Experience some of the best Ohio wineries in Columbus, Canton and Cambridge
When most people think about visiting wine regions, they think about places like California, Oregon, Washington, and New York. However, many wine regions are growing in prominence, and my home state – Ohio, is one of them. Yassss!
Most people are surprised to hear that winemaking is not new to Ohio. It’s been around since the early 1820s and in fact, it became one of the most popular wine industries in the nation in the mid-1860s. Unfortunately, by the Prohibition Era, the industry started to decline and has yet to regain the popularity it once had. I have a feeling this will soon change. It is a beautiful region and I’m not just saying that because it’s my home state.
There are six “wine trails” in Ohio and 330+ wine manufacturers. To date, I’ve visited six wineries, in three different regions in the state. I hope to visit more soon when I return home. Check them out below:
Wineries Near Columbus, Ohio
Autumn Rush Vineyards
Fairly new to the Ohio Wine Region, Autumn Rush is a black-owned winery located in Johnstown, Ohio which is just outside of Columbus. The property is beautiful with lots of sprawling land, which includes a pond and plenty of seating. Perfect for social distancing. I can’t speak to the wine, because I’ve only tried the wine slushies – which I loved. The one downside was that there was no food – only crackers. I’m not sure if this is due to COVID-19 or if it’s always been this way, but I’d love it if there was at least a cheese board or cheese and crackers available for purchase. You can bring your food and I would highly suggest it. There aren’t any food places close that I could find. Other than that, the property is beautiful, and the owners were just lovely. I would return in a heartbeat.
Buckeye Lake Winery
Out of the wineries I’ve visited in Ohio so far, Buckeye Lake is one of my favorites, in terms of scenery. If you’ve been following me for a while, you know that I love a waterfront winery or and/or a winery with a beach, pond or lake in close proximity. If this is you also, check out my water + wine post near the DC area here. Shameless plug.
Buckeye Lake is in Thornville, Ohio which is a short drive from Columbus. The ambiance is beautiful and peaceful. My cousin and I loved relaxing on the Adirondack chairs overlooking the lake. If you are cruising on the lake via boat, there is limited boat parking – which is also cool. The wine is decent, they are all on the sweeter side. The food, however, is inconsistent. I’ve had some great meals, others…meh. I think it depends on what you order. I do love the cheese plate and the flatbread.
Rockside Winery and Vineyards
Rockside has one of the friendliest vibes I’ve ever experienced at a winery. It has a neighborhood bar feel, where it felt like everyone knew each other- kind of like the show “Cheers.” I’m sure I’m aging myself here. Ha! While it isn’t one of the prettiest wineries I’ve ever been to, it makes up for it in service. The moment I stepped out of my vehicle; I was greeted by the staff. They offered live music the evening that I was there, so it was PACKED! I couldn’t find a place to sit, so the staff asked two of their club members if I could be seated with them AND they gave me a free wine slushy due to the “inconvenience.” WOW.
The wines are decent. Although they are on the sweeter side. I enjoyed the Rockside Red, Sangria, and the Mango Slushy. The atmosphere was very peaceful and relaxing. I can’t wait to go back again. It’s a very “cool” place to be.
Wineries Near Canton, Ohio
The ambiance at Wolf Creek has a similar vibe and appearance as some of the wineries in the Finger Lakes Wine Region in New York. It is one of Ohio’s oldest wineries, has beautiful views of the Portage Lake and friendly farm animals. It offers a variety of wine, from the sweet Ohio Concord grape to California Cabernets. The wines are reasonably priced. Wolf Creek is another winery that has a very cool, friendly, and relaxed vibe. The staff was very hospitable. You can bring your food, snacks, and games. There is also a lot of space for social distancing, both inside and out.
Gervasi Vineyards
Gervasi is like the Disney Land of wineries in Ohio. It’s fabulous. It’s the perfect place for a wedding, romantic getaway, or even a girl’s weekend. It has a very tranquil vibe and very elegant. If you want to go somewhere and feel like you are in Tuscany or another international location, Gervasi is for you.
There are multiple lodging options for those who want to make a weekend out of it. They have Tuscan-inspired villas, a boutique inn, the casa – which is their luxury boutique hotel, and a restored farmhouse which sleeps, 7-8 guests.
Unfortunately, I neglected to read the website and didn’t notice that the Crush House – which is their winery/wine bar – is closed on Sundays so I didn’t get to taste any of their wine or craft beers. The bistro (one of the restaurants on the property) didn’t have any availability, and it was too hot to dine in either of their outdoor facilities, so I didn’t get to eat either. ARGH! There was a lot of poor planning on my part – but that just means I must return soon.
One of the cons of visiting Gervasi is that it is extremely crowded and not everyone practiced social distancing. You also need to make sure that you make reservations well in advance and look for the hours of operation for each venue you want to visit on the property – they aren’t all the same. I learned the hard way.
Cambridge, Ohio
Georgetown Tavern on the Hill
On my way back to Northern, VA, I saw a sign for Georgetown Tavern on the Hill on 70-East. I visited around noon on a Wednesday, and it had just finished raining, so no one was there. I didn’t want to drink and drive, so I didn’t taste any of the wine, but the views were STUNNING! The winery is perched atop a hill, which overlooks the city of Cambridge. The patio is very nice and it has a large brick oven, multiple bars, and umbrellas. There a lots of different wines and craft beers that you can simple, including Chardonnay, Merlot, Apple, Blueberry and Rhubarb for $1. They also serve thin-crust pizza, salads, and other snacks. If you are driving 70 East, and have time to stop by, I would check it out. Be sure to get the address from the website, initially, my GPS took me to the wrong location.
