In the heart of Ohio’s Grand River Valley, the link between wine and family has written a story defined by perseverance that’s been passed down through generations.

 It’s a story of legacy, like that of the Kosiceks, a fourth-generation family who, faced with selling their century-old farm, chose instead to build their dream on the soil they grew up on. It’s a testament to resilience, embodied by the Ferrantes, a group of siblings who watched their winery burn to the ground, only to rise from the ashes stronger than before. And it’s a story of love, found at Debonné Vineyards, where a pioneering vintner and a curious customer built not only Ohio’s first post-Prohibition winery but a beautiful life together. 

These three families represent the heart and soul of Ohio Wine Country. Their deep-rooted heritage and fierce passion are poured into every bottle, offering a truly personal taste of the region.

Debonne Vineyards — The Dynamic Debevcs

When you stroll the rolling acres of Debonné Vineyards, tucked in Ohio’s Grand River Valley, there’s rich history in the soil beneath your feet. It’s not just wine being cultivated here — it’s a family legacy over half a century in the making.

“I approached my parents about building a small winery on the farm,” recalls Tony Debevc, president of Chalet Debonné Vineyards. “We already had vineyards here… After my military obligation, I came home, and we jumped right into it.”

That leap of faith made Debonné the first new winery in Northeast Ohio since Prohibition. “We started our operation by building the initial structure in 1971 and opened to the public in March of 1972,” Tony says. “We drew a lot of attention from the media about this ‘new winery.’”

It wasn’t long before Debonné became the backdrop to another kind of growth story. A curious local named Beth, who then “drank Stroh’s [beer], not wine,” remembers when her parents discovered the winery. “My mom came back and said, ‘You’ve got to go to this winery, it’s so cool,’” she laughs. “Sure enough, Tony was working behind the bar… a few visits later, we started talking… and that was it.”

Tony jokes that he “was looking for free help.” Even in those early days, Debonné evolved beyond a business into a shared life’s work.

The first decade wasn’t easy, if for reasons most other small businesses would be jealous of: “My parents wanted a small family business,” Tony says. “But we were overrun with customers — we had way more customers than we had product. We grew in spite of ourselves.”

Beth remembers those years as a blend of chaos and joy.
“When I started here, I wanted to make it just as nice as it could possibly be,” she says. “I told everybody I was going to retire at 70 — I’m going to be 75. But what was I going to do? This is our life.”

By the early 2000s, their son joined the family business, adding a modern twist by starting a small brewery at the facility, which helped attract a new generation of visitors.

Now, the Debevcs are expanding again with a new multi-million dollar facility in Geneva. Still, it’s the Grand River Valley that keeps them home. “What I really like about this region is the four seasons,” Tony says. “Spring is exciting… Summer is our busy time. Fall is the culmination of hard work. Winter is our recharge.”

That sense of place infuses everything at Debonné. Beth sees it every day from behind the bar as strangers become friends and travelers turn into regulars. 

“We offer an experience,” she says. “Our friends now are people who were once customers. We travel together — if we’d had office jobs, we never would’ve had those friendships.”

Half a century later, Debonné remains a living symbol of Ohio’s evolving wine country. “I decided many years ago that it probably wouldn’t be best to die with my boots on,” Tony says with a grin. “But as long as I have the mental capacity to do it… I’ll keep going.”

And Beth, ever the grounding force, adds simply: “We built this together. And honestly, I can’t imagine doing anything else.”

Kosicek Vineyards — Four Generations on Family Soil

In the heart of the Grand River Valley, Kosicek Vineyards is a testament to family, perseverance, and the art of winemaking. Transcending business, Kosicek’s is a century-old story, a connection to the land that you can taste in every glass.

The tale begins in the 1920s when Tony Kosicek’s grandparents immigrated from Slovenia and planted Concord grapes in Harpersfield, Ohio. For decades, the family farm supplied Welch’s, a vital part of the region’s agricultural engine. That legacy was nearly lost 15 years ago when the family received a lucrative offer to sell the farm. For the Kosiceks, however, selling was unthinkable. “It wasn’t going to fly to sell the family farm,” states third-generation steward Tony Kosicek. “So, we decided to do our own thing and open a small winery.”

The decision was sealed by the fourth generation. “My dad came home one day and told my brother and me he thought that he was going to sell the family farm,” recalls his daughter, Emma. “And my brother and I just started crying… we were totally against the idea.”

Building the winery required a total commitment, transitioning the farm to grow classic varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling. It demanded what Emma calls “literal blood, sweat, and tears.” Today, that dedication is the winery’s guiding principle. “Our entire family works here,” Tony says with pride. “You’re going to find one of us here most all the time.”

This hands-on approach is grounded in a simple yet powerful philosophy. “Our main goal is to have quality wine,” he explains. “We don’t try to be a restaurant. We grow grapes. We make wine.” For Tony, the ultimate reward is seeing visitors enjoy the fruits of their labor. “I enjoy the look on their face when they see grapevines, see a true winery… and they can enjoy the award-winning wines that we produce.”

While Tony grounds the operation in its history, Emma drives its innovative future. After returning home from college, she found her calling. “I just fell in love with what I was doing here,” she says. “This is an opportunity of a lifetime.” As assistant winemaker, she experiments with an annual “passion project,” creating unique, small-batch wines that push the boundaries of Ohio wine.

A visit to Kosicek Vineyards is an invitation into that story – a chance to taste wines born from a century of history and shaped by the passion of the next generation.

Ferrante Winery & Ristorante — Forged in Fire, Rebuilt by Family

A visit to Ferrante Winery & Ristorante is an immersion in la dolce vita, Ohio-style. It’s the aroma of scratch-made Italian specialties, the sound of friends laughing over a shared bottle, and the sight of sprawling vineyards disappearing over the hills of the Grand River Valley. It feels established, permanent. But Ferrante’s beautiful, mission-style winery, which stands today, is a testament to resilience and a story forged in fire.

“My grandmother and grandfather started this winery in Collinwood, Cleveland,” explains Nick, the family’s winemaker and general manager. “They immigrated from Italy, and they made wine for the neighborhood.”

In 1942, the Ferrantes purchased a farm in Harpersfield to grow Concord grapes, trucking them back to their urban winery. It was a dual-location operation for decades until, as third-generation owner Carmel Ferrante-Arbucheski puts it, “In 1979, they brought the winery to the grapes.”

Carmel’s father, a carpenter by trade, built the original winery, running it part-time. “He really worked six days a week,” Carmel recalls. “Sundays were off, church, and pasta day.” That ethos – faith, family, food, and hard work – became the foundation of the business. In 1983, a small Italian restaurant was added. The reasoning was simple: “Wine and food go together,” Carmel says.

For years, the second generation and the emerging third generation worked to build the business. Then, in 1994, the foundation they built was reduced to ash.

“We had a fire here in 1994, and that kind of set our course,” says Nick “It changed our whole outlook. That was probably the most defining moment in our business history and our family history.”

The fire resulted in a total loss, but in the ashes of the winery the family’s future was resolved for the better. “My dad said, ‘Look, if you guys want to do this, you can do this,’ and that really solidified our commitment to rebuild,” recalls Mary Jo.

“We rebuilt this fabulous place we have now. We planted vineyards,” says Nick. “It was just a spark that turned our lives around, basically.”

The fabulous place they rebuilt is run by four siblings who have found a remarkable synergy. When asked how they make it work, the answer is a blend of mutual respect and a learned professionalism. 

Mary Jo echoes their parents’ wisdom: “My parents always said, ‘Family is family, and business is business.’ So, we kind of just grew up that way, and we respect what we all do.”

This clear division of labor allows each sibling to excel – and cuts down on the usual bickering. For Nick that meant stepping up to fill a crucial role. “My brother and my cousin did not want to make the wine, so I said I would,” he laughs. “I had no idea how to make wine. I took it upon myself to learn, and I stepped up.” Thirty-five years later, his award-winning wines are a testament to him making the right decision.

In the restaurant and tasting room, Carmel and Mary Jo cultivate a welcoming atmosphere that extends their family’s tradition of hospitality to every guest. “My passion is really being in the wine room,” Carmel beams. “I love talking with people… they become friends.” Mary Jo sees their role as providing a backdrop for connection. “We take pride in having people come and discover their family through family reunions – we’re just the place for them,” she says. “Just to enjoy each day, sip and savor, and enjoy the afternoon.”

That legacy now looks toward its fourth generation. The siblings are hopeful, but also realistic. “It’s challenging to transition to the next generation,” Mary Jo muses. “You do need that passion to make it successful. It’s something that they have to make that decision within themselves to want it. Because it truly is a lifestyle.”

It’s that passion and lifestyle that defines Ferrante Winery & Ristorante. It’s a place where tradition is shared – a delicious legacy of family, food, and wine.

Meet Some of the Families of the Grand River Valley