Ohio Wineries Welcome Visitors for Unique Agritourism Experiences
In partnership with: Ohio Department of Agriculture
Wine lovers flock to Ohio for delicious wine and good times. With 427 licensed wine manufacturers and dozens more on the way, the state offers an impressive selection of Ohio wineries and vineyards to visit.
“Ohio, a cool-climate growing area, is ideally suited for growing a variety of grapes, with a latitude similar to longstanding grape- growing regions in Europe,” says Christy Eckstein, executive director of the Ohio Grape Industries Committee. “Cool- climate grapes produce wines with full flavors but slightly higher acidity. These clean, crisp wines pair well with food.”
Whether you’re looking for a fun day out or a luxurious weekend escape, these Ohio wineries are worth the trip.
See more: Ohio’s Wine Industry is Uncorked
Big Fun in Big Prairie
Nestled among cornfields and rolling hills on a scenic highway in Northeast Ohio, you’ll find Sunny Slope Winery. Known for its warm and welcoming atmosphere with a relaxed and casual vibe, this family- run winery is a popular spot for handcrafted, small-batch wines, delicious deli food, and live music on the weekends.
The business is the brainchild of Tara and Tom Bright, who dreamed for years of opening a winery. Tom got his start in winemaking while growing up on the family farm in Holmes County.
My husband was always tinkering around with the scraps from his mother’s canning,” Tara says. “Eventually, he started entering home makers’ wine competitions at the county fair. And he kept winning Grand Champion every year.”
The couple established Sunny Slope Winery in 2016 on the land where Tom’s family’s general store and gas station once stood, and now Tom’s wines are available to the public. Sunny Slope wine offerings range from sweet to dry, all lovingly handcrafted in small batches of grape and other fruit varieties.
Fans of classic Concord wines love “Slap,” a sweet red wine billed as “a juice box for foxy mamas,” while those who prefer light whites enjoy “Big Prairie White,” a sweet Moscato with a color like the fields of Big Prairie at harvest time.
See more: Ohio Programs Prep the Next Generation of Ag Professionals
An Exquisite Escape
Gervasi Vineyard Resort & Spa sits just 15 minutes from downtown Canton, but once you step onto the estate, you’ll feel transported to another world. The idyllic property, situated on a 55-acre Tuscan-inspired estate, features a 10-acre lake with swans, meandering streams, outdoor gathering spaces, and buildings that evoke the Tuscan countryside.
With a winery and distillery, restaurants, accommodations, a wedding venue, and a spa, Gervasi Vineyard is more than a winery. It’s a full-fledged resort experience known for luxurious accommodations and meticulous attention to detail.
The resort offers several styles of luxurious accommodations. The Villas feature four suites per building, each with a comfortable shared living and dining room and an outdoor patio. The Casa is a boutique-style, 26-room inn that’s ideal for guests who prefer a hotel-like experience. And The Farmhouse is a restored 1830s farmhouse with four bedrooms, a full kitchen, and a wraparound porch that’s perfect for groups who want to stay together.
On-site dining options include The Crush House Wine Bar & Eatery for casual fare, The Bistro for fine Italian cuisine, and The Piazza for seasonal outdoor dining. The Still House serves coffee, specialty cocktails, beer, and wine, while The Cave offers a world-class wine tasting experience in an unforgettable environment. And the award-winning wine list is extensive.
“We produce and bottle more than 30 varietal wines to please every palate,” says David Smith, head winemaker. “Our flagship wine, Truscano, is a classic Italian varietal made from San Gervasi grapes, evoking Tuscany and the Old World.”
Of the 30 wines produced, four are bottled under the family reserve label, GV Estate Wines. Made from estate-grown grapes, these wines are named for the owner’s passions: Celebrazione (Celebration) is a blend of merlot and Marquette; Unita (Unity) is made with Marquette grapes; Lascito (Legacy) is a Frontenac gris; and Passione (Passion) is made with Aromella grapes.
“These new and exciting wines are created from relatively new breeds of grapes,” Smith says. “We’re proud to have developed flavor profiles that aren’t available at very many other wineries.”