Jeff Ottaviano

OWNER | jeff@doverhall.com​

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Jeff, grew up in an Italian family where food and drink was essential to all family gatherings.  His  first job as a teenager was making pizzas in the local pizzeria in Nashville.  He  went off to college with the intention of opening his own restaurant one day.

 

Once in  college, he decided he was going to be a pilot instead.  After flying for almost 20 years and growing tired of living out of a suitcase, he “hung up” his wings and opened The Wine Loft.  A wine bar and restaurant in Richmond, VA.  About the same time and through some mutual friends, Jeff  met one of his best friends and business partner, Chad Hornik.

 

They opened up 250 Sports Grill together and started a food and beverage consulting business.  Ultimately, that is what led Jeff to Dover Hall.  Having known the original owners, Dennis and Cindy Pryor, he was enthralled with the estate and always knew it would one day make a great event venue for someone.  Once here they set about finding and hiring the best people to help them turn Dover Hall into the luxury venue it is today.

 

In 2018, they pursued their mutual passion in wine.  They planted a vineyard, started making wine, and developed the 7 Lady Vineyards brand.  In 2019, they rebranded The Wine Loft into what is now known as bartizan.

 

Jeff is a “Blue Collar” guy in a “White Collar” business, so you may often see him driving the tractor, or on the mower.  Jeff recently started the Viticulture Certificate program at the world renowned UC Davis with the goal of spending time in the vineyard and making sure he gives Chad and their winemakers the highest quality grapes possible.

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Jeff has raised 2 beautiful daughters (2 of the 7 Ladies) that despite the stress of raising teenage girls, he wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.

 

• Joined the team: April 19, 2017

• Hometown: Nashville, TN

• Best advice for couples: Be mindful on your wedding day!!  While it’s always a fun party with lots of family and friends, I  enjoy seeing the couples that are mindful and intentional with each other on their wedding day.  Arrive stress-free, and know that we will take care of anything that arises so you can focus on making memories to last a lifetime.

• Favorite dish to cook: When I was just a kid, I was taught the Ottaviano’s “secret recipe” for our homemade sauce and meatballs by my Nonna.  It was the recipe brought from Italy when my great grandparents immigrated to the USA.  We ate it almost every Sunday of my life until I went to college.  I still love making it, as it transports me back to so many Sunday meals with my family.  Personally, I think I have improved the recipe over the years!!

• Three things still left on my bucket list:

  • ​I want to fly a P-51 Mustang

  • I want to thru-hike the entire Appalachian Trail

  • When I retire, I plan to sit in a rocking chair and snuggle babies in the NICU that need some extra TLC