Raven's Glenn
by
Kathy. Sullivan
Summary: Wine and food lovers will enjoy a delightful stop at Raven’s Glenn Winery & Italian Restaurant in east central Ohio. There are numerous wines to taste and a restaurant menu with an array of foods from which to choose.
Referred to as Ohio’s Crown Jewel of Wineries, Raven’s Glenn Winery & Italian Restaurant is easy to locate on U.S. Route 36. The large one-story red roof winery tasting room and restaurant has a white fenced porch. Raven’s Glenn Winery is a busy winery with frequent visitors. In 2010, the owners are expecting 60,000 people to visit.
Located in east central Ohio, Raven’s Glenn Winery is near the Tuscarawas River. The first grapevines were planted in 1995 and the tasting room doors opened in 2004. In 2010 the winery is producing 42,000 cases. Most of the wine produced by Raven’s Glenn Winery is sold in the tasting room or in the restaurant. In 2010, they are one of the largest wineries in Ohio.
Robert and Renee Guilliams, ready to begin second careers, established Raven’s Glenn Winery. Their first careers had been as successful health care executives. In establishing Raven’s Glenn Winery, they had a 10-year business plan that they have been successfully following. Robert is the viticulturist and cellar master. Their son, Beau Guilliams, is the winemaker.
Plans were made for the winery buildings to grow as the need arose. As the business increases the buildings increase in size. The Guilliams are obviously pleased that their business plan is on track. The restaurant was built after the winery. The banquet room was added two years after the restaurant opened. The Guilliams philosophy is important to the success of the winery. As Robert said, “Better is not bigger.” If you get bigger, you must continue getting better.
Vineyards
Five acres of grapevines are planted near the winery. About five minutes away another vineyard is planted. The five-acre vineyard near the Tuscarawas River is on the riverbed and the soil consists of much sand. It has plantings of Chardonel, Vidal Blanc and Noiret. The second vineyard is situated on a slope. The soil for this area is clay and the vineyard suffers from an occasional frost.
White Wine
While visiting the winery, we had the opportunity to taste several wines.The White October 2008 Estate Chardonel had a citrus aroma with a smooth citrus taste. The finish was crisp. Autumn Spice 2008 was produced with the Traminette grape. This wine had a floral aroma with a taste of apple, spice and citrus notes. Vidal Blanc offered notes of citrus and tropical fruits. The wine was smooth with tropical nuances. The finish was crisp and sweet.
Red Wine
Cabernet Sauvignon Winemaker’s Reserve offered blackberry and wood nuances. There were light blackberry and spice nuances on the taste. Tannins were on the crisp finish with lingering fruit and wood notes.
Dessert Wine
Scarlet Raven Estate Noriet 2008 was a port-like wine with 20.5 percent alcohol. The wine offered nuances of dark berry and fruit jam. It offered a sweet but not lingering sweet finish.
We also had the opportunity to barrel taste the 2009 Noriet that will be the 2009 Scarlet Raven. There was cedar on the aroma and a black fruit taste. This wine still aging in the barrel was slightly less sweet than the 2008 bottled Scarlet Raven.
The Restaurant
In addition to the winery, a large restaurant overlooks the Tuscarawas River. The restaurant is bright and cheerful with paned glass windows that provide beautiful views of the river. Checkered red and white tablecloths add to the cheerfulness of the dining area. A large stone fireplace adds even more ambiance. Near the restaurant a large banquet room is available for weddings, class reunions and bus tours. This room can be separated in two for smaller groups.
We had an opportunity to sample some of the appetizers, entrées and a dessert. The food was paired with Raven’s Glenn wine. The experience was wonderful and when visiting the winery you should consider lunch or dinner in the restaurant.
If you are visiting Ohio, stop at Raven’s Glenn to taste their wines and perhaps purchase a bottle or two. While there consider staying for lunch or dinner. The restaurant is closed on Mondays.
Raven's Glenn Winery & Restaurant
56183 CR 143
West Lafayette, Ohio 43845
GPS: N40º 16.994’ W81º 42.310’
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