I go to Sugarcreek at least twice every summer and this is the first place we stop. The First Crush and Roadhouse Red are our favorites but they have other wonderful wines that we have also purchased. The scenery around the shop is gorgeous, especially in the fall, there is nothing not to like. I am looking forward to our trip there this month.
We drove over from a visit in Amish country and were pleasantly surprised by this winery. The staff was very friendly and welcoming. They offered unlimited wine tasting for 25 cents per and from that we found a few delicious wines, two of which we purchased. There are plenty of wines of various kinds for sale at reasonable prices. There's also a small bistro within for casual dining......nice!
This winery is a must-see on your trip to Amish country. Friendly staff let you sample their lovely array of wines (25 cents per sample). The weekends are crazy busy and can be overwhelming so I suggest a week day visit here.They also sell other neat wine related items and local goods. We'll be stopping here every time we visit the area.
We visited on a Saturday afternoon while they had the outdoor BBQ going. Enjoyed a delicious pulled pork BBQ sandwich, a delightful glass of wine while listening to the live music on their patio. Ribs looked amazing too! Enjoyed the afternoon and wish that I lived nearby so that this could be a place a could return to on a regular basis.
I hadn't been here for several years and was quite impressed at the seating expansion. I imagine on a nicer day it would be great to be outside and have some wine. I missed seeing Duke, however. I don't know if he is involved in the day to day at the shop anymore. It was always great to talk directly to him. We tasted a couple of wines that were very good.
I visited on a Saturday afternoon and tasted a number of wines (including peach and cherry) cheeses and shopped in the gift areas. I was with lots of friends who also had a wonderful time. I bought chocolates, and fresh cheeses to eat on the outdoor patio and got plenty more to take home. We sat outside and enjoyed the sun and our treats with wine and other beverages. The place was packed but there was still plenty of parking and the grounds around were beautiful I said to myself what a wonderful place and how nice it would be to live in the Sugar Creek area.
My wife and I love the wine selection great cheeses and good selection of salsas and dips. We have yet to go out for lunch but I have heard good things about there lunch menu.
We attended Breitenbach Winery's May Dandelion Festival (first weekend in May every year).Evidently the affair has outgrown the winery grounds over the years, and this was the first year that the actual fair was held a few hundred yards up the road at another Breitenbach property better suited to large gatherings. Free shuttles ran constantly between the fair grounds and the winery. The fair celebrated the dandelion in multiple and various forms and uses; mostly culinary in nature (to be washed down with Breitenbach's own dandelion wine). The venue was well suited for the activities which included multiple and various food and craft vendors, live music, silent auctions, cooking demonstrations, a dandelion cook-off contest, etc. Seating was available in various areas so that one could sit and enjoy the offerings. The food vendors featured various dandelion creations such as dandelion gravy served over real mashed potatoes, dandelion pizza, dandelion sausage sandwiches, dandelion soup, dandelion ice cream, dandelion fudge, and dandelion syrup to name a few. A variety of Breitenbach wines were available for consumption on site by the tasting, glass, or bottle. The winery facilities offered larger volume wine sales as well as a large gift shop which included a custom cut cheese and meats sales counter; tasting bar ($.25 per); indoor and outdoor seating to sit and enjoy a glass or bottle, a cheese plate, or a serving of ribs from the facility on the plaza; and winery tours. The Breitenbach wine list is long and varied, but comparatively weighted to the sweeter side. I have tried many dandelion wines (both homemade and commercial grades) and have always been disappointed. Breitenbach's dandelion wine is a result of many years' refinement and is actually the first dandelion wine that I would recommend to anyone. It is on the sweet side, but light, delicate, and refreshing.The festival is worth inclusion on your "to go" list, but don't wait for the festival to visit the winery; it is a treat anytime. Let them know at the check out if you are a newlywed and see what happens. ;-)
I have been coming to the location for the past 6 yrs and I never leave the area without a bottle or two or three. The only season I haven't visited this winery is the winter, and I probably never will. The setting is beautiful and comforting. First Crush is a favorite, along with Roadhouse Red. And my 'new' favorite is the Rhubarb, light and fruity. The gift shop is filled with unique gifts for any occasion. And the staff is so helpful and pleasant.
We had a wonderful and relaxing lunch at Breitenbach Winery. The brick oven pizza and wine is amazing. I wish the scenery was prettier in the cafe area but everything else was great.