I have to admit, on my first visit to M Cellars something happened which has never occurred in any of my previous wine tastings: I was called out for being a wine blogger as I stepped through the door. Yes, I do carry a notebook and often visit by myself, but I never volunteer my blogging unless asked directly – all so I can experience a tasting as any other wine enthusiast would and without special treatment – but to this day I still have no idea how they were able to pinpoint me!
Let’s talk about M Cellars!
The central tasting room resides in a large and welcoming modern farmhouse; the experience is designed to be warm and inviting, with various sitting areas partitioned around the property hosting a selection of enjoyable environments for tastings. Walk past the central bar and you’ll feel right at home in their den, with it’s beautiful fireplace and comfy leather couches. Above the bar sits an upper-level tasting area, with seats overlooking the downstairs. And if you prefer sipping your wine out under the sun, stroll through the den and onto their outdoor patio, where the surrounding grounds and vines are only a few short paces away.
On my first visit I enjoyed the privilege of tasting wine with the owner, Matt. He was kind enough to offer a tour and showcase his industry knowledge – from his personal research and use of consultants, to the vineyard’s vines-to-bottle journey and processing ethos. We even chatted about the region overall and his experience producing wine in Ohio. I was impressed by both Matt and his team, as well as their deep investment towards the craft of winemaking; their expertise shows in the profile of each bottle. M Cellars is a family-run business, and his wife Tara was equally welcoming.
Onto the wines –
M Cellars’ Chardonnay Reserve is fantastic, and easily makes my top-ten list for any winery between the central valley and east coast. While not impressive in color, I noticed its exceptional construction and complexity on the first sip; the flavor profile just flows, and the different flavors deliver at the right time. There’s an exceptionally well balanced amount of oak throughout and a pleasant lemon-lime finish.
I visited M Cellars on no less than five occasions while living in Cleveland, affording me the chance to become familiar with their entire tasting menu. One of their most unique listings is a Rkatsiteli – this is a quite rare wine in the United States (I had only tasted one prior to this in Virginia), with roots reaching deep into Georgian and Russian traditional winemaking – but impressive to see at M Cellars, demonstrating Matt’s willingness to take risks on working with lesser-known varietals. There were also some delightful sparkling wines on the menu. After experiencing the entire lineup, three captured my attention.
Their Pinot Noir Reserve was delicious, delivering on both the nose as well as the pallet. Such an enjoyable experience and (again) well put together. I draw the comparison of making wine to composing a piece of music: the song should have all the right notes, capture your imagination, and be able to hold your attention. M Cellars’ Pinot Noir Reserve is a fantastically crafted melody.
Last on my list is their Gewurztraminer – and what an impressive wine! While I typically prefer Chardonnay or Pinots, I will admit that this one is likely the ringer on their menu. This wine overflows with different flavors, from the first aroma to the finish on your last taste. My tasting notes for this wine are filled with so many flavors descriptors… I ran out of room on my notebook page! I don’t know if M Cellars has ever submitted this wine into any competitions, but they should – I foresee it doing very well!
M Cellars Winery is head and shoulders above most others in the region, it was an easy decision to deem them the second best winery in Ohio. They make you feel right at home with their friendly service and atmosphere, and their Reserve Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are some of the best examples of their varietals on the East Coast. M Cellars is a must stop in Ohio!
Featured image sourced from M Cellars Facebook page