Wine Country

Ok, let’s say you hate beer (lol, right?). Or, let’s say you’ve hit all the breweries and still want to sample more local libations. As it turns out, Northeast Ohio is home to some of the Midwest’s most renown wineries. Why is that, you ask? Something about the climate, the lake, the soil — take our word for it. The wine’s good and you need to try it. Luckily, you have several options, depending on where you are.

• Take a tour. Whether you’re in the winegrowing regions of Ashtabula, Geauga or Lake counties, tours are available to take you through the region’s numerous wineries. Bus tours are popular throughout Northeast Ohio, and they’re recommended if you plan on hitting more than one.
• Don’t forget the distilleries! Wine country is more than just wine. Lake County in particular is home to three of Northeast Ohio’s top bourbon, rye, vodka and rum producers (Doc Howard’s Distillery, Seven Brothers Distilling and Red Eagle Distillery).
• Stay overnight. Geneva-on-the-Lake is a tiny town in Ashtabula County, just northeast of Cleveland that has built a cottage industry around its winemaking. The village has become a tourist attraction known for its lakefront fun, restaurants and shops, as well as several small inns, bed and breakfasts and romantic hotels.

Get to know Ohio's Vines & Wines trail with the travel experts at the Ashtabula County Visitors Bureau, Destination Geauga and Lake County Visitors Bureau