History - The Winery at Spring Hill

Our History

Our Story

Our story begins in the spring of 1953 when the farm was purchased by Tom White, who owned and operated orchards in Chardon, Windsor, and then Geneva, Ohio. In later years he ceased operations in two locations and expanded production at Spring Hill, in Harpersfield Township. The name Spring Hill, came from the numerous natural springs on the 200 acre farm.

Recent News

Shelter 1

Outdoor Shelter

In 2021 we built an outdoor shelter at The Winery at Spring Hill.

November 26, 2021

1953

Tom White, grandfather of the Swank Family, purchased farm.

1980

Swank Family moves to Ohio, built first ever building.

1984

Tom Swank returns to farm after graduating OSU.

1985

Building addition and expansion.

1990

Cindy Swank returns to buisiness.

2007

Chamber of Commerce dinner where future partners met.

2008

Planning and renovation on winery begin.

2009

Winery opens its doors.

2016

Hard cider production begins.

2021

12 year anniversary of the winery.

2021

Vitner's Tasting Room opened on 3/7/2021, our 12th anniversary.

2022

New cider logo, outdoor signage, cider labels and Covered Bridge wine labels.

2024

'The Barking Lot' new dog park opens at the winery.

1953

Tom White, grandfather of the Swank Family, purchased farm.

1980

Swank Family moves to Ohio, bult first ever building.

1984

Tom Swank returns to farm after graduating OSU.

1985

Building addition and expansion.

1990

Cindy Swank returns to buisiness.

2007

Chamber of Commerce dinner where future partners met.

2008

Planning and renovation on winery begin.

2009

Winery opens its doors.

2016

Hard cider production begins.

2021

12 year anniversary of the winery.

2021

Vitner's Tasting Room opened on 3/7/2021, our 12th anniversary

2022

New cider logo, outdoor signage, cider labels and Covered Bridge wine labels.

2024

'The Barking Lot' new dog park opens at the winery.

1953

Tom White, grandfather of the Swank Family, purchased farm.

1980

Swank Family moves to Ohio, bult first ever building.

1984

Tom Swank returns to farm after graduating OSU.

1985

Building addition and expansion.

1990

Cindy Swank returns to buisiness.

2007

Chamber of Commerce dinner where future partners met.

2008

Planning and renovation on winery begin.

2009

Winery opens its doors.

2016

Hard cider production begins.

2021

12 year anniversary of the winery.

2021

Vitner's Tasting Room opened on 3/7/2021, our 12th anniversary

2022

New cider logo, outdoor signage, cider labels and Covered Bridge wine labels.

2024

'The Barking Lot' new dog park opens at the winery.

Meet our Spring Hill wine family...

Since our beginning, Tom has expanded our wine list to include over 25 wines, dessert wines, and our newest product, hard ciders. We have also expanded to doing some wholesaling of wines and hard ciders.

Richard helps in all aspects of the business. He is a 34 year veteran of the health care industry with entrepreneurial expertise as owner of two retail pharmacies, corporate planning, and community service.

Cindy offers her Spring Hill Bakery favorites like carrot cake and wine cake, as well as monthly salads, burgers, pizza and dip specials.

Patty is our manager, special events and entertainment coordinator, and long time team member.

Our story begins in the spring of 1953 when the farm was purchased by Tom White, who owned and operated orchards in Chardon, Windsor, and then Geneva, Ohio. In later years he consolidated all operations into one location and expanded production at Spring Hill, in Harpersfield Township. The name Spring Hill, came from the numerous natural springs on the 200 acre farm.

In 1980 his daughter Lillian, and son-in-law Chet, moved their family to Ohio to help with the farm expansion. The south half of the present building was built to house a modern cider mill and retail sales area.

In 1984 their son Tom Swank, joined the business after graduating from Ohio State University with a B.S. in Horticulture. In 1985 the northern half of the present building was constructed to expand the retail sales area and bakery. The red oak paneling you still see today, as well as the beam used for the mantle were milled from trees cuton the property. Stone from the family property in Windsor makes the facade of the original fireplace on the south wall. In 1990 their daughter Cindy Swank joined the business, after also graduating from Ohio State University with a B.S. in Hospitality Management, to expand the bakery section.

The third generation – Tom and Cindy – decided to change the operation. Tom had done processing for some of the local wineries and thought perhaps that might be a new opportunity for the family. At a Chamber of Commerce Dinner one evening, the seeds were planted during a conversation he had with a local businessman about starting a winery.

Our winery journey started after the first of the year 2008. Jim Pearson (and wife Judy), Tom Swank and his sister Cindy Swank, and Richard Trice (and his wife Debbie) began the planning of The Winery at Spring Hill. Each brought to the business their own area of expertise, leaving few gaps of knowledge. We remodeled some of the interior to accommodate the winery needs such as adding the wine bar, North fireplace, window treatments, and seating areas for patrons. We added stonework and changed the red farm market building to a softer taupe color and added the patio and outdoor seating.

We opened March 7, 2009 with a staff of friends and family to a full house! As we enter into our thirteenth year we look back on our accomplishments and the many friends (customers) we have met.

We’ve come a long way from our beginning in 1953, growing apples, pears, peaches, nectarines, plums, cherries, berries and vegetables, to our full line of wines and ciders in 2021.

And there is so much more to come!

Our heritage is fruit, our legacy fine wines.