Take 5

1 THE WINERIE

Wine and dine while enjoying live entertainment on the patio overlooking the vineyard at the Winerie, a family-owned estate vineyard in Sandusky that exudes a cozy, rustic atmosphere. Pair a glass with an array of palate-pleasing appetizers, salads or sliders. thewinerie.com

2 ROCKY POINT WINERY

This Marblehead hidden gem is known for its old schoolhouse home and native Midwest wines, including concord, a sweet Lake Erie red wine, and pink Catawba, Rocky Point Winery’s most popular creation that’s best enjoyed on the outdoor, pet-friendly patio with firepits. rockypointwinery.com

3 PAPER MOON VINEYARDS

Paper Moon Vineyards in Vermilion not only offers a nice selection of wines, but visitors also rave about the destination’s hard cider, sangrias and selection of beer from local breweries. Enjoy your drink of choice with a selection of small plates and live music Fridays and Saturdays. papermoonvineyards.com

4 FERRANTE WINERY & RISTORANTE

Located in the heart of the Grand River Valley, Ferrante Winery & Ristorante stands out among the crowd. A family affair since 1937, third-generation brothers manage the vineyard’s 40 acres and winemaking, while two of their sisters and extended family members curate a menu of Italian-inspired dishes. ferrantewinery.com

5 BUCCIA VINEYARD WINERY

This boutique winery in Conneaut specializes in cool climate wines. Opt for Reflections of Lake Erie, a semi-sweet white wine that blends the best of the region’s grapes, or Baco Noir, a, light-bodied red wine that blends raspberry, spice and vanilla. Turn an afternoon into a weekend by staying at the on-site bed-andbreakfast. bucciavineyards.com

My Favorites

Meet Karen Volzer, owner of Fairport Harbor Creamery (fairportharborcreamery.com). Here, she shares why she chose Fairport Harbor for her summer home and booming business.

Home Away From Home

One of Volzer’s favorite ways to spend time on Lake Erie is simply sitting on her back porch, watching the waves, wildlife and boats that breathe life into the waterfront. “We have a beautiful view of the lake. My kids love it,” she says. “It’s nice to have somewhere you can just pack up and go to. You feel like you’re on vacation every weekend.”

Full Of Natural Flavor

So what’s Volzer’s favorite flavor of ice cream? With no hesitation — key lime pie. “It’s made with real key lime juice, as well as a house-made graham cracker crumble that’s swirled in,” she says, adding that she never uses any artificial flavoring. “It makes a big difference. One of the most unique things about us is that all of our mix-ins are made in-house. The cookies and cakes are actually baked at the shop using our own recipes.”

Just Beachy

Volzer also loves Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park, which offers paddleboard and kayak rentals, concessions and a fantastic view of the Fairport Harbor West Breakwater Lighthouse. “It’s a beautiful family beach,” she says, adding that, because of the breakwater, it’s a great place for little ones.

Making People Smile

Having owned several businesses prior to the ice cream shop, Volzer has always been an entrepreneur. When she saw a vacant space downtown, she thought it would be a fun adventure. “Ice cream makes people smile,” she says with a laugh.

All About The Love

“People in town thank me for investing in that because it’s changed the vibe of Fairport Harbor’s downtown. It’s given the area a social outlet in the evening. It’s a great town. I love Fairport Harbor.”