Crooked Tree Vineyard Closed on 9/22/2025.
It is time for a new chapter. The vineyard/winery venture has been an incredible experience for us and the success far exceeded our expectations. We learned about a new industry, pushed our physical limits to new heights, met great people, and created memories to last a lifetime.
But now, we want the freedom to visit with our children, grandchildren, family and friends without constraints of a business. We both still have other professional interests that we will pursue so not truly retirement just a shift to enjoy our Kelleys Island home and property.
We are not leaving Kelleys, keeping the property as a quiet sanctuary for us. Options for the vineyard are being explored; it could be a simple grassy area with trees or we might try some other crops.
Thank you all for a wonderful experience.
– Janet and Steve Wermuth
Handcrafted Wines
Cabernet Franc
*Currently unavailable
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!
Cabernet Sauvignon
To expand our dry red wine varietals at Crooked Tree Vineyard,we bring to you a Cabernet Sauvignon with origins in theOhio Grand River Valley. Mild blending of just 10%of our estate Chambourcin with Cabernet Franc results in arobust red with with savory notes.
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.