Ohio Wines & Vines: Harmony Hill

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Kevin & I ended our Saturday afternoon drive at Harmony Hill Winery in Bethel, Ohio. Harmony Hill is only about 20 miles outside of Beechmont/Anderson and folks, Harmony Hill is FUN.

You pull into a long winding driveway with fun signs, including one telling you it’s a Golden Retriever Crossing. I love dogs, so this was a good sign. As you come around the bend, you are greeted with a picturesque barn, a couple of patios, and bright umbrellas. A parking lot is provided around back of the barn, and that’s where you discover the donkeys. And burros. They’re adorable, provided you don’t feed them your fingers. Across from the happy animals are the vineyards. (You can view photos of our Saturday trip here, or just Harmony Hill here.)

Out on the patio, a live acoustic group is playing everything from Indigo Girls to Junkyard Dog. It’s a great sound, which wafts into the barn. The barn has been completely remodeled as the tasting room and winery. We were lucky enough to get to talk at length with Bill, the winemaker, as he poured us some great wines. He was informative and funny – occasionally punctuating his stories with "Now don’t write about this!" We tasted six wines from his French-American hybrid grapes. I love that they provide you with a pencil and a tasting sheet. We tried the Woodwind (similar to a chardonnay), the Serenade (a dry summery red made from chambourcin and marechal foch), the Rhapsody (a Cabernet Sauvignon/Cab Franc blend from 2005 that is still tasting young but should mature nicely), the sold-out Concerto that is now available by the glass only, the Ovation (a semi-sweet white) and my favorite, the Arancio (an orange dessert wine). We purchased the Rhapsody, Ovation, and Arancio.

Bill also gave us a tour of his wine cave, which is gorgeous from landscaping to architecture. It’s the only wine cave in Ohio and the surrounding area, and he’s looking forward to the constant temperature control making a huge difference in his wines. Harmony Hill contracted with bridge builders and other construction firms for this massive and unique undertaking.

Harmony Hill is open on Saturdays (and I think Friday evenings) at least until the end of September. Each weekend they have live acoustic music and occasionally, proceeds might benefit various animal rescues or charities. (There are at least 7 cuddly dogs at Harmony Hill.) Harmony Hill is both pet and child friendly, and a great place to taste some wine, then buy a bottle or a glass and relax on one of their patios and listen to music.

Harmony Hill
2534 Swings Corner / Point Isabel Road
Bethel, OH 45106
513.734.3548
http://www.hhwines.com