Award-winning wines come in all flavors at Breitenbach Wine Cellars
By Joanne Lehman
Sure, you've heard of dandelion wine - but have you ever tasted it? At Breitenbach Wine Cellars you can taste dandelion sangria and enjoy fun dandelion food and games at the annual Dandelion May Fest. Dandelion wine is a traditional beverage in some local Amish homes. Families hand-pick dandelion blossoms to create the sweet wine each spring.
Travel deep into Amish Country and between Dover and Sugarcreek, you'll follow a winding country road to one of the most visited wineries anywhere. Breitenbach is a German word meaning "bright or broad stream" - the name of the stream that runs through the winery grounds. You can't miss it! Look for the purple buildings and the unique European style architecture.
Year 'round, you can taste not only dandelion wine but also a wide selection of grape and fruit wines made at Breitenbach Amish Country Wines. Many of the 38 wines produced by Breitenbach's begin with grapes and other fruit grown on local farms.
Breitenbach's 3 Berry Blend is made from strawberries, raspberries and blueberries. Its sweetness is perfect for a picnic and it comes in a colorful folk-art decorated packable box. This is the first boxed Ohio wine--packaged to preserve both the freshness of summer and memories of happy days spent out in the country.
At Breitenbach, wine production takes place in the purple barn adjacent to Der Marktplatz, the beautifully decorated gift shop where - after tasting and choosing your favorites - you will want to order one, if not dozens, of the beautifully packaged wine and cheese gift boxes. Be sure to ask for the unique Dandelion Lovers Assortment. Other assortments feature local cured meats and cheeses, along with gourmet treats and fun extras. They also ship boxes of six or 12 bottles of your choice. There is no time like the present to select gifts and have them delivered right to your - or someone elses' - door.
Winemaker and owner Dalton Bixler started Breitenbach in 1980 with the production of 1,500 gallons of grape and fruit wine. After several expansions, the company now produces more than 30 varieties of grape and fruit wines, with an annual result of over 100,000 gallons. The company, operated by Bixler with the help of his wife, Cynthia, and daughters, Anita and Jennifer, creates prize-winning wines. A gift shop features local handcrafts and unique gifts.
Anita Bixler Davis said the family recently opened a café, which serves wine by the glass and soft drinks, along with panninis and salads. On Saturdays, try pizza baked in a wood-fired oven. Lunch is served from noon to 3 Tuesday through Saturday. Guests will enjoy indoor seating that overlooks the Breitenbach valley and a wine barrel fence. The outdoor patio features Fred's Famous Barbeque every Saturday, May through October. It's the perfect spot for a picnic, on tables spiked with purple market umbrellas.
Three of the company's original labels, Frost Fire, Roadhouse Red and First Crush, continue to be the most popular wines. Frost Fire was named best-of-class in 2005 and won a gold medal at the Los Angeles County Fair Wine Competition. The name "Frost Fire" originates from the effect the sun makes as it glistens through ice on the grapevines in winter. In 1985, First Crush - a sweet blush - won the winery's first gold medal at the Eastern International wine competition. Roadhouse Red is "an example of American greatness", so designated at the Jefferson Cup Invitational in Virginia.
In addition to American varieties, Breitenbach produces some outstanding viniferas as well. European grapes grown in Ohio result in white wines such as Viognier and Riesling and reds Shiraz, Sangiovese and Merlot. "Festival", the winemaker's Italian-style blend, has won the gold medal from the American Tasting Institute in San Francisco.
Want to know more about how wine is produced and bottled? Breitenbach gives tours of their wine cellars each Friday afternoon. The guided tours take you through the entire process, from crushing, to fermentation, to the laboratory and the bottling line. This fascinating tour of the state-of-the-art facility gives you an unforgettable inside look at the ancient art and craft of wine making.
Special events at Breitenbach this summer include the New Wave Nation band concert on Saturday, July 19. This 1980s tribute band plays all your favorite pop tunes and is sure to be a hit with guests looking for an evening of fun. On August 30, the winery will host their second annual dog show, where canine pals strut their stuff and owners can enjoy an entire day of dog and people festivities. No need to sign up for the show - just bring your pup and be prepared to show off. Live music will make this a fun event for all.
Breitenbach Wine Cellars is located at 5934 Old Rt. 39 NW, Dover, Ohio. (Take Old Rt. 39. It's halfway between Dover and Sugarcreek). Or take exit 83 from I-77, go west four miles and look for the signs.) Call 800-843-9463 for information.
