The Canal County Wine Trail

Like a bar crawl but classier, this wine tour will take you on a journey through more than 15 wineries in the Akron and Canton areas. At each participating vineyard, you’ll sample wines, nosh on some appetizers, and experience the rolling hills that make up the surrounding countryside. The six-hour tour is self-driven, so groups can pile into one vehicle to make the trek together. Along the way, you’ll visit Country Porch Winery, which is located on a historic horse farm, the Gervasi Vineyard & Italian Bistro, which overlooks a six-acre lake and sells gourmet Italian foods and pottery in addition to their wines, and It’s Your Winery, which offers the chance to begin your own batch of Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc that is then managed by the on-site staff until it’s ready for pickup five to nine weeks later. You will learn the rules of the road along the way, along with tips for tasting and reminders to eat throughout the tour to balance out the large quantities of vino you’ll imbibe (designated drivers are recommended). Stick it out for the whole tour or get sidetracked along the way at the Ashton House Museum nearby in Carrollton or the Gristmill Antique Shop in Beach City. At the end of the trip, take home a commemorative set of of Canal Country wine glasses and a Houdini Cork Screw, both included in the tour fee.

Photo courtesy Gervasi Vineyard & Italian Bistro

Spring Fling Wine Tour, three weekends: March 13 & 14, 20 & 21, 27 & 28, $50 for couples, $40 for individuals, (800) 277-6972, ohiowines.org