Although many people think of Napa Valley, Upstate New York, and the Pacific Northwest as top winemaking regions in the U.S., there are some excellent travel opportunities for wine enthusiasts scattered throughout the Midwest too. Ohio, in particular, has many wine producers because of the fertile soils and hundreds of acres of lush vineyards thriving here. There are hundreds of wine destinations to visit in Ohio that produce pinot gris, Riesling, chardonnay, pinot noir, cabernet franc, and fruit wines to please any palate.
To help narrow down the list, here are descriptions of some of the best wineries and vineyards that you can visit in Ohio.
Gervasi Vineyard, Canton
Gervasi Vineyard is a Tuscan-inspired winery resort that produces award-winning wines, spirits, craft beer, and delectable cuisine. It is on a 55-acre estate with views of a spring-fed lake and has over 20 varietals in its wine portfolio. Gervasi focuses on classical European types of wine and estate-grown North American hybrids. There are four restaurants onsite, including an Italian Bistro in a historic barn, casual eatery, seasonal outdoor venue, and the distillery offering craft cocktails in a lounge setting plus coffee during the day. You can shop for gifts at the winery gift shop and even stay overnight in one of the villa suites or boutique hotel rooms with high-end amenities. Winery and distillery tours are available at Gervasi, as well as cooking classes, wine and food pairings, and three event venues if you’re planning something special.
Laurentia Vineyard & Winery, Madison
Two brothers who were born and raised in Northeast Ohio came up with the idea to start the Laurentia Vineyard & Winery after being inspired by the potential of the Grand River Valley. The winery has a beautiful property where you can have a bottle fireside and enjoy the views during any time of the year. There’s a restaurant at the winery that offers meat and cheese boards, shared plates, and artisan flatbreads that celebrate the flavors of the seasons. There are lots of exciting events scheduled at Laurentia too, including jazz band performances, acoustic duos, and multi-course dinners with wine pairings.
Rockside Winery and Vineyards, Lancaster
Another top winery to visit in Ohio is the Rockside Winery & Vineyards, which makes wines mostly from grapes grown right on the estate. The winemaker here specializes in handcrafted wines in a variety of styles that everyone can enjoy. You’ll find dry and sweet wines here from grapes and other fruits. Rockside offers unique places to host private events and has scheduled events for the public to enjoy, including happy hours, live music, and barbecue dinners.
Hocking Hills Winery, Logan
The Hocking Hills Winery was established in 2013 and is a family-owned and operated business. It is in the Hocking Hills area, which is known for outdoor recreation and adventure. This is a friendly gathering place and award-winning winery that is kid-friendly and dog-friendly. The white wines produced here are vegan-friendly. In addition to trying the many wines, you can also enjoy a charcuterie board and beer. Wine flights are available to sample four or six of the wines, and wine slushies are served in fresh, fruity flavors.
Paper Moon Vineyards & Winery, Vermillion
Established in 2009, Paper Moon Vineyards is an Ohio wine destination with award-winning wine, cider, beer, and food. There’s a light dining menu with cheese plates, sandwiches, and pizza. Stop by the winery for rock, folk, jazz, and other types of live music on Fridays and Saturdays between 6pm and 9pm. This is a pet-friendly winery for furry friends in the outside grassy area where the picnic tables are located. Children are welcome here too with adult supervision.
Three Oaks Vineyard, Granville
Located in Granville, Ohio, the Three Oaks Vineyard typically opens for the season in May. This central Ohio winery is close to Columbus and offers locally crafted wine in a rural setting. It offers wines by the bottle, glass, and flight, and wine slushies and mulled wines are options here too. There are often food trucks onsite serving different cuisine options and live music performances. You can also bring your own picnic lunch from an outside restaurant if you prefer. Pets are not allowed at this winery.
Manchester Hill Winery and Vineyard, Circleville
Manchester Hill Winery and Vineyard was established in 2011 and is just minutes from the Hocking Hills. This establishment handcrafts fine wines and ciders from locally sourced fruit. All of the products are made onsite with some of the estate vineyard grapes. You can stop by Manchester Hill for a wine flight, wine by the glass, wine slushy, hard cider by the pint or bottle, or bottle of wine to go. There are year-round food items served, including charcuterie boards and vegetable platters. The winery hosts yoga classes for all levels of students and also has a cabin available to rent on the vineyard property.
Vinoklet Winery & Restaurant, Cincinnati
The Vinoklet Winery is the only working winery in Ohio’s Hamilton County and produces 12 award-winning wines in the greater Cincinnati area. The winery has been operating since 1986 and has over 12,000 vines growing on more than 30 acres of rolling hills. Wine tastings are available so that you can try a flight of wine consisting of 12 one-ounce cups and a souvenir glass. There is also a tasting of five wines available that pairs with the weekend dinner menu. Also, there is a calendar of events posted on the winery’s website to inform visitors about special meals, bluegrass concerts, and tastings.
Shamrock Vineyard, Waldo
At the Shamrock Vineyard, you can sample central Ohio’s oldest wines just outside of Waldo, Ohio. The grape plantings here date back to 1971, and over 25 varieties have been planted over the years, with the most winter-hardy grapes thriving on the land. Today, the winery is a prime place for events, family reunions, and other events. Tastings are available on Fridays and Saturdays from 1pm to 6pm at the Shamrock Vineyard. In the summertime, Shamrock hosts Twilight Dinners that include a wine tasting, bottle of wine per couple, catered dinner, and live music.
Powell Village Winery, Powell
Specializing in locally made wine with grapes and juice sources from California and Washington, the Powell Village Winery has a tasting room open on Tuesdays through Thursdays from 4-9pm, Fridays from 4-10pm, and Saturdays from noon to 10pm. Wine is served on tap here, in an area filled with quaint shops and restaurants. Red wines, white wines, and sweet wines are available at Powell, and there is also a food menu with flatbreads, cheese plates, and other small-plate options. There are special ticketed events held at the winery and also weekly specials on certain days of the week.
Nauti Vine Winery, Akron
Overlooking the Portage Lakes, Nauti Vine Winery was founded in 2013 and the creation of local wine enthusiasts, Joe and Erica Wathey. There are reds and whites available here by the glass or bottle, as well as beers on tap, pizza, and appetizers. There is indoor dining in the Tuscan-themed tasting room with a stone fireplace and outdoor seating on the patio. Nauti Vine Winery is between Akron and Canton, and it’s just a 40-minute drive from downtown Cleveland. This is also a place where you can plan an event for a wedding, baby shower, or corporate gathering.
Stoney Ridge Winery, Bryan
Here’s a northwest Ohio winery called Stoney Ridge Winery that welcomes visitors to this hidden gem of a wine destination. The winery produces red, white, rose, and fruit wines, as well as cider. It is open year-round, with varying hours based on the season. There’s a restaurant on site and also live music performances scheduled on the event calendar. This is a fun place to come and listen to talented musicians and learn more about how wines and hard ciders are made in Ohio.
Olde Schoolhouse Vineyard & Winery, Eaton
The Olde Schoolhouse Vineyard & Winery is unique because it is the first winery in Preble County and is located in a restored 1890s, one-room brick schoolhouse. It offers over 20 crafted wines and has a full calendar of fun events, such as wine bingo, Mardi Gras celebration, euchre, games, and a Cork Festival. The winery has been operating since 2014 when two couples purchased the schoolhouse property and transformed it into a vineyard, production room, and tasting space. If you are an RV traveler, check out the vineyard’s listing on Harvest Hosts to stay overnight on the property!
Dragonfly Winery, Canal Fulton
The family-owned and operated Dragonfly Winery is in the heart of Canal Fulton, Ohio and stands out because it has a winery and a tea room onsite. The business began as a tea room in 2011 and served quality teas, homemade pastries, and a menu of signature favorites. Dragonfly has been producing its own 11 wines since 2017 and also offers an appetizer menu with flatbreads and desserts. The winery is open on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5pm to 9pm and Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 10pm.
Sarah’s Vineyard, Cuyahoga Falls
Another highly rated Ohio vineyard is Sarah’s Vineyard, which grows nine varieties of grapes and has a selection of food items too, such as wood-fired pizzas. Margaret and Michael Lytz founded the winery in 2007 and named it after their late daughter, who was killed in a tragic automobile accident. The winery has a tasting room with a rustic theme and a loft that overlooks it for special events. There’s also a garden with picnic tables, a deck with views of the grapevines outside the tasting room, and a pavilion with a wood-burning fireplace. The Blossom Music Center is just across from the vineyard, making it a great place to enjoy some wine before a concert.
