Beer, Wine & Spirits in Zanesville

For generations, the Pfeifer family tilled the soil—originally tending to the land as Midwestern farmers after the Civil War. Even though the family eventually traded in the farm, these agricultural roots still run deep. At Hidden Lakes Winery, they tap into this instinctual knowledge of fruits and cultivars to create a host of wines made from grapes sourced from around the United States. Glasses of light riesling or heady pinot noir in hand, guests often pair their sips with the onsite café’s bistro-style cuisine. There, the kitchen boasts a full menu of Tuscan-inspired appetizers, artisanal pizzas, entrees, and desserts.

Craig and Laura Decker seem to have a difficult time making up their minds. They also seem to have a knack for turning this indecisiveness into an advantage at every turn. When it came to opening their new business, for example, they briefly wondered whether it should feature a wine shop, a wine bar, or a gourmet bistro. Their solution? All three.

This spirit of inclusivity pervades The Wine Guy Bistro, where the Deckers pair seasonal wine varietals with globally inspired cuisine. Rather than choose between European elegance and New-American pizzazz, they settled on a compromise they describe as “Old World chic.” This label suits a menu that features small plates of housemade meatballs and bruschetta alongside assorted cheeses from around the world. The focus on small plates is in keeping with the Deckers’ have-it-all mentality and gives diners the option to sample several dishes without having to barter with adjacent tables.

Originally constructed in 1871 as a schoolhouse, the Manchester Hill home is rich with local history, right down to its bricks that were individually packed by hand and fired on the property. Today, Manchester Hill is home to Patrick and Jenie McGrath, along with their two kids and a slew of animals, and the property's four verdant acres house a bed and breakfast, winery, and farm.

Cultivating a smattering of pesticide-free produce such as asparagus, roma tomatoes, rhubarb, and sunchokes, the McGraths offer locals a share of their harvest through CSAs and at the Clintonville Farmers' Market. Pastured poultry, natural pork, and farm-fresh eggs originate from animals raised on the farm with sustainable and humane practices, such as vegetarian diets and nightly readings of Goodnight Moon in the barn before bed. Meanwhile, Manchester Hill's winery produces a handful of artisan wines, including a pink catawba, a traminette, a dry zinfandel aged in american-oak barrels, and zinfandel dessert wines, as well as sparkling apple cider.