Across the state, family-owned vineyards welcome visitors with tasting rooms and varied landscapes that reveal stories rooted in history, geology, and generations of hands-on work.
From an island in Lake Erie to the miles of rolling hills within view of Cincinnati (and lots of places in between), Ohio wineries are at their best when they create an experience particular to their own patch of the state — the wine is but an invitation that opens the doors to the real draw: a welcoming hello, patio conversations that run long into the evening, and stunning views that just seem to make time run a little slower.
Together, the wineries offer something beyond a view of Ohio through a glass of wine. For the communities that call these places home, and the visitors who make the trip, that’s a reason to pause and take in a little more of the state. Here are a few notable spots where you can sip back, relax, and make it a wine-derful day.
Heineman’s Winery in Put-In-Bay
Heineman’s Winery
978 Catawba Ave., Put-In-Bay
Experiencing Ohio’s oldest family-owned winery begins with a ferry ride to South Bass Island on Lake Erie. Heineman’s Winery has welcomed guests to Put-in-Bay since 1888, and fifth-generation winemaker Dustin Heineman continues his family’s hands-on legacy. Guests exploring the island’s famed limestone cliffs and dense green treelines have made Heineman’s a favorite stop, where they can sample Pink Catawba, a medium-sweet blend of native Concord and Catawba grapes, along with Ohio-grown dry reds and crisp whites. Non-alcoholic grape juice is available for younger visitors.
Beneath the winery is Crystal Cave, a rare walk-through geode containing what is widely regarded as the world’s largest celestite formation. Opened to visitors during the Prohibition era, it continues to draw both children and adults into its cool, crystal-lined chambers.
On busy summer days, families typically fill the tree-filled, shaded Wine Garden behind the main building as a quiet place to enjoy picnic lunches, and for many Ohioans, Heineman’s remains a tradition as enduring as the island itself. “We want you to have a personal and enjoyable experience here,” Heineman says. “We have guests return year after year, and generation after generation.”
419-285-2811 | info@heinemanswinery.com
Matus Winery
15674 Gore Orphanage Road, Wakeman
Both the wine and the atmosphere at Matus Winery are shaped by the surrounding community. Local volunteers often take vacation days to help with the hand-picked harvest. Co-owner Kellie Matus cooks lunch for the crew, and regulars are treated like family — turning this reclaimed barn and vineyard into a shared hometown gathering place as much as a winery.
The setting itself tells an engaging story, with recycled old church pews, a salvaged bar, and décor that honors local memories and milestones, so regulars feel like the place is an extension of home. On the wine list, choices include Chambers, a dry red; Cashmere, a smooth Chambers-Traminette blend; Purple Haze (the winery’s bestseller), a fruity blend of Niagara and Frontenac; and a bourbon-barrel-aged Frontenac that appeals to even those who claim to be non-wine drinkers.
“Our big thing is we want to be able to share and for people to appreciate wine, whether it’s the making or the consuming,” Matus says. “Our big thing is that it’s all about the people. Always.”
440-774-9463 | matuswinery.com | info@matuswinery.com
Doughty Glen Winery
5025 State Route 557, Millersburg
Tucked into the rolling hills of Holmes County’s Amish country, Doughty Glen Winery is part of the Guggisberg Swiss Inn, a family-owned retreat where horses roam the grounds, vineyards climb the hillsides, and visitors are invited to slow down long before the first glass is poured.
“Everything is done by hand, including grape harvesting,” co-owner Julia Guggisberg says. Doughty Glen’s wines are made under the care of Britannia Guggisberg, head winemaker and second-generation steward of the family vineyards, whose award-winning lineup ranges from an estate-grown pinot noir for dry-red lovers to more fruity whites and easy semi-sweets that newer wine drinkers embrace.
A glass of wine on the back patio that overlooks a duck pond and wooded hillside, a wedge of their famous Baby Swiss, and live music make it easy to linger. Guests can also stay overnight in the inn’s cozy rooms, giving the experience a pace that feels unhurried and distinctly rooted in the place.
330-893-3600 | doughtyglenwinery.com
Olde Schoolhouse Winery
152 State Route 726, Eaton
Just north of the Preble County seat, Olde Schoolhouse Winery pairs live entertainment with a broad wine list and a setting rooted in local history.
The building is a restored 1890 one-room schoolhouse that later housed a seed company, and that history still shows in the exposed wooden beams and the original stone foundation. Community is emphasized as much as the wine: A mural by a local artist, a roofed patio, and a calendar filled with family-friendly events like euchre and music bingo help make the winery a gathering spot for both locals and visitors. “There’s not much like this in Preble County,” says Alyssa Zdobinski, whose father, Mark, co-owns the winery.
The wine list includes estate-grown La Crescent and Marquette, plus fruit wines including raspberry, blackberry, and strawberry, with styles ranging from dry to sweet that add another reason to make the trip.
937-472-9463 | oshwinery.com | info@oshwinery.com
Vinoklet Winery
11069 Colerain Ave., Cincinnati
The panoramic view of hills and valleys at Vinoklet comes as a surprise to many visitors, given that the winery and restaurant sits just outside Cincinnati’s city limits. Yet it is the wines as well as the destination that keep guests returning. The winery bears the distinct handiwork of winemaker Kreso Mikulic, a former Olympic gymnast-turned-aerospace engineer.
What began as a hobby has grown into a thriving winery and event destination that hosts an annual festival attracting more than 15,000 people. Guests can sample a variety of wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and sweeter offerings based on Concord and Niagara grapes while taking in views of manicured vineyards and reminders of Mikulic’s engineering and athletic past.
For Mikulic, a Croatian immigrant, the winery is as much a philosophy as a place. “Your brain is not for decoration,” he says. “Every day in your mind, you must know your target.” It is that blend of landscape, craft, and conviction that defines Vinoklet as much as any bottle poured.
513-385-9309 | vinokletwines.com
