New Wines and Outdoor Dining

There are two new reds at Broad Run Corner and a cascade of yellows, purples, oranges and browns too, as the fall foliage in Ohio’s Amish Country climbs to a spectacular culmination, setting the mood to take it to the next level.

With an expanded patio deck at the founder’s namesake tavern, Hans’ Place, there’s a new perch for lovebirds to land on. Adjacent to the outdoor seating area that has come to be affectionately known as Broadway Lights, there’s now a second seating level.

“On the expanded section of the patio deck, we’ve dimmed the lighting, added a couple of fire tables, and set up areas with outdoor sofas and loveseats,” said Chad Schindler, president of Broad Run Corner. “My wife, Jody, has been calling that Romance in France. It’s got a different mood.”

Jody Schindler is the manager of Hans’ Place, and the sobriquet she teased captured a certain je ne sais quoi that rests next to the aptly named Broadway Lights, which hosts live music every Saturday from 6:30-9:30 p.m.

“Most of our musicians are local or come from Northeast Ohio, and more and more we have live music on Friday nights too,” Schindler said. “On the Hans’ Place Facebook page, people can click on events to find out who’s playing.”

With the addition of Hans’ Place, Broad Run Corner, long renowned for its cheese, has become known for a rarity in these parts — the perfect burger. Over the last few years, a reputation for its award-winning wines has traveled even further.

The Swiss Heritage Winery is introducing two new red wines. “One is a malbec, and the other is a tempranillo,” Schindler said. “The Malbec has floral notes, violet-black tea notes. It’s Argentina’s most popular wine, and we’re making it American style. It’s still a dry red, but ours is more of a transitional wine from sweet to dry and dry to sweet. It’s not blended.”

Typically, Malbecs are aged in oak barrels, but Schindler aged his take in stain-less steel. “I didn’t want to take away from the flavor profile it already had,” he said.

His new tempranillo, on the other hand, is aged in American oak.

“After COVID, things took off, and I think we had one of the nicest, if not the nicest, outdoor seating areas in the county,” Schindler said. “We expanded and made it even nicer, and we still have the upper decks, The Tree House which seats 80, if people want a little more privacy.”

With the easing of nearly all COVID-related health restrictions, this fall is a season to celebrate, and, if the mood is right, maybe even get a little closer.

Make a day of Broad Run Corner, 6011 Old Route 39 NW in Dover (330-343-4108). Hours are Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Hans’ Place is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sample BroadRunCheese.com and make your night at SwissHeritageWines.com.