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Weekend Wine Trips
Wine(d) up your weekend with a mix of adventure, tranquility, and plenty of great sips.
My Ohio Wine Trip
Food writer Nick Dekker shares his favorite wineries from his travels around Ohio.
What’s Your Vibe?
Whether it’s fresh air or glitz and glam you’re after, find the Ohio winery that suits your vibe.
Off the Beaten Path
A guide to Ohio wineries that are true hidden gems, tucked away on winding back roads and quiet farmlands.
New & Notable
Keep an eye on what’s new at these Ohio wineries!
Discover your favorite wines at Ohio’s wineries and find out why Ohio wines are irresistible to Sip. Stroll through beautiful vineyards, relax over a glass of wine with friends, and hear the passion of winemakers as they talk about their craft.
— OHIO GRAPE INDUSTRIES COMMITTEE
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Ferrante Winery & Ristorante
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Just 40 minutes from Columbus and 30 minutes from Hocking Hills, Rhonemus Cellars is a destination that’s as inviting as it is breathtaking.
A Unique Experience Awaits You
•World-Class Wines from three distinct terroirs – Finger Lakes, NY; Napa Valley, CA; and Ohio
•Locally-Focused and Seasonally-Inspired Cuisine paired perfectly with handcrafted wines
•Private Dining Room & unique event spaces
•Wine Tastings
•Vineyard & Wine Production Tours
•Live music & family fun on the lawn over the weekends
Nestled on the grounds of The View Golf Club, visitors can enjoy the scenic, challenging 18-hole course or simply take in the views from the patio.
Where Wine, Food and Golf Meet.
Named 2026 Best of the Midwest by Midwest Living Magazine
W����kend WINE TRIPS
Wine(d) up your weekend with a mix of adventure, tranquility, and plenty of great sips with a wine-themed getaway to one of Ohio’s seven wine regions. Plus, take home an Ohio Proud memento to experience even more of the state’s rich agricultural heritage.
BY ANN FAZZINI
Buccia Vineyard Winery and B&B
Vi����s & Wines Region
Grape Times
DAY ONE
The northeast tip of the state is a grapegrowing mecca. With dozens of winemakers to choose from, you can plan multiple visits. Start in Madison at Silver Crest Cellars, along the edge of the Grand River with vineyards that date back to the 1930s. Sip on a glass of their award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon or try the Gewürztraminer or Chardonnay. Bring your own lunch or snack on their charcuterie.
Sample the estate-grown Rieslings at Fossil Creek Winery, also in Madison. Grab a seat and relax on the patio with a view of the vineyards and a small stream.
Savor the tastes of Italy at Ferrante Winery & Ristorante in nearby Geneva, honed by 80 years of experience and the traditional recipes from the Ferrante family. Their eclectic lineup of wines pairs perfectly with the homemade Italian fare. Try the sweet red Rosso with the house lasagna or the Cabernet
For more than 100 years, the Bissell Maple Farm has made mornings sweeter with their bourbon barrelaged maple syrup. Pick some up from Marianne’s Chocolates in Ashtabula.
Franc with filet mignon and gnocchi.
Take a stroll through the vineyards, then sit inside the rustic lodge-style tasting room close by at Hundley Cellars. Relax with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay. Both pair well with the smoked salmon dip and crab cakes — a flavorful afternoon snack.
Wind down with live music, charcuterie, flatbread, and a glass of award-winning Cabernet Franc or barrel-fermented Chardonnay at Kosicek Vineyards in Harpersfield. Don’t leave before snapping a photo in their sunflower field.
DAY TWO
Gear up for a high-flying zip line adventure and take in spectacular views of the coastline from 60 feet in the air at Lake Erie Canopy Tours in Geneva-on-the-Lake. Up for more thrills? Test your athletic prowess on the ropes course or come back later to take a zip line tour at night! After the adrenaline rush, take a load off at Laurello Vineyards (above, right) in
Geneva with a glass of the award-winning Mia sparkling white or Simply Mad Hab ice wine paired with shareable buffalo chicken dip and gourmet pizza. Get dessert and more wine nearby at M Cellars (above, left) Try their cheesecake with a Pinot Noir or a slice of cake with a Riesling. The flavors change every month!
For gorgeous views of the rolling farmlands, stop by South River Vineyard in Geneva and sample their homegrown blends including the Trinity signature red blend and the elegant Riesling Vineyard Reserve. The tasting room is housed in a stunning repurposed church originally built in 1892. Take in the fresh lakeside breezes and hunt for colorful beach glass with a stroll through the sand at Walnut Beach Park in Ashtabula. Wind down for the evening with dinner al fresco or by the cozy fireplace at Madison’s Stonegait Winery. Their unique hot honey pizza pairs well with the Riesling or try the cheese board with Syrah.
C��nal Coun y Region
Rails & Trails
DAY ONE
Take in the majestic views of Cuyahoga Valley National Park in a vintage train via the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Go on a round-trip tour of the park or bring your bike along and pedal your way back along the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail.
You don’t even have to leave the national park to find a winery. Recharge your batteries with a quick journey to Sarah’s Vineyard Winery & Art Gallery. Nosh on wood-fired pizzas and shareable appetizers and sample wines made from their estate vineyard, like the popular Hampton Hills Chardonnay and semi-sweet Blue Heron Blush.
Take an afternoon hike to the park’s two lovely waterfalls: 60-foot-tall Brandywine Falls (right) is accessible on a 1.5-mile hike on the Brandywine Gorge Loop and Blue Hen Falls sits amid a tranquil hardwood canopy along a 3-mile round-trip path starting at the Boston Mill Visitor Center.
Wind down with a scenic countryside view and a glass of French oak-aged Cabernet Franc at the Winery at Wolf Creek in Barberton. Just down the street at Wolf Creek Tavern, dine on lamb shank pot pie paired with the winery’s Redemption white wine. Stop for a nightcap at Mogadore’s Crafted Artisan Meadery (left), offering up pours of handcrafted honey-based meads in creative flavors like bananas foster, watermelon honey, and spiced maple cranberry.
DAY TWO
Wake up with the animals at the Akron Zoo on a Rise and Shine Safari, where you can feed the penguins and see bears, lions, red pandas, and lemurs start their day before the zoo opens.
Enjoy lunch with a view of the tranquil Portage Lakes at Nauti Vine Winery Their wood-fired pizzas are designed to pair perfectly with their handcrafted wines, including wine floats with your choice of vino poured over a refreshing scoop of Dole Whip. Pair a prosciutto, brie, and fig pizza with a glass of Benessere Riesling.
Explore Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, one of the largest private historic homes in the U.S. The 1915 mansion, home to the co-founder of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, is surrounded by gardens. Take the Nooks & Crannies Tour to learn about the family and their staff.
Don’t skip dessert! Gardner Pie Company has been an Akron favorite since 1945. Flavors range from the classics to mouthwatering originals like dark chocolate cherry and strawberry lemonade.
Next, head to the tranquil Lost Trail Winery and Vineyard in nearby Canton to try smallbatch estate-grown wines, including Basecamp Frontenac Gris and Oseetah Vidal Blanc inspired by the Adirondack Mountains.
End the day with dinner at Maize Valley Winery & Craft Brewery in Hartville. Order a custom Angus burger paired with a glass of gold-medal Redneck Red or the popular Very Berry blend.
Cen al Ohio Region
Anchored in History
DAY ONE
Spend the day enjoying sun, fun, and splashes at Ohio’s first state park — Buckeye Lake in Millersport. Once a feeder lake for Ohio’s canals, the 3,100-acre reservoir features fishing, boating, and swimming in the summer and ice skating, ice boating, and ice fishing in the winter. Get out on the water by stopping at Buckeye Lake Boat Rental in Thornville to rent a kayak, pontoon, or paddleboard.
Take a lunch break with the beautiful view at Thornville’s Buckeye Lake Winery (right) Try the chef’s weekly salmon special paired with a glass of their Lake View White or the spaghetti and meatballs with Petite Syrah.
After more fun in and around the lake, head over to Buckeye Winery in Newark and sample from more than 40 wine varieties — including imaginative blends like peanut butter and cotton candy! Try several with a flight of five wines. It’s an easy two-block walk to local favorite Elliot’s Wood Fired Kitchen & Tap for a dinner of wood-fired pizza, street tacos, and a glass of sangria.
DAY TWO
Reflect on the past on a guided tour at the Newark Earthworks, one of only 26 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the U.S. and the only Ohio site. Learn the 2,000-year history and significance of the Great Circle and Octagon. Stop in the visitor centers to talk with knowledgeable rangers.
Head over to charming Granville and pick up loaded deli sandwiches at Palumbo’s Italian Market. Take in the serene countryside with a picnic at Three Oaks Vineyard — most of their blends are made with grapes native to Ohio.
Spend the afternoon browsing the shops in downtown Lancaster, including Gay Fad Studios (below), which crafts mid-century glassware. Or opt to play nine holes of golf on the course at Rhonemus Cellars (right), followed up with a Margherita pizza or selection of small plates and a wine flight at Trillium, their on-site restaurant.
Have a jam session at Hanover’s MRG Farm. Their sweet spreads are made from blueberries and raspberries picked straight from their fields.
We are a small vineyard and winery nestled in the rolling fields of northwest Knox County, Ohio. Our property has been cultivated by our family for four generations, with each generation having our own spin on farming. Our cold-hardy grape varietals are used to create wines to satisfy every palate.
Our hope is that when you visit you will find some respite from the hustle and bustle of modern life and take in the rural serenity of our area. Come relax and enjoy our award winning wines among the picturesque views of the vineyard.
L��k�� Erie S��o������ & Islan���� Region
Island Time
DAY ONE
With its fertile glacier-honed soil, temperate climate, and sunny summers, this region of the state has a naturally vibrant wine scene along with coastline vibes. Hop on the ferry in Marblehead and take a 20-minute ride to Kelleys Island where you can rent a golf cart or bike to explore the island.
Don’t miss Inscription Rock, carved with petroglyphs thought to be between 400 and 800 years old, and Glacial Grooves Geological Preserve, 400-footlong markings carved by Ice Age glaciers that are a National Natural Landmark. Stop for lunch at Kelleys Island Wine Co., featuring zesty Mexican food at the on-site KI Cantina and wines crafted from grapes grown on the island including Indian Red, a Cabernet Franc blended with Shiraz. Another favorite of locals is Inscription White, a crisp Sauvignon Blanc blend.
Board the Jet Express ferry to South Bass Island for an afternoon. Grab a seat outside in the wine garden at Heineman’s Winery, Ohio’s oldest family-owned vintner dating back to 1888. Sample homegrown varieties, including their popular Pink Catawba and Sweet Concord. Explore below the floors of the winery, where you can step inside the gorgeous Crystal Cave (above right), celebrated as the world’s largest geode.
DAY TWO
Charter a boat from one of the many operators in the area and spend your day fishing for walleye, perch, and smallmouth bass on Lake Erie. Head over to the Gideon Owen Wine Company (right) in Port Clinton for Walleye Bites (served with remoulade sauce), salted caramel apple baked brie, or a fresh Lake Erie walleye sandwich and a glass of Traminette. Stick around to sample some of the 48 wines on tap in the historic Tirage Wine Bar.
Don’t leave the area without getting a selfie with Wylie Walleye, the town’s 18-foot-long fish mascot, usually found outside of the Shores & Islands Visitor Center in Port Clinton.
This countryside vineyard and wine cellar is located in Champaign County’s Mad River Valley. Enjoy estate wines, ranging from dry to sweet, with a sandwich or other accompaniments while seated in the scenic 4-acre vineyard or beside a cozy fireplace.
Vino Region
Sip, Hike, Repeat
DAY ONE
Explore the great outdoors at one of the state’s hidden gems, Harrison Lake State Park in Fayette. Once part of Lake Erie and the Great Black Swamp, it’s now a hot spot for birdwatching, fishing, and boating. Cool down at the swimming beach and take a stroll along the lakeside hiking trails.
Stop for a flight of wine with a chicken taco pizza at The Winery at Harvest Moon Golf Course (pictured) in Defiance. Play a round of golf on the course or go duckpin bowling and play arcade games at The Crick Entertainment Center
Sip on a glass of Axe Handle, a blend of Pinot Noir and cherry, at The Lumberyard Winery in Napoleon. Nibble on apps like the jalapeño popper dip. Housed in a former lumberyard along the Maumee River, the winery honors its history with the names of their house-made varietals, including the Two By Four Riesling, Rough Cut Red Blend, and Jigsaw Cherry Fruit Wine.
Snap a photo as you drive past the gigantic can of Campbell’s Tomato Soup outside the factory that makes it. You can’t miss it!
End the day with a relaxing dinner of burgers, paninis, or tacos at Leisure Time
Winery in Napoleon. Sample the Kellner Red blend of Chambourcin and Chancellor grapes with a Reuben flatbread or try Stress Reliever Pinot Grigio with the alfredo chicken pizza.
DAY TWO
Spend the morning walking through time at Archbold’s Sauder Village (right), a living history museum that recreates small-town Ohio life from 1803 to the 1920s. Load up on home-cooked comfort food at the Barn Restaurant, try a hand-spun milkshake at the soda fountain counter, and sip spirits at the adults-only speakeasy.
Lace up your hiking boots to explore Maumee State Forest in Swanton for the chance to hunt for prized morels in the spring. Bring the binoculars to spot birds — the park is a hot spot for sandhill cranes and songbirds, along with short-eared owls in winter.
Stop for a glass of the estate-grown Seyval Blanc overlooking the vineyard at Knotty Vines Farm & Winery in Wauseon. Then, spend the evening listening to live music nearby at American Winery & Brewery The menu features paninis (the roast beef and smoked cheddar is a must-try), sliders, and a robust lineup of wines, including the beloved Sunshine Dew sweet lemon wine.
CRAFTED ARTISAN MEADERY: DISCOVER AN ANCIENT WINE
Mead, also known as honey wine, is the oldest alcoholic beverage to exist. Nestled in canal country in an historic 1800’s church, we showcase our international awardwinning meads for visitors from around the country. Get a flight and experience something new while learning about how our meads are crafted. Explore our guest beer list or a curated cocktail while enjoying a pizza served on our house made dough. If you think you know what mead is, think again…experience Crafted Mead.
Farmers Market on Saturdays.
Ap��al��chian Region
Hike the Hills
DAY ONE
Start a full day exploring one of the state’s most beloved outdoor destinations, Hocking Hills State Park (below) outside of Logan, with your choice of adventures: visit the stunning gorges and waterfalls of Old Man’s Cave, trek through the ancient sandstone recesses of Rock House, or take in the majesty of Cedar Falls.
Then head to Logan to refuel at Brewery 33 Hocking Hills. Order The Jack sandwich, a BBQ pulled pork marinated with ale, alongside a glass of homebrewed mead, wine, cider, or craft beer. Their bar offerings change frequently. Try the Starr Route Red — a blend of Merlot and Shiraz aged in Hocking Hills Moonshine barrels.
Take in the beauty of Cantwell Cliffs in Rockbridge, one of the most picturesque areas in the Hocking Hills. Hike through rocky gorges and valleys for colorful views of wildflowers, sandstone cliffs, and a waterfall.
End the day taking in the sunset from the patio at Le Petit Chevalier Vineyards and Farm Winery in Creola. Pair their awardwinning Norton dry red and Best of Ohio 2025-winning Chambourcin with a panini or hummus before turning in for the night in their on-site loft or cottage.
DAY TWO
Kick off the morning with a high-flying zip line adventure at Hocking Hills Canopy Tours in Rockbridge to get a bird’s-eye view of the area’s stunning hills and valleys. Looking for an extra-big thrill? Try out the SuperZip, a quarter-mile dual zip line that races two riders side-by-side at speeds up to 50 miles per hour!
Take time afterward to chill out with a wine slushie or a spicy pepperinfused fruit wine at Revolution Rockbridge Winery in Rockbridge, before traveling to Logan for lunch at 58 West (top). Pair a hearty muffaletta, mushroom sage flatbread, or shareable hot honey barbecue brisket chips with a
Wake up and smell the freshly roasted fair-trade coffee beans from around the world at local favorite Hocking Hills Roastery in Logan.
glass of their Sauvignon Blanc. Make your own s’mores for dessert.
Spend the afternoon in Athens checking out the exhibits at The Dairy Barn Arts Center, housed in a stunning Georgian Revival barn. Stop into nearby Dutch Creek Winery (above) to sample from an innovative lineup of house-made meads, ciders, and fruit wines in flavors like Booty Blue (honey blueberry lemon) and Royal Affair (Earl Grey tea and bergamot spice).
Relax with an evening of live music, homemade pizza, and a wine slushie or wine flight at Hocking Hills Winery Their gold-medal Trillium white and Zinfully Sweet table wines are standouts.
Quality Wines
Stroll through the vineyard. Gather with friends.
Ohio Riv Valley Region
City Sips
DAY ONE
Start your day at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden and meet two of the Queen City’s biggest celebrities: Fiona and Fritz the hippos, along with hundreds of other animals from around the world. Check the animal encounters schedule for keeper talks and up-close-andpersonal opportunities (including feeding the giraffes) and take a zoo train ride around the vast grounds.
Find out why the Montgomery Inn has won awards for its ribs, served slathered in their world-famous barbecue sauce. Sip from a curated selection of wines at the legendary restaurant on the scenic Ohio River.
Spend the afternoon at the American Sign Museum (below), a visual feast for the eyes that showcases colorful and historic vintage signs dating back more than 100 years. Watch as flashy neon signs are made.
For dinner, take in the view of the rolling southwest Ohio hills and enjoy a steak cookout and live music at Vinoklet Winery & Restaurant. Your meal includes a half bottle of your choice of wines.
DAY TWO
Explore multiple museums under one roof at the stunning Art Deco Cincinnati Museum Center, home to an OMNIMAX theater and five museums, including the Museum of Natural History & Science, The Children’s Museum, and the Cr(eat)e Culinary Studio, which offers cooking classes and workshops.
It’s just a short drive away to bustling Findlay Market, Ohio’s oldest continually running public market. With more than 50 vendors, including Market Wines, it’s the perfect lunch stop for every palate. Take an afternoon stroll or a guided tour through the surrounding Over-the-Rhine neighborhood and check out trendy boutiques, historic architecture, and personality-filled pubs, followed by a light dinner and a seasonal flight at The Skeleton Root (above), operated by a woman vintner who specializes in wines made from forgotten American heritage grapes.
Soothe your soul with a bar of lemongrass and mint soap and heavenly natural scents like lavender and patchouli at The Tree Hugger Soap Company located in the Hyde Park Farmers’ Market year-round.
Ideally situated upon 48 acres of estate vineyards, which cultivate our abundant varietals. Laurentia’s award-winning wines may be perfectly paired with a variety of boards, shared plates, and artisan flatbreads.
Experience our fun, relaxed atmosphere in the scenic Hocking Hills with over 40 homemade artisan wines.
Si�� & S������
• Dry Red/White wines
• Unique Fruit wines
Your room is just steps away at these vineyards where you can spend the night. So, check in, uncork, and unwind.
CELEBRATING OHIO’S STRONG AGRICULTURAL HERITAGE
Rooted in Tradition. Growing What’s Next.
SPRING
Fresh Air & Countryside Quiet
Get back to nature and sip locally made wine or beer with a stay in a casual cabin at Greene Eagle Winery & Brew Pub in Cortland and Valley View Hills Winery (above) in Sugar Grove. Wake up to fresh air in the countryside and enjoy the great outdoors.
SUMMER
Farm & City Stays
Stay in a farmhouse at Michael Lynn Winery and Brewing Company in Lexington to experience relaxed, homey charm. In Columbus, Wyandotte Winery’s guesthouse offers a quieter, neighborhood-style stay, ideal for travelers who want winery access near the city’s attractions.
Comfy Cabins & Historic Charm
Autumn colors and vineyard strolls add to overnight stays at Circleville’s Manchester Hill Winery and Vineyard, where the “glamping”-style cabin blends rustic comfort with vineyard views. History lovers will enjoy checking into the restored Headley Inn Winery & Vineyard in Zanesville, built between 1833 and 1835 and brimming with charm (and full homestyle breakfasts).
WINTER
Cozy Retreats & Sweet Treats
Chillier months call for a cozy B&B-style stay. Buccia Vineyard Winery and B&B (pictured) in Conneaut and Wishmaker House (above) in Bellville deliver classic warmth and hospitality. Wake up to breakfast at both locations. Be sure to dine later in the day at Wishmaker House, where owner Jennifer VanMeter creates several varieties of luscious homemade cheesecake.
Ohio My Wine Trip
As the author of Breakfast with Nick since 2007, Nick Dekker’s travels have taken him around the state to restaurants, diners, wineries, and more around Ohio. He shares some of his finds with Sip readers.
DURING THE WARMER MONTHS, we love visiting Geneva-on-theLake, a summer getaway where you’ll pass crowds in flip flops and music venues with tunes spilling out into the streets. Right in the center of town is Old Firehouse Winery (pictured), with sprawling patios that offer views of Lake Erie. They specialize in sweeter sippers like wine slushies, the fruity Firehouse Red, and the crisp Lake Erie Riesling. The craziest thing about Old Firehouse is that they have a fully working Ferris wheel on site! While in town, we can’t resist a stop for fresh goodies at Madsen Donuts or burgers and root beer at Eddie’s Grill — a fixture since 1950.
A SHORT DRIVE from Geneva-on-the-Lake is Debonné Vineyards in Madison. The family-owned spot holds the distinction of being Ohio’s largest estate winery, spanning 175 acres. I love visiting because there’s just so much to take in! In addition to their spacious restaurant, they feature expansive patios, live music, and a food bar. And if for some reason I’m not in the mood for a glass of wine, I’ll visit their in-house brewery, Double Wing Brewing Co.
JUST NORTH OF US is the Richland County Wine & Ale Trail featuring 10 local wineries and breweries. We’ve loved tasting wines in a renovated bank at The Vault Wine Bar in Shelby or pairing sangria with flatbreads in Bellville at the Wishmaker House — a cozy B&B that serves some of the best cheesecake we’ve ever tasted. Our favorite stop, though, is Cypress Hill Winery, located underneath the excellent Hudson & Essex restaurant in downtown Mansfield.
WITH SO MANY WONDERFUL WINERIES ACROSS OHIO, there are endless reasons to get out and explore. Even just around us in Columbus, my wife and I can stop into Firefly Winery in Hilliard or Wyandotte Winery on the northeast side of the city.
ONE OF OUR FAVORITE WINE DESTINATIONS, no matter what time of year, is Gervasi Vineyard Resort & Spa outside Canton. When you roll through the gates, you won’t believe you’re still in Ohio! They have luxurious villas, big patios, and multiple dining options. My favorite hangout is The Still House, which starts as a coffee shop in the mornings and transitions to a bar in the evenings.
We saved a seat for you!
In the Grand River Valley, every view is worth lingering over. From vineyard patios to sunset pours, you’ll find over 30 wineries made for slowing down and making memories. Along the way, you may even spot our bright yellow Adirondack chairs marking some of our favorite stops.
What’s Your Vibe?
Whether it’s fresh air or glitz and glam you’re after, find the Ohio winery that suits your vibe.
BY KATHARINE STEVENS
Relax & Recharge Chill Out
A restored, century-old horse barn in Wapakoneta is now home to the charming tasting room of Five Vines Winery (pictured) Order a wine flight to find your favorites from the winery’s homegrown (and handpicked) collection of French-hybrid grapes like Frontenac and Traminette, both hardy varieties that thrive even in Ohio’s cold winters. Pack a picnic for an intimate afternoon or listen to live music on the patio during summer weekends with one of their slushies.
Sa lu te’
Vi no di Piccin 5515 National Rd Lansing, OH 4393 4 (74 0) 738-0261
vi nodipiccin.com
Please see our website for Tasting Room hours
Scan the QR code to pu rcha se ou r wi ne s, fa ci lity rent al s & more!
Ohio Wineries Fine Wine, Festivals, Wine Trails, and Fun
Join us for the Vintage Ohio Wine Festival, Kirtland, the first Friday and Saturday in August
Winter Wine Affair, Youngstown, April Ohio’s Island Wine Festival, Put-in-Bay, June Miami Ohio Festival, Fairborn, June
Vintage Market Days, Dayton/Cincinnati & Wooster, October
V.I.N.O. Wine & Food Festival, Bowling Green, November
Vi no di Pi c cin
Fo r the love of Fa mily and Wi ne
Take a Day Trip and discover the remarkable wineries in your own backyard. Information at OhioWines.org/day-trips
Thoughout the year, watch for wine trail events: Chocolate & Wine Trail, Cookies & Corks Trail, Tannenbaum Trail, Fall into Spring Trail, Herb & Wine Trail, Wine n’ Bloom Trail
To be the first to learn about these and other events, sign up for our e-letter or visit OhioWines.org/events
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For more than 25 years, The Lakehouse Inn (pictured) in Geneva has offered beautiful, calming views of Lake Erie and decadent wine options like a Barile Fermantato Chardonnay and apple wine (crafted in small batches with local apples). Be sure to visit the day spa, where you can indulge in soothing treatments like lavender salt foot soaks, salt stone massages, body scrubs, and more. Need a little more time? Relax all weekend long when you book an overnight stay in the inn or at one of the idyllic lakeside cottages.
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Four generations of winemakers tending to the vines of Twisted Vine Family Vineyard (below and right) in Patriot means this winery knows a thing or two about Ohio wine. Sip on a wine flight, paired with a plate of locally made cheese from Laurel Valley Creamery in nearby Gallipolis to savor the magic of the Appalachian foothills. Relax on the tasting room’s deck, which overlooks the serene vineyard nestled within the Crown City Wildlife Area.
After spending the day exploring Lake Erie’s islands, come back to keep the good vibes going at Rocky Point Winery (left) in Marblehead. With live music every summer weekend, a covered outdoor pavilion, and more than a dozen varieties of wine to choose from, it’s just the breath of fresh air you need. Stay the night at the winery’s Red Fern Inn, and if you keep your window open, you can enjoy the calming breeze off Lake Erie even after the sun sets.
Located in the heart of the Grand River Valley in Geneva, Ohio, Laurello Vineyards is a small, family-owned cantina where guests can relax and enjoy award-winning wines and wood-fired pizzas. Cozy up by the fireplace in the winter or take in the lively atmosphere on our large patio during the summer. Join us for weekend entertainment or host your next event with us—featuring two indoor rooms and a tented outdoor space available in the summer and fall. Since 2002, Larry and Kim Laurello have created a place where friends and family gather.
Celebrate Good Times S��a��kl�� Her
Sip lakeside at Vincent William Wine (pictured and inset) in Madison, where the sandy shore and the expansive view of Lake Erie make a picture-perfect backdrop to a ritzy dinner. Enjoy gentle sounds of the water from the patio while you dine on dishes like glazed salmon roulade and braised short rib. Extend your celebration by staying the night in one of seven French country-style boutique rooms. In the morning, enjoy breakfast with mimosas or coffee and take a dip in the pool.
From Sunday jazz brunches at The Bistro to live music performances at The Still House to the full-service spa, Gervasi Vineyard Resort & Spa (pictured) in Canton has it all. The resort, inspired by the Tuscan landscape, offers six dining locations ranging from more casual to elevated experiences, as well as three luxury overnight accommodation options that will make you feel pampered and posh. Be sure to visit The Cave for an intimate and unforgettable wine tasting experience and an introduction to Gervasi’s wines and wine-making process.
Gathering Spots High Energy
Specializing in small-batch wines, Revel Urban Winery (pictured) is a trendy gathering spot in Cincinnati’s OTR district. Try a wine cocktail or order a locally crafted beer (including the house’s own brew) to enjoy while reveling with friends in the expansive tasting room. Located right across from the Emery Theater, it’s also the perfect place to gather before (or after) a show.
winery and craft brewery
In Marysville, Retreat 21 (pictured) features the space and the scenery perfect for a group gathering. In the summertime, the patio makes it easy to soak up the beauty of the surrounding landscape while catching up with friends or family. And when the weather turns colder, enjoy cozy evenings and casual conversation around the fire pit or get competitive at the curling lanes. For a more private space to gather, book the Cider Nook and try the best of the venue’s wines and ciders.
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Ferrante Winery & Ristorante
OFF THE BEATEN PATH
Many of Ohio’s wineries are true hidden gems, tucked away on winding back roads, amongst quiet farmlands, or inside historic structures repurposed as places where visitors can sample award-winning wines as high-quality and flavorful as those in easier-to-find locations. For these seven off-the-beaten-path gems, one for each of Ohio’s wine regions, a journey to find them may well be part of the fun.
BY RICH WARREN
Black Sheep of Wi����
APPALACHIAN REGION
YOU’LL TRAVERSE WINDING COUNTRY ROADS and plentiful hills before reaching Black Sheep Vineyard in rural Jefferson County outside of Adena. Its name is a playful riff combining the names of owners John and Becky Black with the property’s former history as a sheep farm.
Today, the sheep are gone, but the magnificent 1928 barn where they once resided still remains, its rustic tasting room featuring the original peg and beam construction complete with overhead lofts. Sit outdoors on the sizable deck to enjoy incomparable views, not just of the winery’s vineyards but also of the wooded hills lining the nearby Ohio River and historic brick farmhouses and barns alongside rolling pastures and meadows.
The 12 wines produced here include both reds and whites and range from dry to sweet with playful names like Hair of the Dog, as well as a blackberry fruit wine. By far the biggest seller, however, is a wine called Bonnie, a sweet Catawba that makes up 60 percent of the winery’s sales, according to John Black. “Bonnie pays the bills and feeds the dogs,” he laughs. He explains the wine is named for his mother, and although it is indeed very sweet, “it’s not half as sweet as my mom.”
Le Petit Chevalier Farm Winery
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WALKING INTO THE Baltic Mill Winery, you’ll instantly feel transported in time as you enter the cozy tasting room with its massive overhead beams and supporting pillars, as well as chutes and machinery that date back to the time when the three-story brick structure operated as a flour mill in the historic town of Baltic on the edge of Ohio’s largest Amish community. The ambiance is enhanced by exposed brick walls, a fireplace, and leather sofas and armchairs.
For a true trip into the past, don’t miss climbing the stairs to the second and third floors where much of the mill’s original machinery remains in pristine condition. Owners Dan and Judy Garver, who converted the structure into a winery in 2013, get many visitors who remember the building in a previous incarnation as a bulk food and candy store. Judy even tells of an older woman who recalled visiting as a little girl and taking off her shoes so she could “skate” on the flour strewn on the mill’s floor. Today, there’s a cowbell in the tasting room inviting guests to “Ring If You Love Us.” Spend just half an hour in this delightful place and you’ll surely be ringing that bell yourself.
CANAL COUNTRY REGION
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CENTRAL OHIO REGION
THERE MAY BE NO OTHER FAMILY WINERY in Ohio that more resembles an actual family home than Clearcreek Country Vineyards & Winery outside of Amanda. From the road, the main structure resembles a single-story frame home with a spacious wrap-around porch where guests can sit in rocking chairs and gliders to enjoy views of the surrounding farmland. Step inside to find the main tasting room to enjoy the hospitality of owner/ operators Randy Evans and his wife Christine. An adjoining room with a large-screen television and leather couch looks exactly like a family living room. Another smaller nook is known as The History Room, with photos of the farm and their extended family. Clearcreek was started by Randy’s uncle, Gary Evans, who planted the vineyards and got the winery started after his retirement in
2009. After Gary passed away in 2010, his wife Shirley and nephew Randy stepped in to make sure his dream came true. Randy started from scratch to learn winemaking using his uncle’s detailed notes. Today, the wines he makes include best-selling Indian Summer, a sweet Catawba, and Coyote Red, a dry red, as well as a dry blackberry wine called Black Crow. Look for Hound Dog, a sweet wine using Steuben grapes, to join the line-up in 2026.
Also serving craft beer and hard ciders!
Located in rural Wayne County, we invite you to Find Your Wine Time® with us. Come sit relax and enjoy our wine, hard cider, real fruit based wine slushies and more.
See our website or Facebook for upcoming events, as well as food trucks and entertainment on weekends year-round plus Thursdays in summer. Firepit, igloo (winter), meeting/event space rentals available see website. Harvest Host member site.
lincolnwayvineyards @lincolnwayvineyards
Ticketed Guided Vineyard and Winery tours available.
Year round hours: Th/Fr 12-9 • Sat 11-9
Others by appt.
Summer hours: Above plus Tu/Wed 12-6
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VINES & WINES REGION
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WEEKEND EVENINGS AT Hartford Hill Winery in Fowler in rural Trumbull County, expect to find a dance floor filled with dancers swinging, cha-cha-chaing, and even dipping to the tunes performed by a lively band of musicians playing anything from Big Band numbers to Mustang Sally The rafters those musicians are rocking are fairly high off the spirited dance floor since the winery is housed in a huge barn with a red roof and three high-up cupolas.
The structure is two different repurposed barns that have been reconstructed and joined together on site with additions like tall windows and a large stone fireplace.
Outside, guests can enjoy their wine and live music during the summer months. Owners Randy and Carolyn Wyand even allow visitors to do catch-and-release fishing on the adjacent pond.
Wines at Hartford Hill frequently have floral notes in the menu description, with the name of the biggest seller, Rockin’ Randal, a sweet red blend, picking up on the rocking taking place on the dance floor. In fact, the names of most of the wines at Hartford Hill have stories behind them. If you want to know why your wine is named Quirky, just ask!
Country Ro����s
VINO REGION
FARMLANDS AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE surround Sycamore Lake Wine Company, situated on a county road four miles outside Columbus Grove. The winery’s owners, Jeff and Janice Hanneman, have embraced the wide-open spaces around them by creating an enchanting outdoor setting on their property that includes a 17-acre lake and a covered bridge made with timbers salvaged from a barn blown down in a storm. Inside, the spacious tasting room with a large U-shaped bar has room for 100 guests, proof that plentiful visitors are more than willing to make their way down those country roads to enjoy the winery’s 20 varieties of wine.
Windows lining the tasting room on three sides let the outdoors in and are copied from wineries the Hannemans visited in the Finger Lakes region. An outdoor patio allows for al fresco dining during the summer months. The wines the Hannemans serve include Chocolate Covered Bridge, a sweet chocolate red wine that tastes like a Cherry Tootsie Roll Pop, as well as other wines named for their grandchildren Lilly, Dirk, and Vera. In honor of this year’s America 250 celebrations, they created Declaration of Independence, mixing a sweet red wine with blueberries and a white wine. So yes — red, white, and blue, all in one bottle.
YOU MIGHT JUST SPOT AN ACTUAL MONARCH BUTTERFLY should you visit Monarch Winery in late August. That’s when the vibrantly colored insects begin their annual migration southward from their summertime homes in Canada, using the islands of Lake Erie as stepping stones along the way.
Located near Kelleys Island State Park on the island’s northern edge, Monarch Winery also makes a nod to the history of winemaking on Kelleys Island. Their name is the same as a 19th-century winery that was once one of 26 wineries and 750 acres of vineyards that covered Kelleys Island in the 1800s.
Today’s Monarch Winery is operated by Rodney and Abbey Rosado, who specialize in producing slushies and sweet fruit wines like
Swallowtail Sweet Apple Wine and Painted Lady Peach Wine, as well as other varieties using pears and blueberries. The pet-friendly winery added a dog park last year and features a large retail space selling souvenirs and handmade items produced by artisans on Kelleys Island, not to mention playful pet products like specialty toys, treats, and bandanas.
Making wine is part of Abbey’s heritage. She’s the daughter of Kirt and Robby Zettler, who established the nearby Kelleys Island Wine Company. Abbey manages both wineries while husband Rodney works as a wine maker, thus making a family affair of the two wineries that are helping to revive the once-flourishing wine industry on Kelleys Island.
LAKE ERIE SHORES & ISLANDS REGION
Harpersfield Twp. Wineries
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OHIO RIVER VALLEY REGION
FROM THE ROAD , the Olde Schoolhouse Vineyard and Winery in the countryside north of Eaton, looks exactly like its name suggests — an old brick one-room schoolhouse from the 1890s. Step inside, however, and that’s where the resemblance to a school ends. Instead, a space resembling an elegant Tuscan interior can be found with graceful chandeliers and wall sconces — only a chalkboard advertising coming events hints of the building’s previous function.
Winemaker Mark Zdobinski started making wine as a hobby in 1979, and in the decades since then he’s learned that winemaking is both a science and an art, involving mastery of both the chemistry behind the grapes’ fermentation as well as the artful adjusting and shaping of its flavors. More than 30 wines of all varieties are produced here — many of which can be sampled in the tasting room. Mark is particularly proud of the number of dry reds he makes as well as the fact that new visitors frequently proclaim after sampling a flight, “I like them all!”
The best seller here is Bad Ass Berry, one of a series of wines inspired by a miniature donkey named Peanut, who, according to the label, likes to roam through berry patches and sample his favorite indulgences. As the label advises you, “Be sure to get yours before he does!”
HISTORIC FINE DINING GETAWAY | WINE, DINE & STAY
Escape to the Spread Eagle Tavern & Inn, in Hanoverton, Ohio. Built in 1837, our beautifully restored country tavern & inn features Federal Period architecture situated in a historic former canal town and important stop on the “Underground Railroad.”
Enjoy fine dining in a beautiful, historic setting in our Tavern and rathskeller featuring gourmet cuisine, a variety of delightful wines and a full bar. After dinner, we invite you to stay in one of our five guest rooms, complete with antique and Period furnishings, and breakfast awaiting you in the morning.
Open seven days a week, lunch and dinner and overnight stays.
Plan your getaway at: spreadeagletavern.com
10150 Historic Plymouth Street Hanoverton, OH (330) 223-1583
Facebook: /spreadeagletavern
Twitter: /spreadeagletvrn
New Notable&
Keep your eyes on what’s new at these wineries!
BY KATHARINE STEVENS
Two to Try
Hilliard welcomed its first urban winery, Firefly Winery (left), in late 2024 to tremendous local support. With a prime spot in downtown Hilliard, the winery features charcuterie and bruschetta alongside wine by the glass or bottle and wine slushies in summer. Formerly Herrenhaus Elflein, Mirabelle Farm & Vineyard (above) in Ashville opened in 2022 and immediately charmed Ohioans with its scenic 8-acre vineyard backdrop. Check each season for festive options like Glühwein.
Ownership Changes
After 24 years spent lovingly cultivating and expanding the vineyard in Bethel, Bill and Patti Skvarla have passed the baton of Harmony Hill Vineyards. The vine-to-table legacy of these award-winning wines now continues with Randy and Marcy Gantt. Merry Family Winery in Bidwell has always been a family affair, and it continues that legacy with its new owners. Ashlee McElwain and her daughter Gabryella purchased the winery in January of 2025 and offer around 30 wines along with special events and live music.
Holiday Cheer
Pay a visit to a whimsical, festive world at the GRC Christmas Bar at Grand River Cellars Winery & Restaurant (pictured) in Madison. Themed dishes, vibrant Christmas décor, and specialty cocktails set the stage for the holidays. Get crafty next winter season with a craft party at Stable Winery in Andover. Hosted by local company Boss Style, each event centers around a festive winter theme and is sure to get the creativity flowing.
Scan the QR code below to catch up on the latest winery news and discover the winners of the Ohio Wine Competition
