ohiowines ohiowines

WINERIES ACROSS THE STATE OFFER A VARIETY OF REASONS TO MAKE A VISIT IN ADDITION TO THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAMPLE THEIR MANY FINE WINES. SOME OFFER FINE DINING OPTIONS, WHILE OTHERS REGULARLY FEATURE A WIDE VARIETY OF ENTERTAINMENT. STILL OTHERS HAVE LODGING OPTIONS OR OFFER WINERY TOURS. HERE ARE 14 WINERIES ACROSS THE STATE, TWO FROM EACH OF THE WINE REGIONS IN OHIO, WITH SOMETHING UNIQUE TO OFFER GUESTS FOR A DAY — OR NIGHT — OUT.

BY RICH WARREN

vines & wines

There’s a piano inside the tasting room at Buccia Vineyard Winery and B&B, which lies in a wooded setting near Conneaut, as well as artwork with guitar motifs on the walls, an homage to owner/ winemaker Bill Holden’s former life as board president at the Nashville Jazz Workshop. You’ll find folk, rock, jazz and blues musicians playing the winery every Friday and Saturday with full bands playing on the outdoor stage in the summer months — not to mention singer/ songwriter nights about half a dozen times per year.

Other events include an annual Baco, Blues & Barbecue Festival, a car show, a costume contest at Halloween and occasional multicourse wine pairing dinners. The commute to the winery’s four

LEFT: Sit beside the vines at Buccia Vineyards. RIGHT: Order dinner or appetizers at Grand River Cellars Winery and Restaurant.

OPPOSITE PAGE, overnight accommodations couldn’t be much shorter — each one is attached to the tasting room, with features such as kitchenettes, a four-person hot tub and views of the vineyard from private balconies.

LEFT TO RIGHT: Relax in the charming setting at Dragonfly Winery. Stroll through the vineyards at Breitenbach Wine Cellars.

There’s a warm atmosphere at Grand River Cellars Winery and Restaurant, on the edge of a forest near Madison. In the cozy tasting room with a stone fireplace and hand-painted murals, you can order entrées such as lobster tail, bourbon salmon and black Angus filet.

Outside, large patios with umbrella-covered tables allow wine sippers to enjoy the tranquil woods, while a covered pavilion accommodates dogs. (Dogs are also welcome in the trails wending their way through the woods.) An especially active event schedule includes an Ice Wine Festival, a harvest wine crush tour and music bingo events. Live music is scheduled frequently in addition to classes in painting, sign making and beach glass.