Farm-to-Table Experiences Near Dayton, Ohio, To Explore
An immersive farm-to-table experience can enable people to feel a greater connection to the food and drink they consume as well as their surrounding community. Around the Dayton, OH, region, farms and restaurants offer a variety of experiences that keep customers coming back, from sipping wine in a renovated brick schoolhouse to touring an orchard or sampling farm-fresh fare in a classy hotel setting. Ahead, explore three fun farm-to-table experiences near Dayton, Ohio.
Olde Schoolhouse Vineyard & Winery
152 Ohio Route 726 in Eaton, OH
937-472-9463, oshwinery.com
For Mark Zdobinski, winemaking began as a hobby that evolved into a flourishing winery and vineyard in Eaton, located in Preble County. Olde Schoolhouse Vineyard & Winery grew out of Zdobinski’s 46 years as a winemaker. Ten years before starting the business, Zdobinski began visiting other wineries and envisioning a wine business of his own.
“I started planning on spreadsheets for about five years and basically had a company built on a spreadsheet,” Zdobinski says.
This careful planning culminated in the purchase of the current winery in 2016. The winery is housed in a renovated brick schoolhouse built in 1890. The schoolhouse was decommissioned in 1921 and sat empty for decades before Zdobinski purchased it with business partners Jim and Beth Meeks. The nearby vineyard was previously a pasture that is now home to 1,000 grapevines across 2 acres: half La Crescent white and half Marquette red grapes.
Olde Schoolhouse Vineyard & Winery produces 30 different wines; its products have won numerous awards both in Ohio and internationally. Unlike some wineries, everything is made in-house, giving the products a personal, handmade touch. At a farm-to-table venue like this, visitors can not only sample high-quality products but see where the wines were made and meet the winemaker.
“We’re a true winery,” Zdobinski says. “We make everything here.”
The winery has become a hub for locals and a destination for wine enthusiasts exploring wine trails around Ohio. On Friday and Saturday evenings, the winery hosts local musicians and food trucks. The farm-to-table setting has become a sought-after way to not only enjoy local products but to partake in a full experience.
“You’re going to taste wine, relax, be with your friends or family, and just enjoy,” Zdobinski says. “The experience is everything.”
Along with hosting wine-tasting experiences, the winery is also a rentable venue for events like baby showers, bridal showers, parties and business meetings. The historic, idyllic setting lends itself to a refreshing and immersive experience complete with quality wines to enjoy.
Many of Olde Schoolhouse Vineyard & Winery’s offerings pay tribute to the local community. Roberts Red, a dry red blend, features the Roberts Covered Bridge on its label, while the Christman White features the Christman Covered Bridge. Along with traditional wines, the winery makes its own apple cinnamon wine, hard cider and slushies from local Preble County apples supplied by Wesler Orchards.
“That’s us giving back to the community and highlighting different attractions in the area,” Zdobinski says.
Silas Creative Kitchen in Versailles
21 W. Main St. in Versailles, OH
937-526-3020, hotelversaillesohio.com/silas-creative-kitchen
Beyond Preble County, there are a variety of other farm-to-table experiences to choose from. Silas Creative Kitchen in Versailles offers an upscale atmosphere with a focus on local produce. Housed in the historic Hotel Versailles, Silas Creative Kitchen’s menu features seasonal fare sourced from local farms, meaning its offerings are continually changing.
Whether it’s an omelet filled with farm fresh vegetables or a charcuterie plate featuring local cheeses, there is plenty to enjoy at Silas Creative Kitchen while supporting local producers.
Hidden Valley Orchards
5474 N. State Route 48 in Lebanon, OH
hiddenvalleyorchards.com
Lebanon’s Hidden Valley Orchards offer an immersive experience of a working farm. Seasonal pick-your-own events allow visitors to choose from a variety of fruits and vegetables. Along with the orchards themselves, the farm also features a taproom, market and ice cream shop. Live music, field trips and seasonal events like hayrides during the holidays make the orchard an ever-evolving landscape.
For business owners like Zdobinski, providing an immersive experience and handcrafted products is the goal. Whether it’s a bottle of wine from a local winery or a meal featuring fresh produce, it’s the personal touch that makes the farm-to-table experience special.
“You don’t get that when you bring a bottle home from the store,” Zdobinski says.
Get to Know Dayton, OH
Want to learn more about living and working in the Dayton region? Check out the new edition of Livability Dayton, Ohio.