The Winery At This 108-Year-Old Farm Is One Of The Most Nostalgic Destinations Near Cleveland
By Nikki Rhoades|Published January 02, 2024
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Nikki Rhoades
Author
Nikki is a lifelong Ohioan with a love for literature. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Akron and has enjoyed publishing her written work since 2007. She has a love of travel and does so frequently, though she believes that home is where the heart is — she continues to work in and around Cleveland as a digital content specialist to this day, working on everything from commercial scripts and social media posts to grassroots marketing initiatives.
Nowadays, it seems that there’s no shortage of craft breweries. While this trend is taking over the U.S., there’s one enduring industry that continues to this day in Ohio: vinting! Vinting, or winemaking, has long been practiced in Northeast Ohio, as our landscape is perfect for grape growing. The produce absolutely prospers here, which means there’s no shortage of local vineyards. However, there’s one winery near Cleveland that is so much more than your standard grape farm… it’s actually a 108-year-old family farm hidden in Madison, Ohio. The landscape is infused with a certain essence of nostalgia, and it’s a true escape from the mundane. Check it out:
You may not realize it, but you're enjoying a virtual visit to Ohio's Grand River Valley as we speak. This American Viticultural Area (AVA) is the largest in the state, and it is famous for its wines.
While this winery in Madison, Ohio was founded in 1972, there's a much older story awaiting discovery here.
Debevc purchased a fruit farm in 1916, and he would soon bring his family into the business. His son and grandson would go on to expand the vineyard and create the on-site winery, allowing the fruit farm to flourish for decades.
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With more than 175 acres of vines, there's a certain nostalgia here that's so charmingly characteristic of Northeast Ohio.
For many, the draw of this attraction is its status as the largest estate winery in Ohio. However, for locals, this is what much of the landscape once looked like... even Cleveland was once rolling farmland, if you can imagine it. This is truly a destination where you can unplug, breathe deeply, and appreciate the simplicity of life amidst this verdant landscape.
To this day, life just seems to move at a slower pace here.
Though about an hour away from Cleveland, the atmosphere here will take a certain weight off your shoulders. The landscape is peaceful, and even if you're a first-time visitor, there's something familiar and comforting that comes with a century-old family business.
If you're hoping to take in the most charm possible during your visit, you have to take a winery tour!
Tours of Debonné Vineyards allow visitors to really dig into the magic that happens here. With yummy accoutrements and wine samples included, it's also a treat for the taste buds! It's fascinating to see how wine is created in the cellar and press house.
There's just something spectacular about Ohio wines, and you'll taste that in their estate-grown grapes. Our soil here in Northeast Ohio tends toward acidic, and believe it or not, that impacts the taste of produce grown here. Ohio wines tend to be sweeter, and I personally believe they have a richness that just can't be beat.
You'll love the vibe of the Main Bar and Flight Terminal Tasting Bar.
While the charm of the landscape is undeniable, there's also a lot to love about the inside of this cute winery, too! While the 85,000 gallons of wine they produce each year is impressive, the simplicity of the story told on the walls here is also entrancing.
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The wines at Debonné Vineyards are award-winning, but truly, the view here deserves a reward!
I just cannot get enough of this landscape. It's beautiful, peaceful, and only a short drive away from home. This is an incredible day trip destination, especially in the warmer months.
From the winter wine trails to the summertime presence of hot air balloons, there's never a bad time to head out to the vineyard. There's always something waiting to reawaken wonder here!
At about an hour away from home, you're going to love visiting this old family farm.
As the sun sets over the rolling vineyards of Debonné, it’s easy to appreciate the enduring legacy of this family-owned winery. The century-old farm has evolved into a beacon for wine lovers, but there’s a true history buried in the soils of this winery near Cleveland.
Believe it or not, fruit growing and alcohol production are both long-standing traditions in Ohio. In fact, Johnny Appleseed himself once planted trees here. You’re going to love exploring this history, so be sure to add the Johnny Appleseed Byway to your bucket list.
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