I enjoy a good glass of wine. It’s even better when there’s a designated driver and you’re hitting up three different wineries. And better still when you’re supporting local with three different eastern Ohio wineries!

Thankfully, Fun Bus had the same idea and decided to make a day of it!

Trips with Fun Bus

This was my first time doing a trip or tour with the Fun Bus, and I was not disappointed! I was actually only disappointed in my lack of planning and perusing the FAQs on the website before the day of the trip.

For example, at one of our pickup locations we had a group of six cheerful ladies join us, each one with a bag and a cooler like she was moving in. They had blankets in case they got too cold on the bus, coolers filled with snacks, mimosas, sangrias, and jello shots – y’all these ladies were ready for a day of partying!!

So yes, alcohol is permitted on the Fun Bus, as are coolers for and food and drinks you bring or plan to purchase from the wineries.

Fun Bus also has a lot more itineraries than I had imagined! They do quick trips to NYC, day trips to riverboat casinos along the Ohio River, frequent trips to Put-In-Bay, other day trips around Ohio, as well as longer trips to various National Parks.

Best of all, their prices are surprisingly reasonable!

Part of the seating area at Georgetown Tavern. I literally would love to bring a book here and look over the vineyards.

The Ohio Wineries We Visited

We hit up three Ohio wineries over the day, spending about two hours at each one. At first, I was concerned it wouldn’t be long enough, but it was actually just about the right amount of time to try a couple (few) wines, relish the atmosphere, and decide if it was a place you’d like to return to. (Spoiler alert: they are.)

Georgetown Tavern on the Hill

The first winery was Georgetown Vineyards and Southside Brewery at Georgetown Tavern on the Hill. And when they say “on the hill,” they mean it! It’s a lovely, rolling hill with the back of the tavern overlooking town and more rolling hills. There’s copious outdoor seating, some as large tables with umbrellas, some as two chairs with a stand between them. It’s literally the perfect venue for a few friends, or to enjoy a book and a glass (or four) of wine.

The wines here tend to be sweet and fruity, conveniently listed from sweetest to driest on the board behind the bar. I tried the rhubarb, blackberry, apple, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The apple and Cab were both good, but I favored their rhubarb and blackberry wines. (Psst! You can order them online and have them shipped!)

I didn’t get a chance to taste anything from the brewery, but that just means I’ll have to go back, right?

Sand Hollow Winery

This winery had a very different atmosphere from the other two, but I also really liked it for that reason. Sand Hollow Winery is tucked back down a country lane, nestled near a pond and some hiking trails through the woods.

That’s right, there are three trails around the property, ranging from a gentle stroll around the pond to an hour-long jaunt. So you can have a couple drinks, ungracefully trip your tipsy self along a trail to wear off the alcohol, then get back to drinking.

There are several seating options here as well, ranging from a porch swing to a gazebo, and from picnic tables, to individual chairs in a circle beside the pond.

For $5 you could taste 10 different wines! Jim, the owner, advertises that “in the unlikely event you don’t like one of our wines, Jim encourages you to taste again, you obviously made a mistake.” I’d have to second that. I enjoyed almost all of the ten wines sampled, and there’s certainly a wide variety.

The Riesling was my favorite of the whites, you’ll forget the Wild Berry is even alcoholic it goes down so easily, and all the reds were smooth drinking! I opted to split a bottle of Girl’s Night Out with a fellow day drinker.

There’s also a speakeasy on the grounds, though sadly it was closed due to COVID. BUT! There’s a clawfoot tub in the bathroom that is quite the location for group photos!

The view and variety of seating at Sand Hollow Winery as seen from one of the walking trails around the pond.

Buckeye Lake Winery

Last but not least was a stop by the lake with Buckeye Lake Winery. That’s another thing I really enjoyed about this tour – the variety of views. Whether you preferred a distant view overlooking the vineyards, Adirondack chairs by the woods, or an expansive lawn by the lake, one of the chosen wineries was bound to suit you.

Truth be told, I was feeling pretty happy by the time we got to this winery, so I only had one drink – their Lake View Red as a slushie. I also ordered their Margherita flat bread, which was delicious!

This winery has the vibe of a larger company, comparatively, in the sense that they do weddings, their wines can be purchased from several retailers in central Ohio, and they offer a wine club for those who like to have a stash at home.

With a location that’s less out-of-the-way than the previous two, a large seating area for guests, and a scene closer to the action of the lake, there’s definitely more hustle and bustle going on here. Which is great if you have several friends or want to do some people watching!

How was the social distancing?

I will provide a caveat here.

Fun Bus made it easy and absolutely possible to social distance throughout the day. Participants were screened for their temperature before boarding the bus, and masks were required once onboard. Also, the group size is limited and the bus is huge, so people could easily spread out to maintain some distance from one another.

That said, alcohol can have a tendency to let down your guard. So while I kept my distance on the bus and at the first winery, the alcohol certainly reduces your inhibitions and may make you forget about the ongoing pandemic for a while. (Which could be a good or a bad thing.)

So I certainly applaud Fun Bus and their efforts to maintain distancing. But realize that your personal resolve could go out the window as the tour (and wine drinking) continues, especially if others in the tour are fun to chat with.

Wide open spaces at Buckeye Lake Winery! Several large tables with a nearby view over the lake.

Final Thoughts on the Ohio Wineries Tour

I had an absolute blast on this trip! There was a great group of travelers with me, and our two Fun Bus guides were super friendly. The bus was comfortable, and the wineries had beautiful views and several wine options. It was just all-around a great day.

I have a 10-lb weight limit from my recent surgery, which limits what all I can take with me… and my cameras and water bottle weighed more than half my limit… But if I were to do another trip, I would absolutely take advantage of how much the Fun Bus lets you bring along. I’d have my personal bag with a light hoodie for the bus (just in case). I’d also bring plenty of water, snacks, and a padded bag for any wine I brought home. Or, even if it wasn’t a wine tour, I’d have a drink or two for the road. Because really, how often can you be sipping a mimosa when rolling down the highway?

This eastern Ohio wineries tour was my first trip with Fun Bus, but it certainly won’t be my last!

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