At least that was the inspiration behind Tipsy Farmer Winery more than five years ago.

Opening at the height of COVID, Don and Jen Paynter had been enjoying the hobby of winemaking for decades when their friends and family began encouraging them about selling their wines.

Jen worked as a teacher at United Local School District, while husband Don Paynter is an engineer for Ventra Plastics in Salem during the day.

The year 2020 was really not the best time to start a business – especially one that encouraged crowds. However, the Paynters took the plunge.

A list of Tipsy Farmer Winery’s wine offerings appear on this chalkboard in their main bar area surrounded by flyers from the Columbiana County Fair. The Paynters believe wholeheartedly in supporting local farmers whenever possible, even purchasing animals from 4H exhibitors for their food truck. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

The property includes an large outdoor pavilion as well as a rustic-style indoor building that includes a bar, tasting area as well as areas where the Paynters make their 17 different wines as well as brew a few different beers on site.

Wine varieties include Sauvigfnon Blanc, Rhubarb, niagara, Pomegranate, Edelweiss, Raspberry Dragon Fruit and Shiraz.

Jen Paynter said the Tipsy Farmer Winery has been so well received since it was opened five years ago that they continue to build on that success.

Those 17 wines often are made into sangrias and smoothies, which people like to consume at the facility while they are just pulling up a chair to enjoy the Paynters’ quiet corner of the world nestled between Guilford Lake and Hanoverton off the beaten path.

“People like to connect in the middle of nowhere like we are,” Jen Paynter explained. “They just hang out and enjoy live music during the summer.”

What is the best selling wine at Tipsy Farmer Winery? According to co-owner Jen Painter  their elderberry wine (bottle on left) is their customers’ overwhelming favorite of the 17 varieties they produce. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

She added during the winter, they also are busy.

Patrons enjoy a rousing game of Music Bingo in the chilly months.

Of course, along with the many Tipsy Farmer beverages, their patrons do enjoy food. There is not a restaurant on site, so the Paynters became reliant on food trucks to fill that hunger. However, they became frustrated with the constant unpredictability associated with being unable to guarantee the trucks would actually show up to feed customers.

So Don Paynter and his father-in-law built their own food truck, the Grazin Barn Food and Such.

It exclusively provides their patrons with food like smash burgers and handcut French fries cooked in lard during Tipsy Farmer Winery events.

A cluster of pink catawba grapes grow on one of the vineyards that run along the Tipsy Farmer Winery’s driveway. A heritage grape, once ripened, those grapes are destined to be made it into the Paynter’s Pink Catawba wine. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi) 

In addition to serving smash burgers and smashgyros, the food truck also features a rotating menu that can include hand stretched homemade pizzas and pulled pork loaded nachos all while using seasonable produce.

For their meat, the Paynters look no further than the Columbiana County Fair. In the spirit of buying locally, they buy the majority of their beef there from 4H youth.

Periodically, offerings boast items like a Low Country Boil, which includes shrimp, potatoes, sausage, corn on the cob, butter and spices. Those generally are reserved for holidays though.

Although their driveway is lined by 300 Pink Catawba grape plants, Jen Paynter confirms their most popular product is their elderberry wine. She describes it as “sweet but tart.”

Don Paynter said the catawba grapes tend to ripen in late September and early October, so then is when he harvests though grapes, crush them and press them into juice after allowing them to ferment for a few days.

The driveway leading up to Tipsy Farmer Winery is bordered on side by hundreds of pink catawba grape vines grown by the owners to manufacturer their Paynter’s Pink Catawba blend, which will become ripe in fall. The winery, which has been in business for five years, is preparing to add a second location in Minerva. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi) 

All other grapes and berries are acquired from locations like California, New York and Cleveland.

The Poynters expressed their excitement about preparing to open a second location in Minerva and that old Chase Bank building.

It won’t be the exact same as this Hanoverton location, but they hope to be open by late September.

For more information about Tipsy Farmer Winery, call 330-222-9737 or visit their Hanoverton location at 32849 Speidel Road.

Hours are 5-9 p.m. Wednesdays, 5-10 p.m. Fridays and 2-10 p.m. Saturdays, while they are closed Sunday through Tuesday and Thursday.

Updated information also can be found on the winery’s and Grazin Barn Food and Such’s respectively Facebook page.