A drive along rolling hills, fields of corn and grazing cows leads to Lincoln Way Vineyards, named for its location on a stretch of America’s first transcontinental highway.
Owner and winemaker Jim Borton, who opened the Wooster winery three years ago, is intent on creating a destination equally intriguing to both serious oenophiles and the casual drinker.
“Most of the grapes we grow are known as French-American hybrids,” he says. “They were developed to survive our weather patterns.”
Among the 11 wines and two hard ciders, look for Lincoln Way’s first varietal-named wine, chardonel, a hardy cross between chardonnay and seyval blanc grapes. The vineyard’s wines run the gamut — from sweet and fruit-forward to a dry European style.
“We personally love the concept of enjoying food with wine and each wine is bottled and blended with the end result in mind,” Borton adds. 9050 W. Old Lincoln Way, Wooster, 330-804-9463, lincolnwayvineyards.com
Try This: The One Fifty Five White ($17.99), a blend of chardonnay, riesling and vidal blanc grapes, is especially refreshing with notes of grapefruit, lemon and melon.
