Rich and Betsy Hill moved “to the country” in the spring of 1997, after spending over a year negotiating to buy the old Stoll dairy farm in Parkman, Ohio. With both children either in or entering college, there was no longer anything holding them in high tax country. Truth be told, there was never any thought of vineyards or winemaking in the earliest days. But the long sloping hill, with excellent air drainage to avoid spring frosts, seemed to call for grapevines to be planted. Laleure Vineyards was established in the spring of 1997 with the first planting of vines in what is now known as Betsy-west vineyard. Rich dug the first 250 holes, 12 inches wide by 16 inches deep, all by hand in tough spring-wet Geauga clay. Needless to say, a great deal of automation has occurred since that time.

Without knowing the nature of the local micro-climate, four varietals with a wide range of winter and spring resistance were planted as an experiment. Included were Vignoles, Bianca, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. Today these same vines produce crops of consistent high quality grapes. Later expansion to the Jeanne-east vineyard added Riesling to the list of varietals. The most recent expansion was in the Amy-south vineyard where we have planted cabernet franc and chambourcin in the spring of 2004.

After the first vines matured, and it was confirmed that indeed you can grow grapes in Parkman, the idea of becoming an Ohio winery began to take hold. The thought of converting the old dairy farm to a self-contained vineyard and winery looked reasonably practical. By the summer of 2002 all the permits were issued, and Laleure Vineyards was officially established as an Ohio winery. Tanks, pumps, crusher, presses, bottler, filters, and other equipment had been purchased, and a fairly complete chemical analysis laboratory was established. The 2002 crop became the basis for the winery’s first offerings.

The winery opened for business in November of 2003 with the old farm milk-house converted into a tasting room. This quaint old structure with its warm fireplace is in perfect harmony with the cozy atmosphere of this boutique winery. Today you can taste the chardonnay, pinot noir, vignoles, bianca, and riesling wines which were all produced from grapes grown on this Geauga County farm.

This winter the expansion of the tasting room to a 40 by 60 foot section of the old dairy barn has begun in earnest. We hope to move into the area later this spring. There will be plenty of room for tasting and picnicing inside. We expect there will be occasional music or other entertainment