02/06/2020

The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake’s Wine Expert Enriches Consumer Experience

The experience has helped fueled the region’s wine industry growth

Lauren Fiala, who joined The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake in spring 2018 as the resort’s certified wine specialist, recently earned the esteemed Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 4 Diploma in Wines. Graduates of the United Kingdom-based academic program are recognized globally as authoritative wine specialists.

“Lauren’s impressive credentials as a wine expert help solidify The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake as a serious wine country destination," said Donniella Winchell, executive director of the Ohio Wine Producers Association. "Her presence offers consumers the opportunity to gain knowledge from an internationally recognized expert, and has proven to be an invaluable resource to The Lodge guests and wine enthusiasts. Her knowledge and expertise is helping wineries grow, and enhances the reputation of grapes grown here.”

Fiala, who received her WSET diploma in London on Jan. 21, 2020, has initiated a variety of new wine experiences at The Lodge from wine blending programs to the Signature Immersion Tour, an upscale wine experience.

“The years invested in attaining the WSET diploma helped enrich my knowledge of all things wine which I am using to create unique programming for The Lodge guests,” Fiala said. “My desire is to share my passion and knowledge of wine to enrich guest visits, ranging from the casual wine drinker interested in a more traditional winery tour, to those desiring a more in-depth experience.

“As Ohio’s Wine Country Resort, we’re continually developing new ways to help take The Lodge, and our region, to the next level,” Fiala continued. “Looking ahead, we’re exploring a variety of new wine-related events and getaways, from exclusive meet-the-winemaker happenings to innovative programming that helps showcase our area as one of the nation’s outstanding wine country regions.”

In addition to her role at the lodge, Fiala is an adjunct professor at Kent State University’s Ashtabula branch and serves as an instructor at the Viticulture Enology Science and Technology Alliance (VESTA) – a national program which provides educational programming to local vintners and others in the wine industry. Prior to her work at the lodge, Fiala cultivated experience as a traveling winemaker in both hemispheres. She spent two vintages in the Southern Hemisphere where she worked in South Australia and the North Island, New Zealand. She also spent three years working in the Finger Lakes region, working in the vineyard and cellar at Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards on Seneca Lake.  Wanting to be closer to her family, she returned to Northern Ohio where she worked at Debonne Vineyards as Assistant Winemaker.

Located at 4888 North Broadway (State Highway 534) in Geneva-on-the-Lake, The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake features 109 finely appointed guest rooms (the majority with lake views) and 25 two-bedroom cottages; Horizons Restaurant, an upscale restaurant with a striking octagonal dining room and al fresco dining – all with a breathtaking view of Lake Erie; a lounge with a rectangular bar; and amenities that include a fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools and gift shop. The Lodge entrance is located one mile north of Geneva State Park, on the left. For room reservations, call (866) 442-9765 or visit the website. For Horizons reservations, call (440) 466-7100, then press "2."