Hundley Cellars
by
Kathy Sullivan
Summary: Hundley Cellars is a boutique Ohio winery with a warm friendly atmosphere. The winery is a true family winery that includes father, mother, daughter and son. The winery crest is based on the family crest. Hundley Cellars plans to stay boutique; they want to sell all of their wines from the tasting room. If you visit during the fall, you are likely to meet Igor.
Wine lovers will find the small boutique winery in a renovated home in the countryside of Ohio. The building has been renovated with a lodge-style atmosphere and includes a delightful fireplace surrounded by comfortable seating. Vineyards, a pond and picnic tables add to the ambiance of the winery. Be sure to notice the family crest that appears to be a deer with extended intertwining antlers.
We met Larry and Gerri Hundley at their Geneva winery who spent a considerable amount of time with us. During our discussion and wine tasting we learned that this winery that has brought the family closer together. Their daughter Tracy is the winemaker who learned her winemaking skills at UC Davis. Their son Greg is a professional chef who has worked at restaurants and catering and is now the Hundley Cellars chef.
Wine Journey
The Hundley’s interest in owning and operating a winery began with an attempt by Larry to make a wine with a wine kit. Larry and Gerri found the wine to be undrinkable but this did not stop them from making a second wine. Continued persistence has allowed them to produce quality wines and eventually open the winery with Tracy and Greg joining their enterprise.
Originally the Hundleys were not from the Geneva area but they enjoyed a mini-vacation visiting the local wineries. Eventually the Hundleys retired from other careers. Gathering the family together they decided to pool their resources and bought the property. The house has been repurposed into a winery and tasting room. Now the family works together.
The tasting room and winery are located in a house and garage that they purchased in 2009. The grapevines were planted in 2011 and they opened the tasting room in 2014.
The Hundleys sought to create a lodge-look for their tasting room. Larry and Gerri like the cozy environment of a lodge. They said, “The people you meet are the most extraordinary people.” They mentioned how occasionally they need to wake people up to go home - not because of the wine but because the room is so cozy. The garage area was turned into a lounge area. It is easy to spend an afternoon in front of the fire with a glass of wine.
Vineyards at Hundley Cellars
Currently the vineyards consist of seven acres that include Niagara, Delaware, Seyval, Vidal, Traminette and Riesling. Future plans include planting red grape varieties. On the day of our visit, a hawk perched on a post at the end of a vineyard row. Protecting its prey, the hawk fluttered in the air issuing a gentle warning not to approach much closer.
Hundley Cellars’ Wines
Grüner Veltliner was a light yellow colored wine. The aroma offered citrus and floral notes. The taste had citrus notes especially grapefruit. The finish was crisp and citrusy. This was a dry wine that would be a great accompaniment with chicken, cheese or pork. Chardonnay 2014 was yellow colored wine. The wine was lightly oaked and offered notes of pear and apple. Pinot Gris American, was a pale yellow color with a light aroma. The taste was of fruit including melon, pear and apple. The finish was crisp. Pair this wine with food especially cheese. Traminette with 20 grams per liter residual sugar was a light yellow. The aroma was of floral notes. The taste reminded one of juicy apple and peaches with a hint of orange. The finish was crisp with a long fruit aftertaste.
Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 was produced with fruit from Lodi, California. The wine was a translucent ruby color and offered notes of blackberries and black cherries. The finish was fruity. The Baron 2013 was a blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from Lodi, California. This dark ruby wine offered aroma notes of dark fruits. The taste had notes of blackberries and plums with a touch of earthiness. The medium/full-bodied wine had silky tannins. The finish was crisp and fruity.
Niagara Grand River Valley 2014 was a pale yellow color. The wine offered the aroma, taste and finish of the Niagara grape. Our adult children would say it reminded them of Grandma’s house. Endless Summer was produced with Vidal. The pale yellow wine offered notes of sweetness, apple and floral. The finish lingered.
At the time of our visit in October, the tasting room was ready for Halloween. We had the opportunity to meet the fabulous and somewhat scary Igor, standing at the entrance and greeting visitors.
When planning your visit to Hundley Cellars, add extra time to relax while enjoying the atmosphere and the Hundley wines.
Hundley Cellars
6451 St. Rte. 307
Geneva, Ohio 44041
GPS: N41º 45.585’ W80º 59.135’
Article written October 2015
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