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Tasting event is tonight at new Halliday Winery
By Christine Keeling
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Ron Birchak talks about one of the wines Halliday’s Winery will debut during a Celebrate the Harvest wine-tasting event from 4 to 8 tonight at Olde Dutch Mill Golf Course in Lake Milton.
LAKE MILTON
An old-time mill owner inspired the name of Milton Township’s second winery.
Halliday’s Winery will be premiering two wines from its line the first Friday of each month through January, starting from 4 to 8 tonight at Olde Dutch Mill Golf Course.
The wine-tasting event will feature samples of Mozina Creek and Carosella, cheese, breads, raffles and door prizes. Presentations will be given by wine maker Ed Trebets and John Constantine of Vintage Wine Distributors in Solon, and winery owners Ron and Mike Birchak will be on hand to greet guests.
The wines will be available for purchase with dinner or for carryout after the tasting.
“It’s been a two- or three-year project,” said Ron, “and now, it’s about making people aware of our product.”
A historical theme seemed like a good fit for the winery because its golf-course property houses a Revolutionary War-era cemetery and is less than a half-mile away from where Jesse Halliday built a sawmill in 1804.
Mozina Creek is a red, semisweet wine named after the pair’s grandfather, Frank Mozina, who enjoyed a creek that ran through the family farm in Salem.
Carosella is a fruity blend of grapes inspired by a carousel that was located the Craig Beach Amusement Park that operated from 1922 to 1966.
Additional ties to Lake Milton history will be highlighted in future varietals and the winery building.
“Right now we are focusing on the wine,” said Ron. But he said he hopes the winery’s permanent location will open in late winter or early spring, after renovations are made to what is now known as The Dutch House on Northeast River Road.
Views from the building overlook the lake and the 15th hole on the golf course.
“I think its a beautiful location” for a winery, said Dave Tomaino, township trustees chairman. “It’s not in a residential area, so they can expand and not be right next to houses.”
He said as a recreation community, a winery is a nice way to attract people to the area and boost development.
“We need stuff out here,” said Tomaino. “We need to encourage small businesses to come in.”
There are nearly 150 wineries in Ohio, according to Ohio Grape Industry. Halliday’s, Myrddin and Mastropi tro wineries are within eight miles of each other.
Ron believes the close proximity of the wineries will enhance the area and make it a destination place.