OHIO WINE

yard lays claim to having some of the oldest grapevines in central Ohio. Current owner Thomas “Van” Creasap’s grandfather planted them in 1971 as a hobby while working as a local physician.

The Chateau Shamrock wines — labeled to showcase Creasap’s grandmother’s French heritage — come in seven varieties, including the dry white Delaware varietal. One of Creasap’s favorites, it has a fruity profile that his grandmother referred to as a “spritely bouquet.” For something sweeter, try the Windfall White, billed as the vineyard’s sweetest offering.

Summer is the perfect time to visit, with Twilight Dinners on the green overlooking the vineyard, where you can enjoy a bottle of wine alongside a catered meat, potato and vegetable meal followed by dessert.

“We’re tucked away in the midst of some green fields, and it’s calm, quiet and peaceful,” says Creasap. “You get to hear the birds chirping as the sun sets and enjoy a beautiful evening out in the country.” 111 County Rd. 25, Waldo 43356, 740/726-2883, shamrockvineyard.com

Winery at Wolf Creek | Norton

Located on a hilltop just outside Akron, this 35-acre winery has vineyards with eight varieties of grapes, over two dozen styles of wine and goats. The Weinberg family founded the place in 1980, but Andy Troutman and his wife, Deanna, have owned it since 2002.

“Years ago, when I started out, I thought I wanted to make goat cheese and make wine, and you realize how much work the wine business is,” says Andy Troutman. “The goats have always just hung around and had a free ride.”

Inside the cozy tasting room that looks out over the vineyard, guests sit by the fire on cool evenings or head outside on warm nights to grab a spot on the covered patio or a seat on the lawn. The wines at this family-friendly spot range from dry to sweet reds and whites. Troutman recommends the cherry, blueberry or apple fruit wines for the summer months.

Customers can pair the wine with an on-site selection of cheese and salami from Grandpa’s Cheesebarn — a nearby branch of the original location in Ashland — or get food delivered from spots like the local favorite Fat Boy’s Pizza. 2637 S. Cleveland Massillon Rd., Norton 44203, 330/666-9285, wineryatwolfcreek.com

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Pleasant Hill Vineyards | Athens

Located in the countryside south of Athens, off state Route 33, this family-owned vineyard is tucked among the rolling Appalachian foothills. The 13 varieties of wine on the menu range from dry reds and whites to a sweet rose with a Catawba grape base and a semisweet soleil with notes of black raspberry. Nosh on flatbreads and cheese plates or visit on Saturdays for wood-fire pizzas. Since summer is also cocktail season, get the best of both worlds with rotating options that include a tropical wine spritzer. 5015 Pleasant Hill Rd., Athens 45701, 740/502-3525, pleasanthillvineyardsllc.com

Leisure Time Winery | Napoleon

Husband-and-wife duo Jerry and Lori

Shaver opened Leisure Time Winery in the Henry County city of Napoleon in 2014 and make more than 20 wine varieties for guests to enjoy. During the sunny season, try Lazy Daze, a semisweet riesling; the sweet red Comfort Zone made with Concord grapes; or the dry white Stress Reliever. The winery features a rustic tasting room as well as plenty of places to sit outside. A full-service kitchen offers a lineup appetizers, pizzas, panini and shareable desserts like iced cinnamon bread and cherry- or apple-topped dessert pizzas. 16982 County Rd. M2, Napoleon 43545, 419/758-3442, leisuretimewinery.com