Ohio wine tasting begins with most of the vineyards in Ashtabula County, known as the state’s wine country.
Fortunately, the climate is continental and possesses cool, extended growing seasons after moderate winters. Thanks to the glaciers that carved the Great Lakes and gifted the land with rich, substantial soil.
While visiting the vineyards of Ohio, enjoy the great environment as if you’re worlds away.
The region is lovely with skilled winemakers who produce award-winning and incredible wines. Some include Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Gris.
Chardonnay and Cabernet are the most famous wines, though the diverse tasting notes make the touring of the wineries a learning and intriguing experience.
When wine tasting in Ohio, you’ll discover the advances in technology cultivated some hybrids, such as Frontenac, Catawba, Valvin Muscat, Delaware, La Crescent, and Marquette.
As you sample some varietals, working your way through the wineries in Ohio, remember the state truly has one of the most fertile wine valleys in America.
The Best Places to Go for Wine Tasting in Ohio
- Henke Winery
- Le Petit Chevalier Vineyards and Farm Winery
- Twisted Vine Family Vineyard
- Hanover Winery
- Olde Schoolhouse Vineyard and Winery
- Valley Vineyards
1. Henke Winery
Food Republic ranks Henke Winery as one of the top ten urban wineries in the USA.
In 1996, O.E. Henke received tremendous encouragement from his friends to open his winery in Cincinnati since the establishment has won over 15 awards produced in their cellar.
Chardonnay, Red Zinfandel and Merlot wines are some winners. Henke Winery also ferments blush blends and sparkling wines.
Henke Winery offers a menu anytime during the day with one of their glasses or bottles of wine. Entrees comprise veal scallopini, seafood linguine, and Mediterranean-style lamb chops.
However, they include a banquet menu, and the overall menu may change with Friday and Saturday specials.
Your palate can try five different wines for a nominal fee during your visit. On Fridays and Saturdays, have dinner and join the crowd in relishing their wines.
Or attend the annual blessing of the grapevines for the new year. A centuries-old European tradition to ensure an ample harvest and new wine releases, Henke Winery invites everyone, and there is no need to purchase tickets.
The winery celebrates Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Westwood Home Tour, and Daylight Savings.
2. Le Petit Chevalier Vineyards and Farm Winery
A family-owned and run winery that produces 100 percent estate-grown wine bottled right on site. While pleasing your palate by sipping wine, you might get lost with the magnificent panoramic views of rolling vineyards, mighty trees, and wandering sheep.
You can pack your own food for a lovely picnic since the winery doesn’t offer food. In fact, if you’ve ever imagined waking up in a beautiful, pastoral country winery, now’s your chance, thanks to Le Petit Chevalier providing lodging.
Le Petit Chevalier Vineyards and Farm Winery host special events, new wine releases, and other activities. They feature a suite of wines produced from their own grapes.
Learn about the history of Eastern North American wine culture when you sample traditional varieties of the 1700s to present releases through university breeding programs.
The winery offers dry reds and whites, semi-dry white and rose, semi-sweet fruit wine, and sweet white and red wines. The assortment will please any palate.
Visit the tasting room Mondays through Fridays, from 4 PM to 8 PM, and Saturdays from 1 PM to 8 PM without reservations. On-site food trucks every Saturday, 4 PM to 8 PM.
3. Twisted Vine Family Vineyard
Cradled in the hills of the Appalachian Mountains, Twisted Vine Family Vineyard is a family-owned and operated vineyard and winery.
Considered Gallia County’s hidden gem, the vineyard works hard to create stunning and easy-drinking wines that suit all palates. The winery offers local foods and cheeses to nibble on with each glass or bottle of wine.
While sipping your wine, take in the gorgeous views reminiscent of a storybook with peaceful green meadows and rolling vineyards. Enjoy the relaxation.
If you want activities, the vineyard hosts events that include live music, a farmers market, and painting workshops.
The winery offers whites and reds by the glass or bottle. Enjoy their sweet red fruity wine, like Twisted Berry, Strawberry Fields, and Sunset Sangria.
Others prefer the dry red wines, such as their Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon (2-year barrel-aged reserved), and Chambourcin.
Their whites are primarily sweet, including Catawba, Niagara, and Moscato, with two dry white wines, Riesling Off-Dry and Chardonnay.
Open only on Fridays and Saturdays, from 1 PM to 9 PM. The vineyard offers wine by the glass or bottle with a cheese tray, curd plate, and charcuterie board.
4. Hanover Winery
Visiting Hanover Winery, you feel you are far enough away to think you have gone somewhere.
It’s the only winery in Butler County that opened in 2009 by Elizabeth and Eddie Scheffel. A day trip from Oxford, the winery’s steady growth has claimed the “best date night spot” in the county.
The lineup comprises red, white, fruit, and blush wines throughout the year, including the classics Baco Noir, Traminette, Vignoles, and Marquette.
Their most famous wine is Dammit Annie fruit wine, receiving several awards at Finger Lakes International Competition and Ohio Wine Competition.
The winery handcrafts their wine with your palate in mind, keeping the additives and stabilizers minimum.
Thanks to Hanover’s growing popularity, they purchased additional acreage, expanding to a vineyard. They look forward to harvesting their own Marquette, Seyval, and Norton varietals shortly.
They host several events throughout the warmer months, such as the Heart of Grove City Wine and Arts Festival and Wine, Music & Food events.
With seasonal hours, check the website before adventuring to the tasting room to enjoy seven wines from their collection. Large groups need to give them a heads-up to be ready for you.
5. Olde Schoolhouse Vineyard and Winery
On a day trip from Cincinnati, Columbus and Dayton, visit Olde Schoolhouse Vineyard and Winery. Look for the restored historical turn-of-the-century one-room schoolhouse in Preble County.
Founded in 2016 by Jim Meeks and Mark Zdobinski, the winery has over 20 varieties of red and white wines available all year. The winery focuses on the classics like Malbec, Carrot Noir, Seyval, and Sangiovese.
The wine choices range from dry to semi-sweet to sweet and reserve. Reserves include Passport, a port-style wine made from Chambourcin grapes. Your palate will taste a delicious, full body but not too sweet.
Another reserve is Tank 13, as a bourbon barrel finish. The dry red blend of Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon delights all red lovers. No wonder it’s sold out.
Other notable wines to fancy your taste buds are Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Riesling and Valvin Muscat.
The impressive tasting room waits for your visit Wednesdays through Saturdays, opening at 1 PM. Food trucks are on-site to complement your wine choices.
The vineyard hosts events regularly, including festivals and live music. Or just sit back on the patio, sipping wine and listening to live music on weekends. Take in a free tour, often hosted by one of the owners.
6. Valley Vineyards
Valley Vineyards hopes to make your visit memorable with laughter and joy. The owners and staff treat everyone like family.
Open virtually every day of the year, excluding New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
Ken Schuchter opened the winery in 1971, and today his son Kenny Joe and daughter-in-law, Jodie, operate and manage the winery. The vineyard used to grow grapes but stopped over five years ago, but they still make the wine on-site.
Taste the classic wines with Valley Vineyards with customized 3-ounce pours tucked away in the picturesque Ohio River Valley. Sit down with your pourer and discover the value of their handcrafted methods to serve exceptional wine.
Your tasting will not only be educational but delicious, choosing from their list of wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Hillside Red, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and more.
Valley Vineyards also serves crafted beers if you prefer with IPAs, Lagers, Stouts, and more.
The winery offers a kitchen menu every day, serving cheese boards, pretzels, crab cakes, and potato skins. Friday and Saturday nights, they host cookouts, which means the kitchen closes early on those days.
Cookouts mean they’ll season and girl your meat, fish, or shrimp while you enjoy two glasses of wine or beer. A buffet has salads, vegetables, potatoes, rolls, coffee, tea, and desserts.
7. Vinberige Vineyards
Tucked away in the rolling hills of Perry County along the edge of cornfields, you’ll think you are worlds away.
Vinberige Vineyards features a historical tasting room with various wines for every palate while serving delicious fresh food.
Visit the vineyard during the summer months, where you’ll experience live music featured on the patio. Snuggle up to one of the firepits with a heavenly glass of your favorite wine during the chilly season.
The dedicated staff pours flights with four wines available at your table. Included are reds, and whites, from dry to semi-dry and sweet to semi-sweet. Enjoy the menu of cheese boards, a pretzel board, dessert boards, dips, and pizza.
Hours are Thursdays, from 4 PM to 9 PM, Fridays, and Saturdays, from noon to 9 PM. And Sundays, from noon to 7 PM. The winery hosts music on the patio while sipping your favorite wine for your enjoyment.
