*Disclosure: I was hosted by Ohio. Find it Here. and Grand River Valley Cellars to share my experience. All opinions are my own.*
I can’t think of anything better than sitting outside on a warm sunny Ohio day sipping a glass of moscato. A few weeks ago, Jon, Pippen, and I went on a day trip to Grand River Cellars winery located about 50 min away from Cleveland. I had no idea a winery as beautiful as Grand River Cellars was right here in Ohio; that goes to show that we need to travel locally more often. The winery had all of the charm nestled in Grand River Valley.
Our day trip to Grand River started with a beautiful wine tasting on their dog-friendly patio! We loved being able to have Pippen there. Naturally, as the puppy of an influencer, we had to order a custom winery bandana printed with her name on it for the occasion. The area was covered and equipped with fans which was a very thoughtful touch to help keep the dogs cool in the summer months.
I have always said Ohio is one of the most friendly states I’ve ever known, and it seemed like some of Ohio’s best were at Grand River that day! About halfway into our tasting, a few other families and their dogs joined us on the patio. We exchanged stories, “oohed” and “ahhed” at each other’s meal selections, and the occasional, “I think we should order that too!” was heard.
Wine Tasting:
The staff at Grand River Cellars is highly knowledgeable! Did you know Northeast Ohio falls along what’s known as the “Pinot Belt” – a narrow band that encompasses both France and Oregon and is known for producing the most incredible pinot wines?
When Jon and I are going to a winery, we like to order a flight to try a variety of wines at once. So, at the recommendation of our server, I decided to try the semi-sweet flight!
Semi-Sweet Flight Wines:
- Riesling
- White Fox
- Vidal Blanc Ice Wine
- Maple Ice Wine
- Austin’s Blush
- Grand Blush
- Winehound Red
- Concord Port Dessert Win
Of the wines featured in the semi-sweet flight, I gravitated towards the concord port dessert wine. As a dessert wine, it is naturally sweet. I didn’t find the sweetness overwhelming, but instead deliciously smooth and filled with rich flavors! Before we left Grand River, we stepped inside to purchase a bottle to bring home. Before visiting Grand River, I had never tried a port dessert wine before. Our server provided us with the best recommendations throughout our visit.
After hearing about Jon’s wine preferences, our server recommended the dry to off-dry red wine flight. In honor of his Sicilian grandmother, Jon has always been more of a dry wine kind-of-guy. So of the red wines, he selected a bottle of the Grand Red to bring home.
Dry to Off-Dry Red Wine Flight:
- Merlot Reserve (American)
- CASK 1020 (Grand River Valley)
- Cabernet Franc (Grand River Valley)
- Austin’s Red (American)
- Red Zinfandel (American)
- Grand Red (American) – Jon’s favorite
Whether you’re a wine lover or anything like me and you know just enough to be dangerous, wine tasting is the perfect opportunity to expand your knowledge. While you’re guided through an experience, you might still want to ask questions to come away with a greater appreciation and understanding of all things wine!
Fun questions to ask:
- What is the history of the wine/vineyard?
- Which grapes are grown at this vineyard?
- Are any of the wines a blend?
- What food would you pair with this wine?
- How long can you shelf this particular wine?
Food:
The Grand River Cellars menu has a variety of options for everyone! You’ll find appetizers, sandwiches, salads, pasta, entrees, and desserts. It was important to me to fully experience Grand River and all that the winery and grounds had to offer. That said, I asked our server for her choice of two of their signature appetizers – the brie & pear and the warm pretzel sticks!
After taking my first bite of the caramel glaze-covered pears, I can say (without shame) that I was very hesitant to share with my husband! How could I? The brie & pear was everything our server described and more. The savory flavors of fruity blackberry & lemon glaze provided a sweet compliment to the salt-covered walnuts.
As a huge fan of pretzels, Jon was dying to try their popular pretzel stick option. The appetizer features four large soft pretzel sticks, paired with various warm dips to try – queso, beer cheese, and honey mustard.
I love seafood. Naturally, when it was time to order lunch, my eyes immediately gravitated towards the garlic shrimp skewers paired with their signature potatoes. To say that it was seasoned perfectly would be an understatement and the plating was beautiful!
When you visit Grand River, whether you’re with your friends, family, or you’re going to opt for a date night with your significant other, I encourage you to immerse yourself in the experience fully. In addition to the above, here are a few of my suggestions:
- Try one of their notable flights to expose yourself to new wines!
- Pick shareable appetizers
- Connect with your server and ask them for recommendations
- Be present – The atmosphere is so serene we felt like we left the city and went to Napa.
- Capture the moment – Grand River has several “Pinterest-worthy” and “Instagrammable” places to take photos!
Bonus: Share the experience with those around you and connect with people at other tables if you’re able to.
Reservations are not required when dining at Grand River but are highly recommended.
Here are a few of their upcoming events:
- Friday, July 30th – Live Music – Justo Saborit
- Saturday, July 31st – Food and Wine Pairing in the Cellar 1:00-2:00
- Saturday, July 31st – Live music with Nick Zuber 7:00-9:30 pm
- Thursday, August 5th – Beach Glass Framed Art Class 6:00-8:00 pm
- Friday, August 6th – Live music with Sami Butler 7:00-9:30
*Be sure to check their events calendar for more!
After spending the afternoon at Grand River Cellar’s, we headed to Ruff Life On The Lake, located about 25 minutes away! Ruff Life On The Lake is a dog-friendly dining and gift shop located in Geneva on the Lake. When you walk in, you can immediately tell that the staff genuinely has a heart for dogs. They offer doggy daycare, a pet-friendly menu, and more! We loved having the opportunity to chat with other puppy parents, play corn hole, and spend time together as a family!
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Disclosure: I was hosted by Ohio. Find it Here. and Grand River Valley Cellars to share my experience. All opinions are my own.
