Scenic Lake County in Northeast Ohio might be known for its miles of Lake Erie shoreline, but drinking up its offerings of wine, beer and food offer a taste that can’t be beat. From the Grand River Valley’s wineries to breweries and must-eat food in charming downtown Willoughby, here’s how to get your fill.
By Ruth Corradi Beach
As a part of the Grand River Valley, Lake County is a haven for wine lovers with nine wineries, including some of the most notable in the state. One of the newer wineries in the region, Stonegait Winery takes rustic chic to an entirely new level with a stunning location set inside a refurbished barn. Setting alone isn’t the only great thing here. Among the winery’s 17 wines, eight are estate wines, including the Summer Rein, a white wine boasting a light body with hints of butterscotch, apricot, fresh pears and hints of butter, and the Marquette, a dry red French-American hybrid wine featuring a medium body with hints of leather, currant, plum and oak notes on the palate. While at Stonegait, you have to try their amazing wood-fired pizzas!” Drink in gorgeous views at Laurentia Vineyard & Winery, home to award-winning wines such as the 2016 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Stoltz Block, then head across the street to Silver Crest Cellars. The family-owned winery grows and makes both old-world and new-world wine varieties, such as its unfiltered 2018 chardonnay. It’s cool, crisp, and balanced with just a hint of oak. Off the beaten wine path, Spirits of Willoughby, located in a supposedly haunted former coal company building, features bocce courts, a fire pit and wines made on-site in an old train car.
Wineries such as Debonné Vineyards, Grand River Cellars and Cask 307, add to the region’s billing as a wine-lover’s destination, are also key locations to add to your winery exploration. Cask 307 entices visitors with a menu of flatbreads and deli sandwiches to pair with their award-winning wines, while Grand River Cellars offers fabulous wine and a robust menu with something for everyone. Debonné not only offers 175 acres of vines, making it the largest estate winery in Ohio, it’s also the first winery in the state to open a microbrewery, Double Wing Brewing Co. And let’s not leave out the best part, Debonné takes home numerous awards in national wine competitions year after year, including for their highly decorated and popular Unoaked Chardonnay.
If you fancy yourself a beer lover hoping to branch out, Lake County’s wineries might be just the thing you’re looking for. If you’re a fan of pilsners, lagers or light beers, Grand River Cellars’ pinot grigio is light and crisp with a hint of acidity and spicy notes. Bitter IPA drinkers will get a kick out of Debonné’s dry, tannin-rich cabernet sauvignon reserve. If malty pale ales are more your style, the velvety merlot from Stonegait offers the same medium-bodied balanced middle ground. If all else fails, improve your chances of finding something new to love by ordering varied flights from each winery.
If you’re a hop head and there’s no way around it, Lake County’s got the sudsy goods you want. Pulpo Beer Co., across the street from Spirits of Willoughby, pours Mexican-style craft beer made on site. Enjoy beers such as Morir-Soñando, a creamsicle hazy pale ale, or Pulpo Libre, a Mexican lager, on their rooftop patio while noshing on Mexican and Puerto Rican dishes from Hola Tacos or Barroco Arepa Bar, which are located in the same building. Mentor Brewing Company offers beers such as the Cardinal Red, a red IPA with a strong malt backbone. Check the schedule to time your visit with food trucks and live music. If your group is a mix of wine and beer lovers, visit Double Wing Brewing Co. located inside Debonne Winery. Try their unique Butter Pecan Porter or their ode to a vintage Cleveland beer, Pride of Cleveland, or P.O.C. For a classic pub atmosphere with great food, visit The Brew Kettle in Mentor and don’t miss out on its award-winning White Rajah West Coast-style IPA. In Madison, Cornerstone Brewing Co. has brews on tap that pay homage to the region, such as the Erie Blu, a fruity, slightly malt concoction.
While downtown Willoughby’s got charm to spare, the wide array of restaurants make it a must visit for foodies. Head to Barrio for its chef selection of tacos, or make your own with what seems like an unlimited number of toppings and fillings. Brighten your days or evening with Sol’s lineup of Latin American- and Spanish-influenced shareables, or check out wood-fired pizzas and craft cocktails at the cozy, intimate Ballantine. Hook & Hoof offers impressive, inventive and seasonal takes on classics such as its Tomahawk Pork Chop served with Ohio fresh corn succotash and bourbon peach marmalade. Don’t miss the spot’s cocktail or bourbon list. Westel’s Alibi & Hush offers two settings — an industrial-style bar and a speakeasy — from which to enjoy craft cocktails and appetizers such as fig and goat cheese focaccia or meat and cheese boards. If breakfast is more your speed, Kleifeld’s Restaurant is a greasy spoon-style diner that opened in 1928 and features an iconic mural on the side of the building. Venture further east in Lake County to Painesville where we promise you won’t find better, homemade authentic Mexican food including La Casita or El Señor's Tacos located inside La Mexicana.
For a complete list of the region’s wineries, breweries, distilleries and restaurants, click here!
Though the county’s walkability and plethora of options makes visiting multiple places easy, booking a room in a hotel or bed & breakfast can make your stay even more enjoyable.
Immerse yourself in the county’s beauty by making time for outdoor adventure – whether golfing, hiking, birding, fishing, boating or kayaking.
