Take a Trip to Geneva, Ohio for Wine Tasting, Luxe Lodging and Lake Erie Views - Midwest Living
Ohio's Grand River Valley Wine Region, an hour northeast of Cleveland, is quickly and quietly becoming one of the region's best wine destinations. Winemakers in the Grand River Valley AVA (American Viticultural Area) have shifted tastes and perceptions away from syrupy sweet Midwestern fruit wines to dry, bold, mature wines worthy of the spotlight. Here are the wineries you'll want to visit on a trip to the Grand River Valley, as well as other things to do and where to eat and stay. Wineries to Visit
Most Grand River Valley wineries cluster around Geneva, Ohio (about 10 minutes south of Lake Erie). Here are eight you shouldn't miss—and what to drink there.
Laurentia Vineyard and Winery
Estate wines (wines made from grapes grown on property) are the specialty of this winery, with a large portfolio of dry options. Laurentia’s tasting room was modeled after the owners’ Colorado log cabin. Many vines sit on a south-facing slope, the ideal orientation for grape growing.
Drink: Cabernet Franc or Dry Riesling
Kosicek Vineyards
This family-run vineyard has been growing grapes on their land for nearly 100 years. Though they now have a large portfolio of dry estate wines, they also still produce a Concord wine as a nod to their heritage. Kosicek, as well as several other area wineries, makes ice wine from Vidal Blanc grapes when conditions are right (low temperatures that freeze grapes on the vine).
Drink: Merlot or Sparkling White Merlot
M Cellars
Matt Meineke produces some of the area's best (and most unique) dry wines, primarily from grapes grown on his 30 acres. He grows two ancient Georgian grapes: Saperavi and Rkatsiteli (called R-Kat for short). The Republic of Georgia is the oldest wine-producing region in the world. M Cellars ages their R-Kat in traditional ceramic vessels.
Drink: Saperavi or Rkatsiteli
Baci Winery
Previously known as St. Joseph Vineyard, Baci got a big facelift when it rebranded, including a new tasting room, a huge outdoor space, and a full bar and speakeasy out back. Winemaker Lauren Fiala often has fun projects she's experimenting with, including making sparkling wine in the traditional method (i.e., how Champagne is made).
Drink: Pinot Noir or Chardonnay
Harpersfield Vineyard
Patty and Adolf Ribic run this estate winery, which dates to 1979. The Eastern European tasting room, inspired by the couple’s heritage, hosts live music weekly. There's also a large, vine-covered patio.
Drink: Cabernet Franc or Grüner Veltliner
Ferrante Winery
Five of the eight Ferrante siblings now manage the winery their parents established in 1937. Nick Ferrante is the winemaker; Anthony manages the vineyards; Carmel and Mary Jo run the restaurant; and Lisa runs the office. Ferrante Winery offers a full-service menu highlighting Italian classics, like pasta and pizza, listed on the menu with suggested wine pairings.
Drink: Dolcetto or Gewürztraminer
Cask 307
A sleek black barn opens up to a sunny patio outside. Since 2012, a group of winemakers in the region have made a perpetually aged cask wine. A portion of each year’s black grape harvest is added to a cask and bottled annually, creating a blend that’s different each time. Cask 307 and other participants all sell their cask wines, each of which is a different blend.
Drink: Marigold Orange Wine or Cask Wine
Debonné Vineyards
Debonné is Ohio’s largest estate winery, with 175 acres of grapes producing 35,000 cases per year. It's also busy, with multiple rooms and patios throughout the large complex filled with guests.
Drink: Chambourcin or Riesling
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