A Cottage in the Woods

The Oak Cottage @ Vineyard Woods – Geneva

We’re back! In Ohio that is.  And I’m here to share with you a little secret. Have you ever wished you could find a place that transported you to somewhere far, far away?  Maybe a little cottage in the woods, surrounded by vineyards and continuously flowing wine?  Guess what?! I found it.

I had the privilege of staying in one of Geneva’s newest unique lodging properties.  Nestled between vineyards and woods, this little getaway is just what everyone needs.  Come with me as we explore the Northeast corner of my great state with a wine tasting, dinner and overnight at Vineyard Woods.

When you book your stay at Vineyard Woods, there is a detailed explanation of how to find the place.  For me, this is great, because it means it’s tucked away and feels like a hidden treasure.  The long, winding entry off of the main drag takes you back behind the grapevines and into a patch of forest.  This is where I found my abode for the night, The Oak Cottage.  Across the path is The Vineyard Villa, a super cool transitional space that allows one couple or many to share a cabin in the woods.  But my cottage, was perfect for two.  When I visited, we were still dusting off the remains of an Ohio winter and the inside was warm and cozy. Owners Scott and Katie have decorated this place with unique pieces of refurbished furniture and wine accents.  The cottage comes complete with a small kitchen, fireplace and patio so that you can choose just how much relaxing you’d like to do.

Assuming you’re visiting the region for wine, it’s important to note that Vineyard Woods sits in the middle of it all.  The land itself is on 10 acres of wine grapes (Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer and Pinot Noir).  This land originally served as a Concord grape vineyard supplying Welch’s, until 2004 when it was replanted as it is today.  But those aren’t the only vineyards.  Your private cottage sits among 20+ wineries within 12 miles, just 10 miles away from Lake Erie and near 19 covered bridges awaiting your visit.

On my visit, Scott and I headed to nearby M Cellars, where the wine steward was happy to pour us a taste of some of his favorites.  We were quick to sample the Chardonnay, Dry Rose and Meritage.  You can also have some small plates while sampling wine by the fire or on the patio – might I recommend the Ohio Charcuterie & Fromage board??

But, you all know me too well. Although I devoured the cheese and cured meats, this girl needed dinner.  Fortunately for me, I had a wonderful guide to point out the best food options. I was too late to enjoy dinner at Ferrante, but I wasn’t too late to stop in at another great Ohio lodging venue – Lakehouse Inn & Winery.  The property’s restaurant, Crosswinds Grille, sits on Lake Erie with some killer views.  On this particular night, the winds were treacherous and the lake was in an evil fury.  It did make for a beautiful spectacle at sundown, though!  Crosswinds serves up all locally sourced foods and after a few glasses of wine, I needed some.  I started with a salad and ordered the White Pizza – delicious!

The Oak Cottage @ Vineyard Woods – Geneva

I made it back to my cottage with just enough time to unwind.  The rain had started shortly after I arrived back, with a thunderous pounding on the roof, making the in-room fireplace a perfect complement.

This was my first visit to the Geneva-on-the-Lake region and the bar has been set pretty high.  If you haven’t been or need a refresher (or just another glass of wine) I highly encourage you to check out the beautiful oasis Scott & Katie have created at Vineyard Woods.  With two cabins built and more on the horizon, this is soon to be a quite popular getaway.  Of course, InnLove readers get a special perk for checking out the area’s newest unique lodging. Mention the blog and receive a $25 gift card to a local winery, something special to enhance your stay!

I can’t believe it took me this long in life to discover this Ohio gem, but luckily, things are just getting started and I can’t wait to return.

“People don’t take trips, trips take people.” – John Steinbeck

2 thoughts on “A Cottage in the Woods”

  1. Scott! This is my hometown and I have to go home for a week this summer! I might try to stay here if available:) So glad I looked at my LinkedIn today!

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