Ohio is famous for its vineyards, historic bridges, charming countryside and award-winning wines. The Ashtabula and Lake County regions produce the majority of Ohio wine grapes and the vineyards there are acknowledged as the state’s best. Of the 280 commercial wineries in operation in Ohio, the oldest is DeBonne Vineyards and the largest is Firelands Winery, also known as the ‘gem of the east’. In Geneva, there are more than 20 wineries.
Wineries in Geneva are known for their excellent Pinot varietals and ice wines. While you’re wine tasting, you can enjoy gift shops, tours, and restaurants in magnificent settings.
There are 6 wine trails in Ohio:
- Appalachian Wine Trail
- Ohio River Valley Wine Trail
- Canal Country Wine Trail
- Capital City Wine Trail
- Vines & Wines Trail
- Lake Erie Shores and Island Wine Trail
In Geneva, there are winery shuttle bus tours, and then there is The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake’s Signature Immersion Tour. Immersion tour guide Lauren Fiala, knows about each aspect of the wine industry, from grape growing, to production to selling and drinking. Although she completed her degree at UCLA, Fiala chose the Grand River Valley (including Geneva) to run tours because, in her opinion, it is one of the most interesting viticultural areas in the USA.
Ferrante Winery & Ristorante
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At Ferrante, one of the foremost Geneva-on-the-lake wineries, you can expect to enjoy amazing wines, wonderful food and a great atmosphere, with the outdoor terrace looking onto the vineyards. During the summer, live entertainment is on offer so you can sip away while enjoying music. The tasting room is welcoming and relaxing – a place where you can unwind and catch up with friends and family. Only the freshest ingredients are used in the wonderful Italian-inspired dishes which pair well with their wines.
If you join the wine club, you will receive three bottles of wine twice a year and fabulous perks such as tasting room discounts. Do you love semi-sweet wine? Try Ferrante’s Mom’s Apple Pie Riesling which has flavours of cinnamon, caramel and apple. Opening hours are Monday and Tuesday 10am–5pm, Wednesday and Thursday 10am–8pm, Friday and Saturday 10am–9pm and Sunday 1pm–6pm,
Old Mill Winery
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A visit to Old Mill Winery will delight your taste buds because they offer top-notch wines and delicious food. You can taste the wines in the cosy tasting room or in the spacious outdoor area. Some of their white wines include:
- Chardonnay: a complex white wine with a hint of oak
- Grindstone White: a sweet dessert wine, made from the popular Niagara grape
- Geneva Blanc: a semi-sweet, fruity wine, great for social drinking
- Riesling: a sweet German-style wine with lots of flavour
- Cayuga: a crisp, dry wine
- Geneva Blanc: semi-sweet, fruity and delicious
Their menu is extensive and includes options ranging from pizzas and salads to sandwiches and pasta. Opening hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 4pm-7.30pm, Saturday and Sunday 12pm-7.30pm and on Mondays, they are closed.
Laurello Vineyards
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Vintners at this boutique winery, situated in the heart of the Grand River Valley, pride themselves on the creation of old-world type blends and single varietal wines with acidity and firm tannins to balance the fruity notes. Ohio-grown grapes go into their off-dry Riesling, Christopher Meritage Blends and Pinot Grigio which are aged in French oak barrels. Laurello, one of the wineries in Geneva that has won many awards is known for their ice wines including Habanero Ice Wine, Simply Mad and Sweet Genevieve, which has notes of pear, apricot and honey.
Tasting flights start from $8 for four wines but if you cannot decide on a wine, you can try wine samples. The friendly staff are happy to help you with any queries you have. Laurello offers mouthwatering meals including pizzas, salads, sandwiches and meatballs and from February to December, live music is provided while you sit back, enjoy a glass of wine and a lovely meal.
Kosicek Vineyards
If you’ve been travelling and you need a place to rest your weary bones, try Kosicek Vineyards – a great place to relax and unwind. All the wines are produced on site and made with passion and commitment – Pinot Noir is one of their superb wines which has hints of black tea, plum and spices.
You can sample from a wide variety such as reds, whites, rosés and ice wines and the menu includes meat and cheese boards, flatbread pizza, soft pretzel sticks and apple strudel. During the cooler months, Kosicek Vineyards hosts live music in their covered pavilion and you can drink and dine while listening to talented bands and musos. Opening hours are Wednesday and Thursday 12pm-6pm, Friday and Saturday 12pm-8pm and Sunday 12pm-6pm.
M Cellars
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This family-owned boutique Geneva winery located in Ohio’s gorgeous Grand River Valley AVA is committed to producing excellent, estate-grown, artisan wines with the aim of bringing people together to share and remember the special moments. M Cellars produces, according to some, the best wine in Geneva, Ohio and they are also renowned for their incredible hospitality. If you want to enjoy a peaceful and natural environment, you will get that in abundance at M Cellars. Alongside the delicious wines on offer, you can sample wonderful snacks including hummus and naan bread, bruschetta and artichoke dip.
On select Saturdays between 11am and 1pm, you can take a tour through the vineyards and learn about the winery’s history and how they make their wine and you will be able to sample some of their signature wines. Booking in advance is recommended. Their tasting room hours are Sunday to Thursday 12pm-6pm and Friday and Saturday 12pm-8pm.
The Lakehouse Inn
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If you are looking for a winery that offers accommodation, the Lakehouse Inn is just the place. This hotel provides a great getaway for guests and, added to the comfortable lodging, you can enjoy a full production winery, a spa and a farm-to-table restaurant. At the Lakehouse Inn you can watch the sunset on Lake Erie, relax on the lakefront patios, pamper yourself at the spa and you can tour other local wineries in Geneva.
Whether you are looking for a family vacation, a romantic getaway or a weekend of fun with your friends, the Lakehouse Inn has you covered. The comfy rooms feature cable TV and free Wi-Fi. Suites have sitting rooms with electric fireplaces, fridges, microwaves and whirlpool tubs. There are 3 2-bedroom cottages and a 1-bedroom beach house all of which have sitting rooms and kitchens. A filling breakfast is included which is eaten in the restaurant. At the Lakehouse Inn, you will be able to relax, take walks along the beach, taste wonderful wines and make great memories.
DeBonne Vinery
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DeBonne Vinery is open from Sunday to Thursday between 12pm-6pm, Friday 12pm-11pm and Saturday 12pm-8pm. They offer a wide variety of fun activities including an Ice Wine Festival, Ice Wine Progressive Dinners, Adult Easter Egg Hunts and a 5k Wine Run. You can order a tantalizing array of food that changes according to the season. Offerings include cheese plates, appetizers, burgers and sandwiches.
Wine tasting takes place during regular hours and a small fee is charged: $1.00 for individual wine samples and $2.00 for ice wine and bourbon, barrel-aged wine samples.
Spoil Yourself with a Trip to Geneva, Ohio
Geneva wineries produce delectable wine which you can enjoy in a peaceful atmosphere. During the month of June – Ohio Wine Month – the Ohio wineries put on special events such as road races, live music, contests and competitions and themed festivals. Geneva-on-the-Lake, one of Ohio’s first lakeside resorts, boasts many restaurants, antique shops, and a water slide. Lake Erie at Geneva State Park is family-friendly and tranquil.
During summer, lifeguards are on duty at Lake Erie and other facilities can be enjoyed: a marina, a lodge, hiking and bike trails, and camping and picnic facilities.
Ohio has so much to offer that you will find it difficult to be bored. A visit will ensure that you have a great holiday, feel restful invigorated and that you plan to return soon!