Tag Archives: Vidal Blanc

Indian Bear Winery in Walhonding, Ohio, NOW INDIAN BEAR CORK AND COFFEE

Update:  The Indian Bear Winery is now Indian Bear Cork and Coffee

Update:  On June 4th, 2023, a fire broke out at Indian Bear Winery and the structure was destroyed by the fire. 

Update:  On September 20, 2022, Indian Bear Lodge & Winery announced that they were under contract to sell 97 acres to “Because I Said I Would”, a non-profit organization making an impact on the local youth. 

Indian Bear Winery is one of the most beautiful locations to sample wines in Ohio.  A beautiful, country setting on two-hundred plus acres is only an hour east of Columbus and began as lodge in 2001.

From the moment I pulled onto the gravel drive, my senses were on full alert.  The smell of fresh cut grass led me to sprawling acres and a lake where a teepee stood at its water’s edge.

It was early spring so the vineyards were just beginning to bloom and would be ready for harvest in the fall.  Trellises supported a wide range of wine varietals, including those from Ohio.

In the summer of 2014, the owners, Brad Collins and Tom Lechner planted Concord, Seyval and Vidal grapes.  Until the vines began producing fruit, the owners imported juices from California, Chile and New York to begin their wine making process.  Head winemaker, Joe Hollabaugh will be creating new wines for the winery.

Approaching the entrance into the winery, I couldn’t help but notice its beautiful red and gray exterior.  The building was completed by April 2015 and soon thereafter, was open to the public.   The winery entered the 2015 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition and won a Gold Medal for their “Roscoe’s Red Blend” as well as a Bronze Medal for their Vidal Blanc.

The tasting room was even more extravagant with its rustic, architecture and country decor displayed in its large exposed beams and expansive stone flooring. The hand-written list of available wines in addition to their wine tasting costs were posted above the service area.

I completed the laminated menu and decided on the 3 for $5 samples selecting the Peach Apricot Crush, American Vidal Blanc and the American Carmenere Reserve.

At the last minute, I included the Red Berry Crush slushie which tasted like heaven.

With my slushie in hand, I took the stairs to explore the areas available for private and semi-private events.  On-site lodges provide accommodations for guests who wish to stay at the property.   There are also two carriage houses and four cabins to sleep a total of more than 100 guests.   From the second story deck, I could look out for miles into the countryside.

My favorite part of the decor were the oak barrels that are typically used for fermenting and storage.

Returning to the first level of the winery, I was in complete awe of the spectacular stone handiwork of the fireplace flanked by two storage compartments for firewood.  I reached out to touch the smoothly sanded wood planks for the mantle which were designed from beams from a local area barn.

In addition to the interior, Indian Bear Winery has several outdoor settings including a fire pit.   I found a stone bench to finish up my drink and could hear the visitors as they discussed their weekend plans.  As I enjoyed the beauty of Indian Bear Winery, I could also hear the large tractor approaching as it mowed the high blades near the tasting room and I could once again smell the scent of freshly cut grass.

Have you visited Indian Bear Winery?  What wines did you enjoy?  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 visit to Indian Bear Winery along the Three Rivers Wine Trail and wishing you many Happy Travels.

What to See and What to Do:

Indian Bear Winery
3483 McCament Road
Walhonding, Ohio  43843
Telephone:  740 507 3322

Open Fridays from 3:00pm to 10:00pm and Saturdays from 12:00pm to 10:00pm.

Where to Stay: 

Indian Bear Winery
3483 McCament Road
Walhonding, Ohio  43843
Telephone:  740 507 3322

Where to Eat: 

Indian Bear Winery
3483 McCament Road
Walhonding, Ohio  43843
Telephone:  740 507 3322

Open Fridays from 3:00pm to 10:00pm and Saturdays from 12:00pm to 10:00pm.

For appetizers, they make a gorgeous charcuterie board, fittingly called, “The Napa.” A popular choice on the menu is Alfredo Chips- homemade kettle chips topped with alfredo sauce, blue cheese and green onions.

Moyer Vineyard Winery & Restaurant, Manchester, Ohio – NOW CLOSED

UPDATE:  Moyer Vineyard Winery & Restaurant is permanently closed.

Gorgeous vineyards overlooked the Ohio River and a secluded gazebo offered privacy to guests who wanted to enjoy the spectacular scenery of Moyer Vineyard Winery & Restaurant. Sounds of Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett shared the airwaves as I waited for my wine tasting on the second story balcony with a riverfront view.  I flipped through the menu and found myself immediately drawn to this mystical place, so I read the fascinating decades of history that had eventually led to the opening of the winery.

It wasn’t long and the fifteen small pours of wine were delivered to my table.  I could smell the fruit from the wines and slushies on the tray and was so excited to start my tasting.

  • Starting out with the Chardonnay, it is a dry white with a clean finish, very smooth with a beautiful clear color; it has a slight sweet aftertaste.
  • The Vidal Blanc is an estate grown grape that is also very clear in color and I find it to be a little drier, yet smoother than the Chardonnay.
  • River Valley White is a moderately sweet estate blend that has a sweeter smell with a dry finish that lands towards the back of my tongue.
  • Merlot is full bodied with an oak taste that I absolutely enjoy.
  • Cabernet Sauvignon is a rich full bodied dry red and it is absolutely perfect for a Cab.
  • Chambourcin is an estate grown wine.
  • River Valley Red is another moderately sweet estate blend with a perfect balance of sweet and dry. It has a fruitier taste than the Cabernet Sauvignon.
  • Country Home Red is the most popular wine at Moyer Winery and Vineyard and it is a sweet red made from the Concord grape. Smelling like grape juice it has a rich, full jammy taste.
  • Blush is a semisweet with a hint of Concord, which makes this wine such a beautiful color, a light pink with a very light smell it has a floral taste at the finish.
  • Strawberry fruit wine smells just like fresh picked strawberries that I could enjoy as an after dinner drink for dessert or poured over ice cream.
  • Red raspberry is the winery’s most popular fruit wines and it has a delicious, full berry flavor.
  • Peach is light and delicate and it has a refreshingly sweet taste.
  • Strawberry sangria made my heart sing with its strawberry jam flavor that was crazy amazing.
  • Peach sangria tastes like nectar and has been created with perfection with a wonderfully rich taste.
  • Mixed berry sangria tastes like a Jolly Rancher hard candy and could drink any one of their sangrias on a daily basis (I really could!…yum).

I paid for my tasting and ordered the country home red, strawberry and peach wines and was so sad that they did not bottle their amazing sangria.  I walked the grounds of the restaurant and had permission to wander through the vineyard where they grow the winery’s estate Vidal Blanc, DeChaunac and Chamborcin grapes.

When I returned to the restaurant, I had the opportunity to meet Tom Hamrick one of several owners who discussed how he became associated with the winery and his current involvement with the restaurant.  He was happy to share with me some fun facts about the history of the property which is fascinating as you can read for yourself:

Situated on prime riverside real estate, the River By Restaurant opened in the late 1920s offering Nickelodeon music, square dancing and bootleg beer (oh yes, prohibition!).  I imagined boats tied up to the riverbank and the latest Ford model-T cars parked along the side of US 52.  Women wearing their flapper style dresses and wearing choche hats to accentuate their coiffed bob hairstyles.  While their dates are sporting slim dark suits, matching vests and a fedora hat….just a place to get together for the evening, dancing the night away.

In the mid 1930’s the barn-like structure built close to the restaurant became a training ring for amateur boxers. Cincinnati’s Ezzard Charles, a professional boxer and former World Heavyweight Champion was known to have made an appearance or two.

The restaurant would be hit hard by the flood of 1937 where six feet of muddy water made its way to the present day dining room.   By the late 1940s, the restaurant would be converted into a private gambling club called “The Top Hat” and would eventually become a truck stop in the 1950s and 60s.

Ken Moyer’s dream to become a vintner would transform the property into a winery that originally offered bean soup, French bread, cheese and of course, wine.  He later added the gorgeous deck with relaxing views of the Ohio River and his wine list continued to expand with their production of fabulous wines.  At the height of the winery’s success, the Moyers decided to sell their business.  A close group of their dear friends were entrusted to maintain the winery and restaurant with as much love and care as Ken and his wife Mary had done over the past 27 years.  From where  I was sitting, my conversation with Ken only proved that the restaurant would continue with its success.

Have you visited Moyer Vineyard Winery & Restaurant?  Did you order dinner and try their fabulous 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 visit to Moyer Vineyard and wishing you many Happy Travels.  Cheers!

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What to See and What to Do:

Moyer Vineyard Winery & Restaurant
3859 US Route #52
Manchester, Ohio  45144
Telephone:  937 549 2957

Where to Stay:

Riverhaven B&B
407 West Front Street
Manchester, Ohio  45144
Telephone:  937 549 1999

Where to Eat: 

Moyer Vineyard Winery & Restaurant
3859 US Route #52
Manchester, Ohio  45144
Telephone:  937 549 2957

Have dinner at Moyer Vineyard Winery & Restaurant!  I recommend the River Valley Salmon and save room for the Toasted Pecan Caramel Ball!

Photo Guide for Moyer Vineyard Winery & Restaurant: 

  • Views of the Ohio River from the second story winery
  • Gazebo along the Ohio River
  • The Vineyards