WINERIES
It wouldn't be a Dog Days Wine Tour without our good friends at the wineries. This year for 2022, we are not including D&D Smith Winery or Sandy Ridge Vineyards due to eliminating the 100 & 81 mile routes. However, we anticipate bringing them back in 2023 as we plan to bring back the longer routes again. We are happy to welcome Matus Winery, Vermilion Valley Vineyards, Redhead Ciderhouse, and Paper Moon Vineyards. Sample responsibly, eat plenty with any sampling, and please visit the wineries again on other special occasions. Remember, you can purchase bottles or even cases and we will have our wine runners bring your purchases back to the New Russia Township Lodge for you to enjoy later. Our wine runners guarantee nearly everything makes it back unopened…
The first rest stop on all the routes is Matus Winery. Be sure to get a photo of your bike leaning against the grape vine post. Just how many years in a row have they won Best Winery on the Cleveland Hot List anyway?
The last rest stop on all the routes is Vermilion Valley Vineyards . Enjoy their great wines and the fantastic scenery before pedaling the last 8 miles back to Oberlin. See if you can spot my good friend Gordy, the vineyard’s dog.
The 50, and 62 mile routes visit the Redhead Ciderhouse, located inside Burnham Orchards. Redhead actually operates under a winery license so we know it's okay to include them on our Wine Tour. We will also drive your Grandma Bea’s Bakery items and fruit purchases back to the starting point for you!
If you are riding the 62 mile route, you will ride up to see Lake Erie and then onto Paper Moon Vineyards. Their covered outdoor seating and indoor tasting room are great places to relax and stretch out to get ready for the rest of your ride.
The 81 and 101 mile routes in 2023 will stop at Sandy Ridge Vineyards in Norwalk. Chef McFadden has three decades of culinary experience and his delectable offerings make this stop one you and your stomach won't soon forget. Oh, and the antique car inside the building offers a great photo opportunity.
Also for next year 2023, our fearless century riders get the pleasure of experiencing D&D Smith Winery, our farthest rest stop to the west. If you can’t bike 101 miles, be sure you make the time to drive out to Norwalk to visit this winery!
Enjoy our wineries - they are special to us and really make our Tour something unique.