Uncorking the Spirit of an Ohio Wine Trail
Let the Good Times Flow Along Ohio’s Three Rivers Wine Trail in Coshocton County
The lure of Ohio’s Three Rivers Wine Trail is a blend of something unique yet consistent. Its combination speaks to authenticity. Have you ever relaxed so completely that you notice how slow and deep your breathing becomes? This exceptional wine trail weaves the distinct personalities of each stop, connected by Coshocton County’s winding country roads across the foothills of Appalachian Country, from countryside settings to charming small towns, each ready to pour their one-of-a-kind story.
Listen carefully to the fresh rural landscape’s hints of laughter, music, and warm conversation floating freely in the air. At the heart of it all, the Muskingum, Walhonding, and Tuscarawas Rivers find an unhurried pace. The lands welcome the romantics seeking connection, the adventure friends celebrating, the explorers seeking discovery, the locals gathering with friends, and, of course, the connoisseurs always striving to refine their palates.
It isn’t only the desire to whet a whistle that makes the wine trail worthy of trekking, although it’s an essential ingredient. Perhaps just as important are the strangers who become friends along the way. There’s nothing like a familiar smile and a, “Hey, we just saw you back at…Come join us!”
Along the journey, a hawk soars overhead. Century barns cast their charm. Amish horses and buggies move with the speed of Yesteryear. Motorcycles follow in no apparent hurry. The storefront windows of mom-and-pop shops call out to the wandering soul.
The best part of the Three Rivers Wine Trail is its diversity. These aren’t overly commercialized wineries. They have personalities, each a reflection of their owner, and some run by the same family for generations. Don’t be surprised to arrive and see an outstretched hand to shake and a friendly smile to welcome arrivals.
But what makes the Three Rivers Wine Trail so special? Friendliness? But, just how friendly are these places? Consider this: a lady lost her souvenir T-shirt during a special event. One of the winery owners noticed this woman’s search and promptly gave away the one she had been wearing over another shirt herself. That’s right, the folks out here are so kind that they’ll literally give you the shirt off their back.
The rustic history of small-town Americana is preserved at the old flour mill turned Baltic Mill Winery. Pull into the old whistle-stop for trains and flights at Rainbow Hills Winery, Brewery & Pizzeria. Bonfires across the vista are a warm feature at Killing Tree Winery & Restaurant. Elegance, sophistication, and award-winning menus are the staples at Raven’s Glenn Winery & Restaurant. Aromatic scents and the authenticity of the rows of grape vines surround Stone Crest Vineyard. A brick-lined historic canal town leads to the doors of Indian Bear Cork & Coffee. One of the stops on the trail isn’t a winery, but a brewery on a century-old farm, Wooly Pig Farm Brewery.
The oldest winery on the Three Rivers Wine Trail dates back decades, but the earliest known winery in the world dates to 4100 BCE in Ancient Armenia. Wine grapes have since taken root on every continent except Antarctica. Even there, they are being explored for their ice wine possibilities. Imagine penguins in the vineyard!
Around 500–1200 B.C., wine was traded in ceramic jugs around the Mediterranean. In perhaps the earliest known case of someone who got a bit too tipsy, Noah (as in Noah’s Ark) became drunk off wine from his vineyard after the great flood and subsequently exposed himself lying in his tent. Winemaking was perfected through the ages, starting with the Phoenicians, the Greeks, and then the Sicilians.
Then, the Romans planted vineyards in what is now present-day Italy, France, Spain, Germany, and beyond. Wine reached the Americas in the 1400s, then spread, along with Christianity, to the Asian Pacific in the 1500s. Spanish Missionaries brought it to California in the 1700s. The gold rush brought Zinfandel to areas that would include Napa Valley in the 1800s. However, before Napa Valley became known for its premier winemaking, Virginia, New York, and Ohio were the most popular sources for American wines.
Wine production in Ohio dates to the 1820s. By the time of the Civil War, Ohio had become one of the nation’s largest wine producers. When Prohibition was enacted in 1919, the wine industry in Ohio and across the country was brought to its knees. However, in the decades since Prohibition was repealed, Ohio has grown as a top wine producer in the United States.
Today, Ohio ranks as one of America’s top 10 states for producing wine, and the Coshocton area’s Three Rivers Wine Trail is at the heart of it all!
The wineries on the trail have a variety of pastimes that people enjoy. A couple of friends — or strangers fast becoming friends — may be seen sipping silently from across a chessboard. A small group may be having laughs while playing a board or trivia game. Outside, folks may be tossing bean bags in a game of cornhole or throwing a beanie in a game of bocce ball. No doubt, the biggest pastime of all is a good card game, whether it be poker, euchre, or pinochle.
Speaking of pastimes, let’s pop into an early 20th-century flour mill in a classic mill town with plenty of delightful charm and savor a glass of history at the Baltic Mill Winery.
The Baltic Mill turned winery happened after Dan and Judy Garver purchased and renovated the architectural jewel. Its red brick walls extend several stories upward and cover the front walk, inviting people up white stairs to the wooden porch. In the upper levels of the old mill, there are chutes and old machinery from a bygone time. Just like the old mill, the main floor winery has plenty of nooks and crannies to retreat and hide or gather. Its nostalgic shadow casts itself across the tiny town where old-fashioned hospitality seems to be the order of the day.
“Supporting local is at the heart of what we do. Our charcuterie boards feature cheeses from Pearl Valley Cheese and meats from Baltic Country Meats. Our hard ciders are made with juice from Hillcrest Orchard in Walnut Creek. These partnerships not only showcase the best of our region but also allow our guests to taste Amish Country while sipping our wines,” Judy said.
Winding along the roads of Amish Country, travelers may see patches of wildflowers or a vineyard flicker by like an old movie reel, as rows of leafy greens, twisting browns, and bunchy purples pass by. Eventually, the open road leads to Killing Tree Winery.
Amy and Ernie Fry handcrafted this two-story winery set in the countryside overlooking the hills of the Appalachian Plateau. Ernie, a craftsman in construction, woodworking, and winemaking, even refurbished a grain bin into an outdoor stage. And from the Killing Tree firepits, patio, and deck, wine may be enjoyed with live music.
The Fry’s touches are everywhere, inside and out. There are many inviting places outside to take in the sweeping fields, including a party pavilion. A favorite gathering spot inside is a second-floor room with a tin roof, wooden floors, and a corner where two old barn doors and windows meet, creating an authentic gathering space. Don’t forget the food. The menu is filled with options from burgers and wood-fired pizza, sharables, appetizers, and more.
Now it’s time to blow along with the weathervanes to the other side of the tracks, and the vintage railroad depot, with retired railway cars creating a distinctive backdrop to Rainbow Hills Winery, Brewery & Pizzeria.
Owners Eric & Traci Dennis have transformed the nostalgic depot into a winery, brewery, and eatery under its roof. Upon entering, the coziest room is tucked to the right. It seems like the perfect spot for those deep conversations. The next cubby to the right combines Foosball with artifacts. Yes, the place is eclectic! The main spread is spacious, showcasing the kitchen where pizzas are crafted from scratch. There are plenty of tables and bar seating to hang out.
Oh, and the retro vibe is strong with the old-fashioned gasoline pump discreetly parked along a wall. It may be a conversation starter. Certainly, it’s where you’ll find folks gravitating around it, enjoying each other’s company.
Remember, the Three Rivers Wine Trail is in the friend-making business. And at Stone Crest Vineyard, owners Mike and Cheryl Barker have a special knack for providing a relaxed setting away from all the hustle and bustle.
The tone for rejuvenation is cast from the country road leading up a gravel drive, meandering past a hillside vineyard soaking in the sun. A spacious, wrap-around patio has a perfect perch next to a trickling hillside waterfall nestled in the landscape. Sit back and enjoy the surrounding nature over a glass of wine grown and made on the property.
“We do everything here, from growing grapes to hand-picking them, crushing them, and making wine,” said Cheryl. “We do bring in some juice if we can’t grow it here, but all of our wine is made on the premises.”
Winemaking is their family tradition, and it shows. Cheryl’s father taught Mike. He has since honed his craft and become an award-winning winemaker in his own right.
Follow the Tuscarawas River to the banks of Raven’s Glenn Winery & Restaurant, where you may meet the winery’s fourth-generation owner, Beau Guilliams.
He is also the winemaker and personally blends all the various wines to this day. Originally, Raven Glenn’s Tuscan style came from Italy, brought by Carmine and Louise DeRose, along with their signature wine and meal-making recipes.
The atmosphere and setting are both stunning. The old-world interior design, highlighted by the magnificent picture windows, is interrupted only by a massive fireplace. The dramatic views span from the Tuscarawas River with its Goose Island to the River Greens Golf Course, all of which are accented by a pristine white ranch rail fence that wedding photographers adore as a backdrop for their shining brides. The reception hall and conference center, united by a sprawling lawn, cater to both indoor and outdoor weddings. But even with all its elegance, the day-to-day attire at the winery is always casual, which complements the easy-listening live music in the restaurant and the whisperings of nature on the dining patio.
Enter the brick-lined streets of Historic Roscoe Village and pop into Indian Bear Cork & Coffee.
It’s in the middle of the picturesque walking town, making it a perfect stop between exploring the many unique shops along the way or returning from the canal boat ride.
The café blends the charm of a neighborhood coffeehouse with the easy-going vibe of a small wine bar and deli. It’s the perfect blend for lingering conversations floating in the air. It’s a favorite meet-up spot for pairing drinks with sandwiches, salads, and baked goodies. It has a mix of coffeehouse energy and relaxing wine-bar charm.
The Three Rivers Wine Trail isn’t just for wine enthusiasts. If you like a good beer, it also boasts a brewery. Traveling the Coshocton County roads from one winery to another is a scenic treat, offering splendid landscapes that blend quaint little towns with a rolling countryside of hills, fields, woods, and rivers. And it all comes together on an old farm, home to the Wooly Pig Farm Brewery.
The place is named after the curly-haired Mangalitsa pig, which you can see and hear in a nearby pen field. As novel as that may be, people mainly come for beer. Kevin Ely and Jael Malenke own this independent craft brewery, which specializes in custom German lagers and fosters the German idea of making the brewery a center of community life. They even use on-site spring water to create beer in the Northern Bavarian tradition. Kevin, who holds a degree in Brewing Science, is happy to show you his brewing process. The interior windows offer a view of the brewery’s operation on the other side.
The setting is festive, with an open-air outdoor patio and a fire ring. Food trucks and barbecue grills are usually next to the patio. A distinctive offering at Wooly Pig is their small private group huts called salettls. The single picnic table shelters can seat about 6-8 people for cozy good times.
The wineries are open year-round. Every season brings a new calendar of special events along the wine trail. Some are themed and include all the wineries. Others are specific to each winery. To see what’s coming up, click here for an easy-access webpage to all that may be going on at any time.
Whether a visit is for a private group party or a major public event, shuttle and lodging options are available. No genuine wine trail would be complete without overnight accommodation and safe transportation.
The centrally located Coshocton Village Inn & Suites offers 64 rooms, including Jacuzzi suites with kitchenettes. A variety of restaurants are nearby. It’s a fine place to house any group, as it features an indoor pool, spa, sauna, fitness center, and bar. Live music can be found in a couple of places inside, and if that still isn’t enough, its banquet space and conference center can host up to 300 people.
The Coshocton Village Inn & Suites also offers a variety of wine trail packages that include a guest room and treats along the trail, such as a $25 meal voucher. Learn about the current packages by clicking here or by calling 740-622-9455.
While exploring the benefits of a wine trail package, there are a couple of safe travel options. Cork & Tap Excursions specializes in tailored group excursions around the Three Rivers Wine Trail. Nikko’s Limo & Shuttle Service is another personable option that offers both limousine and bus service, seating up to 14 passengers.
Before uncorking the Three Rivers Wine Trail, be sure to get the latest updates on the area’s destinations and events at Visit Coshocton by calling 800-338-4724 or clicking www.visitcoshocton.com/. They are located in Historic Roscoe Village at 432 North Whitewoman Street in Coshocton, Ohio.
Raising a glass for a toast around the world may echo “Salute” in Italy, “Santé in France, “Salud” in Spain, “Yamas” in Greece, “Sláinte” in Ireland, “Prost” in Germany, or “Na zdorovye” in Russia, all of which are wishes for good health. But some toasts mean empty the glass, such as “Kanpai” in Japan, “Ganbei” in China, and “Geonbae” in South Korea.
With that, empty a glass in good health 😉
“Cheers!”
By Frank Rocco Satullo, The OhioTraveler – Your Tour Guide to Fun!
