Hafles carries on family dining business

Bottles of wine behind the bar at the Hafle Winery. Bill Lackey/Staff

Bottles of wine behind the bar at the Hafle Winery. Bill Lackey/Staff

Restaurant: Hafle Winery

Location: 2369 Upper Valley Pike, Springfield

Telephone: (937) 399-1221

Website: www.haflewinery.com

Background/overview:

Dan Hafle Sr. (pronounced, “Hay-flee”) was known as the “gentleman farmer.” He purchased a large plot of land from the Shuler Family in 1964. He wanted to provide his wife and young children a nice homestead, while also hoping to start a full production winery on the massive property. In fact, the Hafle family became pioneers when they brought winemaking back to central Ohio in 1974. The family’s wine manufacturing business continued for twenty years, but was forced to close due to lacking access of city utilities in 1994.

Dan Hafle Jr. and his wife, Theresa, have lived on the property since they married thirty-seven years ago. His parents have since died, however, the couple and their two children were able to regain access to city utilities and reopen Hafle Winery as the only wine bar in Clark County on Memorial Day in 2014.

Although there’s no longer winemaking done on the property, they sell over 40 local, national, and international wines, and 20 varieties of bottled beers. They operate also a full service restaurant offering a large seasonal core menu filled with “weekly specials.”

The creative and inviting staff includes: Dean Bryan, head chef; Danielle Hafle, artist and assistant chef; Phillip Hafle, mixologist and head bartender; Mark Cowgill, head waiter. The outdoor dining patio is now open, with the staff’s focus on grilled burgers, chicken, seafood, steaks and fresh seasonal tastes at Hafle Winery.

The menu

Beverages: Coca-Cola products, Folgers coffee, iced tea, and lemonade-$2;

Beers: $2.50/$3.50; Pina Colada-$5; Chardonnay-Vista Point-$4/$12; Seasonal Sangrias-$7/$16.

"Weekly Specials" (could be): Bleu-Grape Salad-$7; BBQ Chicken Stir Fry-$10; Sicilian Sub w/side-$11; Blackened Tuna w/Bruschetta-$15; Meatball Pizza (16-inch)-$20.

Appetizers: Chips & Salsa-$4; Hummus Plate-$6; Soft Pretzels & White Cheese Dip-$6; Spinach Artichoke Dip-$7.

Soups (seasonal): Gazpacho, or Spring Vegetable-$4/$6.

Salad: Side Salad-$3; Winery Style Chef Salad-$11.

Sandwiches (w/chips, or fries): Bratwurst-$8; Wine Burger-$11; Winery Club Sub-$11.

Sides: Cottage Cheese, French Fries, Red Quinoa-Black Beans, or Steamed Fresh Vegetables-$2; Onion Rings-$3.

Pizzas (16-inch): Thin and Crispy Pizzas-$13 to$23.

Dinners (after 5 P.M.): Grilled burgers, chicken, seafood, and steaks-$9 to $20.

Desserts: Chocolate Cake, Cheesecake, or Vanilla Ice Cream Sundae-$5.

Hours

5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, noon to 10 p.m., Friday-Saturday and 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday. Bar is open as late as guests want to stay.

More Information

Hafle Winery is located one-half mile north of Upper Valley Mall. Parties of six or more guests are asked to telephone ahead to reserve seating.

Discount coupons are available in the “Town Money Saver” mailer. “Ten Dollar Tuesdays” get you $10 select wine bottles, $10 wine flights of five or $10 domestic beer buckets.

Look for local restaurant profiles by Glenn and Kim Creyts every other week. For inquiries regarding this column and ideas for other restaurant profiles and suggestions for future columns, contact Glenn and Kim via e-mail at glenncreyts@att.net.

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