We established Crooked Tree Vineyard in the spring of 2013 on a 5 acre parcel of land located on the Southeast shore of Kelleys Island, planting Cabernet Franc vines with the incredible help of our friends and family. In 2016, and after three years of nurturing the vines, we harvested our first grapes and distributed them to local Lake Erie-area winemakers. Pleased with the success of our vineyard, we decided to turn our focus to creating red wines that we would enjoy drinking and sharing with friends. Our first two varietals, Cabernet Franc and Raccoon Red, were made from grapes we harvested in November of 2017 and then aged for 18 months. They are both available in our tasting room at Crooked Tree Vineyard and at the Island Market located on the Kelleys Island. If you would like to order wine or if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We hope you have the chance to live out your dream as we are doing!
– Janet and Steve Wermuth
Handcrafted Wines
Cabernet Franc
We introduced our 2017 inaugural vintage of Crooked Tree Vineyard Cabernet Franc in honor of our family and friends who worked very hard to help us establish the vineyard. Our Cabernet Francis a dry, red estate wine that boasts a subtle herbaceous character and is produced in-house from our very own grapes.
Raccoon Red
Those pesky raccoons that call Kelleys Island home have developed a taste for our Cabernet Franc grapes, and let us know when the brig (sugar level) in the grapes is rising by scaling the large deer fence surrounding the vineyard for a meal. We dedicate this wine to the island’s raccoons in hopes that it will appease them for next fall! Our Raccoon Red is a 60/40 blend of Crooked Tree Vineyard’s Cabernet Franc and Chambourcin wines. This blend features the herbaceous qualities of the Cabernet Franc augmented with slightly fruity accents from the Chambourcin, a wine that will satisfy both red wine fans and those just beginning to develop a palate for red wines.
Eagles Eyrie
The Kelleys Island bald eagles began honoring us with daily flights over the vineyard, taking the occasional rest in the nearby trees on their way back to their eyries. Our Chambourcin wine is named in their honor. Just as we never imagined that bald eagles would become a part of our daily lives, we never expected that our Chambourcin grapes would produce a dry red wine that can stand on its own. Enjoy this fruit-forward wine with dark chocolates and served slightly chilled to between 60-68 degrees.
Island Blossom White
As you walk into our vineyard, you are greeted with a lightly sweet fragrance, a combination of grapes ripening on the vine and the many varieties of wildflowers that grow on Kelleys Island. This was our inspiration for creating a varietal we named Island Blossom White, which balances the floral notes of Traminette grapes with a little extra natural sweetness for a wine that’s sure to make your taste buds smile! Island Blossom White is a sweet white wine. It has a buttery feel with a refreshing aroma and finish, produced by enhancing a traditionally dry Traminette wine so that it’s perfect for summer sipping.
Four Sisters Red
When we founded Crooked Tree Vineyard, our plan was to make wines that would entertain our fondness for dry reds. However, it turns out that my sisters prefer their red wines to be on the sweeter side. So after all of their lighthearted grumbling and teasing, we finally conceded and are pleased to offer Four Sisters Red in honor of Denise, Lynne, Patti, and Janet (me). This is a wine that all sisters, whether by blood or love, can enjoy together! Four Sisters is made from our Chambourcin grapes. Enjoy this fruit-forward wine slightly chilled or use it as the perfect base for sangria or mulled wine.
Island Rosé
At Crooked Tree Vineyard, we know that harvest time has arrived when the taste of a freshly picked Chambourcin berry is sweet, and its juice is deep pink in color. With those grapes, our Island Rosé is thoughtfully crafted to showcase the unique taste and beautiful color of the grape but without the higher acidity and ripe tannins associated with bigger red wines.
whitecaps
We will never tire of gazing out at Lake Erie. There is a beauty in the stillness of a calm day and excitement in the power of crashing waves along the shore. Our favorite evenings are spent sitting on the deck, sipping a glass of Whitecaps, and watching the ever-changing panorama of the lake. Whitecaps is a dry white wine with a crisp citrus finish made from Traminette grapes grown in the Lake Erie Region of Ohio. As with all white wines, serve chilled.
Windchime Chardonnay
The wind chime hanging in the Crooked Tree represents family, perseverance, joy, and hope. Each time we hear the notes from the chime, it brings a fond memory of a family member and a sense of belonging to this Island. So raise a glass of this semi-dry, crisp Chardonnay and say a toast in honor of your past, future, and those that have journeyed along with you. Cheers!
Beachcomber
Happy the Dog was our beachcomber. Wandering the beach near our property was one of his favorite pastimes and the more seagulls to chase, the better! We invite you to raise a glass of Beachcomber wine and toast our companion and vineyard guardian who crossed the Rainbow Bridge in 2024. A blend of Vidal Blanc and Riesling, Beachcomber has the distinct hints of grapefruit and tangerine from the Vidal Blanc tamed with the overlay of the Riesling’s apple notes. This dry, white wine should be chilled to bring out the crispness.