Top 8 Wineries to Visit at Ohio’s Lake Erie Shores & Islands

The tempering effect of Lake Erie provides ideal soil conditions for quality grape-growing. There are a number of wineries throughout Ohio and we’ve compiled a list of the top eight wineries in Ohio’s Lake Erie Shores & Islands:

Firelands Winery
917 Bardshar Rd., Sandusky
419.625.5474, 800.548.9463
Wine has been made on this site since 1880. Stop by for a tour and a tasting of award-winning, estate bottled wines and browse through the gift shop.

Heineman Winery
978 Catawba Ave., Put-in-Bay
419.285.2811
Take a ferry boat to get to this island winery on Lake Erie. Founded in 1888, Heineman Winery is the oldest family owned winery in Ohio.

Hermes Vineyards & Winery
6413 S. Hayes Ave. (SR 4), Sandusky
419.626.8500
Hermes Vineyards estate bottled wines are produced from one of the largest viniferous vineyards in Ohio. Premium wines are served by the glass or bottle and a light menu is available. Open daily, year-round.

Kelley’s Island Wine Company
418 Woodford Rd., Kelleys Island
419.746.2678
This is one of the island’s most popular destinations. Wine tasting bar, gourmet bistro, full dinner menu available, deli, horseshoes, volleyball, children’s play area and gift shop.

Mon Ami Historic Winery & Restaurant
3845 E. Wine Cellar Rd., Port Clinton
800.777.4266
This is one of the oldest wineries in the Lake Erie islands region. Daily tours and wine tasting, live entertainment, banquet facilities, full service restaurant and gift shop.

Paper Moon Vineyards
2008 SR 60, Vermilion
440.967.2500
Just off SR 2 in the historic harbor town of Vermilion, Paper Moon Vineyards serves a selection of regional and viniferous wines. The tasting room offers a view of the vineyard, pond, woods and an occasional bald eagle. Call or check website for hours.

Put-in-Bay Winery
392 Bay View Ave., Put in Bay
419.285.3343
Sample regional island wines while relaxing in the wine garden or enjoying wonderful harbor views. A winery exhibit follows the grape seed from the ground to the bottle.

Quarry Hill Winery & Orchard
8403 Mason Rd., Berlin Heights
419.706.8005
Visit this winery and neighboring orchard market. Wines are an eclectic variety of grape and fruit specialties, made and grown on site. Outdoor seating is available.

Are there any pick your own/orchards in the area?

Rather than buy a basket of fruit stacked up by the register, some prefer to go into the fields and pick their own. Given the abundant orchards and farm markets in the Lake Erie Shores & Islands region, the option to do so is readily available.

A. B. Phillips & Sons Fruit Farm, located at 30 E. Main St. in Berlin Heights has sweet and sour cherries, peaches in September, raspberries and apples in September and October, depending on the crop of course. You may find that apples and boxed pears available during the off-season. The fruit farm is open Monday – Saturday 10am – 6pm and Sun 12pm – 6pm. To contact, please call 419.588.2329 or 800.205.7062.

Apple Hill Market
The Apple Hill Market is located on the corner of SR 113 and Vermilion Rd. in Amherst and is open year round. Cherries are available in June and July and you’ll find delicious, juicy apples in mid-September and October.

Bergman Orchards
Bergman Orchards has three convenient locations to help serve you; one in Lakeside, another in Marblehead and a third in Port Clinton. They offer a wide variety of homegrown fruit and vegetables and are open daily, April – December, 8am – 8pm.

Burnham Orchards
Burnham Orchards, is a family owned and operated farm, providing great tasting fruits and vegetables along with a fun experience that includes activities for people of all ages. Pick your own is available in the summer and fall, however, due to its popularity, you may want to join their mailing list to receive a post card indicating the start of it. Burnham Orchards is open year round; please call for specific hours. They are located on SR 113 in Berlin Heights.

Enderle’s is located at 756 River Rd. in Huron. Pick your own is available in the summer and fall season with a typical harvest of: strawberries in June, raspberries in July, blackberries in August and pumpkins in October. To contact, please call 419.433.4856.

Quarry Hill Orchards
Quarry Hill Orchards in Berlin Heights provide a fine variety of apples, pears, peaches, and other farm-fresh produce. Cherries are available in June, peaches in July, apples in September and October and pumpkins in October. In addition to fresh produce, they also provide a selection of fine wines at Quarry Hill Winery.

There are more orchards in the Lake Erie Shores & Islands region than we have listed here. Please feel free to add your suggestions and experiences by commenting on this post.

Where can I board my pet while staying in your area?

Animal Watchers & More
7407 Poorman Rd., Vermilion
440.976.5436

Bell-Aire Kennel & Grooming
47 South St. (SR 61), Berlin Heights
419.588.2244
Call for appointment. Must have shot records. No Chows or vicious dogs.

Big Dog Kennel
12107 Chapin Rd., Berlin Heights
419.588.2625
$25/night dog, indoor and outdoor dog run. $12/night cat. All animals require updated vaccinations and flea prevention.

Harborview Animal Hospital
2360 E Harbor Rd., Port Clinton
419.734.5493
Appointment required for boarding. Walk-in vet care after schedule appointments are seen. 24-hour emergency vet care service.

M & M Boarding and Training Kennel
5705 Campbell St. , Sandusky
419.626.9437
Must have an up-to-date shot record. House cats and dogs only. No arrivals or departures on Sun, Tue and holidays. Offers basic obedience classes (eight week course).

Mutt Cutts
3408 Hayes Ave. (SR 4), Sandusky
419.609.0846

Oak Harbor Pet Haven/Oak Harbor Vetrinary Hospital
1538 S SR 19, Oak Harbor
419.898.2466 or 419.898.3411
Boarding available. Appointment required. Climate control with heated floors in the winter and air conditioning in the summer and a staff that really cares; grooming and pet supplies available.

Pet Check at Cedar Point
1 Cedar Point Dr. (off US 6), Sandusky
419.627.2350
$15/day with no overnight stays. Kennel opens one hour before parks opens and closes one hour after park closes. First-come, first-serve.