Business is pretty sweet for Eddie and Beth McDonald, the owners of Hanover Winery.
The vineyard located on Morman Road has grown to offer 25 varieties of wine to patrons who come to taste the flavors. Those patrons also get education on the area’s wine history. Eddie is the vintner, Beth says, and it was his hobby 17 years ago that got them both loving wine and wanting to make it their work.
“We think of our winery as more of a lifestyle because it allows us to combine work and daily living with our family, friends and animals,” she said.The couple, both original Hamiltonians (Eddie is from Hanover Twp., Beth was raised Lindenwald), opened the winery in 2009. It has been a place for locals to gather for events, tastings and parties.
“We started out on four acres with an existing building that we remodeled to be what is now the tasting room and then built the winery manufacturing area,” Beth said. “We grew rather quickly and realized we needed more area for parking. In 2015 we were able to purchase an additional 11 acres that includes the six-acre vineyard to the back of the property and a large customer parking lot close to the winery.”
The McDonalds grow five grape varietals: Marquette, Norton, Seyval, Traminette and Concord.
“We are open to the public for wine tastings all year, the open hours depend on the season. We host indoor and outdoor events with wine tastings, live music and food trucks. On non-event days we invite guests to bring their own picnics to the outside tables, choose a wine and enjoy the park like setting around the pond,” Beth said.
Hanover Winery added an outdoor pavilion in 2019 which is used for bands and musicians, and other gatherings.Every year, the winery hosts an animal rescue benefit. The McDonalds are big animal lovers and offer several wines themed for their dogs.
“On most days, as our guests come through the pathway to the property, they will be greeted by one of our wine pups, Annie and Mason. Both dogs are rescues from Cincinnati Lab Rescue. Both have wines named after them as Dammit Annie and Mason’s Red,” Beth said. “Our beloved rainbow bridge dogs Ellie and Lizzy also have wines, Unleashed and Sweet Lizzy. We promote the wines for our animal rescue event and a portion of the sales is donated to the benefit,” she said.
This year’s animal event will benefit PAWS Adoption Center. It’s set for May 16. Other events Hanover Winery will host include an annual cancer awareness fundraiser on Sept. 26 that benefits The Karen Wellington Foundation. Its largest event is the Wine Festival that is scheduled for mid-August, and Hanover hosts a festive indoor holiday party before Thanksgiving. The wine business is really strong, but ebbs and flows, Beth said.”When we opened 11 years ago, Ohio had around 85 wineries, now there are close to 300 across the state.
So many people who are new to wine or possibly have had a bad wine experience will often find a wine here that becomes their favorite. The wine tastings are also a great opportunity to help educate guests on wine and especially Cincinnati’s long wine history,” she said.
The McDonalds are friends with other winery owners and say they all participate in wine conferences and offsite events, where they get to know each other.
It’s an exhausting business, but in a great way, Beth said.
“We have been blessed with so many friends and loyal customers that have helped make us who we are today. We will continue to grow and make Hamilton proud.”
Calendar and more info: www.hanoverwinery.com
Facebook: facebook.com/hanover.winery
Instagram: Search #hanoverwinery