4 Ohio Wineries to Visit This Fall

Ohio is home to to a diverse and vibrant wine scene, from family-owned favorites to vineyards that have stood for generations. From the hills of Gallia County to the beauty of the Grand River Valley, wineries across the state showcase the agricultural heritage and innovative spirit that define Ohio’s wine industry. Whether it’s trying the rare glass of dandelion wine (or one of dozens of other varieties) at the cozy Merry Family Winery, enjoying a gourmet meal paired with local wine at Grand River Cellars, exploring ciders made with heirloom apples at Bent Ladder or taking part in an interactive cookout experience at Valley Vineyards in Morrow, these four spots not only highlight the variety of wines produced in Ohio but also create welcoming environments for visitors to relax, explore and create memories together. 

RELATED: Read more about Ohio wineries at ohiomagazine.com/food-drink/wineries

Merry Family Winery

This family-owned winery in rural Gallia County offers an inviting atmosphere that starts with the swing that hangs from the oak  tree in the yard and extends to the cornhole matches that take place on the weekends and the board games available to occupy the kids visiting with their parents.

“We have customers for whom it’s a family affair,” says Lisa Merry, who owns and operates the winery with her husband, Tim. The couple opened the place in 2006 and pride themselves on having 30 different wines available at any given time. That number can even rise to 40 or 50 at times, when one might be able to sample varieties like dandelion, pear, rhubarb or cranberry wine, depending on the season.

The 850 Grille food truck pulls onto the winery grounds every weekend, offering a menu that rotates between hickory-smoked barbecue and wood-fired pizzas made in the winery’s own pizza oven. The winery also hosts live music, ranging from a couple times a month to every weekend, depending on the time of year.

One of Merry’s favorite spots to enjoy the vineyard is from the tree swing, but there are other cozy spots throughout the property, such as the front porch (with an additional swing and rocking chairs), a seating area near the vineyard under an ornamental canopy and another near a calming water feature.

“We have different little areas, like nooks, where people can sit and enjoy their wine and beer and food,” Merry says. “They feel like they have their own little spot.” 2376 St. Rte. 850, Bidwell 45614, 740/245-9463, merryfamilywinery.com

Grand River Cellars 

The marriage of food and wine serves as a centerpiece of the experience at Grand River Cellars in Lake County. The winery is found within the Grand River Valley American Viticultural Area — a northeast Ohio region that benefits from its proximity to Lake Erie, resulting in a longer growing season and a reduced risk of frost.

Opened in 2005, and owned by Cindy and Jeff Lindberg and Beth and Tony DeBevc, the winery serves up a couple of autumn dishes that are popular year after year, and servers are well-versed in making wine suggestions that complement whatever diners order.

“One of our staples is chef Kelly [Palmiteri]’s meatloaf with merlot gravy,” Cindy Lindberg says. “That might not sound like it goes together, but it is truly one of the best meatloaves I’ve ever had.”

The other fall favorite is Palmiteri’s chicken pot pie served in a bread bowl. “Our Chardonnay Reserve works really well with the creaminess of the pot pie,” Lindberg adds.

Those who want to learn more about food and wine pairings can take part in Grand River Cellars’ Food & Wine Pairings in the Wine Cave, an experience that happens most Saturdays at 1 p.m. where participants are introduced to five wines and four hors d’oeuvres. Groups of 10 to 20 can also reserve the Wine Cave for private food and wine pairing experiences. 5750 S. Madison Rd., Madison 44057, 440/298-9838, grandrivercellars.com

Bent Ladder 

Matt and Chris Vodraska’s hard cider and wine operation is shaped by the surrounding Rittman Orchards, which grows more than 100 varieties of apples. Their parents purchased the landmark Wayne County orchard in 2004, and the brothers take full advantage of the fruit they have available, researching heirloom varieties and growing types of apples that thrive in Ohio to use in their ciders.

“Our primary focus is trying to develop hard cider varieties that do well in our location,” Matt says. “We’re trying to introduce genes that do well in our climate, specifically native varieties that have natural disease resistance, bloom later and [aren’t bothered by] frost. We’re crossing old American and European varieties with ancient varieties from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan that have higher tannins and go well in a commercial cider.”

Heirloom apple varieties grown at Rittman Orchards include Calville Blanc d’Hiver  (developed in Louis XV’s court for French pastry and hard cider), Newton Pippen (one of the oldest American types) and Kingston Black, which is famous in the hard cider world for its direct flavor.

“And practically no one in the Midwest grows it,” Matt says of the latter.

Although some of its most recent hard cider creations won’t be ready until 2025, there is plenty to explore with eight ciders on draft and up to nine more bottled. Along with growing the apples used in their hard ciders, the brothers also cultivate all the grapes for their wines, around 10 of which can be sampled in the tasting room at any given time.13550 Mount Eaton Rd. N., Doylestown 44230, 330/485-1089 bentladder.com

Valley Vineyards 

When you want to make a night of your visit to the winery, Valley Vineyards in the Warren County village of Morrow has you covered. Not only does the winery take reservations, but when you book one, you can rest easy knowing you’re welcome to stay as long as you’d like.

“You’ll never feel that you’re rushed,” says Eddie Losekamp, general manager at Valley Vineyards. “We will reserve your table, whether it’s two or 30 people, and it’s your table all night.”

The winery, which opened in 1970, makes around 18 wines, from award-winning reds and whites to sweet and celebration wines, as well as its popular bourbon-barrel mead, a honey wine that is fermented for nine months in a barrel previously used to age bourbon. Craft beer fans can order something from the menu of the on-site Cellar Dweller brewing.

On Friday and Saturday evenings, Valley Vineyards fires up its four charcoal grills for a cookout experience called the House Dinner. Visitors can pick their meat of choice — New York strip, salmon, crab cakes or shrimp — and cook it up backyard style. (Don’t worry about things getting crowded, as there is a total of 37 linear feet of grill space.) It also comes with two drink tickets.

“Even if it’s 25 or 30 degrees with snow on the ground, you’ll have groups of guys who grab a beer and grill some steaks outside,” Losekamp says.

If you happen to visit outside of a Friday or Saturday or are not in the mood for a cookout, the regular menu features an assortment of creative plates to share, such as cheese boards and a Bavarian pretzel platter. 2276 U.S. Route 22, Morrow 45152, 513/899-2485, valleyvineyards.com

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