Discover Medina County Wineries

Sipping on wine is more than just an experience for your tastebuds – it’s an all-around adventure that allows you to spend quality time with friends and family, all while soaking in the sights and sounds of Ohio's beautiful scenery.

As National Wine Month winds down, consider taking a trip to three great wineries found within Medina County: High & Low Winery, Filia Cellars, and It’s Your Winery. All offer a fantastic selection of wines in comfortable Ohio countryside settings.

High & Low Winery is located in the City of Medina, and boasts that it is a place to meet all of your moods – whether you are looking for something casual or classy, laid back or upbeat, High & Low Winery has you covered.

The winery looks like a French chalet on the outside, and has a warm and modern feel on the inside. There's a fantastic menu to pair with the large selection of wines, including delicious paninis (try the Good Golly Miss Molly) and meat & cheese plates.

On a recent visit to High & Low Winery, me and some friends sat on the back porch, listening to local live acoustic music, and taking advantage of the great deals associated with their weekday happy hour! I tasted several wines, and would highly recommend the King Of The Heavies (a dry cabernet franc) or the Misunderstood (a rich merlot). If you're like me, you'll also appreciate the artwork found on the wine bottles, and you'll love the friendly staff!

Located just a few minutes down the street from High & Low (also in the City of Medina) is one of my new favorite spots, It's Your Winery. It has a small tasting room and retail area, and an enormous area for wine production!

It's Your Winery is named as such because it specializes specifically in offering patrons the unique experience of using state-of-the-art equipment to produce their own wine to take home with them in small batch form (30 bottles for a full case, or 15 bottles for a half case).

The winemaking process at It's Your Winery takes up to 10 weeks. You first come in to choose the wine you want to make, then begin the process with step-by-step instructions from knowledgeable staff. You come back in several weeks when the fermentation process has completed. This is when you bottle, cork, cap, and label the wine (with your own personalized labels)!

It's Your Winery has a HUGE selection of fruit wines. Everything from a cherry/peach sangria to a cranberry wine to a raspberry wine. Even if you don’t want to make your own wine, you can still come in and have a glass or some tastings!

Last on our tour of Medina County wineries is Filia Cellars, a new winery located in the City of Wadsworth. On a recent visit, the owners greeted me warmly, and I was told much about the history of the family’s wine business.

Wines here are made with grapes grown both here in Ohio (the white wines), and on the owner’s property in California (the red wines). The name, Filia, means “daughter” in Latin, and some of the wines are named after strong females in the family (Isabella, Hannah, Lillian).

Filia Cellars has a relaxing backyard atmosphere, complete with a duck pond, Adirondack chairs, and picnic tables with umbrellas. There is a small stage for live music, yoga sessions, paint parties, and even visits from local food trucks (Get Stuffed was there on my recent visit).

What I like best is that the outdoor section of the winery is dog friendly, so I was able to bring my little pup Slider with me, and my friends brought their French bulldog Beau! We sipped on the delicious dry reds and enjoyed the gorgeous weather.

Mohican State Park Lodge

Photos by OHventures

Mohican State Park Lodge
3116 OH-3
Loudonville, OH 44842
1 (800) 282-7275

The Mohican State Park Lodge lies right in the middle of the extremely popular and incredibly massive Mohican State Park, which is 1,110 acres in size and icnldes 5 miles of the scenic Clear Fork Branch of the Mohican River that runs through. The recreational opportunities available to the park visitor include fishing, hiking, picnicking, camping, mountain biking, hunting, horseback riding, backpacking, and boating.

There's so much to explore, that you can't possibly do it all in just one day. That's why thousands of people a year choose to stay at the Mohican State Park Lodge by reserving one of its 96 guest rooms. Lodge rooms are available in double, queen, and king size, and are all complete with fantastic amenities to make your stay relaxing and comfortable. flat screen televisions with DVD players, balconies, patios, free wifi, coffee makers, mini fridges, and full baths are just some of these amenities. All rooms are smoke-free, and some are pet-friendly.

Lounging in our room at the Mohican State Park Lodge!

My family and I stayed in two connected double rooms this October, and had an absolute blast! During our visit, we took advantage of several of the many health and recreation facilities available on site. We swam laps in the heated indoor pool (there is an outdoor pool as well that is open during summer months), relaxed in the sauna, strolled on the lighted and paved walking paths on the perimeter of the lodge, played billiards and ping pong in the game room, and enjoyed a campfire on the patio that overlooked the scenic lake (pictured below).

This view can't be beat, and can only be seen at the Mohican State Park Lodge

In addition, we ate some fantastic food at each of the two on-site restaurants. An amazing restaurant, Bromfield's Dining Room, has fantastic views and serves up delicious grub, like the homestyle meatloaf (pictured below), and delicious breakfast dishes (try the quiche or the biscuits & gravy)! We also ate personalized homemade pizzas and tasty sandwiches at Boxers Lounge, which is the more casual dining option at the lodge. Boxers Lounge also offers a full bar with seasonal beers and mixed drinks.

The lodge also offers up adventure packages, or help and guidance in finding what adventures you can embark on in the area. Our group took a challenging hike on the nearby Lyon Falls Trail to see the iconic covered bridge (see below). We were surprised with just how difficult the paths were, so be sure to come prepared with plenty of water and appropriate hiking gear should you choose to go!

Loads of tourist attractions are located just minutes away from the Mohican State Park Lodge, including Tree Frog Canopy Tours (the state's tallest, fastest and longest zip line course), Loudonville Canoe Livery (the Mohican area is Ohio's canoe capital), and Mohican Adventures, to name a few.

To soak in the beauty of Ohio at its finest, the Mohican State Park Lodge is a no-brainer. Book your room now to breathe in the fresh air for yourself and to bring out your adventurous side!

Ariel-Foundation Park

Photos by OHventures

Ariel-Foundation Park

501 S. Main Street
Mount Vernon, OH 43050
(740) 393-9577

Mount Vernon is the county seat of  Knox County, located in North Central Ohio, and is home to the brand new Ariel-Foundation Park, a 250-acre public green space built on the site of the former Pittsburgh Plate Glass (PPG) manufacturing plant (which closed in the 1970s).

This breathtaking park includes historic ruins of once-booming industrial buildings, with certain portions of the factory purposefully left standing. Crumbling brick walls, free-standing freight elevators, and other remnants are strewn across a large grassy field, with terraced landscaping and magnificent earthworks strategically placed throughout the park.

Intriguing art pieces are also found along the pathways of Ariel-Foundation Park, most of which pay homage to the glass industry. Large electric-blue-colored blown-glass and metal scaffolding create art that is incredible and thought-provoking.

The centerpiece of the park is the Rastin Observation Tower, a smokestack from the old factory that has been transformed into a must-see landmark. With a spiral metal staircase built around the 280-foot smokestack, park visitors can climb over 220 steps to reach the halfway point for a magnificent view of Mount Vernon.

Climbing to the top was a workout and a test of my bravery. You are totally safe and secure, but those who are wary of heights (like myself) might feel a bit uneasy. Scaling the stairs was definitely worth the sweat, as it provided a great photo op, and a unique experience unlike anything else in the area.

There's a lot more to do at the park as well: you can fish and boat (non-motorized boats) in the 3 lakes, take a spin on the biking trail, hike the wooded area on site, and visit the museum to learn more about the history of PPG and the relics that are left on display.

Tuscawaras County Wineries

Photos by OHventures

To continue celebrating Ohio Wine Month this June, consider stopping in to one – or all six – of the award winning wineries in Tuscawaras County. While you embark on your wine-tasting experience, be sure to check out the Ohio Grape Industries VIP incentive program, where you can register and win rewards for visiting different Ohio wineries.

Island Palm Winery (Bolivar): Historic downtown Bolivar is the setting for this fun and laid back island-themed winery. When walking in, you immediately get a tiki bar vibe that sets the tone for a good time. Flip Flop Muscat, Seashell Chardonnay, and Shark Bite Zinfandel are some examples of the exciting and whimsical wines found at Island Palm. The best sellers are fruit wines: Pomegranate Cove and Sunset Passion Fruit. They also offer a great bologna sandwich called “The Big Kahuna,” and the tasty home brewed Crow’s Nest Hard Apple Cider.

School House Winery (Dover): One of my favorite wineries in all of Ohio is School House Winery, which was established in an actual schoolhouse from the late 1800s! This bright red structure stands out in the rolling countryside and beckons you to come in the doors and have some wine. All wines have been given elementary school-related monikers, my top picks being Bully Red (dry, smoky, oaky), and Teacher’s Pet (the best seller).

Breitenbach Wine Cellars (Dover): When I visited Breitenbach, it was swarming with visitors, with check-out and wine-tasting lines stretching throughout the winery. Known for over 40 vinifera and hybrid American varieties, Breitenbach produces 135,000 gallons of wine each year. A must-try is the extremely unique (and extremely sweet) Dandelion wine, which has become a mainstay and crowd favorite. It is so popular, that there is even an annual Breitenbach Dandelion Festival each May.

Swiss Heritage Winery (Dover): Located at the Broad Run Cheesehouse, you’ll find yourself amongst an array of cheeses (all made on site), lace, curtains, and other specialty items. Making your way to the rear of the gift shop, you’ll find a counter selling a selection of 17 different wines made on site. The folks at Swiss Heritage will do a great job letting you know which cheeses and wines pair best together. My recommendation is the light and grapey Victorian Lace paired with blue ribbon Swiss cheese!

YOLO Winery (Dover): A winery with the name “YOLO” (You Only Live Once) can only mean good things. The interior has a modern and upscale décor reminiscent of a California-style boutique. Order delicious flatbreads and salads delivered to you fresh from local restaurant Sammy Sue’s. Be sure to sample my personal favorite wine called Party On Garth.

Silver Moon Winery (Dover): A great place to sit back and relax after a long day of traveling and wine sampling. There is a large, open seating area with loads of comfortable couches and chairs that pair nicely with the wines at Silver Moon. Try Blood of Zeus and Luna Bianca. If you’re daring, check out Eve’s Delight or Kiwi Melon Splash!

Haunted Prison Experience

Photos by OHventures

There’s no setting more perfect for a haunted house than the famed Ohio State Reformatory located in Mansfield in the heart of Richland County. The decaying walls and rusted cells of this 19^th century prison make for an authentically spooky backdrop for the countless shrieks and screams of those passing through.

Even without being filled with grisly monsters and decked out in ghastly decorations, this historic landmark provides an eerie and bone-chilling visit. Add the expertise of award-winning haunted house specialists from Toledo-based Haunted X Enterprises, and you’re in store for one unforgettable Halloween!

For the past 13 years, the Ohio State Reformatory has been offering the Haunted Prison Experience during the fall for anyone brave enough to enter the creepy castle-like structure. In recent years, there have been approximately 32,000-35,000 visitors during the six-week span that the haunted house attraction is open.

This year is no different! Haunted X Enterprises has teamed up once again with the Ohio State Reformatory to present the Haunted Prison Experience: Supernatural II on selected dates from September 26 through November 1. The hours of operation are Thursdays from 7-11 PM, Fridays & Saturdays from 7 PM – Midnight, and Sundays from 7-10 PM. The gates open at 6:00 and the box office opens at 6:30.

Because of the large amount of thrill seekers, it is advised to arrive early and prepare for potentially long lines (which are most definitely worth the wait). You can also consider purchasing tickets online ahead of time (including “speed passes” to help you avoid the wait)! It is important to note that you must be 13 years or older to enter, and that the prison is not handicapped accessible (due to the old age of the building).

Once you are led into the doors of the prison, brace yourself for everything creepy, freaky, and gory to get your heart rate pounding. The smell of fumes from buzzing chainsaws and the sounds of blood curdling screams can be made out through the sometimes pitch black interior of the prison! Stay close to your group, because you never know what will be lurking around the dark corners of this twisting maze. 

Actors, animatronics, and much more is waiting for you at this haunted attraction inside of a real prison (it has not been used as a real prison since it closed in 1990). Because some people believe that the prison is actually haunted by actual ghosts, you might even encounter some real paranormal activity (if you believe in that stuff).Hurry and check it out before it's gone for the year!

If you need your fix of fear during the off-season, you can also consider taking part in a ghost walk or ghost hunt! You can hear the stories  that cause many to believe the prison is haunted and even stay overnight to experience it for yourself. Most ghost hunt admissions are $70 per person, which includes access to the building and a late dinner of pizza and soda. Check out their website for more information on ghost hunts.

READ MORE AT DISCOVER OHIO

Tree Frog Canopy Tours Photo Blog

Who: You and up to seven others in a group!
What: Tree Frog Canopy Tours

Where: Glenmont, OH

When: Spring, Summer, and Fall - day OR night!

Why: To zoom through the foliage up close and personal!
How: Save up about $75 and ignore that fear of heights - you'll be safe!

Photos by OHventures and Tree Frog Canopy Tours

Tree Frog Canopy Tours

Photos by OHventures and Tree Frog Canopy Tours

Tree Frog Canopy Tours

21899 Wally Road

Glenmont, OH 44628

(740) 599-2662

Zip lining is not for the squeamish - especially when you're talking about the tallest, fastest, and longest zip line in all of Ohio! Tree Frog Canopy Tours in Glenmont, Holmes County, holds that title with its highest point at 120 feet, its fastest clocked speed at 52 miles per hour, and over 4,000 feet of pure fun and adrenaline (the individual cables ranging from 145 feet to 1,100 feet long). 

The only zip lining complex in the northern part of the state (others available being Ozone Zipline Adventures in Lebanon, Valley Zipline Tours in Lancaster, and Hocking Hills Canopy Tours in Rockbridge to name a few), Tree Frog Canopy Tours treats visitors as they are led through the forest via seven ziplines, two sky bridges, and two 50-foot rappels. It was certainly an adventure I could not turn down.

A group of six of us (me, Greg, Steve, Ryan, Marc, and Stacey) arrived on Labor Day weekend ready and roaring to go. Driving through the winding roads of the Mohican Country, we lost all phone service (something to keep in mind if you are trying to find your way with a GPS). The main office for Tree Frog were in a large lodge directly down the street from the famous Tree House Cabins.

You must make reservations prior to your zipline tour in order to ensure your spot. Groups can be as large as 8 individuals, all of whom must be at least 10 years in age and between 75-250 pounds in weight. 

Our tour took place at 1:30 PM, but we were required to arrive a half an hour early so that we could sign waivers and get suited up in our harnesses and helmets. Our tour guides were named Matt and Dan, two hilarious guys that eased any fears or hesitations we might have had, by cracking jokes and calming our nerves.

Not only were they personable, but the guides were extremely professional as well. All of the guides were trained to meet the standards of the Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT), a rigorous certification program to ensure that they are equipped with the essential knowledge when taking guests like us on our treetop treks.  

We were soon taken to the start of the zip line course by riding an ATV to the top of a large hill in the thick woods. There, we discovered a mini zipline that was no more than 8 feet off the ground and a few yards in length. This is where we did our practice runs so we could get used to sitting in the harness and practice the braking techniques. 

After this crash course, it was time to ZIP! I will admit, I was a bit shaky on the first platform. It is only natural to be afraid of being up so high with nothing but a cable holding you up. But, I just had to remind myself that we were 100% safe. Once I had that in my head, it was smooth sailing! One by one, we each stood at the edge of the platform, lifted our legs and off we went, zooming to the next platform! One of the guides would stand on the other platform to let you know when to put the brakes on so you didn't go barreling into the tree. It was a good system!

This is the ONLY zipline tour in Ohio that uses a dual cable system for faster speeds and smoother rides. This was evident as we progressed through the course, zipping on longer and longer cables along the way. The group became more comfortable as we went along, and we started incorporating fun moves in the mix, such as the cannonball! 

Another added touch at Tree Frog Canopy Tous that you can't find at most other zip line establishments was the rappelling platforms! Here, we had to lower ourselves from the 50-foot and 60-foot platforms down to the ground by using a rope attached to our harness and a pulley system. Again, the hardest part is trusting that you can dangle over the edge of the platform. Once you conquer that fear inside your head, you can let go and enjoy the ride! The rappelling might actually have been my favorite part of the tour.

In all, the experience at Tree Frog Canopy Tours was unlike any other zip line adventure I have ever embarked on. If you are looking for something a little different, Tree Frog Canopy Tours also offers Night Zips with glow-in-the-dark and moonlit elements. You also can purchase a photo CD of your experience, or rent a GoPro camera to fasten to yourself and record the trip from a one-of-a-kind vantage point! 

If this is on your bucket list, I highly suggest you book your tour NOW. Don't let the fear of heights get in your way of enjoying this exciting, safe, and unique thrill.

Wineries at Put-In-Bay

Photos by OHventures

Put-In-Bay Winery

392 Bayview Drive

Put-In-Bay, OH 43456

(419) 285-3343

Heineman's Winery & Crystal Cave

978 Catawba St.

P.O. Box 300

Put-In-Bay, OH 43456

(419) 285-2811

Put-In-Bay is an ideal location for wine production, as it is situated in the middle of Lake Erie on South Bass Island. The humid lake air creates rich island soil that helps it grow some of the highest quality grapes in the state. Admittedly, most of the grapes in PIB (and Ohio as a whole) tend to be on the sweeter end of the spectrum, which is not always the preference of every palate. But, there is no denying the extreme popularity of wines that originate from this tiny section of the Buckeye state!

As mentioned previously on OHventures, Put-In-Bay is home to one of our favorite and most unique wineries in Ohio: Heineman's Winery & Crystal Cave. It's not by any means fancy like those I've been to in Napa Valley, California or other parts of Ohio. It reminds me of a tiny home in the suburbs with a backyard full of picnic tables. It's very quaint, very cheap and very "Ohio." But that is all part of its charm. 

When my friends and I made a recent visit to Heineman's, we had just finished kayaking for over an hour. We were sweaty and smelled like lake water. Most of us were still in our bathing suits, or in my case, wearing a tank top and camo shorts. None of this mattered when visiting Heineman's backyard winery. It has extremely laid back atmosphere and lacks a formal dress code, as it recognizes that many people are in similar situations, having come from exploring the island!

Without hesitation, I created a miniature tasting platter, as I always do when visiting wineries (pictured below). Heineman's has been producing wine since 1888, so they know what they're doing! There are more than 20 different wines of a wide variety. From this large selection, I chose Pink Catawba (the most popular wine, and the one that looks most like candy! It is a gold winning wine that is sweet and strong), Cabernet Sauvignon (always my go-to wine, since I prefer dry reds), Island Chablis (a blend of white island-area grapes), and Niagara (had to get it based off of its name that is reminiscent of Niagara Falls - another white with a medium sweetness).

We all had our fair share of wine in the backyard, but also made note of another great feature of Heinemans: "Crystal Cave" which is attached to the building! As its name suggests, it is a cave full of "crystals" (a blueish mineral called celestite) and is the largest geode (a rock cavity with crystals inside) in the WORLD. Most geodes you can not even put your hand inside, yet this one you can WALK inside. You can get tours of this while also touring the winery. This, along with the island grapes, makes Heineman's Winery & Crystal Cave one of the most unique wineries in the whole state!

But after all of this, our group was not quite done with Put-In-Bay wine! Luckily, a new winery was established here in 2009, fittingly called Put-In-Bay Winery. Half of us decided that we HAD to pay the extra cash to be led on a guided tour of the Doller House Estate (pictured below), which is an Italianate residence preserved over many decades from its original owner, Valentine Doller, who was one of the wealthiest residence in PIB history.

The tour takes you initially through the Doller Estate, where you learn more and more about the very eclectic family that used to live there, all while tasting a different sample of wine in each room. The tour guide was awesome - she did a great job keeping everyone's attention with the captivating tales of runaway daughters, giant fires, and mysterious family dynamics. It was like hearing about a Put-In-Bay soap opera!

The tour moved from the house to the grounds of the estate, where we saw the rest of our group hanging out and sipping on wine in a gorgeous gazebo. We were then led into the last remaining icehouse on the island, and the Island Life Museum where we learned about the 100 year evolution of winter travel across the frozen Lake Erie ice! Again, throughout the icehouse and the museum, we got the chance to taste more wine! (and that's what we came here to do, after all)!

After all of these tastings, I managed to find a favorite - American Merlot - of which I bought a bottle of to take home with me! The Put-In-Bay Winery was an idyllic locale to sip island wines and varietals grown around the regionn while relaxing in the wine garden or on the front porch of the Doller House Estate with its wonderful view of the Put-In-Bay harbor.

Tough Mudder Ohio Photo Blog

Who: You and the thousands who are part of the mudder international craze.
What: Tough Mudder (a 10-12 mile muddy obstacle course)
When: All year 'round in different locations. In Ohio again in May 2015.
Where: All across the globe, including in Mansfield.
Why: To test your mental grit, strength, stamina, camaraderie and endurance. And, to have a fun time!
How: First, sign up, and then start training with TIPS from OHventures.

Photos by OHventures