I’ve been visiting the wineries in Lake and Ashtabula counties for more than a decade and absolutely love it! I have so many memories of road trips out east. My now husband and I had one of our earliest dates there so it always holds a special place in my heart. Even without my romantic connection, we are incredibly lucky to have such a gorgeous destination so close to home. I hadn’t taken my usual trips to the wineries in a couple of years, so I was really excited when Ohio.Find It Here. asked me if I wanted to visit Debonné. Three friends and I hit the road for what would turn out to be a girls' trip to remember — and one we can’t wait to repeat!
THIS POST WAS SPONSORED BY OHIO. FIND IT HERE. & DEBONNÉ VINEYARDS.
AS ALWAYS, ALL THOUGHTS + OPINIONS ARE MY OWN.
Sarah, Nikki, Lauren and I were looking forward to getting started, so we quickly checked into our hotel and hit the road. We took advantage of the hotel shuttle so we wouldn’t have to worry about drinking and driving. It was well worth the $25/person. We had some first-timers on this trip and I couldn't wait to show them how incredible our Ohio country is.
While I have been to the area many times in the past, it had been quite a few years since I last visited Debonné. When we pulled up, I was kicking myself for not visiting sooner. IT IS GORGEOUS! Lesson learned. There may be a ton of new places opening all the time, but the OG wineries have stood the test of time for a reason.
Debonné Winery
We started our visit with a tour that included the wine cellar and wine samples. And we learned about their impressive story - what started as a fruit farm in the early 1900s has evolved into 175+ acres of grapes that produce more than 85,000 gallons of wine per year. They are the largest estate winery in Ohio, but it doesn't feel overwhelming, and they truly have something for everyone. While they have a lot of history, they are constantly keeping things fresh.
A brewery at a winery? Well, when I said that Debonné has something for everyone, I meant it! We tried a couple beers and I fell in love with their Butter Pecan Porter. I definitely plan on going back with my hubby to explore the beer offerings a bit more. I love that they have non-wine options because there always seems to be at least one person in a group that doesn’t feel like wine — problem solved!
Music
One of the many reasons that people love Debonné is because they have great bands all year long. Bobby Hayes & The H2O Band was there during our visit and the dance floor was packed.
Dining at Debonné
After all the dancing and wine tasting, you’ll be happy to know that they have plenty of food options for both inside and outdoor dining. You can choose from an assortment of appetizers, wood fired pizzas, cheese plates, salads and more. They have freshly popped popcorn too. We all got the freshly grilled burgers and a charcuterie plate and ate outside so we could enjoy the views. We all agreed that nothing tastes better than eating food hot off the grill, sitting outside on a beautiful day!
The outdoor space at the winery is incredible. There are many seating areas including a gazebo and covered pavilions. Be sure to check out the bocce courts and take some time to admire the extensive flower gardens.
Upcoming Events
We visited in August at the peak of summer, but Debonné is a fantastic destination no matter the season. Autumn brings changing leaves and harvest crush season. Even when the temperatures dip, you can cozy up to the fireplace in the bar.
Throughout the month of October, you’re in for a spooktacular treat – or should I say Trick or Treat? The adult Trick or Treat Wine & Cocktail Trail is the perfect excuse to dress up and experience fall at the wineries. For only $8 per stop you’ll get drink samples and festive seasonal appetizers featuring fall favorites like apple cider and pumpkin spice. You’ll receive a card when you sign up – once it’s full you can submit it to win prizes.
In March, you can join Debonné and other local wineries for the Ice Wine Festival {link} and experience some of the best dessert wines in Ohio.
Things To Do Near Debonné
Before we headed home, we explored the Grand River Valley area. Besides having fabulous wineries, you can visit Lake Erie, covered bridges, orchards, the Geneva Strip, farm stands and more.
We had so much fun on our girls’ winery trip! It was great to hang out, try some new wines and enjoy the beautiful grounds. While there are many Instagram-worthy spots, the thing we enjoyed most was spending time together, talking and laughing and hanging out IRL. We were only gone one night, but we felt like our getaway was a lot longer thanks to all the quality girl time we had together. Midnight chats in your PJs are something we all need more of, right?
The next time you’re craving wine and longing to get away, escape the routine and head to Debonné!
Plan Your Visit
Debonné Vineyards 7840 Doty Rd.
Madison, OH 44057