The Still House is destined to be a cornerstone of Gervasi Vineyard’s 55-acre, Tuscan-inspired wine resort. Opened last month, the 10,000-square-foot space caters to sinners and saints alike with a thematic church design and a distillery with custom-blended vodka, bourbon and gin. “It’s modeled after the church in Italy that my grandmother was baptized in,” says owner Scott Swaldo. “It’s all kind of a play on the church theme.” 1700 55th St. NE, Canton, 330-497-1000, gervasivineyard.com
Going to The Chapel
Designed as a 17th century chapel with vaulted ceilings, iron chandeliers, curtained confessional booths and stained glass windows, the Still House evokes the Old World. “It looks and feels like a Tuscan Italian chapel that’s been repurposed into this modern production distillery,” says Swaldo.
Saintly Cuisine
As a coffeehouse by day and a cocktail lounge by night, the Still House features lighter fare, small plates and desserts with several dishes, such as the sausage, egg and cheese calzone, under $5. Meanwhile, shareables, such as dates stuffed with chorizo and manchego, a taleggio Italian white cheese fondue with sweet apple fig mustard and crispy pasta chips, and house-made frozen coffee custard dessert, are devilishly tempting. “It’s more like the mood of a lounge than a restaurant,” says Swaldo.
Sinful Delights: While there are more than 120 varieties of bourbon, whiskey, tequila and other spirits available, the real fire comes from the distillery’s custom-blended spirits. Try the blood orange gin distilled with Italian blood orange peel, a rose vodka crafted with the estate-grown Lascito wine, and a bourbon finished in cabernet sauvignon barrels. They’re used in specialty cocktails named after the seven deadly sins and virtues, such as the Wrath of the Bean ($15), made with Gervasi’s bourbon, Grand Marnier, Fernet branca, and Gervasi’s bold cold brew coffee served in a French press with dry ice. “It’s got a real ‘wow’ factor to it,” says Swaldo.
