Sipping, North Coast Style
Once you’ve mastered the wines of The 330, take a road trip up north to explore Firelands Winery and Ferrante Winery & Ristorante.
Firelands Winery
917 Bardshar Road
Sandusky
419-625-5474
www.firelandswinery.com
Open seven days a week until the end of October, then it’s closed on Sundays until June.
The Firelands Winery was founded in 1880. It’s Ohio’s largest winery and one of the state’s oldest wineries. Claudio Salvador is the owner and winemaker, and he produces outstanding wines from the first official Ohio American Viticultural Area: the Isle St. George on North Bass Island in Lake Erie. Since Salvador purchased the winery in 2002, the wines have steadily improved and are now national and international award winners.
Before you visit, call ahead to set up a winery tour. The winery also has an excellent gift shop where you can find that special gift for a wine lover. For lunch or dinner, try the nearby Mon Ami Restaurant; it’s a lot of fun, and on weekend evenings, diners dance the night away to live music.
Must-Taste
Try the Gewurztraminer, a Gold medal winner and a Best Buy from the Beverage Tasting Institute.
The Pinot Grigio is a very nice, fruity wine that’s sure to please.
Ferrante Winery & Ristorante
5585 N. River Road W
Harpersfield Township, Geneva
440-466-8466
www.FerranteWinery.com
Hours vary; call for details.
Nick Ferrante is a third-generation winemaker, and with his sister, Mary Jo Ferrante, they’ve built a state-of-the-art winemaking facility. I really like sitting on their terrace overlooking the 65 acres of vineyards. In the summer, they provide live entertainment on the weekends.
Must-Taste
The Grande River Valley Reserve Chardonnay is barrel-fermented in French oak and aged Sur Lie. Ferrante says the Chardonnay’s “tropical aromas and flavors of pineapple, coconut and citrus are complimented with a rich textured finish.”
The Grande River Valley Gewurztraminer has a “spicy citrus aroma and flavor, floral notes [and is] off dry.” This wine won the Best Overall Wine in the Ohio Wine Competition in 2010.