We recently attended an event at Wyandotte Winery, and we believe it’s worth featuring in this week’s email! We had always seen the sign on Cherry Bottom Road but had never actually been there. Our friend celebrated the fifth anniversary of his non-profit, Form5, by renting out the space. It was a wonderful and relaxed celebration.

As we drove down the road to the winery, it initially seemed we might have made a wrong turn. The street was lined with houses, giving the impression of entering a residential area. After parking in the church parking lot nearby, we walked up to what looked like another house with the winery sign out front. Initially, it seemed like a house transformed into a winery. However, the original owners had designed the space to have a tasting area, wine production cellar, and family living space in the back of the house. Built in 1977, the winery was one of ten Ohio wineries and the first in central Ohio.

The original owners aimed to create a non-judgmental place to sample great wines, and the current owners have upheld their legacy. Owners Robin and Valerie believe that the best wine is the one you enjoy the most! They take pride in using as many Ohio-grown grapes as possible and grow their own grapes. Surprisingly, many robust grape varieties can survive the cold climate of Ohio. Ohio was even one of the top wine grape producers before the Civil War. The winery has undergone various expansions over the years and is now a sister winery with Rockside Winery near Lancaster, with each winery specializing in different flavors.

When you enter the winery, you would never guess that so much goes on there. The tasting room accommodates about thirty-five people and also sells merchandise. Moreover, the basement and informal area of the house are occasionally available for use. Wine production takes place in the cellar, where they offer tours on occasion. When hosting an event, you can opt to rent out the informal area of the house, which includes the owner’s living and dining rooms. This informal space has the same aesthetics as the tasting room and is a decent size, accommodating roughly seventy-five people.

In addition to hosting private events and weekly wine tastings, the winery also holds its own events, such as nights with live music and a weekly food truck. They do not typically serve food, but they do allow caterers for events, or they can prepare simple and delicious appetizers. We had homemade pizzas and mushroom puff pastries, which were flavorful. We are especially excited about attending a pairing night soon. Every now and then, Wyandotte hosts a dinner with wine pairings the owners select. Their next dinner, right before Halloween, will include a costume contest.

If you know of any local wineries worth visiting, please let us know!

Our Current Favorite Wines:

Josh – Pinot Noir

Hannah – Bonny Doon Le Cigare Orange or Pinot Grigio