Hidden Lakes Winery Review
Address: 650 Winchester Pike Canal Winchester,Ohio 43110.
Phone Number: 614-834-5294
Tasting Hours: Wed-Sat 12:00-9:00, Sun 1:00-7:00 (Jan-Mar closed)
Region: Ohio
Reviewer: Shona Carr
Review Date: 3/2/2012
Reviewer: Shona Carr
Rating: 4
The Review
Around lunchtime on Friday, I was running into Hidden lakes Winery, one of Ohio’s urban wineries, to get out of the pouring rain and was instantly greeted by a smiling hostess. I noticed that she was prepared to seat me for lunch, so I asked if she minded if I just tasted their wines. She had no problem with my request and seated me with the lunch crowd. She left me with the winerys tasting list that included the pricing options and a reasonably priced lunch menu, just in case I changed my mind and wanted to order lunch or an appetizer.
The Place: Wine barrel tables great you as you walk in the door, and the theme continues with rustic beams that spread across the ceiling and antique wine presses that line the far wall. Visitors can settle in at a table by the stone fireplace or take a seat further back and enjoy the television which is mounted above the fireplace. In nice weather, visitors can enjoy their dinner and wine outside on the two-tier deck or in the gazebo, both of which have spectacular views of the man-made lake.
The Experience: I not only enjoyed tasting the wines, but also enjoyed the conversation and activity that was occurring all around me. I realized that Hidden Lakes Winery was operated more like a small restaurant than a winery, as the hostess/waitress dashed from table to kitchen and back again bringing tray after tray of food and wine. Everyone there was enjoying their affordable lunches of pasta, specialty pizzas, salads, soups and sandwiches, and the conversations were giddy with laughter as people sipped their wine and enjoyed the rainy afternoon. Even though she was busy, the hostess/waitress made time to talk to each of her customers, and I was grateful for the time she spent answering my questions regarding the wines and the history of Hidden Lakes Winery.
The People: The Pfeifer family opened Hidden Lakes Winery in 2004. Damion Pfeifer is the winemaker and comes from a long generation of winemakers and farmers from Europe who later established themselves in Kansas in the late 1860s.
The Wines: Hidden Lakes Winery purchases its wine juice from Ohio, New York and California. The tasting fee is $4.99 for 5 wines, $9.99 for 10 wines, $14.99 for all wines or $11.99 for four 3 ounce flights. The wines include Chardonnay ($14.99); Riesling ($12.99); Strawberry Riesling ($13.99); Glacier White ($13.99); Harvest Gold ($12.99); Early Frost ($12.99); Red Velvet Port ($19.99); Cabernet Sauvignon ($17.99); Pinot Noir ($17.99); Merlot ($15.99); Sunset Red ($11.99); Summer Red ($12.99); Road House Red ($12.99); Jazzy Blush ($11.99); Raspberry ($13.99) and Sangria ($14.99).
Extras: Wednesday is Ladies Night at Hidden Lakes with 10% off wine, Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. is free live entertainment that usually consists of local bands, and Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. is pasta night.