If you're in Ohio and want to visit some great wineries and taste delicious wine, you're in luck. Ohio has many lovely wineries throughout the state that are open to visitors and for tastings. Get a sample of how terroir impacts the wines made in Ohio as you visit these 17 wineries.
Northern Ohio Wineries
The weather surrounding Lake Eerie helps create the growing conditions needed for a variety of grapes. Whether you're in Kent for the Kent Art and Wine Festival or Ashtabula for the Uncorked Wine Festival, you can stop at many of Northern Ohio's wineries along the way.
Heineman Winery, Put-in-Bay
German immigrant Gustav Heineman began making wines in Ohio in 1888, founding the Heineman Winery. The tempering effect of Lake Eerie makes the area around Put-in-Bay, Ohio perfect for growing wine grapes. Now, three generations of Heineman's descendents run the winery, which is located at 978 Catawba Avenue. The winery makes an array of red and white wines ranging in sweetness from dry to sweet. You can visit the winery's Wine Garden, which is open daily mid-April through late October for wine tastings and cave tours.
Matus Winery, Wakeman
Named the Best Winery in Cleveland for three years in a row by the Cleveland Hotlist, the Matus Winery is located on a 75-year-old farm in Wakeman. Winemaker Bob Matus crafts multiple red wines such as American Concord and old vine Zinfandel, whites such as Riesling and Chardonnay, blush wines, and fruit wines. Visitors to the farm, located at 15674 Gore Orphanage Road in Wakeman can enjoy winery and vineyard tours as well as wine tastings. The winery is open Thursdays through Saturdays for limited hours.
Quarry Hill Winery, Berlin Heights
Quarry Hill Winery, located in Berlin Heights, was established in 2005 on a fruit farm and orchard. Mac McLelland planted vineyards on the farm, and those grapes along with some of the farm's other fruits are used to make a variety of wines including Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Grigio, apple wine, cherry wine, and dessert wine. The winery is located at 8403 Mason Road in Berlin Heights. It is open year-round for tastings and tours, and it also has a limited food menu to pair with the wines. The facilities are available for private events.
Laurentia Vineyard & Winery, Madison
Located in Madison, the Laurentia Vineyard & Winery planted vines in 2011 and began producing wines a few years later. The winery makes whites, reds, and rosés including Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. Visitors can enjoy shared plates and handcrafted pizzas in the log-cabin style tasting room or tour the winery and cellars. The winery is located at 4599 S. Madison Road, and the tasting room is open daily.
Firelands Winery, Sandusky
The Firelands Winery makes a variety of red and white wines including an award-winning Gewurztraminer. Other varieties include reds, whites, rosés, and sparkling wines such as white Zinfandel, Malbec, Dolcetto, and Sauvignon Blanc. The winery is located at 917 Bardshar Road in Sandusky, and the tasting room is open daily. The winery also has a gift shop and restaurant.
Ferrante Winery and Ristorante, Geneva
Ferrante Winery & Ristorante is located in Northeastern Ohio just across the border from New York. It offers award-winning wines and a fine Italian restaurant for visitors to enjoy. Wine offerings include a number of white, blush, and red wines. Visit Ferrante Winery and Ristorante at 5585 State Route 307 in Geneva. Pair wine and food in the restaurant or taste what the winery has to offer. The restaurant and tasting room are open May through December; the tasting room is open daily, and the restaurant is open Wednesday through Sunday.
Grand River Cellars, Madison
Grand River Cellars in Madison has an extensive wine collection. Wine offerings include dry to off dry whites, sweet and semi-sweet whites, reds, and rosés. The winery is located at 5750 S. Madison Road (Route 528) in Madison. The winery is open daily.
Old Firehouse Winery, Geneva-On-The-Lake
The Old Firehouse Winery offers visitors lovely scenery and an incredible well-rounded selection of wines. Grape Jamboree, Pink Concord, Blackberry, and Johannisberg Riesling are just a few of the wines available. The winery and restaurant are open daily year-round and located at 5499 Lake Road in Geneva-On-The-Lake.
Central Ohio
Visitors to the Columbus region can enjoy a number of local wineries open for tours and tasting.
Buckeye Winery, Newark
Opened in 2007, the Buckeye Winery was created by wine enthusiasts Larry and Kathie Morrison. The winery imports juices from around the world to make its wines, and visitors can taste wines or even try their hand at making their own. Wine offerings include reds, whites, fruit wines, and sweet wines including Australian Shiraz, Sonoma Chardonnay, and Cranberry Chianti among many others. The winery is located at 25 North Third Street in Newark. Operating hours are on Tuesdays through Saturdays.
Slate Run Vineyard, Canal Winchester
Slate Run Vineyard offers 17 estate-made wines, including Bordeaux and German-style whites, rosés, reds, and sweet reds and whites. The winery is located at 900 Winchester-Southern Road, and tastings and tours are available Monday through Saturday from 11 AM to 7 PM.
Wyandotte Winery, Columbus
Known for their award-winning wines, the Wyandotte Winery has been in operation since 1976. They offer 7 wines including a vin de cocao, plum wine, and apple wine, along with more traditional reds and whites. The winery is located at 4640 Wyandotte Drive in Columbus, and open Tuesday through Saturday for tastings.
Grape and Granary, Akron
Akron's Grape and Granary isn't your typical wine experience. While it offers a selection of unusual wines such as jalapeno dessert wine and caramel apple riesling, Grape and Granary also offers winemaking and brewing supplies and classes. If you love wine, it's worth a visit at 915 Home Avenue in Akron. The shop and distillery are open Monday through Saturday.
Mastropietro Winery, Berlin Center
Mastropietro Winery is first winery in Mahoning County, and it is located southeast of Youngstown in Berlin Center. Established in 2005, the Tuscan-style winery creates a number of red and white wines as well as Port and sangria. Visitors can enjoy sipping what this winery has to offer while enjoying a vista of the rural countryside. Visit the winery Thursday through Sunday 14558 Ellsworth Road in Berlin Center.
Southern Ohio
The wine industry in Southern Ohio took off after Prohibition when winemakers planted hardy disease-resistant grapes in the region. Today, the area is home to many wineries.
Meranda-Nixon Winery, Ripley
The Meranda Nixon Winery opened in 2007 on the Meranda family farm. Winemaker Seth Meranda operates the winery with his family. Today, the winery produces traditional reds, rosés, and whites, including Chardonnay, Catawba, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Valley Vineyards, Morrow
Valley Vineyards has been operated by the Schuchter family since 1970. The winery is known for its national and international award winning table and dessert wines including offerings such as honey mead, blackberry wine, sangria, and many others. Stop by and visit them at 2276 East US 22 & 3 in Morrow on weekends for a tasting.
Merry Family Winery, Bidwell
Merry Family Winery offers a wide selection of handcrafted Ohio wines. Visitors can enjoy wine tasting with tempting appetizers on the deck overlooking the countryside and vineyard. Wines include dry, semi sweet, and sweet wines, as well as fruit wines. The winery is located at 2376 State Route 850 in Bidwell. Winery tours and tasting Tuesdays through Saturdays.
Terra Cotta Vineyards, New Concord
Established in 1995, Terra Cotta Vineyards offers a variety of wines ranging from dry to sweet to drink on the premises or to purchase for enjoying later. Located at 2285 Rix Mills Road in New Concord, the winery is open to visitors Thursdays through Saturdays, April through October.
Enjoy Wine Throughout Ohio
You can find wineries throughout the state of Ohio, which has rich soil and varied climate conditions allowing cultivation of numerous fruits and grape varieties used in the state's wines. Visit the above wineries, or any of Ohio's other vineyards and winemakers in the state's booming wine industry.
