Sip and Stay: 4 Ohio Winery Getaways

The Winery Loft at Le Petit Chevalier Vineyards and Farm Winery

Ever wish you were a vintner? Or maybe a farmer? Book a stay at The Winery Loft at Le Petit Chevalier Vineyards and Farm Winery, and you can pretend you’re both.

This working family farm spans 7 acres of vineyards and 21 acres overall, and after hours, you’ll feel like you have the whole place to yourself. The Winery Loft occupies the second floor of the main winery and tasting room, giving guests the opportunity to explore the grounds and watch the sunrise. The airy, wood-walled place sleeps two but has a fold-out couch, making it as much a fun family getaway as it is a romantic oasis.

“Mostly we get couples, but we get families too,” says owner Mark Chevalier. “We have animals here — sheep, chicken, dogs — that’s part of the appeal.”

In fact, the farm practices integrated agriculture in which livestock and crops coexist.

“We often have families who want their kids to help or watch when we herd the flock of sheep between the vineyards and the barn at night,” Chevalier adds.

Located 7 miles from Hocking Hills State Park, Le Petit Chevalier is remote, so many overnight guests bring their own food to prepare in the loft’s fully stocked kitchen. Enjoy the plentiful outdoor seating, or relax on the loft’s porch looking out over the vineyards where the grapes were picked while enjoying a glass of Le Petit Chevalier’s wine. If you like, you can even pretend you made it yourself. 26328 Locust Grove Rd., Creola 45622, 740/988-6150, lepetitchev.com 


Gervasi Vineyard Resort & Spa

Those looking for the feel of a European getaway without straying far from home can find it at Canton’s Gervasi Vineyard Resort & Spa. It has fields of grapevines, charming villas and a selection of wines with names like Celebrazione and Passione from which to choose.

“It’s the aesthetic,” says Scott Swaldo, Gervasi’s general manager and CEO. “It doesn’t feel like Canton, Ohio. It feels like Tuscany.”

All the buildings at Gervasi Vineyard Resort & Spa boast Italian architecture. The Casa has 24 luxury suites, while The Villas span six buildings that each contain four suites with fireplaces, heated floors and a shared patio that make them popular with families and groups of friends planning a getaway together.

The Farmhouse can also be rented by groups who can prepare their own meals in the large kitchen or gather on the spacious porch. Guests also have access to Gervasi’s concierge services and are welcome to explore the walking trails that traverse the estate’s 55 acres. 

“Often, people just walk and enjoy and take photos,” Swaldo notes.

There’s also a full-service spa on the grounds that opened in 2023, and those who want to take in a round of golf can do so thanks to Gervasi’s arrangement with Glenmoor Country Club, a private course in Canton just a short drive away.

On-site dining includes The Crush House and The Bistro, where guests can choose from a wide selection of Gervasi wines, including 10 private-labeled wines crafted in Italy. A seasonal restaurant, The Piazza is open through October. Wine tastings and tours, including experiences in The Cave (another 2023 addition to the property), are also available. 1700 55th St. NE, Canton 44721, 330/497-1000, gervasivineyard.com 


Headley Inn Winery and Vineyard 

There are two places to stay at Headley Inn Winery and Vineyard: the Amelia Suite and the Chestnut Cabin. The Amelia Suite, which sleeps two, is the loft of the tasting room located in an 1800s tavern. It has a bedroom and a living room, and during the day, guests can enter directly into the winery, while nighttime access to the suite is via an outdoor staircase.

The property is nearly two centuries old, and Brian Adams, who owns the business with his wife Carrie and daughter Ashley, says that history is ever present. 

“We tie the winery very closely to the history of the inn,” he says. “It’s got all the original decor — nothing replaced, just restored. It’s like taking a step back in time and experiencing the history of the inn itself.”

The Chestnut Cabin is a fully renovated and modernized cabin that was originally constructed in Pennsylvania in 1777. This is the type of place guests can settle into with its full kitchen and washer and dryer.

The wine selection includes offerings like Chardonel, which won two silver medals in 2023, and the Noiret, which also won a silver medal. A true bed-and-breakfast, each morning begins with a homemade breakfast — fresh fruit, eggs, toast, bacon and muffins — that guests can have on their own or with others in the dining room.

“Because we are so small, I get the opportunity to know the people who come and stay if that’s what they want to do,” Carrie Headley says. “A lot of guests become friends of ours.” 5345 West Pike, Zanesville 43701, 740/487-1446, headleyinn.com 
      

Red Fern Inn at Rocky Point Winery 

Island hoppers and Lake Erie lovers will find lots to love here as the names of the rooms themselves suggest: There’s the Kelleys Island, Johnson’s Island, Bay Point and Lakeside. (A newer property, the Lake Erie Loft, is across the street.)

The rooms are on the second and third floor of the former Marblehead Schoolhouse Building, and the winery is on the first floor.

“Every guest gets a complimentary bottle of wine upon arrival,” says owner Chris Redfern. “When you make reservations, we ask what kind you like. And for kids, there’s Marblehead Soda, our own label.”

Rooms have upscale furnishings like granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, full kitchens and fireplaces. Winery happenings include trivia nights, live music and Friday-night flights with the winery’s sommelier. There is also an outdoor patio that is an ideal spot to enjoy a glass or two. Once the winery closes, overnight guests have use of the patio, the outdoor grill and the fire pit that can be stocked for lighting upon request.

“You have the place to yourself, and no one is going to shoo you away,” says Redfern. “There’s a light breeze. We’re only one block from Lake Erie.”

Speaking of one block from Lake Erie, guests can grab a bike from the inn and pedal on over or anywhere else they’d like to go, including the historic Marblehead Lighthouse.

“It’s just like home. If you want to use a bike, use a bike,” Redfern says. “Just take one and go. If it breaks down, call us, and we’ll come pick you up.” 111 W. Main St., Marblehead 43440, 419/967-5344, redferninn.com