sweet,” says Rob. “There are 14 different types of grapes being grown around here. It’s very impressive.” Wineries and vineyards are known for creating a striking and tranquil experience for guests, so what better place to make a home than Licking County? Autumn Rush Vineyard, Three Oaks Vineyard and Otter Creek Vineyards offer the full vineyard experience, complete with the unbelievable views Licking County is known for. “Seeing grape vines, all three of these offer this nice, rural experience; get outside,” says Rob.
Mill St. Distillery, Utica
Another major trap wine fans tend to fall into is the idea that if it doesn’t grow grapes, a winery doesn’t fit the bill. Rob admits he was one of them, but changed his tune after sampling some of Licking County’s best, including Buckeye Lake Winery, where you can find great wines paired with an incredible view of the water. However, he says this may soon
come. But in the meantime, you have lots of wonderful partnerships and collaborations going on with the local harvests.” Meet up with friends and try a pizza paired with your favorite wines at Buckeye Winery, or get in character at Sand Hollow Winery’s speakeasy, across the street from the Historic Licking County Jail. No matter where
And when it comes to spirits, Mill St. Distillery may stand alone, but it sure does have a big impact, certainly since taking Best in State at the Heartland Whiskey Competition in Chicago for its Mill Street Moonshine. “They make a moonshine, they make a bourbon, they make a Grappa,” says Rob. “They’ve won a lot of awards, particularly with the moonshine and the bourbon. … These are beverages that you can just sit and sip.” The combination of local wine, beer and spirits in Licking County ensures that when you’re testing the new places that inevitably pop up, you’re warm, happy and surrounded by good company. “In Licking County, most of the operators around here recognize that rising tides lift all boats,” says Rob. “If everybody’s doing something exciting that consumers really enjoy and want to get into, then all the competitive nature of stuff just washes away. Everybody kind of enjoys the party, you know? Let’s have fun, let’s celebrate what we’ve got here and how we do it, and let people enjoy it.”
Autumn Rush Vineyard, Johnstown
change as the agricultural landscape of the county grows to support the local wineries, and vice versa.
you end up, it doesn’t get much better than sipping on a glass in a Licking County winery.
“The more popular the wineries and brewers we have, (the more) certain farms and local farms are going to start to focus on, ‘Can I grow some hops? What else can I do to get in there?’” he says. “That will
“They’re just letting this wonderful freak of chemistry – fermentation – happen,” says Rob. “You can find chardonnays and merlots and pinots, reds and whites, dries, semi-dries, coming out of the wineries here.”
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explore licking county
2018 travel magazine
explorelc.org
Be sure to join all the wineries in Licking County on the Wine Trail. Visit www.explorelc.org to learn more.