Corot Noir is the Star at Naz Vineyard and Winery

I can’t think of anything better to do on a chilly afternoon than venturing out to a winery for some tasting. My destination for today was Naz Vineyard and Winery in Kingston, Ohio. Although officially known as Na zdravie, which means “cheers” in Slovak, locals have shortened the name to Naz. The land was once an alpaca farm, but is now a 10-acre vineyard and winery owned by Jack and Cindy Mergo. The winery, which opened its doors November 2017, produces several varieties of wine including an award-winning Traminette and Corot Noir.

We arrived in the late afternoon and took seats at the counter for a tasting. A tasting includes six wines, so I ordered a tray with their three driest wines (Red Wine, Corot Noir and Cabernet Franc) plus three sweeter varieties (Traminette, Soul Shine and Back to Black). As I worked my way through the tasting, I immediately found some personal favorites. The Corot Noir was my absolute favorite – so smooth and a bit more fruity than their driest wine (simply called Red Wine). It was perfect for sipping on its own, but I think it would also pair well with most red meats – but would be wonderful with red sauce pastas and pizza. I was also impressed with the Traminette. It’s always been one of my favorite grapes and what makes it great is that it can be produced anywhere from dry to very sweet. The Naz Traminette is somewhere in the middle, but leans a bit to the sweeter side. Sweet wine drinkers would love this wine, as well as dry wine drinkers that are looking for something a little lighter during the summer months. Although I am primarily a dry wine drinker I tend to want something with a touch of sweetness in warmer weather. After my tasting experience I could see why both the Traminette and Corot Noir are award-winners for this winery.

Naz Winery also produces a few more sweet wines, Native Naz and Niagara, and occasionally some fruit wines on a limited basis. For those that like something a little different, they even had two wine slushies available while I was there – one they were making with what is left of their Pear wine and another using their Niagara. I didn’t try a slushie, but I would have been tempted to do so if it had been warmer outside. I’ve been known to drink a wine slushie or two on a hot day.

For those wishing to stay for awhile to take in the atmosphere, there is plenty of indoor seating plus a covered patio and a deck outside overlooking the vineyard. Guests can also enjoy live entertainment many Friday and Saturday evenings. After your tasting you can stay to sip on your favorites by the glass or bottle. I personally stayed for a glass of Corot Noir and purchased a few bottles to take home with me.

An expansion is currently underway and visitors will soon be able to enjoy fresh made pizzas from their new pizza oven. In addition to pizza, Naz Winery will not only be serving their estate-grown wines, but will soon be offering beer and other drink selections as well. More space for events is being added and I hear that Sunday sales in also in the works.

Naz Vineyard and Winery is located at 13414 Marietta Road in Kingston, Ohio. Although they don’t have an official website, you can use this link to follow them on their Facebook Page.