Did you know Ohio was the premier wine state in the mid-1800s? That we were called “vinland” because the wine was so plentiful? And that in 1900, on South Bass Island, there were nineteen wineries. Did you know we have about 250 wineries in the state of Ohio today?
These are the reasons I started visiting our wineries 10 or so years ago. I was living right here in Northeast Ohio, but I didn’t know how deep and rich our wineries history is — I only knew Heineman’s in Put-in-Bay and their pink Catawba wine. We were traveling to New York and California to visit wineries, but once we started seeking out Ohio’s wineries, my husband Paul and I quickly learned that we could talk about vineyards and wine-making at a local winery while sipping Ohio wine. There’s an industry of cooperative wineries, with enologists, viticulturists, wine associations, mentors and schools to support them.
Northeast Ohio vineyards boast native grapes (like Niagara and Concord), hybrid grapes (like Chambourcin and Seyval) and European-style viniferas (like Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay). Some wineries make only estate wine while others blend their juice with non-Ohio juice, and still others have some Ohio wines and some California wines. The labels, which can say “Lake Erie,” “Ohio” or “American,” tell the story; some may be more specific — the Grand River Valley and Isle St. George (also known as North Bass) have their own sub-viticultural area.
So how do you approach a wineries tour concept if you don’t know the areas? Take a look at the Ohio Wine Producer’s Association website, which lays out wineries areas in Ohio, but doesn’t include all of the wineries. Do a Google search for the area you decide to visit. Take a look at ohiolakeeriewineries for a list of wineries, a list that continues to grow.
My husband and I have now visited over 80 wineries in Ohio. Ask me about Yellow Butterfly in Newcomerstown or Perennial Vineyards in Navarre or Harpersfield Winery in Harpersfield, and I can tell you about the wines, who owns the winery and whether the winery serves food. The wineries we visit most frequently are those in Lorain and Erie counties and those out in Lake and Ashtabula counties. The two wineries closest to Cleveland while driving west along the lake are in Avon Lake, and the Ohio Wines sign just before Route 83 on Route 90, announces Klingshirn Winery and John Christ Winery.
Lee Klingshirn’s family has been in the grape-growing business since the 1930s. Growing up on a wine farm, he was enchanted by the people and the craft, and when he went away to college, he studied viticulture, despite his father’s advice. He’s committed to growing high-quality grapes for use in his own wines and for sale to other wineries. Lee is Ohio Winemaker of the Year, and his winery has been part of the Ohio Quality Alliance for a long time. He has some vinifera wines, but is concentrating on native and hybrid grapes. Try the Cabernet Franc and the Riesling.
John Christ Winery appeared on the scene not long after Klingshirn. In the 1940s, John Christ opened a rustic winery and planted 27 acres of grapevines and fruit trees. Originally from Macedonia, Christ was familiar with wine-making and quickly turned his grapes into wine. Today, most of the vineyards are gone but the passion of the winery’s original owner is reflected in the many handcrafted wines created by Jack James, the winemaker. Try the Vignoles and Frontenac wines while sitting on the patio or in the yard and listening to weekend music.
Traveling west, Paper Moon Winery, Vermilion Valley Vineyards and Matus Winery make up the wineries of the Vermilion Valley. Paper Moon Winery on Route 60 in Vermilion opened in 2008 and is owned by the Cawrse family. Adam Cawrse is a self-taught enologist who is passionate about Rieslings and increasing the family legacy. The family has planted hybrids, including Vidal Blanc and Trimanette. Paper Moon Winery is embraced by Vermilion residents, making it a hopping place on the weekends. The winery serves many wines, including an exceptional dry Riesling, from local grapes and imported California varietals, with great Panini sandwiches and salads. A large window in the tasting room reveals the wine-making operations.
Traveling south from Route 2, you’ll find two more wineries on Gore Orphanage Road, which is a couple miles east of Route 60. Vermilion Valley Vineyards opened in Henrietta in 2009, and David Benzing is the winemaker. The vineyards include Pinot Noir, Dornfelder and Gewurztraminer; the winery only makes vinifera wines (no labrusca or hybrids). The winery uses efficient design strategies, recycling and solar energy, and has installed a pond for irrigation and storm water management. Expect to learn about trellising and organic growing methods in the high-ceilinged light space with vineyards visible from the inside.
Bob Matus transformed a 75-year-old farm into Matus Winery because of his love of bringing people together over wine. Today, the winery meanders through added rooms and transformed barn space that includes the wine-making operations behind the bar in the tasting room. The back room becomes crowded on the weekends when wine sippers listen to local musicians strum and sing. The wines range from sweet to dry, and with all the varieties offered, each visitor is sure to find a wine that will be pleasing to individual taste.
Of course, every winery’s different, which is part of the beauty of a wineries tour. Take your own tour of Ohio’s Lake Erie wineries or the wineries along the Ohio-Erie Canal route from Cuyahoga Falls to Coshocton by using the wine books written by Claudia Taller. Ohio’s Lake Erie Wineries and Ohio’s Canal Country Wineries provide background stories and previews of wineries you want to explore.
Claudia Taller, author of four nonfiction books and one novel, is a long-time Cool Cleveland contributor. She’s also the owner of Igniting Possibilities, which hosts writing, creativity, and spiritual events, including Word Lovers Retreats. Most of her time these days is spent in yoga teacher training at Puma Yoga in Lak.
Avon Lake, OH 44012
Avon Lake, OH 44012
Wakeman, OH 44889
Wakeman, OH 44889
Wakeman, OH 44889