Where: 2121 Morman Road, Hamilton, Ohio 45013 (Hanover Twp.)
When: Thursday 4 to 9 p.m., Friday 2 to 10 p.m., Saturday 2 to 10 p.m.
Web site: www.hanoverwinery.com
More info: (513) 863-3119
Wines to try: Vidal Blanc ($11.99): pleasantly off-dry, with just a hint of sweetness, it’s a good summer sipper; Vignoles ($12.99); dry and refreshingly tart with a touch of oak; Traminette ($12.99): Made in a semi-sweet style, well-balanced. Hanover Red ($10.99): For those who like their red wines sweet, this is a blend of Chambourcin, Marechal Foch and Concord, but the grapey Concord comes through in the flavors.
Hanover Winery will celebrate its 5th anniversary in August, but Eddie McDonald, who owns the winery with his wife Elizabeth, says he still has fellow residents of Hanover Twp. and nearby Hamilton come into his tasting room for the first time and proclaim, “I never knew you were here!”
McDonald is still getting the word out, and those who discover his winery will find a well-stocked tasting bar featuring more than 20 wines ranging from dry to sweet. A small vineyard of Traminette and Chambourcin grapevines is plated in front of the winery and tasting room, but McDonald brings in the majority of his grapes and juice from other vineyards in the midwest, including New York, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Kentucky and elsewhere in Ohio.
McDonald began making wine as a hobby well before he launched plans to build his winery, and his hobby turned into a passion as he began attending winemaking conferences and polished his skills. Construction of the winery began in August 2008, and the tasting room opened to the public in July 2009.
Hanover Winery hosts live-music events some summer weekends, and visitors can bring food in to enjoy on picnic tables outside the tasting room entrance. The anniversary festival is scheduled for Aug. 23-24.
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