Wine Tasting on Kelleys Island | Shores & Islands Ohio – 3 Must-Visit Wineries
Most people have never heard of Kelleys Island, Ohio, an island in Lake Erie about 12 miles from Cedar Point, but once you mention it’s home to three wineries, ears start to perk.
I had the chance to check out this region of Ohio earlier this summer when I was hosted by Shores and Islands Ohio to explore the area, including Kelleys Islands and its wineries. I needed no further convincing once I heard wineries were included on the trip itinerary.
Wine tasting on Kelleys Island is the perfect activity whether you are visiting the island with your girlfriends, your significant other, or your family. You’re certain to have a blast and learn a few things about the island along the way.
This post features the three wineries located on Kelleys Island, including what they are known for and what to know before you visit the island.
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Background on Kelleys Island and Winemaking
About Kelleys Island
Kelleys Island is an island in Lake Erie that’s just over four square miles in size and home to approximately 325 year-round residents. The island is accessible via ferry, private boat, or jet, and is popular for its outdoor activities. Of course, wine tasting is also an island favorite.
History of Wineries on Kelleys Island
Kelleys Island is such a popular and successful spot for vineyards because Lake Erie helps regulate the temperature on the island, making it ideal for growing grapes and also creating a longer than average growing season.
I was surprised to learn that winemaking was huge in the 1800s – much larger than it is today – and the island was known for its wines. However, prohibition greatly reduced the number of vineyards on the island. Today, island vineyards operate at a much smaller scale than pre-prohibition.
While the winemakers I spoke with do grow their own grapes, they also import several varieties for their wines. The most popular grape varieties grown on the island are Catawba, Niagara, and Isabelle.
Golf Carts and Drinking Laws
While golf carts are a popular mode of transportation on the island, you must abide by local laws on drinking and driving. The same laws that apply to motor vehicles (like your car or truck) still apply to golf carts.
Yes, you can get a DUI, DWI, OVI or whatever your state calls the offense if driving a golf cart above the legal limit in Ohio.
Parts of Ohio have what is known as DORA – Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area. This is a specified area which is exempt from open container provisions. However, Kelleys Island is not a DORA district. Open containers must remain in the establishment at which they were purchased, and are not allowed on golf carts.
Please always drink and drive responsibly and designate a sober driver if necessary.
What to Pack Wine Tasting on Kelleys Island
If you’re visiting Kelleys Island for the day, you don’t need much, but you will want to make sure you have the essentials for an enjoyable day:
– Water Bottle – I love this one for insulation (but it does leak if not upright)
– Snacks
– Backpack/Bag – I use this outdoor pack for just about everything
– Sunscreen – grab my favorite everyday option
– Bug Spray – Always be prepared for mosquitos and biting flies in the Midwest; you’ll thank me later
– Portable Phone Charger – This one has over 12,000 5-star reviews!
Visit the Three Wineries on Kelleys Island
Kelley’s Island Wine Co.
418 Woodford Rd, Kelleys Island, OH 43438
The most established winery on the island, originally opening its doors in 1982, Kelley’s Island Wine Co. is a full-service restaurant and winery. Today, Kirt Zettler and his family manage all operations and continue to add and improve the Wine Co. through new additions to the property and delicious new wines and menu items.
I highly recommend grabbing a meal here – the food is absolutely delicious. There are a few menu items you simply won’t be able to resist – the Whipped Feta Dip, the Caprese Chicken Sandwich, and a delicious pizza to name a few.
Start with a wine flight, either dry or sweet, and then order a glass of your favorite wine to enjoy with your meal. I sampled the sweet flight which was mostly white wines, and I easily could have purchased bottles of each sample.
There’s also a tasting room opening Summer 2025 in the barrel room where you see where the delicious wines are produced, sample the wines, and wait for a table.
The grounds of the property are just as impressive as the food and wine. Behind the restaurant and tasting room are picnic tables for outdoor seating, a small playground for the kiddos, and farm animals like goats and chickens.
Monarch Winery
604 Division St, Kelleys Island, OH 43438
Owned by Rodney and Abbey Rosado, the daughter and son-in-law of Kelley’s Island Wine Co., Monarch Winery opened its doors in 2020 with the goal to provide a little something different to Kelleys Island.
Monarch Winery is known for its fruit wines and wine slushies, both ranging from dry to sweet. I tried the blood orange wine slushie which was delicious and serves as the perfect drink on a hot summer day. I also tried a taste of the strawberry lemonade slushie which was definitely more dry and tart, but equally refreshing.
While you’ll visit for the wine, I fell in love with the gift shop items and the porch area. The gift shop is full of fun items like teas and coffees with hilarious names, funny toys for your pets, and local handmade goods.
The screened-in porch features a cozy place to chat or play games with friends while sipping your wine, but the best part? There’s a small pond with koi swimming around. Rumor has it the porch was home to butterflies originally, but unfortunately they did not survive long in the environment.
While I recommend renting a golf cart so you can enjoy a scenic ride to all three wineries, along with the rest of the island, Monarch Winery is just a 20 minute walk from downtown Kelleys Island.
The winery also has live music every Saturday during the summer.
Crooked Tree Vineyard
715 E Lakeshore Dr, Kelleys Island, OH 43438
Crooked Tree Vineyard is owned and operated by Janet and Steve Wermuth of Columbus, Ohio. Steve has a very successful background working in healthcare leadership and consulting, but now he and Janet are living out their dream of owning a vineyard and producing wine – and very good wine at that!
The vineyard has over 3000 vines and the couple spends a majority of the year working on the vineyard together. When they aren’t on Kelleys Island at Crooked Tree Vineyard, they are pursuing other business endeavors or enjoying time with their family.
The wine at Crooked Tree Vineyard was my favorite of the three wineries on the island. Wine flights include three samples and the samples I tried were all so flavorful, yet distinct in taste.
The tasting room at Crooked Tree is fairly small with tables inside along with a few tables outside on the front patio. You can view the vineyard from behind a fence, but cannot walk through the vines.
Conclusion
I loved my experience wine tasting on Kelleys Island! The wineries all work together and complement one another to create a wonderful experience for residents of and visitors to the island. The sense of community on the island is so refreshing, and you truly can’t go wrong sipping wine in this beautiful destination.
