If you’re looking to break away from the usual High Street bars and restaurants in Oxford, Hanover Winery is an option for your next date night or an evening out with friends. Located just a short drive from Oxford, this award-winning, fully operational winery can host large events or small, intimate gatherings.
The winery features 28 wine options, many of which are Ohio and internationally award-winning. Among their most popular selections is a holiday cranberry wine, as well as their “Damnit Annie” wine, made from blackberry and haskap berry, also known as the honeyberry in Asia. Hanover Winery recently won the Best Southwest Winery in Ohio award at a contest at Kent State University for the third consecutive year, solidifying its reputation for product quality.
Wine and bourbon slushies are also available. The food menu includes homemade pizzas cooked in their outdoor wood-fired oven. Other options include beer cheese pretzels and charcuterie boards.
Hanover Winery was founded in 2009 by Eddie and Beth McDonald who were looking to capitalize on what was originally a hobby. Eddie said he came across a two-hour TV special about making wine and it caught his eye.
“I was really interested in the chemistry of it all, so I started dabbling in it. After about a year, we joined the Ohio Wine Association, and after about six years of making wine in the area, people started buying my product—but I couldn’t sell it legally. That’s what motivated my wife and me to pursue opening a winery,” said Eddie McDonald.
“A lot of people don’t know that the first winery in the United States was right here in Cincinnati. The Ohio River Valley was producing wine longer than anybody in the country,” said Eddie.
Eddie and Beth say, depending on the year, they can make anywhere from six to 12 thousand gallons of wine annually. Some berries and dry white wines are shipped in from areas such as Washington State but the majority of berries are grown on their seven-acre property.
“In the first six years, it was just my wife and me doing everything—from picking grapes to pressing them, fermenting, and labeling. Then it grew into a bigger business, and now we have employees to help us,” said Eddie.
Hanover Winery enjoys hosting annual events, such as their upcoming Wine, Pine & Roses event. This event features their local Fig Tree Florist, who will guide attendees in designing a holiday arrangement while they enjoy discounted wine and food. The event runs from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. from Dec. 11 to 13. Tickets are $60 and can be purchased on the winery’s website.
Another popular event that doesn’t require a ticket purchase is their annual Merry Everything! celebration. Guests can enjoy wine tastings, wine by the glass or bottle, beer, bourbon, cocktails and specialty holiday drinks, including hot mulled cranberry wine by the glass. The event also features live music by the Heather Roush Duo at 5 p.m., along with fire pits and heat towers for outdoor lounging. The festivities take place from 1 to 9 p.m. Dec. 14.
“They’re lovely people who really care about this place and their wine. It’s been great working with them throughout the years,” said Vickie Ralph, an employee of Hanover Winery for over three years, while serving a small birthday celebration.
Hours include 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday and 1 to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Wine is available for purchase in the surrounding area at Moon Coop, Kroger and Oxford Spirits. Hanover Winery also offers shipping for purchases made through its website.
For more information about Hanover Winery visit www.hanoverwinery.com.
