Tucked Away Near Lake Erie Is 'The Midwest's Napa Valley' With Wine And Scenic Views

It's hard to picture 1,300 acres. What does that actually look like? Well, it's equivalent to 2 square miles, or most of the area in downtown Cleveland. Now imagine that all that land is covered in vineyards. Just rows of ripening grapes, as far as you can see. If you put together all 31 wineries of the Grand River Valley of Ohio, that's how much space they would make up — not in downtown Cleveland, but just northeast of the city, near the shores of Lake Erie.

The Grand River Valley sprawls over two different counties, Lake and Ashtabula, along the northern edge of the Buckeye State. This region isn't nearly as famous as the Finger Lakes of New York or California's Sonoma County, but its output remains impressive: The valley is known for its chardonnays, rieslings, pinot noirs, and "ice wines," a special dessert wine that can only be made in colder regions.

Unbeknownst to many oenophiles, Ohio has several wine-growing regions, including a quiet "island" that's an underrated foodie getaway with vineyards, restaurants, and craft brews. The Grand River Valley makes for a scenic road trip, thanks to its big skies and farm fields bookended with forest, and some even refer to this area as the "the Midwest's Napa Valley." It's also an easy place to end up; the valley lies about halfway between Cleveland and Erie, Pennsylvania, which is connected by a 100-mile corridor of Interstate 90.

If you only have a day in the Grand River Valley, you might as well spend it at Debonné Vineyards, the largest estate winery in the entire state. The groundwork for this family-owned business was laid in the 1960s, with the official founding of the then-called Chalet Debonné Vineyards in 1972; today, it produces an astonishing 85,000 gallons of wine each year. Like so many vintners, Debonné has a tasting room and on-site restaurant, but its 175 acres are also the setting for weddings, live concerts, and a range of other social events. Debonné is also the headquarters for Double Wing Brewing Co., for visitors who prefer craft beer.

Given two or more days, you could visit several wineries in tandem. Most of them are closely gathered along the Grand River, standing only a few miles from each other. In that central cluster, responsible imbibers can travel by car from the westernmost winery (Maple Ridge) to the easternmost (Rosabella Winery) in about 20 minutes, with more than a dozen other locations in between. There are some outliers, such as Vincent William Wine and Old Firehouse Winery, which are considered part of the Grand River Valley network but are effectively on the shores of Lake Erie, making for gorgeous lakeside travel. There's also a constellation of cute towns here, such as Madison, 'Ohio's Jewel of Lake Country,' with its historic downtown and outdoor fun.

The best time to visit is in the summer, of course, when you can relax outside and sample glasses in the shade of a patio umbrella. This region is also a pleasure to explore by bicycle; the Western Reserve Greenway is a 42-mile rail-trail that cuts north-south through the valley. These straight, flat roads are a breeze for most cyclists.

Inventive travelers can get here on the Lake Shore Limited, an Amtrak route that follows the southern edge of Lake Erie from Buffalo to Toledo; this is actually one of the five best train rides in North America for lake views, according to train enthusiasts. But most visitors will explore the Grand River Valley by car, as this is the easiest way to zigzag from one vineyard to the next. These towns are pretty compact, with lots of beautiful countryside in between. Many travelers may find themselves dropping in on their way to Cleveland, which is only about an hour's drive away from most of these locations. Conversely, the valley makes for a great day trip from Ohio's second largest city.

The region is also peppered with accommodations. These range from economical motels (under $100) to unique stays like the Lost Pearl Bed & Breakfast, a cozy farmhouse that dates back to the 19th century. You can also find wineries that double as lodging, such as Vineyard Woods in Geneva, with its half-timbered cottages and 26-acre estate. A particularly cozy location is Buccia Vineyards, which is located right near Lake Erie and contains four suites, with hot tubs and wine flights included. Just know that the high season gets busy here, and the wait list is long. The Grand River Valley may not be Napa yet, but word is clearly getting out.