Fire destroys Moyer Winery in Ohio

A devastating fire has ripped through Moyer Winery in Adams County, Cincinnati, destroying the vines and winery restaurant at the estate.

A devastating fire has destroyed Moyer Winery in Ohio. Photo c/o Fox 19

As reported by the Cincinnati Enquirer, the fire broke out at 1:30am on Thursday morning in the restaurant kitchen. None of the winery’s 30 employees were hurt in the fire.

Firefighters from West Union, Ripley, Aberdeen, Wayne Township and Russellville were recruited to tackle the blaze. One officer suffered injuries and had to be taken to Meadowview Regional Medical Center for treatment.

Moyer Winery was founded by Ken and Mary Moyer in the village of Manchester in 1972. Ken had been an engineer in Texas and came to Manchester to retire and pursue his hobby of winemaking.

In happier times: The view of the vines from Moyer Winery restaurant

He and Mary opened the winery and restaurant the following year and initially served only two dishes: beef Bourguignon and bean and bacon soup, the latter of which never left the menu.

General manager, Cindy Stike, wrote in a Facebook post of the overwhelming outpouring of support from the local community after news of the fire spread.

“It is a very sad day for all of us at Moyer. Our hearts are heavy as we watch our dream burn to the ground. We have so many great memories and have heard so many stories of special moments from our patrons,” she said.

Plans had been in place to dock the Showboat Majestic steamboat outside Moyer Winery once renovations were completed on the historic vessel. The boat was due to serve as an entertainment space and concert venue, while also offering river tours.

“We are very saddened by this great loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Smith family,” representatives of the Showboat Majestic said.

Last year Moyer Winery was sold to Ken and Kimberly Smith, who had been renovating the property ever since with the winery’s founders in mind. “I’m sure they would also be very devastated. Ken Moyer’s ashes are here in the vineyard,” Ken Smith told News 5 Cleveland.

The Smiths are determined to rebuilt the winery and restaurant, and replant the vines, however, the future of the winery looks uncertain as firefighters continued to pull up charred cases of wine from the rubble. “This may be the last Moyer wine ever made,” Smith said.