Update: Mon Ami Winery is now Gideon Owen Wine Company
Sumptuous smells of garlic and cheese reached the table within seconds before my pizza arrived. I ordered the Margherita Pizza, a glass of Concord and the menu’s recommended wine pairing, Pinot Noir. I had just spent the Labor Day weekend exploring nearby Lake Erie’s Put-in-Bay and planned to stop for lunch at one of Ohio’s oldest and largest wineries, Mon Ami Restaurant and Historic Winery.
I arrived early passing through the Mon Ami arch to avoid the Saturday night crowd. Mon Ami’s weekend entertainment and decadent seafood buffet can leave visitors waiting hours for a table.
The dramatic façade of the winery, constructed of limestone and sand, was designed and built by George Loeb. Construction of the initial structure began in the 1850s, but was halted during the Civil War, becoming a temporary, make-shift prison for the Confederates. The building was finally completed in 1872.
The history of Mon Ami began in 1873 when a cooperation of grape growers and vintners established Catawba Island Wine Company. While Prohibition saw the closing of many Ohio wineries, Mon Ami survived by producing and selling altar wine. Generating 130,000 gallons of wine, the estate was purchased by Mon Ami Champagne Company in 1937, one of the few American wineries producing the finest champagne.
The fire of 1945 destroyed much of the upper rooms of the original winery and it was at this time, Mon Ami decided to open its restaurant, collaborating with the local Zapone family. Mon Ami continues its tradition of offering up-scale cuisine in its Main Dining room with a selection to include Alaskan crab, Prime Rib and Executive Chef specials. Sommology recommendations are listed on Mon Ami’s menu, making it easy to decide which wine to pair with one’s food order.
The Chalet offers a more casual seating environment with live Jazz on Sundays and additional entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights.
I passed on dessert so that I could sample some of Mon Ami’s wine in the wine tasting room. Tasting Flights range from $5 – $7 or $1 per wine and an additional charge for dessert wines, liquors and champagne. I was so excited to sample the limoncello in additional to some of my favorite wine varietals.
Mon Ami’s spectacular collection of wines include California premium wines of Chardonnay, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz and Zinfandel in addition to their Ohio line of estate wines such as Proprietor’s Reserve Chardonnay and Cabernet, Riesling, Gewurtztraminer and Pinot Noir.
Mon Ami Winery hosts, on average, seven weddings over a weekend not to mention additional banquets and special celebrations throughout the year. From photographs in the arbor and rose garden or weddings in the wine cellar, the winery offers a wide range of on-site venues to celebrate that perfect occasion.
I inquired about the Loretta Pagnini Cooking School which features demonstrations and classes taught by Pagnini, a teaching chef who offers cooking tips, teaches a wide range of kitchen techniques. I knew that this would be a wonderful experience for a weekend with the girls.
Have you visited Mon Ami Winery? What was your favorite part of your visit? Dinner? Wine Tasting? 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 fun afternoon at Mon Ami Restaurant and Historical Winery and wishing you Many Happy Travels!
What to See and What to Do:
Mon Ami Restaurant & Historic Winery
9845 East Wine Cellar Road
Port Clinton, OH 43452
Telephone: 419 797 4445
The winery is open seven days a week, but the hours differ from the Winter to the Summer season, so check their website for hours of operation. Reservations are only taken on select holidays (Easter, Mother’s and Father’s Day, Thanksgiving, New Year’s Eve), so it is first-come, first-served. For Holiday Reservations call 419 797 4445.
Many stores throughout Ohio carry the popular Mon Ami wines, but purchases can also be made through Mon Ami’s online store.
Where to Stay:
South Beach Resort
8620 E. Bayshore Rd.
Marblehead, OH 43440
Hotel Reservations; 419 798 4900
Cottage Reservations: 419 798 5503
Where to Eat:
Mon Ami Restaurant & Historic Winery
9845 East Wine Cellar Road
Port Clinton, OH 43452
Telephone: 419 797 4445
During the weekends, Mon Ami hosts a seafood buffet on Saturday and Sunday brunch which are both very popular. Arrive early!
What to Eat:
- Assiette de Fromage (Cheese Plate) from L’Albratos for a wide ranges of cheese
- Barberton-style Fried Chicken, made from a Serbian recipe is an amazing dish from White House Chicken in nearby Barberton, Ohio
- Beef Cheek Pierogie’s from Michael Symon’s Lola
- Corned Beef Sandwiches from Slyman’s
- Polish Boy at Seti’s is a kielbasa topped with meat, coleslaw and ketchup.
- Pierogie’s from Sokolowski’s University Inn
- Veal Parmesan at Trattoria on the Hill in Cleveland’s Little Italy neighborhood
It was a beautiful sunny day exploring Ohio’s Amish Country when I happened upon an Italianate winery in Berlin Center, Mastropietro Winery. The winery is surrounded by acres of vines producing estate grown varietals such as Vidal Blanc, Chambourcin and Frontenac grapes, perfect for the winter temperatures. In addition to these hearty Ohio grapes, the winery also brings in northern California fruit for expanding their wine offerings.
With voracious appetites, we were eager to sample the local wines as well as the olive oil produced by the farm. This beautiful eco-tourismo exports seven red and white wines as well as a variety of olive oils and balsamic vinegar.
