About Valley Vineyards
Valley Vineyards grew out of a farm in the Little Miami River Valley near Morrow. In 1969 an Ohio State grape specialist encouraged Ken Schuchter to plant vines; he ordered stock for two acres, received enough for twenty, and opened a winery in the family barn in 1970. Schuchter went on to found the Ohio Wine Producers Association. His family ran the winery for nearly 50 years, and it is now owned by Matt Cox and Rachel Sackenheim.
The wine list runs from dry reds such as Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Syrah to sweet Concord, Niagara and Pink Catawba, along with raspberry and blackberry wines and several meads. One mead, Buzz and Blooms, is infused with lavender. Cellar Dweller Brewery on site makes small-batch beer, including a New England IPA, a pilsner, a dunkel and a lime Mexican lager, plus a hard cider.
The best-known tradition is the cookout. Every Friday and Saturday evening, guests grill their own steak, salmon or shrimp over charcoal, with a buffet of salads, sides and desserts and live music. As posted in October 2026, a steak dinner is $49 with two drink tickets, alcohol-free versions are offered, all ages are welcome and children under 5 eat free. Reservations are recommended and are seated from 5 to 7:30 p.m. A Holiday Market is planned for November 1, 2026.
Sunshine Acres Lavender Farm is just a few minutes away in Morrow, and Onederings Lavender Farm, which is free to visit and offers you-pick from May to July, is about 20 minutes northeast near Clarksville.
What to do
- Grill your own steak at the Friday or Saturday cookout
- Taste Buzz and Blooms, a lavender-infused mead
- Compare dry reds like Petit Verdot and Syrah with sweet Concord and Pink Catawba
- Order a Cellar Dweller beer such as the VV IPA or the Dunkel
- Shop the Holiday Market on November 1, 2026
Season, hours and prices
- Season
- Open year-round, Wednesday through Sunday; cookouts every Friday and Saturday evening
- Hours
- Posted on their website (checked October 2026): Wed 3–9 p.m., Thu 3–10 p.m., Fri–Sat 11 a.m.–11 p.m., Sun 1–8 p.m.; closed Mon–Tue
- Admission
- Free to visit. Cookout (as posted October 2026): steak dinner $49, seafood $46, buffet only $30, each with two drink tickets; alcohol-free versions $39, $36 and $20; children under 5 free
Good to know
- Age
- 21 or older to taste or drink alcohol
- Reservations
- Recommended
Tips for your visit
- The cookout grills burn charcoal, so plan to start grilling by 8 p.m.
- Food is prepared to the reservation count, so tell staff if your party size changes, even on the day
- Plan a designated driver before you head out.
Pair it with a lavender farm
Sunshine Acres Lavender Farm · about 5 minutes away
Sunshine Acres is a few minutes away in Morrow; its you-pick field is closed for now, so check its website for open days before pairing the two.
Getting there
Questions
How does the cookout work?
On Friday and Saturday evenings you grill your own steak or seafood over charcoal, with a buffet, desserts and live music. Reservations are recommended.
Do they make beer as well as wine?
Yes. Cellar Dweller Brewery on site makes small-batch beers and a hard cider.
Can children come to the cookout?
Yes. Guests of all ages are welcome, and children under 5 are free.
🗺️ Part of the guide Things to Do Near the Lavender Farms of Lebanon & Yellow Springs, Ohio
Checked in October 2026 against the business’s own website and local tourism pages. Hours and seasons change, so check with them before you go. How we check listings · Is this your business? Claim it free
