Ohio’s Wine Country
Drink in the magnificent views and fabulous flavors of Ohio’s Wine Country in the Grand River Valley, where passionate vintners and unique grape growing conditions produce exceptional, award-winning wines.
What makes Northeast Ohio’s Grand River Valley such an ideal destination for excellent wines? It’s a process that’s literally been in the making for thousands of years. The same glaciers that carved out the area’s most exquisite natural resource also left behind rich, fertile soil. That, coupled with the region’s uniquely moderate temperatures and prime location near the Grand River and Lake Erie make for a magical haven for grape growing.
Just ask Debonne Vineyards, Ohio’s largest estate winery boasting more than 175 acres of vines. Each year, the property produces more than 85,000 gallons of wine, including several award-winning flavors. Located in Madison, Debonne Vineyards is best known for its riesling and ice wines and is the state’s first winery to also open a microbrewery — Double Wing Brewing Co. — highlighting several beers on tap, from a pecan porter and a blueberry kolsch to IPAs, pale ales, pilsners and more. Don’t miss the property’s guided winery tours, which are available year-round but offer the most exciting experiences during harvest time.
Nearby, Ferrante Winery & Ristorante showcases a family with deep roots in winemaking and dedication to providing an unparalleled experience with a thoughtfully curated food menu and wine pairings. The winery is home to a variety of vinifera-style grapes, including chardonnay, gewurztraminer, dolcetto, pinot noir, cabernet franc and many more, and the lunch and dinner menu features a variety of appetizers, salads, pizzas, pastas and desserts. Dive into a delicious red beet salad or braised beef tacos paired with the Cask 2002 Wine or opt for a pesto cream penne and glass of Grand River Valley Pinot Noir.
Whether you’re looking for a calm, relaxing space to sip during the week or a lively, engaging weekend atmosphere, you’ll find both at Madison’s Grand River Cellars Winery & Restaurant. Stroll the gorgeous grounds, grab a seat indoors or out, and raise a glass. With an extensive wine list that offers a flavor for every palate, you’ll want to stay and sip awhile. Luckily, the on-site restaurant offers a generous menu with many mouthwatering choices, from Slovenian sausage sandwiches and grilled burgers to roasted red pepper pasta, steaks and much more. Looking to further elevate your experience? Book a special event or Saturday wine tasting in the wine cave, a snug, intimate setting featuring a fireplace and space for up to 20 guests.
With glorious garden-laden grounds during summer months and a six-foot-tall medieval fireplace to nestle beside during cooler weather, Harpersfield Vineyard is a destination you’ll want to visit any time of year. On the weekends, enjoy a luscious estate red or white wine while tapping along to the tunes of an eclectic mix of live musicians in this cozy cottage setting. Choose your favorite bottle to enjoy with a bite from the farm’s kitchen, which offers a rotating selection of seasonal small plates.
“Live like someone left the gate open” — that’s the motto at Stonegait Winery, an old horse farm in Madison transformed into a rustic, spacious winery with a warm, inviting interior anchored by a large double fireplace and extensive covered outdoor patio. Choose from a generous selection of red or white vinifera or hybrid wines paired with a menu of shareables, sandwiches, salads and wood-fired pizzas.
Cask 307, one of Madison’s newest wine-producing hot spots, opened in 2019 with the goal to become the gateway to the Ohio Wine Country region — a destination for visitors to mingle with sommeliers to learn more about Northeast Ohio’s rich winemaking history and discover a deeper appreciation for grapes grown here. Highlighted by a breathtaking landscape and open spaces indoors and out, Cask 307 Winery features a state-of-the art facility that’s paving the way for the future of the wine region by using modern techniques to express the character of locally grown grapes. Here, sample premium European varietal wines, from the Bourbon Chardonnay that’s aged nine months in Red Eagle Distillery bourbon barrels to Fume Blanc, which exudes flavors of toasty pineapple, lemongrass and orange with a subtle oak nose.
Also relatively new to the area, Silver Crest Cellars opened in 2018 with a desire to bring wine lovers the flavors of grapes grown from the family’s vineyards that date back as far as the 1930s. Offering both old-world and new-world varieties, including riesling, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, dornfelder and chardonnay, Silver Crest Cellars also produces wines from grapes grown by other local vineyards. Open Friday through Sunday or by appointment, visitors are welcome to bring their own food (prepackaged meat and cheese combos and snacks are available) and sip on a selection of wines while a friendly, knowledgeable staff showcases their passion for the craft.
Old-world inspired blends and single-varietal wines are the stars of the show at Laurello Vineyards, a boutique winery in Geneva boasting more than a dozen award-winning red, white and ice wines. Grab a bottle of the popular Simply Mad Ice Wine, a habanero infused vidal that’s deliciously sweet and finishes with a kick of heat, or Cabernet Franc, dry red wine with flavors of red raspberry, cherry and light pepper spice. From March through December, sip and sing along to live music while dining on a delectable menu of elevated appetizers, salads, sandwiches and a variety of Almost Heaven Premium Ice Creams. Laurello Vineyards also is a pet-friendly establishment, so feel free to bring your four-legged friend and enjoy a glass of wine on the patio or grassy terrain.
Experience the difference a glacier can make at Laurentia Vineyards and Winery in Madison. Since 2011, this Grand River Valley destination has planted 45 acres of vines, harvested 678 tons of fruit and hosted more than 750,000 visitors. Its 7,500-square-foot facility houses multiple varieties of oak barrels used to produced prestigious wines, including the Cabernet Sauvignon Stoltz Block®, that carries notes of cassis with undertones of smoke, anise and plum with black cherry, tobacco and granite flavors. Unwind with a bottle of this full-bodied favorite and a selection of seasonal large and small plates, artisanal boards and flatbreads in a cozy cabin atmosphere or on the patio that overlooks acres of stunning manicured grounds.
Like a fine wine, Old Mill Winery — located in a historic building — just gets better with time. Step inside and travel back to the days when surrounding yourself with friends and family and sharing good times over great food and drinks was all that mattered. Visitors love this Grand River Valley destination for its casual, quaint, family-friendly atmosphere and historic charm. Here, a selection of 13 red, white and blush wines made on the premise, as well as wine slushies, pair perfectly with a menu of savory, home-cooked dishes, from steaks, burgers, chicken and ribs to pastas, salads, fish and more.
More Wineries to Explore
Ohio’s Wine Country is sprinkled with more than 30 wineries, so whether you’re here for the day, long weekend or extended stay, there’s plenty of places to uncover. At M Cellars Winery, enjoy a glass of European varietals during a wine tour, visit to the tasting room or spend some time on the patio soaking up panoramic views set to the backdrop of live tunes. Housed in a church built more than 100 years ago, South River Vineyard is a boutique winery where beauty shines bright, from the stained-glass windows to the pristine property. Relax on the veranda, nestle next to the outdoor fire or soak in the scenery on the new rooftop pavilion. Those up for an afternoon stroll are welcome to grab a glass of wine and make their way across the vineyard to Red Eagle Distillery & Black Door Tavern, home to more than 40 spirits, 10 craft beers, fresh garden-to-glass cocktails and a chef-inspired tapas menu.
For those looking to add a little hop to their hike around the region, Cornerstone Brewing Co. has you covered. Based in Berea with a location in Madison, this local crafter offers nearly 10 taps, from an American light lager and German hefeweizen to a hazy IPA, Irish stout, American red ale and more. Pair a pint with a selection from the traditional pub-grub menu that includes soups, salads, pizzas, sandwiches, burgers and entrees.
Where to Visit When in Lake County
While you’re making your way through Ohio’s Wine Country, stop to smell the fresh Lake Erie air and take in some of the area’s other local gems, such as Rabbit Run Theater, one of the country’s few barn theaters still in operation. Open June through August and visited by nearly 8,000 patrons each summer, the venue welcomes guests to bring a picnic to enjoy on the property before taking in a Broadway show. The 2023 season will include two blockbuster musicals, a comedy and a heartfelt drama.
In addition to its reputation as a wine lover’s paradise, the region also is a haven for those with a passion for exploring the great outdoors. Part of the Lake Metroparks, Hogback Ridge Park and Hidden Valley Park offer scenic views of the Grand River and plenty of opportunities for fishing, biking, hiking and bird watching. At Hogback Ridge Park, the trail system includes a 1,300-foot accessible boardwalk and overlook deck, plus timber steps that lead down into the floodplain. Visit late-March through May for a dazzling display of spring wildflowers. Meanwhile, Hidden Valley Park offers excellent access to the Grand River below a spectacular exposed Chagrin Shale cliff. It is the perfect place for fishing and paddling. Explore a winter wonderland here, as it's home to two sledding hills. To keep you warm, a fire ring is located near the picnic shelter.