Columnist Leah Keiter writes about a springtime alternative to bar-hopping.
As the cold weather (finally) starts to leave Athens and the first signs of spring are in full bloom, it seems natural to write about a place where you can spend a warm spring day doing what Ohio University students do best: drinking. Though I’m absolutely positive all of the bars on Court Street have enough history and ridiculous stories to have their own columns, the place I have in mind this week is a little more off the beaten path: the Shade Winery.
To someone who grew up in Athens, the Shade Winery still seems pretty new, but it has actually been around since 2004. In traditional Athens fashion, it’s local from head to toe — it grows its own grapes, works with local businesses and growers to get the other materials for its wine and serves local cheese and crackers, as well as fresh-caught salmon.
A lot of the places that I write about in this column feature some sort of local aspect, which I think is really important to experiencing a place in a memorable way. The Winery is no different, and in addition to being a completely local and authentic experience, part of the reason why it’s so cool is because there’s nowhere like it in the Athens and Hocking Hills area.
If local food isn’t your thing, the Shade Winery might still be the place for you: It has free gas grills for patrons to use on a first come first served basis, and any wine drinkers are free to bring in as much outside food as they want. The Winery’s wraparound porch and deck provide prime spots for great views in the springtime. In addition to being great on the taste buds and eyes, the Shade Winery is great for the ears too, often featuring local music acts that play in the evening.
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When I think of a winery, Athens is definitely not the first place that pops in my head — I think Napa Valley or Italy. Sometimes, I think students can be a little rough on the Athens community that isn’t part of the university’s urban bubble, and my hope with this column is to change that perception and get students to realize what a cool and unique place they’re in for the four years they have the chance to explore it. Places like the Shade Winery, the Dairy Barn and Rhapsody are part of a really special culture that’s unique to Athens County, and for students who aren’t staying in Ohio after school, those are spots to make some important college memories.
The Winery features estate-grown whites and reds, with a total of 16 different varieties for tasting. Glasses range from $6-$8, and bottles range from $13-$26, with a $10 taste all option, a $5 taste ten option and individual tastes for $1.
Located at 401 Gilkey Ridge Road in Shade, the Winery opens back up for the spring and releases five new wines on March 3 at 5 p.m., with its first music act of the season, the Mudfork Blues Band, playing two nights later at the same time.
Leah Keiter is a junior studying journalism. Have you been to the Shade Winery? Email her at lk969912@ohio.edu.
