It was harvest time for grapes in Ohio, and with so many vineyards, I planned to spend a weekend exploring some of the more established wineries around Ashtabula County. Traveling as far northeast as possible, I found the little town of Conneaut, the home to Buccia Vineyard Winery Bed and Breakfast, a vineyard with a charming bed and breakfast.
Joanna and Fred Buccia have been tending to their vineyard since the 1970s and I looked forward to sampling a broad representation of this region’s wines. Resting under an arbor of grapes above me, Joanna picked a few grapes for me as she sat down at the picnic table eager to tell me more about the history of grape growing around this area. She reminded me that the weather in May was cold and while July and August were unusually hot, the harvesting of grapes would come early this year.
From dry and full bodied Cabernet Francs to the semi dry Lake Erie blend of Reflections, there seemed to be an endless selection of premium wines and new grapes of which I had never heard. For example, the Baco grape produces a wonderful red wine that was dry, smooth, with a minimum acidity while the Chambourcin, a French-American hybrid that thrives in the cold temperatures, producing a red wine with a higher acidity and low tannins.
Many of the wines at Buccia Vineyard are made from the grapes that they grow on the property, called estate wines, while the remaining grapes and juice come from Chile, Argentina and California. My next sample was the Seyval, another French hybrid that is grown mainly to produce white dry wines.
A small group of four unloaded out of an early model station wagon. Inquiring if they could try a few of the wines, they also asked if they could stay the night at the bed and breakfast. Joanna excused herself from our conversation and tended to the visitors as I overheard Fred tell them that the winery was for sale.
Enjoying the relaxed atmosphere, surrounded by vines full of grapes, I continue sampling the Vignoles and another new wine for me, the Agawan that has “fruity start with an herbal finish”. Rounding out my wine tasting, I poured a small taste of Reflections, a red blend made from the “best of Lake Erie grapes”, then took my last sip of Maiden’s blush, a sweet wine combined with the juices of local blueberries.
Joanna returned after setting up her new guests in one of the four rooms at the bed and breakfast. She gave me a quick tour of the property and showed me the available rooms with quiet decks, hot tubs and fireplaces. I listened to the faint sounds of Jimmy Buffett coming over the radio as I gave Joanna my list of remaining sites I planned to visit in Conneaut. It was a lovely summer day and I had the beautiful shores of Lake Erie to explore.
Have you visited Buccia Vineyard? Did you have a favorite wine? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my visit to Buccia Winery and wishing you many Happy Travels!
What to See and What to Do:
Buccia Vineyard Winery Bed and Breakfast
518 Gore Road
Conneaut, Ohio 44030
Telephone: 440 593 5976
Where to Stay:
Stay at the Buccia Vineyard Winery Bed and Breakfast or there are several options along the Lake Erie seashore.
Where to Eat:
Biscotti’s Restaurant
186 Park Avenue
Conneaut, OH 44030
Telephone: 440 593 6766
Serving Italian cuisine, I ordered the Medallions Gorgonzola Alfredo to try their homemade Alfredo sauce, so rich and delicious.
I loved Buccia’s when it was owned by Fred & Joanna. The new owners may have remodeled and upgraded but the wines are just not the same. The Agawam is NOT the original,the old one held dear gorever.
Hi Victoria,
I have not visited Buccia Vineyard Winery since Fred and Joanna had left. I am sorry to hear that things are not the same. I will be making plans this fall to revisit some of the wineries in northeast Ohio and will be interested in seeing how things have changed. Do you have another winery that you visit now?