Today I'm sharing with you a recent experience that I was fortunate to have at
The Lakehouse Inn & Winery at Geneva-on-the-Lake. Settle in, because it's a long post, but I couldn't help it. We did a lot, and it's all worth sharing!
This inn, winery, restaurant, and spa brought out a select group of media representatives and social media influencers (
and Mr. H was able to join for a small fee!) to not only check out their quaint and gorgeous lake setting...
...but also to get a taste of the entire area, and what is has to offer year-round. The Fagnilli family (
owners since May 2000) prides themselves on their ability to highlight Ashtabula County's four seasons through an unforgettable local experience with full service on site and a deep knowledge and history of the area. After touring the Inn's property, we headed out for a walking tour of the historic
Ashtabula Harbor.
I was immediately "at home" by the lakefront, and was enjoying the cooler temperature and breeze off the lake more than others. I'd love to spend more time walking around there, taking in the shops, restaurants, river, and bridges. I couldn't help but stop and look up at the stunning spring trees too.
I became quite obsessed with the covered bridges in the area (
thanks, Dad) and took a driving tour of my own to check out three in the county.
Seriously, how cool are these?
Then, it was back to the property for lunch at
Crosswinds Grille.
We were treated to some of their pizzas. The crust is made in-house, and it was a really great pizza with plenty of topping choices to please everyone.
Of course, we had to fit in tasting some of their own wine as well.
After lunch, we headed out with the Fagnilli family for some winery tours in the area. It was my first time at
Kosicek Vineyards, and I enjoyed several of their wine samples enough to come home with two bottles!
After sampling wine and being out and about for hours, we were fully prepared for the five-course meal ahead of us back at Crosswinds Grille.
Featuring bread made in-house and each course filled with produce and meats that are in-season and sourced from local farms. The Fagnillis strive to redefine "farm-to-table" and what it means to shop local. Nathan Fagnilli is the Executive Chef at Crosswinds, and he's putting out some great food and has a clear passion for what he's doing.
All of it was delicious, and beautifully plated, but highlights for me were the
shrimp and grits and the
beef navel (
ate like pork belly). An added treat was that two of the local farmers that the restaurant sources from were invited to join us for the meal,
Red Basket Farm and
Miller Livestock Co. We got to hear all about their farms, and the relationship that they have with Crosswinds Grille and the Fagnilli family.
The meal included wine pairings from The Lakehouse Winery, so I was ready to hit the hay after dinner. Mr. H and I had a cute beach-themed room in the main house.
After breakfast the next morning, it was time to check out the Spa on site. I enjoyed a manicure, and it was honestly the longest-lasting professional manicure that I can remember having. I got over a full week out of it, and I NEVER get more than a day or two with regular polish without getting chips in it.
Our final excursion for the trip was a behind-the-scenes tour of The Lakehouse Inn Winery production facility and
Na*Kyrsie Meats, just a few miles from the Inn. Na*Kyrsie Meats was Nate's dream, and he's got quite the operation going on now.
It was very cool to see, and hear about, their process and the styles of wine that they are producing. It's a huge range, and we got to sample quite a few.
Lucky us!
Nate was in his element at the butcher shop.
He brought out different pigs so we could literally see the difference in type and how what farm they were raised on impacts the meat.
We saw the "money room" where all the dried and cured meats reside. I jumped right in there.
Then, we got to try some! This was only a small section of the platter of meats we got to sample.
Mr. H and I took home several for later enjoyment. Good news for everyone in the Cleveland area...you can pick up their meats and Lakehouse Inn & Winery wines at the
Tremont Farmers Market this summer. They also have a Retail Monthly Meat Sale in Geneva, so check that out if you're in the area.
The trip left me wanting to coordinate a couples' trip out for an overnight stay and winery tour (
and some spa services slipped in for the ladies!). They have bed & breakfast rooms available with and without a jacuzzi, cottages, and a beach house. The property, and entire area, is peaceful and quaint, and just a short drive away for us. With the restaurant, small batch production winery, and full service day spa on site, you won't need to leave, but you'll want to because the area truly offers a lot of great things year-round. I was surprised, I admit, but it left a lasting impression and I'd like to go back soon.
The Lakehouse Inn & Winery
5653 Lake Road East
Geneva-on-the-Lake, OH 44041
Disclosure: I was invited to attend a media trip at The Lakehouse Inn and Winery. All food, beverage, accommodations, and spa treatments were complimentary. We paid a small fee to have Mr. H attend with me. All opinions are 100% my own.
