By Claudia Taller
With over 200 wineries in the state of Ohio, what’s the best way to experience them? How do we decide where to go?
I once met a couple at Hermes Winery in Sandusky who made it their mission to visit every winery in the state, and they were in northern Ohio trying to finish off the list. They’re still traveling. The Ohio Wine Producers Association lists seven relatively new wineries on the Vines & Wines Trail, one of six trails.
Since my wineries book came out in 2011, the Northeast part of the state incubated Auburn Oaks in Chagrin Falls; Deers Leap in Geneva ; Goddess Wine House in Ashtabula, Kosicek Vineyards in Harpersfield; M Cellars in Geneva, Regal Vineyards in Madison, and Sharon James Cellars in Newbury.
That’s pretty amazing, considering most of the wineries in Ohio have been born since the year 2000. This wine trail encompasses half the vineyard acreage in the State of Ohio, and because the climate is almost perfect for growing grapes, it grows the fastest.
One way to explore wineries is to attend an event. This coming weekend, Sat 5/10 and Sun 5/11, is the last weekend for the Wine-N-Bloom self-driving tour of the Geneva area, during which participants will sample wines, enjoy appetizers, and collect spring flower-themed items from 12-6PM each day.
Further west, in the historic Lake Erie Shores & Islands Trail, the 4th Annual Amazing Grape Race roars into the lakefront with wineries passing out free race cards for a chance to wine prizes during the month of June. For those who want to learn how to make wine, check out Winemaker for a Day and get hands-on experience working with your favorite winemaker. For more information on these events, call 800-227-6972.
Most everyone in the Cool Cleveland area is familiar with the annual Vintage Ohio held every August at Lake Metroparks Farmpark. This year’s event will entice all your senses on Fri 8/1 and Sat 8/2 from 1-10PM. Sprawling fields fill with huge tasting tents, picnic tables, cooking school demonstrations, musical entertainment, and artisan shopping can feel a little overwhelming, but by strolling and sampling leisurely and making a day of it can feel like a tranquil respite. It’s not too early to start planning, especially if you want to stay overnight.
The other way to explore wineries is to take a look at a map, choose a region and a few wineries, and drive along rivers and over hills and valleys, sometimes on dirt roads, to discover new places. Some of the wineries will be on the Ohio Wine Producers Association website and others will suddenly appear on the side of the road. As you explore, you’ll notice that a wide variety of grapes are grown and that the wineries along Lake Erie are those most likely to have European-style wines. Native and hybrid grapes are grown all over the state, and some wine makers supplement their own grapes with grapes from American Viticultural Area or from other parts of the world.
Touring wineries is more than tasting wines—it’s being out in the country, learning some history, chatting with wine makers, munching on a cheese plate or a flatbread pizza, seeing the winemaking operation, smelling the grapes, walking through vineyards, and soaking up the sun.
Just like in Napa or the Finger Lakes, each winery has its own ambiance and focus. Building styles range from plain rectangular buildings and transformed barns to Italian villas or French-style chalets. Many wineries enliven their space with music and there’s often outdoor seating. Some feel like party places while others feel serious.
Unlike Napa, I have yet to find a snobby winery in Ohio. Lee Klingshirn, the third-generation owner of Klingshirn Winery in Avon Lake, says he was always surrounded by “friendly, happy people” when he was growing up.
Get happy and friendly this spring and summer by visiting our wineries.
Claudia Taller is the author of Ohio’s Lake Erie Wineries and is working on a second book about Ohio’s wineries. A Cool Cleveland contributor for many years, she helps writers and other creative people discover possibilities for their lives through Igniting Possibilities events, including the upcoming Word Lovers Weekend in Lakeside. Find her at http://claudiajtaller.com.