A 10-minute drive from Athens, Shade Winery is one of Southeast Ohio’s hidden secrets. The winery was established in 2004 by Neal and Oui Dix and has since been producing wines from both Ohio-grown grapes and elderberries. The vineyard of about 1,000 plants on one-and-a-half acres is divided
between the two fruits.
In September 2010, the couple opened a wine bar and lounge on the property with outdoor seating overlooking the vineyard. The bar and lounge are open March through December on Fridays and Saturdays from 1 to 8 p.m.
Visitors can purchase wine by the bottle or glass and also taste eight of the nine featured wines for $6. The Vidal Blanc, the only one of the wines grown on the estate, is one of the eight.
The winery also has excellent local cheese and crackers from Integration Acres, as well as wild-caught salmon and mixed olives to go with its wines. Guests are also invited to bring their own snacks or meals to enjoy with their wines.
Shade is not a stereotypically elitist winery. Guests are not welcomed by turned-up noses, but instead warm smiles and neighborhood friendliness.
“A country club you don’t have to be a member of,” is how Neal Dix describes the wine bar and lounge.
The winery consistently receives a mix of both regulars and new visitors, some of whom travel from as far away as Columbus and Dayton. Shade Winery is also part of the Appalachian Wine Trail, which includes eight wineries in Southeast Ohio.
The winery is also available to rent for special occasions. Shade will host a couple of wedding receptions this summer. Plans for expansion are already in the works, including additional outside seating for this summer and the possibility of a venue for live music in the future.
Shade Winery is located at 401 Gilkey Ridge Road in Shade, Ohio. It can be accessed from Rainbow Lake Road off state Route 33 East toward Pomeroy. Shade’s website is www.shadewinery.com, and it also has a Facebook page. The winery’s telephone number is (740) 696-1323.
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