Paul Roberts, owner of the family owned and operated Terra Cotta Vineyard and Winery outside New Concord was recently awarded a gold medal and the Director’s Award for his 2004 Chambourcin wine.  Like an Emmy to an actor, the Director’s Award is coveted by wine makers; it signifies the best of the best. What makes this accomplishment all the more impressive is that the Terra Cotta Vineyard is one of the smallest in Ohio, and Paul and his wife Donna work full time jobs in addition to the vineyard. “This is the hobby that’s going to supplement my retirement income.”  Paul Roberts said with a laugh as I visited with him during one of their monthly cook outs. 

Located about five miles off route 40, down a gently winding road surrounded by green pastures and random houses, the Terra Cotta Vineyard and Winery sits on 53 acres of land reclaimed from the ravages of strip mining back in the 1940’s.  The winery itself is as modest and comfortable as a sleeping cat, the front porch providing the visitor with an overhead view of the grapevines growing down by the road.  Stepping out to the back porch or upper dining pavilion will give you that same moment of breathtaking awe you felt the first time you saw Dorothy step into the Land of Oz. A panoramic view of rolling green hills, lush with every kind of vegetation from trees to wild flowers.  On clear days, you can see all the way to the Ohio River.  On hazy days like this one, the clouds hunkered over the far distant hillside framing a perfect picture of all that is magnificent about Ohio countryside. 

The tasting/dining room was abuzz with the Wildly Outrageous Women (WOWS), a red hat group from Cambridge when I arrived, out for a night of wine tasting and good food.  After some debate, they tell me they heard about the Terra Cotta from “somebody who worked for somebody who knew a person who always comes here.”  And that is the way most people find this treasure on the hill, good old fashioned word of mouth. 

The Roberts planted their first grapevines in 1996 and opened for business to the public seven years ago.  According to Paul, they produce about 2,000 gallons of wine a year, picking and bottling it all themselves.  The selection is a small, quality blend of reds and whites from the sweet Concord to the award winning Chambourcin.  Paul is always searching for new varieties of grapes to bring added dimension to his collection. He is pragmatic about the usual problems that must be battled when you grow grapes; frost, infestation and Ohio’s ever present deer.  “Once they realize the grapes are on, they can eat a ton a day.”  He said.

  In August the Roberts will be hosting Chef in The Vineyard.  Bill Bird, Executive Chef for Zandex, will be on site preparing a five course gourmet meal for guests, and passing on cooking tips including how to prepare a flaming dessert.  Paul and Donna will be on hand for instructions and samples of the right wine for each course.  Reservations for this event are limited, to attend call the winery at 740-872-3791 for more details.