Vines to wines

SANDUSKY — Northern Ohio is a great place to grow, pick, juice and enjoy. Those who find themselves in the counties of the state near Lake Erie can check out plenty of wineries. Here, we focused on those in Huron and Ottawa counties. Huron County The Norwalk area is home to multiple wineries, including D&D Smith and Sandy Ridge. D&D Smith Winery is run by a family of four and has made wine for almost two decades. The family offers over 45 wines and beverages to winery visitors. The winery started in 2008 and has earned awards for its work. In 2022 at the Ohio Wine Competition, it had 24 award-winning wines. Sandy Ridge Vineyards was awarded with the Golden Maple Award by Norwalk Economic Development Corporation in 2019. Jamie McFadden, Chef and founder of the vineyard, has years of experience in fine dining and a worldly culinary education. Both locations both offer visitors more than a list of wines. Andrea Welfle, marketing and community outreach coordinator of the Huron County Growth Partnership, said they had great food and notable views. "The ambience is unique at each of these wineries and offers a culinary experience that you don't expect to find in rural Ohio," Welfle said. "Both of these wineries elevate our communities and offer beautiful spaces to host an event or just wind down with friends while listening to a local band or musician." McFadden described the Sandy Ridge's property as a vineyard that grows grapes and offers a culinary experience, wine pairings and mercantile. It did not always have the same experiences as it does now. McFadden said locals in the area would remember Sandy Ridge Farm, a place with apple orchards, fresh cider, square dancing, Christmas trees and a sense of community. This was true until the farm closed in the early 90s. "As time passed there was a generation that did not get to experience this historic arena," McFadden said. "In restoring Sandy Ridge, our hope was to create a destination where new memories are created and old memories are shared by past, present and future generations." Before Sandy Ridge became what it is today, McFadden worked on the farm in 1981, picking strawberries and painting fences. In 2016, the property owners asked him to start growing grapes. "As we were planting vines and staring back at the historic barn, all of the memories that were created here throughout the years motivated us to refurnish the interior and exterior and launch Sandy Ridge Vineyards & Mercantile," McFadden said. Norwalk was chosen for Sandy Ridge Vineyards' location because of the city's proximity to Lake Erie. Lake Erie's American Viticultural Area is 2,000 square miles of vineyard-friendly terrain. It runs from the shores of Ohio through Pennsylvania and into New York. McFadden said the lake is important for the grape-growing business. The lake moderates the climate and shields the vineyards from extremes. The result is a longer growing season. "The area boosts one of the most amazing tourist destinations in the warmer months," McFadden said. "This combined with the historic charm of Norwalk, and Huron County was very appealing." Even though Sandy Ridge does not make its own wine on the property, it still offers a culinary experience thanks to McFadden's team, including Chef Kevin McGuire, Lindsey McGuire and Kate Brutcher. In addition to a seasonal menu and a wide range of wine offerings, the vineyard also hosts weddings and corporate events. Visitors can stop in for a wine tasting or McFadden's team to create an experience based on individual preferences. McFadden's passion for the hospitality industry roots back to his childhood. He said his parents were great cooks who loved to entertain. His childhood inspired him to gain a professional education in the United States and abroad. He recently celebrated 38 years in the field. McFadden said his career requires dedication and passion to grow. It is a constant challenge that demands dedication to ongoing education, long hours and finding a balance to work and life. "I love a challenge, and even more importantly, I love to eat and experience new flavors," McFadden said. This project is all emcompassing, leaving little time for outside hobbies. However, he said he loves his career, the opportunities and the people he has met from it. "The hospitality industry is always evolving and I am passionate about playing a small part next to the millions around the world that so enjoy creating memorable experiences," McFadden said. Ottawa County The Gideon Owen Wine Company's property was built with wine in mind. The building's fruity footprint dates back to the 1870s, when it went by the name The Catawba Island Wine Company. Through the years, the building had gone through several identities. Initially, it was The Catawba Island Wine Company, then Mon Ami Champagne Co., Paramount Distilleries, Mon Ami Restaurant and Historic Winery and its current iteration. The winery's home is now the only building left out of four cooperatives created by the area's original growers. The other three were The Kelleys Island Wine Company, the Middle Bass Wine Company and the Put-in-Bay Wine Company, which burned down in 1888. "Mon Ami (Restaurant and Historic Winery) had established itself in its heyday as the place to meet and dine with friends and family," one of the owners of Gideon Owen Wine Company, Donna Smith, said. Even though the establishment had a shining reputation, its wine was actually produced at Firelands Winery in Sandusky. As one of the owners of Gideon Owen Wine Company, Smith said she pursued this business opportunity to preserve and improve the iconic property that has been part of the community for over 150 years. "When this property first went up for sale and heard rumors of the possibility of condos being built, we knew we had to buy it," Smith said. "Not only to preserve a historic winery building but to improve the property and provide an amazing gathering place for the community to enjoy for years to come." She said the winery is proud to be part of the local businesses on Catawba Island. "We had this opportunity to re-establish vineyards on Catawba Island and make the wine in the amazing four cellars below the restaurant, as they did in the wine era," Smith said. "We were already farming peaches, apricots, apples, cherries and plums on Catawba Island, so establishing the first commercial vineyards on the island in more than 100 years seemed fitting." Gideon Owen supports local growers. Smith said since the winery is small, it must supplement the harvest with other local Ohio grape growers. The winery takes its grapes and ferments them in stainless steel tanks in its production barn, then the wine that needs to age is either put into tanks or oak barrels in the cellars 40 feet below the limestone winery building. The winery has a list of offerings its visitors can enjoy, including unique wine and dining, special wine tasting events and cellar tours like its "Grape to Bottle." "Our wine events provide a unique experience to learn more about our wines, our history and the winemaking process from our winemaker," Smith said. "Our wine tasting room is called 'Tirage,' and offers guests an opportunity to sample more than 48 wines. Of course, we offer an amazing dining experience at Gideon Owen Wine Company, with a full lunch and dinner menu from our scratch kitchen and a full bar."