Sugarland Cellars in Gatlinburg, Tennessee

15 October 202022 September 2024

It was a beautiful day to enjoy wine during our vacation to Gatlinburg, so my sister and I decided to make the short drive to Sugarland Cellars. Located at the base of the Great Smoky Mountains, this winery is easy to find on the main strip of town.

Surrounded by beautiful oak wine barrels and strategically placed wine tasting counters, we couldn’t wait to try some of the sweet wines that the winery has to offer.

Kassaundra was our wine expert, helping us decide which wines to sample and she suggested the 12 sample flight. Staring with the dry wines, we sampled the Greenbrier, a blend of Riesling and DeBlanc grapes, available for $19 per bottle.

The Hellbender was our second dry wine, a blend of of Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. This was one of my favorite wines selling at $21 for a bottle. I picked one up to enjoy later.

The LeConte, named for one of the Great Smoky Mountains’ highest peaks is a Chambourcin, most common in the cooler climates. This wine is available for $18 per bottle.

Made from the Muscat grapes, the Martha Jane Rose is one of two semi-sweet options for $18 per bottle and the other is the Baskins Creek Blanc.

Three sweet wines wrap up our tasting with the Cherry-Kee made from local cherries, the Wiley Oakley from local blueberries and concord grapes and the Mountain Laurel from the muscadine grape, most commonly grown in this area sold at $18 per bottle.

We added a couple of additional bottles of the Cherry-Kee and Wiley Oakley wines so that we could sip them while enjoying the Smoky Mountain view from our rental’s spacious balcony.

Have you visited Sugarland Cellars winery in Gatlinburg? Did you visit their wine production location as well? 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 wine tasting in Gatlinburg and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to Do and Where to Go:

Sugarland Cellars Winery
634 Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
865 325 1110

The Winery at Wolf Creek in Norton, Ohio

24 June 202022 September 2024

Taking the last sip of my wine sample of Space Cowboy, I noticed a group of bubbly young college students walking through the door of The Winery at Wolf Creek, dressed for a bachelorette party. They approached the tasting bar where I was enjoying a glass of wine when we struck up a conversation. It was their first time here, so they asked what I was drinking and if I had any suggestions for what they should order.

This was their first winery experience but they were not new to wine. We discussed which types of wine they would normally purchase and I shared with them my wine list with all of my hand written notes. I suggested that they start out sampling some of the wines before they commit to a bottle. They agreed that the sweet, fruit wines were more their style so they started out with samples of Blue (blueberry), Original Sin (apple) and Space Cowboy (peach).

The server set them up as I took a glass of Redemption out to the patio, waiting for a pizza from Fat Boys. Redemption is a French-hybrid blend that is light on the sweet side which I absolutely enjoy chilled.

I took a menu outside to look over the beer selection that includes craft beers from local and popular breweries as well as ciders and fruit based ales. The Winery at Wolf Creek has a limited menu of cheeses, meat and crackers but they welcome patrons to bring their own foods to enjoy with their wines while enjoying the spectacular view.

With a few minutes to spare, I reviewed my tasting notes and information that I had collected from my server. Distracted by the beautiful view of the Akron skyline, I noted which wines I would be purchasing before leaving the winery.

The Vignoles was my first sample which is a semi-sweet estate wine that I found had a lingering sour finish. This having been my first experience with this wine, I was curious to learn about specific food pairings that may alter the taste of the wine and found an unusual list to include pumpkin and ginger-based foods as well as gingers snaps*.

One of the varietals grown on the estate, Vignoles is one of three grapes that make up about 80 percent of their white wine production which also includes the Pinot Gris and Leon Millot.

Peppery and smooth, the Zinfandel was my absolute favorite but having learned that the winery makes a great Cabernet Franc, I had to sample this wine as well.

Summit County provides a grape growing terrior that includes sandy loam, clay loam and gravel. Because the climate is similar to the Loire Valley in France, this provides the potential as a perfect location for growing Cabernet Franc and Chambourcin varietals.

Switching over to sweet wines, Sweet Revenge is a beautiful Ohio rose that the winery has been making for over twenty years. A blend of Seyval Blanc and French Hybrid wines, this crisp, delicious wine is a classic.

I am always interested in sampling the fruit wines from Ohio wineries because they have the potential to be extremely fruity or combined with grapes, have subtle notes of fruit flavor in the blend. Blue, a semi-dry blueberry wine was rich in color as well as a little tart which I found to be an absolute lovely combination.

Original sin is the perfect name for this crisp, apple based wine, but it is Space Cowboy that wins my vote with its full peach flavor in every sip.

The sun is starting to set on this beautiful, brisk October evening. I bring myself inside where I can continue admiring the outside view from the beautiful glass windows of the tasting room.

My pizza had just arrived, so I ordered a bottle of Zinfandel, knowing that the winery can repackage the remaining wine for me to take home.

The Winery at Wolf Creek is open year around, with limited hours during the winter season. Cellar tours are available by appointment and wine tastings are offered daily. The winery offers a great selection of wine accessories, clothes, gift baskets and of course, wine which ranges from $14 to $24 per bottle.

The bachelorette party is going strong in the tasting room and I stop by to inquire how they enjoyed the wines. The bride-to-be, dressed in red, mentioned that they had such a difficult selecting a favorite that they purchased one of each to enjoy with their large group. I told her to beware of the Big Bad Wolf as I exited the winery, happy to see they were having the time of their lives.

Have you had the opportunity to visit The Winery at Wolf Creek? Did you pack a picnic or order some food? What was your favorite wine? I would love to hear about your visit to The Winery at Wolf Creek if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading my post about The Winery at Wolf Creek and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

The Winery at Wolf Creek
2637 South Cleveland Massillon Road
Norton, Ohio 44203
Telephone: 330 665 1445

Where to Stay:

The Whimsical Pig Bed & Breakfast
2682 South Cleveland Massillon Road
Norton, OH 44203
Telephone: 330 576 6104

Ron and Sue Bishop were absolutely lovely hosts. The French toast for breakfast was amazing!

Where to Eat:

Wolf Creek Tavern
3044 Wadsworth Road
Norton, OH 44203
Telephone: 234 571 4531

Seated on the outside patio, I was so excited to try an order of homemade pierogis and I selected the fish and chips for my entree.

Old Firehouse Winery, Geneva On The Lake, Ohio

10 June 202020 September 2024

I could hear the beautiful, distinct sound of bagpipes through a large crowd of onlookers as I approached Old Firehouse Winery. I immediately took notice of the quaint little antique fire truck at the front of the building, half the size of the ones today, and entered the winery to sample a few of their wines. The sassy red barn had been converted into a firehouse before becoming a winery and restaurant twenty-five years later. “Old Betsy”, a 1926 Graham Brothers engine, represents the historical evolution of Old Firehouse Winery.

Standing in line with other patrons, I soon realized that the slushies were one of the winery’s best sellers. I was easily entertained by the television screen with interesting information about the winery and Old Firehouse wines.

I had watched the informative loop twice when I was next in line to be served. I decided to try the preset Sweet Wine Tasting Samples which included ten 1-ounce sized plastic cups for a cost of $8.99 plus tax.

The umbrella-covered table had a lakeside view where I could enjoy the beauty of Lake Erie. An Arts & Crafts Show had been set up in an open area where visitors browsed the booths and made a few purchases. During the summer, the fair takes place every Saturday from Memorial Day to Labor Day with hours from noon to 8.

Each Old Firehouse sample was numbered in the order of less sweet to the sweetest.

The Firehouse White is made of Catawba grapes was a Gold Award Winner.
The Firehouse Red is a semi-sweet wine, with a jammy taste and beautifully red in color.
Made from the popular, local Niagara grape, my next sample was the Lighthouse Niagara wine.
Lake Erie Riesling was surprisingly sweet compared to other Rieslings I have sampled in the past.
Raspberry Reflections has a sunset hue, but with its aromatic raspberry scent, it was perfectly prepared with just a hint of raspberry flavor.
Not quite sure what to expect with Spiced Apple, I was pleasantly surprised by its refreshing taste.
Frosty Peach, a lovely summertime wine, was lightly flavored with a hint of peach.
Grape Jamboree is typical of an Ohio sweet wine and is one of the winery’s best sellers. The Grape Jamboree is also an annual festival that takes place in Geneva during the month of September.
Pink Catawba, with its deep cranberry color was the sweetest wine yet.
My final sample was the Sweet Concord which tastes like grape juice that packs a punch. This was my favorite sample and I purchased a bottle to make some sangria on a hot summer afternoon.

The view from where I was sitting was absolutely gorgeous. Within a few feet from the seating area was an antique Ferris wheel at the edge of the lake. This stand-alone attraction is well known to the locals and was built in 1956. They call it the #5 Big Eli because it was fifth patent of George Ferris. Old Firehouse Winery has a port wine named after this colorful wheel and has a spectacular view from the top.

Strolling through the winery before leaving for the Lakehouse Inn and Winery, I could not pass up the opportunity to try the slushie and I quickly learned why they are one of Old Firehouse Winery’s best sellers.

Have you visited Geneva on the Lake and tried the wines at Old Firehouse Winery? I would love to hear about your fun experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for checking out my post about the Old Firehouse Winery and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Old Firehouse Winery
9425, 5499 Lake Road East
Geneva on the Lake, OH 44041
Telephone: 440 466 9300

Open seven days a week year around, the winery and restaurant provides daily entertainment during the summer months with extended hours over the weekend. For more information about the winery and their themed weekends which run from Memorial Day to Labor Day, check out their website.

Where to Stay:

Holiday Inn Express Ashtabula – Geneva
1831 Austinburg Road
Austinburg, OH 44010
Telephone: 440 275 2020

Where to Eat:

Biscotti’s Restaurant
186 Park Avenue
Conneaut, OH 44030
Telephone: 440 593 6766

Serving Italian cuisine, I ordered the Medallions Gorgonzola Alfredo to try their homemade Alfredo sauce, so rich and delicious.

Featured Ohio Winery: Hanover Winery

3 June 202022 September 2024

The Pink Toad Party, Hanover Winery’s fundraiser for breast cancer was well underway when I entered the tasting room. A steady stream of women, many dressed in pink, stood in line to order the winery’s Pink Toad Blush in support of a great cause for loved ones and fellow breast cancer survivors. I felt honored to listen to some incredible journeys of survival from the brave women who had battled cancer and the dear family members who cared for them along the way.

I have since returned to Hanover Winery several times because of its picturesque, rural setting, its charming tasting room and of course, wonderful selection of wines. I, myself, am particularly fond of the Statesman and the Black Dahlia wines, yet there are over twenty-five wines to sample and purchase. From wonderful dry reds to a wonderful range of fruit wines, the winery offers a wide variety of award winning wines that are sure to please.

Here is a list of wines I have sampled:

REDS:

2015 Malbec: Robust, full body dry red with interesting notes of plums and dark berries. Notably higher tannins with a sweet tobacco finish. $23.99; Residual Sugar: 0%; Alcohol: 3%; This wine was awarded a Silver Medal at the 2018 Finger Lakes International Competition
Cabernet Sauvignon: Bold layers of dark fruits with subtle notes of vanilla and caramel. Medium smooth tannins. Well balanced in oak with a nice finish. $36; Residual Sugar: 0%; This wine was awarded the International Double Gold Medal at the 2017 Competition
Chambourcin: A complex red wine with rich dark fruit flavors, oak aged; $13.99; Residual Sugar: 1%; This wine was awarded a Gold Medal at the Ohio Wine Competition

Black Dahlia: Merlot Blackberry, dark and delicious; $18; Residual Sugar: 5%; This wine was awarded the Bronze Medal at the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition
Baco Noir: A bold dry red with layers of plum and vanilla flavors, oak barrel aged; $17; Residual Sugar: 1%
Pink Toad: Flavorful Catawba, a nice blush wine; $9.99; Residual Sugar: 9%; This wine was awarded the Bronze Medal at the Ohio Wine Competition

Sweet Lizzy: Sweet rose’ wine named in memory of our black Labrador Lizzy. $10.99; Residual Sugar: 9%; This wine was awarded the Gold Medal at the 2018 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition and a Bronze Medal from the Ohio Wine Competition

WHITES

Chardonnay: Stainless steel fermented lightly oaked; $13.99; Residual Sugar 5%
Vignoles: Dry, oak aged with hints of pineapple and apricot. $12.99; Residual Sugar: 1%; This wine was awarded the Bronze Medal at the Ohio Wine Competition

FRUIT

Dammit Annie: A delicious blend of Blackberries and Haskap Berries; Sweet enough for dessert. Named after their Labrador Annie; $16.99; Residual Sugar: 5%
Peach: A smooth and delicious peach wine. A great summer treat $11.99; Residual Sugar: 9%; This wine was awarded the Silver and Bronze Medals at both the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition and the Ohio Wine Competition

PORT

Attitude: A port style dessert wine, oak barrel aged. Alcohol 19.5%; $23.99; Residual Sugar: 5.9%; This wine was awarded the Silver Medal at the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition.

SPECIALTY

Unleashed: Raspberry Riesling, a sweet Riesling blended with real raspberries. Labeled in memory of our yellow Labrador Ellie; $13.99; Residual Sugar: 5%; This wine was awarded the Silver Medal at the Ohio Wine Competition

Additional wines available at Hanover Winery include:

REDS

2015 Tampranillo
Marquette
Marechal Foch
Hanover Red
Mason’s Red
Soft Red

WHITES

Soft White
Vidal Blanc
Riesling – New Release
Traminette – New Release
Seyval Blanc
Hanover White
Kiss Me

FRUIT

Blackberry
Ohio Apple
Cranberry

SPARKLING

Bubbly

My drive from Oxford took only about ten minutes and the rural route was a welcoming change to my city life. I could use a little leisurely wine time and knew I had finally arrived when I noticed the rows of Marquette and Seyval grapes.

According to Eddie McDonald, co-owner of the winery, the vines were planted in the spring of 2016 and it will take a few years until the crop produces grapes. He and his wife Elizabeth opened the winery in 2009 after making wine for family and friends as a hobby for over ten years. Known as Butler County’s sole winery, the gorgeous property is perfect for relaxing along the pond with a bottle of wine, enjoying the weekend entertainment or attending one of Hanover Winery’s many sponsored events. Visit their website to learn more about Hanover’s Annual Summer Wine Festival in August (expect a large turnout) and their Annual Animal Rescue Fundraiser in the Spring.

Business was soon picking up and Eddie was needed to bring some more wine up from their “wine cellar”. He asked if I wanted to check it out and of course I was curious to see where the magic happens. The entertainment was setting up on the patio, so I stopped by the tasting table and ordered a glass of Pink Toad to enjoy the pond. I brought my list of wines to purchase for upcoming events, and bought a few favorites for my friends and family. While Hanover Winery is one of my favorite wineries to visit because of the hospitality of Eddie and Elizabeth and the delicious award winning wines, I always enjoy visiting with the resident celebrities, Mason and Annie.

Have you had the opportunity to visit Hanover Winery? What wines did you try? 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 one of my favorite Ohio wineries and wishing you many Happy Travels. Cheers!

What to See and What to Do:

Hanover Winery
2165 Morman Road
Hamilton, OH 45013
Telephone: 513 863 3119

Where to Stay:

The Elms
75 South Main Street
Oxford, OH 45056
Telephone: 513 524 2002

Where to Eat:

LaRosa’s Pizza Hamilton
770 NW Washington Blvd.
Hamilton, OH 45013
Telephone: 513 347 1111
Website: www.larosas.com

Nashville’s Belle Meade Plantation and Winery

22 September 201919 September 2024

A visit to Belle Meade Plantation was on the top of my list when my sister and I arrived in Nashville for a long weekend. In addition to all of the music-related attractions, we were also interested in some of the local historical sites and learned that Belle Meade was not only a plantation, but a winery and restaurant.

In the heart of the south, the grounds of this gorgeous estate are beautifully maintained and the home in pristine condition. Belle Meade’s exhibits are educational providing a detailed account of the plantation’s former owners, their everyday lives and an overview of their wide range of businesses.

I loved the simple, yet modern architecture of the home. The shuttered windows and classical columns are elements of a Greek revival façade. Under John Harding’s ownership in the early 1800’s, he grew the farm to include a blacksmith, a grist mill, saw mill and later a cotton gin.

Harding would later break into the industry of horse racing and breeding thoroughbreds. It was a home of high standing that entertained the likes of President Grover Cleveland and General Grant.

Strolling the grounds was a relaxing detour from the nightlife of Nashville’s Music Row. We had arrived early enough where we were the only visitors on the estate and embraced our own love for horses.

John’s son William took over the plantation in 1839 and continued in the business of horses, but it was in the early 1900s that the plantation would fall on hard times.

Belle Meade became famous for its thoroughbreds. In addition to racing, Belle Meade provided sire services and had many successful studs. The Enquirer (1880-1889) and Bonnie Scotland’s (1873-1879) bloodlines continue to dominate horse racing today after many generations. The Enquirer was named after Cincinnati’s newspaper and has been buried here at the plantation.

Belle Meade was, at one time, the largest plantation in the South. The Smokehouse, one of the 10 buildings that remains on the property, smoked approximately 20,000 pounds of pork each year.

The Gardener’s House and Greenhouse was one of the original buildings on the estate, a part of the Belle Meade plantation, circa 1890. The building was used as a private residence for the gardener and a location to store tools for gardening and to plant seeds for food and flowers.

The dairy supplied a variety of products such as cream, cheese, fresh milk and close to 250 pounds of butter each week.

Four generations of the Harding-Jackson families were buried in this mausoleum, designed by Nashville architect, Adolphus Heiman. Once the property was sold to Judge Jacob McGavock Dickinson, the family remains were moved to Mount Olivet Cemetery.

Belle Meade was known to have one of the largest populations of slaves who resided on its premises. After the Civil War, some of the freed slaves stayed on at the mansion to assist in the everyday tasks of keeping the plantation in business. A replica of the two room cabin offers an insight to the life of the slaves and history of slavery around the area.

In 1892, a large carriage house and stables were built at Belle Meade. The building was used to store and display the family’s carriage collection. Depending on the type of transportation, carriages would be selected for every day use such as trips into town or for special occasions when traveling to high-end social events. A 16 passenger double-decker carriage was available for a large group traveling with the family.

Visitors can explore Belle Meade Plantation on a self-guided tour or by guided tour of costumed guides for an additional cost. Specialty excursions such as Culinary Tours and, Progressive Plantation Tours can also be booked through Belle Meade.

At the end of the tour we decided to check out the restaurant’s menu, then wandered the gift shop and indulged in a free wine tasting.

The Winery at Belle Meade Plantation opened in November of 2009 producing wines from local muscadine grapes and blackberries. They offer an assortment of wines and wine-related products that are unique and native to Nashville. My absolute favorite was the Red Muscadine.

Just as John Harding had intended, Belle Meade continues to offer its visitors an assortment of quality products and services. The long time tradition of hospitality remains an integral part of the plantation as it had so many years ago.

Have you already visited the Belle Meade Plantation? I would love to hear about your experience if your would kindly leave a message below! Happy Travels!!

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

What to See and What to Do:

Belle Meade Plantation
5025 Harding Pike
Nashville, TN 37205
Telephone: 615 356 0501

Admission Fee: Mansion Tour Admission (lasts 45 minutes): $24 for adults, $20 for seniors 65+, Youth ages 6 – 18; Children 5 and under are free. Grounds Tour only: $15 for adults and $10 for youth; Segway Guided Tours: $35 for adults; Wine and Food Pairing is $35 per person; Private Tasting from $50 per person; The Battle of Nashville Tour which includes three battle sites starts at $48 per person and the one hour Journey to Jubilee Tour starts at $24 per person.
Hours: Daily from 9AM to 5PM with the exception of some holidays. Tours begin at 9:30 and the last tour of the day begins at 4PM. Belle Meade Plantation is closed on Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The Harding House, the on-site restaurant, provides seasonal hours, so refer to the website to confirm the hours of operation.
Amenities: Tour guides, restaurant, winery, wine tastings, self-guided tours.
Scenic View: The grounds are absolutely astounding and provide scenic views throughout the property.
Length of Visit: 3 hours to include the mansion tour, ground tour and winery tasting
Tips for Your Visit: The Journey to Jubilee tour is highly recommended which takes you through the slave exhibit. On the grounds tour you will have access to all of the out buildings as well as the previous gravesite of the owners. The winery makes a great muscadine and we enjoyed the wine tasting following our tour.

Where to Stay:

Hampton Inn & Suites Nashville
310 4th Avenue, South
Nashville, TN 37201
Telephone: 615 277 5000

Where to Eat:

The Harding House at Belle Meade Plantation
5025 Harding Pike
Nashville, TN 37205
Telephone: 615 356 0096

I can’t remember the last time I had homemade meatloaf, and when I learned that it was the house specialty, I couldn’t wait to dig into some southern comfort food! I also saved room for their bread pudding.

What to Eat:

Nashville Hot Chicken: Spicy chicken
Meat and Three: A meat and three sides

What to Read:

Because You’re Mine, by Rea Frey
A Murder in Music City, by Michael Bishop
All We Ever Wanted, by Emily Giffin

Photo Guide for Nashville:

Downtown Broadway
Opryland Hotel
I Believe in Nashville mural
Ryman Auditorium
The Parthenon at Centennial Park
Draper James Building
John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge

Ohio Winery: Powell Village Craft Winery

8 September 201919 September 2024

Taking a seat at the beautiful rustic bar at Powell Village Craft Winery, I couldn’t help but notice the young lady sitting next to me talking into her phone. Overhearing her conversation, she was trying to set a date to move to Colorado. Working out the logistics, she sat in front of her computer enjoying a glass of wine.

I ordered a wine flight and soon thereafter, Katie had wrapped up her plans and made a phone call to her boyfriend to pick her up. She explained that lately she has been down on her luck and it seemed that her car wouldn’t start. Waiting at the winery, she had managed to schedule her move out of state all while enjoying a glass of Merlot. I guess her luck was starting to change.

Conveniently located in a charming suburb of Columbus, the winery, owned by Jeff and Gina Kirby, has been open for six years. Currently, they are in the process of opening another winery in Tucson, which is similar in design and construction to Powell Village and are looking to franchise the winery.

I hardly waited five minutes when the server offered to pour me a paddle wine flight or four half glasses for $15. Since there were quite a few selections that I wanted to try, I opted for the $1 per tasting. Their reserve wines and ice wines are $2 each were worth the additional cost.

Their menu included a variety of flatbreads, butcher’s block, bread and dipping oil, cheese plate, garlic bites and hummus with veggies. Perfect combinations to pair with a large assortment of wines.

Each sample was a generous one ounce pour and I began my tasting with the Pinot Noir. Medium bodied, this beautiful brownish red wine has a tangy first sip with a perfect finish.

In addition to Pinots, I love Merlots and this one caught me off guard with a sweet start but it finished with a smooth texture and taste.

Switching over to some of the sweet wines offered by Powell Village, the blackberry has a super sweet smell and a gorgeous ruby color, with a light, airy fruity taste.

I wrapped up my last three samples trying some of the lighter, fruity wines which are popular with Ohio wineries. The peach smelled like fuzzy peaches picked right off of the tree, having a thick texture with a simple fruit flavor.

The white cranberry is just as tart as one would expect but it was a perfect blend with grapes. My final sample was kiwi-pineapple, heavy on the pineapple taste yet an extremely refreshing wine.

The winery also offers seasonal sangrias like the pomegranate and cherry during the spring and summer months while the cranberry is popular for the fall. There are also wine slushies, a popular option where wine is combined with a mix and frozen as a fun, fruity drink.

In addition to Happy Hour on Fridays and Saturdays, Powell Village Craft Winery is available on Sunday and Monday for private events, while Thursdays are Ladies’ Night.

I finished my last glass of wine and Katie had finally confirmed a date for moving her belongings out west. She decided to call her boyfriend for his ETA while I purchased a bottle of Soulmate, Powell Village’s yummy Merlot. Here’s hoping that if I am ever stranded, a winery will be close by.

Have you had the opportunity to visit Powell Village Craft Winery? What was your favorite wine? I would love to hear about your visit if you will kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my visit to Powell Village Winery and wishing you many Happy Travels! Cheers!

What to See and What to Do:

Powell Village Craft Winery
50 Liberty Street
Powell, Ohio 43065
Phone: 614 505 7465

Where to Stay:

Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center
100 Green Meadows Drive South
Lewis Center, OH 43035
Telephone: 855 892 4543

Where to Eat:

Powell Village Craft Winery
50 Liberty Street
Powell, Ohio 43065
Phone: 614 505 7465

Why leave when you can try one of Powell Village Craft Winery’s amazing flatbreads? We ordered the Buffalo flatbread with spicy chicken, buffalo sauce and Mozzarella cheese. They will give you ranch dressing for dipping should you need to cool the heat. Yum!

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

Sampling Some Redneck Love at Kennedy Vineyard, New Madison, OH

25 June 201918 September 2024

Kennedy Vineyard was a welcome sight among the crops of corn and soybean of Darke County. As I approached the graveled driveway leading to the winery, grapevines were loaded with juicy varietals most popular in the Ohio wine region.

Having just opened for the afternoon, I entered the warm and welcoming winery with a casual and country style. There was plenty of seating but that would not last for long. As I took my place at the tasting bar, I was greeted by winery co-owner, Louisa Kennedy.

The large windows looking out into the vineyard provided stunning views of the DeChaunac grapes, planted over 10 years ago, by Barbara Kennedy, Louisa’s mother-in-law. Fields of corn were converted to vineyards and after many years of producing wine, the winery opened over two years ago. Additional varietals that thrive at Kennedy Vineyard are Chambourcin, Vidal, Cayuga, Concord, Steuben, Niagara and Catawba grapes.

The first wine I sampled was Lone Cedar Red, described as “a well-balanced and full-bodied wine with notes of sweet cherry”. Winning the 2015 Bronze Medal at the Finger Lakes Wine Competition, this wine was very smooth and beautiful in color. Named after the sole cedar tree which stands on the property, it is perfectly paired with a steak or can be enjoyed as a casual drink after a long day at work.

My next wine was “a semi-sweet wine full-bodied with bold flavors of blackberry and lingering black cherry.” Made with a blend including DeChaunac grapes, I enjoyed the wine’s subtle finish and beautiful label. I was not surprised to learn that it had won the 2015 Silver Medal Winner, Finger Lakes Wine Competition.

One of the qualities that I admired about Kennedy Vineyard was their passion to give back to their community. By purchasing their wine Resilient, proceeds from the sales are provided to help fund epilepsy research. I learned from Louisa that the teens that were photographed for the label are from a local high school. Although these students were diagnosed with epilepsy, they were excited for the opportunity to bring awareness of their illness and to show that they can live healthy productive lives.

While sampling the apple wine, Louisa explained their future plans to convert their barn into a processing room and to further expand the winery. She has an intense passion for wine and she is currently pursuing a degree in viticulture. Eager to share her knowledge and expertise, I enjoyed learning more about Kennedy Vineyards and the process of making wine.

I was ready for my next sample, Kennedy’s Redneck Girl. This is a beautifully colored blackberry wine which is one of their top sellers. A “soft sweet wine with lots of character and soft notes of cherry and raspberry”, this wine was awarded the 2015 Silver Medal at the Finger Lakes Wine Competition.

Louisa poured me a sample of Love at First White. A chilled sweet wine, this “elegant sweet white blend with bold flavors of the Niagara grape” is perfect for a hot summer day.

So what do you have when you combine Redneck Girl with Love at First White? Redneck Love, a perfect wine combination. I decided to purchase both bottles so I could enjoy these wines at home.

Spending time with the Kennedys was a great way to enjoy my afternoon. I was off to find a place for dinner when John recommended The Merchant House in Greenville. He insisted I try the Pig Candy and mentioned that the restaurant had recently opened about a month ago. Apparently it was already creating a local buzz, so I knew I had to check it out, but not without resisting the temptation to play with the winery’s adorable kittens one last time.

Have you visited Kennedy Vineyard and have a favorite wine that you would like to share? 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 amazing visit to Kennedy Vineyard and wishing you many Happy Travels. Cheers!

What to See and What to Do:

Kennedy Vineyard
3911 State Route 722
New Madison, OH 45346
Telephone: 937 273 8381

Hours: The winery is open from 6 PM to 9 PM on Friday and 2 PM to 9 PM on Saturday. The winery is closed from Sunday thru Thursday. Hours are seasonal and are subject to change. Please refer to the winery’s Facebook page for any updates to its hours of operation and listing of events.
Amenities: Weekend entertainment, wine tastings, wine club, wine baskets, wine, gift shop, 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.

Find Kennedy Vineyard on Facebook and don’t forget, they can also ship wines directly to you as well!

Where to Stay:

Best Western Monroe Inn
40 New Garver Road
Monroe, OH 45050
Telephone: 513 539 4400

Where to Eat:

The Merchant House
406 S. Broadway Street
Greenville, OH 45331
Telephone; 937 459 4405

Pig Candy is hands-down my favorite appetizer on the menu! Smoked, candied bacon, with cinnamon, sugar and unique blend of spices makes this selection a favorite of the restaurant’s patrons. The Pig Candy BLT is also a popular offering, which includes the amazing appetizer on bread with lettuce and tomato.

For pizzas, I can’t get enough of the Detroiter and Cherry Margherita pies!

Featured Ohio Winery: Barrel Run Crossing Winery & Vineyard

18 June 201817 September 2024

It was a beautiful spring day and I had set out for Barrel Run Crossing Winery & Vineyard to sample wine on the Canal Country Wine Trail. The tree branches were just beginning to bud with new leaves as I approached the winery. I had stopped short of a set of railroad tracks ahead in rural Rootstown, Ohio. Stepping through the arbor, I entered the beautiful white farmhouse turned winery.

What was once a family farm over the last four generations, is now a vineyard with French-American hybrids. These varietals, known to successfully grow in the climate of Ohio, are cold-hardy vines and resistant to disease. Barrel Run Crossing planted their first crop in 2008 with a selection of grapes to include Corot Noir, Frontenac, Frontenac Gris, Marquette, Noiret, St. Pepin, Traminette and Vidal Blanc.

Excited to sample a few wines, I studied the menu and soon realized the selections were cleverly themed around the railroad. The $9.95 BRX Wine Tasting flight included a choice of five wines and a customized wine glass to take home. Hardly noticing the description of the wines, I based my decision solely on the names starting with Locomotion, Engine Number 5, Tipsy Conductor, Off the Tracks and All Aboard.

Locomotion was labeled as a dry white blend of Chardonnay, Traminette and Vidal, a new crafted wine recently added to the menu. The combination of estate grown varietals with the Chardonnay was the perfect balance resulting in a nice, smooth finish which could find myself easily pairing with a white sauce pasta.

“A True Ohio Dry Red Blend Wine with Cherry Notes and Blackberry and Plum Aromas” adequately described the Engine Number 5. I enjoyed the subtle tart stone fruit flavors of this wine while tasting a hint of blackberry at the finish.

An estate wine, “crafted entirely from Frontenac and Frontenac Gris grown onsite”, the Tipsy Conductor is satisfyingly crisp with a lovely sweetness from a semi-sweet white.

All Aboard, was a white wine much sweeter than my previous selections. Produced from the estate grown Vidal Blanc, I imagined this wine would be perfect on a spring or summer afternoon.

Off the Tracks, a sweet red created from the local estate Frontenac grapes is popular among Ohio wine drinkers. The addition of blackberry juice gives this wine an added element of sweetness.

Barrel Run Crossing offers the Sugar-Luv chocolate pairing of truffles with five complementary wine samples for $7.50, every third Friday of the month. They also host a food and wine pairing event by reservation only and encourage visitors to facilitate the space for family gatherings.

Have you had the opportunity to visit Barrel Run Crossing Winery & Vineyard? I would be interested in hearing about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reviewing my port about my visit to Barrel Run Crossing and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Barrel Run Crossing Winery & Vineyard
3272 Industry Road
Rootstown, OH 44272
Telephone: 330 325 1075

Where to Stay:

Rocking Horse Inn
248 W Riddle Avenue
Ravenna, OH 44266
Telephone: 330 297 5720

Where to Eat:

Lil’ Paisan’s Pizzeria
4129 Tallmadge Road
Rootstown, OH 44272
Telephone: 330 325 4000

I went for the 9-inch Deluxe Supreme made with homemade pizza dough and fresh toppings. I wished I would have ordered a larger size it was so good!

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

18 June 201616 September 2024

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