menu. I could smell the mouthwatering aroma of pasta and cheese and decided to order the Three Cheese Manicotti and the Arancini,

Sitting along the Tuscarawas River, Raven’s Glenn Winery provides romantic river views and an opportunity to dine outdoors along the scenic waterway. I found the location of this winery reminiscent to some of the beautiful wine estates that one would find out west. The intricate design and thought that was given to the details of this estate added to the wine tasting experience. No wonder it is consistently rated one of the best wineries in Ohio.

Have you had the opportunity to visit Raven’s Glenn Winery? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below! Many thanks and Cheers!

What to See and What to Do:

Raven’s Glenn Vineyard and Winery
56183 County Line Road 143
West Lafayette, OH 43845
Telephone: 740 545 1000

Where to Stay:

Hampton Inn, Newcomerstown
200 Morris Crossing Avenue
Newcomerstown, OH 43832
Telephone: 740 498 9800

Where to Eat:

Raven’s Glenn Vineyard and Winery
56183 County Line Road 143
West Lafayette, OH 43845
Telephone: 740 545 1000

The cheese manicotti was flavorful and creamy. I had also ordered the Arancini, which has become one of my favorite Italian dishes.

Wine Barrels at the Entrance of Raven’s Glenn Vineyard and Winery

Cruise Ship Shore Excursion in St. Lucia, The Scenic Drive, Part 1

23 April 20184 January 2025

In the harbor, the cruise ship was tucked into a little cove at Pointe Seraphine. We had just arrived in St. Lucia where we were surrounded by sailboats and speed boats. Wanting to see as much of the island as possible, I signed up for a ship’s excursion which included a tour of the island by bus and then a return trip back to the ship by Catamaran. I couldn’t wait to start my day.

I boarded the bus and the journey began in Castries, the island’s capital. The bus was full of passenger as we passed Derek Walcott Square. Our driver explained that we were in the center of town and he pointed out a large samaan tree which is said to be over 400 years old.

As the road continued upwards, there were twists and turns where we caught glimpses of the cruise ship through the trees. Heading south, we passed The 1895 Government House, home to the Governor-General of St. Lucia.

On the winding road towards Soufriere, the bus took a moment for us to stop at Marigot Bay, one of the most beautiful views of the island. There was a lookout with a small shop where we could pick up some water, local food items or a Piton beer made in St. Lucia. We had some time to shop and then reboarded the bus to our next scenic view.

The road descended from the picturesque views of Marigot Bay to the volcanic shores of a local fishing village. Stopping for an opportunity to shop and wander the streets of the town, we decided to venture out onto the pier for a short stroll.

Once a week, the town hosts a fish fry for locals and visitors but it is their celebration of Carnivale for which they are best known. Similar to Mardi Gras in New Orleans, visitors from the surrounding islands arrive in flamboyant costumes and dance in the streets for a week-long party. There are several murals painted on the walls that show elements of the festivities.

According to our tour guide, we had one last stop to take in the million dollar view of the Pitons and to shop for souvenirs. The two peaks, majestically rising out from the ocean, seem to protect the charming little port town below. Our next stop takes us to the Diamond Botanical Garden before boarding the catamaran back to the ship.

Participating in a ship’s shore excursion has its many benefits. Passengers can sit back, relax and take in the scenery while learning about the country from well-educated tour guides. Do you usually take the ship sponsored tours or go on your own? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly provide your story in the comments below. Many thanks for taking the winding roads with us through St. Lucia! Wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Take a stroll through downtown Castries, St. Lucia to experience the local culture. See the ancient Saaman Tree at Derek Walcott Square, explore the Arts & Crafts Market as well as the Farmer’s Market to purchase cocoa, spices, and local artwork.

Where to Stay:

Windjammer Landing
Labrelotte Bay
PO Box 1504
Castries, St. Lucia
Telephone: 877 522 0722

Reserving a two bedroom villa, I did not want to leave my private pool, but the grounds and accommodations at Windjammer Landing were absolutely gorgeous.

Where to Eat:

Windjammer Landing
Labrelotte Bay
PO Box 1504
Castries, St. Lucia
Telephone: 877 522 0722

Embers at Windjammer Landing was my favorite place to dine for lunch. The pulled pork flatbread was perfectly spiced with jalapeno peppers and pepper jack cheese. I also enjoyed the Ember’s Fish Tacos, with garlic aioli and pineapple salsa.

For an incredible steak and seafood dinner, I highly recommend the local conch chowder and the grilled filet mignon at the Upper Deck Restaurant at the resort.

For a more casual atmosphere and menu, offering salads, soups and burgers, Jammer’s beachside restaurant is the perfect spot for a quick, delicious bite.

To sample some of the local island cuisine, I suggest the Tuesday night Caribbean buffet at Dragonfly which offers a wide selection island flavors from St. Lucian soups to their national dish Green Fig and Salt Fish.

What to Eat:

Boudin – black pudding
Bouyon – beef soup with dumplings but other meats can substitute for beef
Callaloo soup – made with seafood or cuts of meat, okra, potatoes and garlic
Cassava Bread
Cow Heel Soup – a hearty soup with cow foot, carrots, pumpkin, chayote squash and yellow yam with dumplings
Curried Meats
Fried Plantains
Green figs and saltfish
Grilled Fish
Lambi – conch meat seasoned with multiple spices and then fried
Lobster
Pemme – cornmeal, pumpkin, cinnamon, sugar and dry coconut leaves then wrapped in banana leaves
Pepperpot – Caribbean dish made from onion, garlic, cinnamon, brown sugar, thyme, cloves, orange peel, cassareep and meat
Smoked herring and breadfruit – breadfruit is cooked until tender