Why you should visit wineries in Madison Ohio
The wineries in Madison Ohio have three major things going for them. They’re close to Cleveland, they’re near Lake Erie, and they’ve got great wine.
The wineries in Madison Ohio are conveniently located only 40 minutes east of downtown Cleveland. It’s the perfect distance for a weekend road trip.
The town of Madison is a short 11 minute drive from Madison Beach located on the shores of Lake Erie. In fact it’s within easy driving distance of miles of beautiful Lake Erie shoreline.
Not many people associate the State of Ohio with wine. But those people are missing out. Ohio wine country in general – and the Grand River Valley wine region specifically – has wonderful wineries that are well worth a visit.
Grand River Valley wineries have all the ingredients needed for a successful recipe. They’ve got rich and complex fertile soil deposited by glaciers that moved through the valley long ago.
Lake Erie moderates the local climate and saves it from extremes. Wineries near the shores of Lake Erie enjoy cool summers and (relatively) warmer winter months. All of these factors lead to great wines with a unique terroir.
If you’re never tried Midwestern wine it’s time to hop in your car and head into the heart of Ohio wine country.
Sampling quality wines made from locally grown grapes sounds like a superb way to enjoy the Grand River Valley wine region, don’t you think? We do!
How to access wineries in Madison Ohio
Madison is a small town located in northeast Ohio.
Depending on your starting point, Madison is only 40 minutes to an hour east of Cleveland. So if you already live in Cleveland, you’re golden. Madison is really quite close.
But if you live outside the Midwest you might consider a flight. The Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) serves the city.
It would be easy to fly into Cleveland, rent a car, and drive from the airport to Madison OH.
Which wineries in Madison Ohio for a wine tasting
Laurentia Vineyard & Winery
Laurentia Vineyard & Winery showcases the best Ohio grown grapes.
Since 2011 they’ve planted over 45 acres of vines on their estate located in the heart of the Grand River Valley.
Their estate vineyard wines include Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. If you enjoy sweet white wines try their Vidal Blanc ice wine.
You can even enjoy a full meal at Laurentia Vineyard & Winery. They have cheese plates, salads, flatbreads, and larger plates.
Laurentia Vineyard & Winery is open seven days a week. Walk-ins are welcome and tables are first-come first-served.
There’s an expansive outdoor seating area and even a fire. So order a bottle of wine and cozy up!
Grand River Cellars
Grand River Cellars winery is located in the heart of the Grand River Valley.
They have a beautiful fireplace, hand-painted murals, a dog friendly patio, and plenty of seating.
The winery serves a full menu of appetizers, sandwiches, entrées, and desserts.
Their award-winning wines pair perfectly with the local fare they serve at their winery restaurant.
Grape varieties they work with include Riesling, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Niagara, Concord, and Vidal Blanc. Their rosé wine is a blend of DeChaunac, Riesling, and Seyval grapes.
They make multiple red blends with grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel.
Grand River Cellars winery is open seven days a week.
Maple Ridge Vineyards
Maple Ridge Vineyards is a boutique winery that utilizes the unique terroir of the Grand River Valley wine region to craft European-style fine wines.
Wines include Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Cabernet Franc, and Gewürztraminer.
They’re open on Fridays and Saturdays between 2-6 PM or by appointment.
Debonné Vineyards
Debonné Vineyards is a well-established winery founded in 1972.
On weekdays guests can order wine flights and samples at the main wine bar inside the winery.
There are nine different flight options which feature dry white wines, dry red wines, off-dry and semi-sweet wines. There are separate tastings dedicated to rieslings, ice wines, and fruit wines. So many options!
The signature wine tour and tasting is available Saturdays at 12:30 PM beginning in May. The wine tour costs $25 per person and includes four samples of wine.
And if you get hungry never fear – Debonne Vineyards has food too. The kitchen serves casual food that includes dishes like bruschetta, French fries, burgers, salads, sandwiches, and flatbreads.
Plus they have live entertainment four nights of the week (Wednesday through Sunday). Few things in Madison, Ohio are more relaxing than drinking wine during a concert beneath Debonné’s live music pavilion.
Baci Winery
Baci Winery is a taste of the Italian wine countryside right here in Madison, Ohio.
Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Riesling, and Vidal Blanc ice wine are all produced at Baci Winery. Red wines include Pinot Noir, Corvina, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Their food menu includes Italian-American favorites like pasta, pizza, and cannoli.
This lovely Ohio winery is closed Monday and Tuesday and open Wednesday through Sunday.
Want some live entertainment to go with your wine? Check out their live music calendar.
Stonegait Winery
Stonegait Winery is a family-owned winery housed on a former working horse farm.
Their Vidal, Riesling, and Rkatsiteli wines are made from local Grand River Valley grapes.
They serve a casual menu of pretzels, dips, breads, and cheese and charcuterie boards. Sandwiches and pizzas are also on offer.
Silver Crest Cellars
Silver Crest Cellars uses grapes from their family vineyard that dates back to the 1930’s. It’s nearly a century old! Not many wineries can claim the same.
They work with traditional grapes such as Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Dornfelder, and Chardonnay. Occasionally a few local and historical varieties of grapes make it into their wine.
Rosie’s Harvest is a sweet blend of heritage grape varieties and hybrids. The owners of Silver Crest Cellars found these 19th century hybrids growing in Rosie’s vineyard, which her parents planted in the 1930’s.
Rosie’s Harvest won silver at the Ohio Wine Competition and the American Wine Society awarded Rosie’s Harvest a Bronze medal.
Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic but prepackaged charcuterie and snacks are also available.
Silver Crest Cellars is located at the edge of the Grand River in Madison, Ohio. They’re open Thursday through Sunday or by appointment.
Wine regions similar to Madison, Ohio
Hope you enjoyed this list of the best wineries in Madison Ohio!
If you’re interested in more Midwest wine check out our post on the best wineries in Waconia, Minnesota.
Like Madison OH, Waconia MN is a small town on a lake just a short drive from a major city.
There is a huge difference between giant Lake Erie and petite Lake Waconia. And flat Minnesota looks a little different than the hilly beauty of the Grand River Valley in Ohio.
But we promise the wine crafted from cold climate grapes tastes just as good in both locales.
