Rainbow Hills Winery moves from Newcomerstown to more visible space in West Lafayette

Leonard L. Hayhurst, Coshocton Tribune
·2 min read

WEST LAFAYETTE − More space in a high traffic area was the motivation behind Rainbow Hills Winery's recent move from Newcomerstown to outside West Lafayette.

The business was founded in 1988 by Joy and Lee Wyse and was purchased by Eric and Traci Dennis in 2018. Eric had 15 years of experience making wine at home and Traci was formerly the finance manager at Raven’s Glenn Winery.

Eric and Traci Dennis bought Rainbow Hills Winery in 2018 from the original owners and recently moved it from Newcomerstown to West Lafayette. The new space allows them to have everything under one roof in a higher traffic area on U.S. 36.
Eric and Traci Dennis bought Rainbow Hills Winery in 2018 from the original owners and recently moved it from Newcomerstown to West Lafayette. The new space allows them to have everything under one roof in a higher traffic area on U.S. 36.

Traci sees this as a good thing as it is closer the Three Rivers Wine Trail touted by the Coshocton Visitors Bureau.

"It makes a little more impact. We were at the far end of the wine trail and Yellow Butterfly is still out there," Traci said of the Newcomerstown area. "People had to pick and choose...This makes it a little more tight."

The new location of Rainbow Hills Winery on U.S. 36 outside West Lafayette has allowed the business to increase their dining capacity from 20 to 70 with the kitchen, brewery and winery all under one roof.
The new location of Rainbow Hills Winery on U.S. 36 outside West Lafayette has allowed the business to increase their dining capacity from 20 to 70 with the kitchen, brewery and winery all under one roof.

They moved due to having everything under one roof, instead of three buildings, and being in a more visible spot on U.S. 36. Rainbows Hills is in the building once home to the Unusual Junction and Lava Rock Grill. Traci said they have downsized some with the move and they're looking to phase out wholesale wine purchasing.

The building is about 5,000 square feet and seating for dining has gone from 20 to 70. Traci said they are still working on transferring their liquor license to the new address for the making and selling of beer and wine.

However, their food has kept customers coming in the door. They offer pizza, salads, subs, charcuterie boards and other items.

"We've been hearing a lot that what we've done in here is beautiful. Everything has been so positive," Traci said scanning the restaurant area. "Our crowd just for food, I can't imagine what it'll be like (when alcohol sales start)."

Rainbow Hills Winery at 56280 U.S. 36 in West Lafayette.
Rainbow Hills Winery at 56280 U.S. 36 in West Lafayette.

Rainbow Hills Winery at 56280 U.S. 36 in West Lafayette is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays, noon to 9 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays; closed Monday and Tuesday. For more information, call 740-545-9305 or go to the winery's Facebook page or website.

Leonard Hayhurst is a community content coordinator and general news reporter for the Coshocton Tribune with more than 15 years of local journalism experience and multiple awards from the Ohio Associated Press. He can be reached at 740-295-3417 or llhayhur@coshoctontribune.com. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @llhayhurst.

This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: Rainbow Hills Winery moves to new location in West Lafayette