Dodd's Hillcrest Orchards Farm-to-Fork Dinner

I was recently invited out to the Dodd family's Hillcrest Orchards for one of their Farm-to-Fork Wine Dinner events.

The weather wasn't participating, so it was held in their rustic barn amid picnic tables, fresh cut flowers, twinkling lights, and a chandelier.

The setting was gorgeous and the tables were set for a wine-paired dinner featuring Trinchero Family Estates Winery.

But before we settled in for the meal, we did get the opportunity to tour the orchard on a hay ride. We got to see some of the older apple trees and how they were traditionally farmed.

And the newer, modern way of growing apples. All with a complimentary signature cocktail in-hand.

Once we got back to the barn, the Dodds welcomed us and shared a bit about their family's orchard. 5 generations are currently involved with the orchard in one capacity or another, including the Dodd's son-in-law, who was our chef for the evening.

We kicked off the meal with a spring soup and then a Fresh Spring Vegetable Salad with asparagus, beets, baby carrot, radish, spring onion, micro greens, Lake Erie Creamery Herb Chèvre, and fresh herb vinaigrette. It was paired with Bieler Pere et Fils Rosé, France, which was one of my favorite wines of the night and we took home a bottle. 

I really enjoyed the Pan Seared Halibut with cauliflower purée, potato leek mushroom hash, and lemon herb truffle butter. This one was also paired with one of my favorite wines of the night, Terra d'Oro Barbera, Amador, Sierra Foothills, California. Two bottles came home!

The last savory course of the evening was a Herb Grilled Colorado Lamb Rack with snap pea and tomato salad, feta, caper balsamic vinaigrette and toasted pine nuts.

Truly, the food was beautifully plated, thoughtful, and well executed. This wine dinner could stand up proudly next to any similar event we've attended in Cleveland.

But, you can't duplicate that setting! They just renovated the event barn and added this gorgeous patio. It was a wet and dreary day, but I could easily picture sipping a glass of wine overlooking the orchards on a sunny day.

Despite the weather, I still wanted to sneak out to take in the stunning apple blossoms.

In addition to all of the traditional orchard activities like apple picking, market, u-pick pumpkins, hay rides, a maze and more...they also have their wine retail and liquor licenses, so on top of great events like the wine dinner I attended, you can also stop in on Fridays (4-10PM) and Sundays (11AM - 6PM) and their bar and patio is open. Live music is featured, and you can purchase wines by the bottle to take home if you enjoy what you've had from the bar.

Their next dinner event is a Father's Day Craft Beer Pairing Dinner on June 15th at 6PM. This locally-sourced, 5-course dinner will feature craft beers paired with each course. Then there is another wine dinner coming up on July 13th. Enjoy the Summer Wine Pairing Dinner out in the orchard.

We found this gem last summer, thanks to friends that had told us about a wine dinner they planned to attend. We enjoyed a fabulous evening last summer, and this spring's trip just reinforced how special this family's orchard is. We'll be back for a future wine dinner, and to sip some wine on that patio while enjoying live music some Friday or Sunday this summer.

Hillcrest Orchards
50336 Telegraph Road
Amherst, OH 44001

Disclosure: I was provided with two event tickets in exchange for my honest review and social sharing. All opinions stated are 100% my own.