So this new winery has opened in OTR. Yes, it's a real winery. Not just a wine bar. Kate, the winemaker, is awesome and very passionate about the grapes that are used for the wines here. And oh my gosh, the wines, not the typical Ohio Valley sweet wines. The wines that Kate and her partner are making here are freaking fantastic. They source their wine grapes from local growers, as well as Washington state. And they do a great job creating here. My husband and I did a full flight to sample everything. After that we decided which varietal we wanted to drink. The Petite Sirah is fantastic. I also enjoyed the Chenin Blanc. Actually, we didn't taste a single wine that we didn't like and enjoy. Really, really good wines here. You have to stop in and try it. read more

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WOW. This space is actually stunning. When you enter you have large, dimly lit chandelier, gorgeous wood on the bar and tables, along with deep red leather chairs. According to the bartenders a lot of people want to have their weddings there, it's that gorgeous. I'm already mourning the loss of this place since I'm from out of town. If I lived here I'd probably head here roughly all the time. It's great for both small groups and Romaric dates. Personally I came here alone with a book and it was fantastic. I wish I could do it all the time! Onto the wine! I did the flight of the Reds, all of them were fabulous but in particular the petit Verdot, was AMAZING. I'm always partial to beer but oh my goodness I was blown away. It's the first time I can honestly say I loved a wine, and I've tried quite a few. So I went back for a full glass of it, then another, and then I bought an entire bottle. Best of all is they try to source all of the ingredients locally as much as possible, and all of the wine is made on site. You can see all of the gorgeous wood barrels from the seating area. If you have time, go here. They're fairly new and I'd be excited to see what kind of other wonderful things they come up with. Sidenote- no real food here just some chocolate and chips. read more

The Skeleton Root - Front window view with the setting sun - Wine Bars Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Bottom line: this place is effing adorable. You've got to check it out. I love everything about this place. Not only is the decore/atmosphere on point, and the staff super sweet, but they also make all of the wines on site (with a guest wine or 2). I did a red flight and it was good, definitely some different wines that were fun to try. The space is great for large groups and they are getting ready to open an outdoor space in the spring. Highly recommended! read more

The Skeleton Root - Wine Bars Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

We've been patrons since just shortly after they opened. Their wines are great! It's fun to have conversations with Kate and the staff about the wines they are making and serving. Also fun to learn the history of wine in Cincinnati and to taste wines made from local grapes. The space is amazing and the snacks are great. They make one of my favorite wines - Norton; it's the best I've had from that grape. The Lady Hamilton and Petit Verdot are some of our favorite reds there. Of the whites - the Catawba is amazing, nothing like it. The Semilion/Sauvignon Blanc blend is also a favorite. Their rose and sparkling 'pet-nats' are also good. Just taste the wines, see what you like, and take a case home with you! read more

What an awesome addition to OTR!! It's a really beautiful space....plenty of seats and room to mingle. A very modern vibe. Anyways most importantly they have wine...lots of it that they make themselves. I'm by no means a wine expert...I just like drinking the shit out of it as much as possible. I had all the reds and enjoyed them all very much. What was equally delightful was speaking with the owners and learning about the space and the wines. They really know what they are talking about and were more than willing to share their knowledge with me. I had a really great time here...almost felt more like an event than just having a glass (or four) of wine. Also the pours were pretty generous which I also appreciate. Tip: If you're taking the streetcar get off at the Rhinegheist stop or Findlay Market stop. It's basically a block east on McMillan on your left. Now go get wine turnt here. read more

The Skeleton Root - Wine Bars Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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Finally was able to stop in and try this place out! Jay was fantastic. Showed us the space. Gave attention to detail on all the wines. The wine was great too! read more

This is a funky little place that we ran across, with predominately dry wines that they make on site. They're open a couple days a week and they've got music on a lot of the Sundays, looks like they serve some snacks, charcuterie tray's. Definitely a fair price, we did a couple tastings and bought a bottle of wine and walked out the door spending 50 bucks. Nice people, appears to be knowledgeable, we will come back. read more

The Skeleton Root - Front of the building, don't judge, I'm glad we didn't. - Wine Bars Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Skeleton Root is one of those places you've been wanting to try out, but always seem to forget about because it's a little off the beaten path. It's a bit unassuming from the outside, but the stairs lead you to an open loft with high ceilings, gigantic windows and a variety of seating options. What I love about Skeleton Root is their make their own wine (you can purchase a bottle to take home), and it's not sweet (seems unheard of around this part of the country). My friends and I stopped by on a Thursday evening when they had a watercolor instructional class in the adjacent room (based on their Facebook page, it seems they have a lot of public events), which accounted for the majority of the crowd. We started the evening with wine cocktails because they just looked so pretty on their Instagram! We then transitioned to wine flights, which at $12 for 5 tastings was a pretty good bang for our buck. Our bartender did a great job explaining each varietal and almost made me feel like I was back in Napa (... almost). I overall loved the vibe of Skeleton Root and would jump at the chance to go back! read more

Stopped in at this winery. The atmosphere was great very well decorated. This staff was friendly. Location wasn't that great. Wine was good. read more

The Skeleton Root - Wine Bars Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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Skeleton Root is one of the hidden gems in Cincinnati I almost don't want to tell you about! Great ambiance and wine flights. Try the back patio for some social distancing and nice summer vibes :). read more

This place is unreal; my only regret is that I went a whole year without visiting. It is easy to access from the Brewery District stop on the streetcar, or a quick walk from Findlay Market or Rhinegeist. The ambiance of Skeleton Root is unbeatable. There are a variety of sitting options for any occasion, including high tables, bar seating, comfy furniture, etc. My group visited during happy hour and were happy to find that several glasses of wine were only $5 or $6. We were all happy with their house red blend; I also tried the rose and didn't love it, but I'm also kinda picky. We ordered a cheeseboard and both flatbreads between the four of us. All food was fantastic and I would absolutely order again-- especially the ricotta flatbread. I will certainly visit Skeleton Root often... it's a nice breath of fresh air from crowded Cincinnati breweries, and the wine is really yummy. read more

This place is lovely!! Great ambiance, decor and customer service. There is an excellent wine selection, as well as beer and mixed drinks. Not sure if it gets a bit more crowded as the evening goes on, it was very quiet when I was there, but the place can hold a lot of people. Bottle of Rose was reasonably priced, as well as many of the wines! Cheese board was so so, but great quality! I hope this place stays around! Great date place! read more

The Skeleton Root - Wine Bars Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Really great little wine place tucked away in a less-trafficked area of OTR. Their wine is really delicious and they have quite a bit of variety. Well-behaved pups are allowed in, which is always a selling point for me. They host weekend workouts in their space from time to time and I always like to stay for a drink to reward myself! read more

I was so excited to finally have an excuse to check out Skeleton Root this past weekend, now I'm going to need an excuse to keep me away! It was a Saturday night around 8pm and there was plenty of street parking - I honestly thought I was in the wrong place. I can only speak for two of the wines, the rosé and a dry red (can't remember). The rosé was really nice and dry. The red was also good, but my husband ordered it and I didn't catch which one it was. The atmosphere and service was amazing! The staff was very knowledgeable and willing to help with suggestions and simply talk about the background of each of the wines. read more

Such a fun stop and awesome location! Wines were delicious. I highly recommend the White flight or local flight! Staff very knowledgeable!

I decided to check this place out after I searched for wineries in Cincinnati with a focus on locally sourced grapes. As someone who works in the industry, I was curious to try some Ohio wines and was pleasantly surprised! The Catawba was particularly interesting, as it has a funky and floral aroma to it, and also a back story. Jay, one of the employees at the winery gave me a great explanation behind the winery and some wine making history of Cincinnati. Also, an inviting space to sit and have a glass of wine, particularly with a group. I would highly recommend this place to wine lovers visiting Cincinnati, especially since the city is mainly focused on beer and bourbon, understandably with its close proximity to Kentucky. read more

So much Yes. YES YES YES. I am thrilled to have this place in Cincinnati. FANTASTIC WINES. I was extremely happily surprised when I tried all the wine here. I had heard the story about the owner and was interested in seeing how it would be and I am definitely a fan. The atmosphere is super cool too. Very open and warm with lots of exposed brick. The bathrooms take it way retro with POWDERED soap (have never seen that in a restaurant or bar before). The ladies behind the bar were nice enough - not too particularly helpful or friendly, but not nasty either. DEFINITELY go here if you're a wine drinker. You won't be disappointed. read more

I am obsessed with the ambiance at Skeleton Root! It has really cool but simple decor and is very spacious. It's an Instagrammer's dream. Take a look inside the barrel room. Also, their music choice is on point The bartenders were super nice and very willing to help. My sister-in-law wasn't sure what she wanted so they explained all the different wines and even let her try some before placing an order. I got their seasonal sangria which was a fall sangria with a ton of flavor. You could taste the cinnamon and fall spices. The reason for 4 stars over 5? The powdered soap in the bathroom and it doesn't have the best temperature control. We were freezing in there so dress warm in the winter time! read more

Skeleton root is a GEM in otr that people dont know about. If youre not looking for it, its easy to miss. The place is huge, but still feels cozy and intimate. This is a great place if you want to be able to hang out with a group of friends comfortably. Grab a wine flight or bottle to share. I havent been in the summer but im excited for warmer weather to enjoy their patio. read more

Rustic atmosphere paired perfectly with red/white wine flights and charcuterie- all locally sourced. CanNOT wait to get back here! read more

The Skeleton Root - 2 charcuterie boards paired perfectly with our wine flights (red or white flights available)- All locally sourced meat, cheese, & wine. - Wine Bars Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

I've only been here once, but I enjoyed my time and the wine. It's slightly off the beaten path, and on a Saturday night, I wondered if there's enough traffic to keep them going. We had a group for a birthday party, and unlike other places in OTR, we weren't fighting for elbow space. The whole spot is really neat, and the staff was very helpful. I tend to like funky (weird) wines, and was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the Norton. I'd love to make my way back. read more

Holy Moly! What an awesome space. The attention to detail is exceptional. Such a quality design and professional finish. The staff was engaging, informative, and kind. They went out of their way to the educate us on the wines and share their knowledge. We immediately felt at home and relaxed. The music was fun and such a nice touch. The wines were FAB! We tried a white and red flight then selected bottles. The glasses were a special touch as well. We will definitely be back and have shared the experience with a ton of friends read more

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Super cool upstairs winery. Staff was incredibly nice and accommodating. They even host weddings which must have been super cute. Definitely check out if you're in the area. read more

Skeleton Root is such a cool spot in OTR! The staff is always friendly and helpful and their wine is great. It is so cool to try wine with grapes from the Ohio Valley Region! I recommend trying a wine flight (they offer a white flight and a red flight) and grabbing a light bite if you're in the mood for a snack! They also sell beer and non-alcoholic beverages. A great spot for friends or a date night. read more

The Skeleton Root - a flight pour of the rosé - Wine Bars Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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It's hard to express into words how terribly upset I am about this venue. Back in August of 2021 I contacted the Skeleton Root to check out the venue. Kate quickly replied and we set up a meeting. We loved it. It was everything that we wanted. I had major surgery coming up so I emailed her and told her that we loved the venue and wanted to book but had to get back with her the following month. September rolls around and I email Kate and say that I'm ready to book the date and that I have the money ready. She again replies relatively quickly again on Sept 25th. We made sure that the date was available and figured out all the details needed. The next email that I should have received was the contract... but I received nothing. We were quite literally in the middle of our email exchange and conversation that was ongoing that same day, and she ghosted me. I have called, emailed, DM'd on Facebook and Instagram. They ended up deleting any comments that I made asking about when they were going to respond to event inquiries. They FINALLY privately messaged me on December 10th through Facebook that they will be following up to emails after the holidays and apologized for the delay saying they had been busy working the winery. Now I 100% understand that times are rough right now. And I feel that I have been MORE than patient, after all its now going into 6 MONTHS with no response. My wedding was supposed to be this October.... I don't understand why if they didn't want to do business with me they didn't just say so. I had all my vendors lined up and every detail planned. I now have zero plans for my wedding. The Skeleton Root was everything I had envisioned my wedding to be. It's such a unique and beautiful venue. I do not have any family so I was wanting a small intimate wedding and this fit the bill. I cant express enough how horribly I think they handled this situation. And to be honest I cant help but take it personally at this point. I truly hope that this did not happen to anyone else. Getting engaged and planning your wedding should be a happy and joyous time. However, this has been quite the opposite. After waiting 6 months I think its time to waive the white flag let go of all the plans and the dress and just go to the court house. Good luck to anyone willing to gamble with this venue. read more

Skeleton Root is a lovely winery tucked away in OTR--I was in awe the minute I walked in! The ceilings are beautiful and high, the low-lot ambiance feels really cozy, there is little to no music, and the bartenders are very helpful and friendly. Skeleton Root makes you feel welcomed, and they have so much to offer with their in-house wines. I will absolutely be back for a bottle (or two!) of wine, and this will likely be one of the first places I recommend for a quiet night of wine drinking. It's perfect for a friends' night or a nice date! read more

A little bigger than I was expecting, but everything else was almost as I imagined. The combo of a brewery and a coffee house, I can definitely see myself relaxing here after work fairly often. I had the red flight, which was a decent sample of their 3 reds for ten bucks. I'll definitely be back for the syrah. read more

My husband and I went her for our anniversary and really enjoyed it. We tried Both the red and white flights to get an idea of what they had. They really seemed to know their stuff and it was interesting to learn about the different wines. Atmosphere was really laid back. read more

The Skeleton Root is the kind of establishment you hope is passed down for generations. The owners have done an amazing job telling a story with their wines. The cultural history of the Cincinnati wine region/Cincinnati altogether is told in this building. If I recall correctly, most of the building is original keeping the floors that were needed to hold machinery as a publishing company. The back wall made of brick along with the awesome picture of the old Cincinnati wine region before prohibition makes The Skeleton Root such a unique winery. The wine is absolutely amazing. Each type of wine is carefully crafted with a variety of grapes grown in the region. I especially enjoyed the Petit Verdot which was exceptionally smooth with a full bodied flavor. Also, I loved the unique Teays red where the fruity grape flavors cut through by this unique aging process. They have a great selection of flights to try which gives you an amazing introduction to The Skeleton Root wines. I simply cannot recommend The Skeleton Root enough. The owners got it all right with providing the historical context, the knowledge of their craft and of course the most important part; incredible wines! read more

Loveee this place so much. This winery has a deep love for Cincinnati and sticking to its roots. The owner and staff know what they're talking about and you can tell by the care that goes into their wines. So many different wines to try and if you don't know what to get just ask! I tried their "ancient style" sparkling Riesling and it was amazing. Thinking of picking up a bottle for holiday parties ! Will be back soon and can't wait to see what they come up with next read more

My new favorite spot downtown! My boyfriend and I tried the red wine flight and all of the wines were great (the Norton was our favorite). The staff were gracious enough to give us a tour of the winery and they were extremely knowledgeable. The space is fantastic and decorated nicely. Plenty of seating was available and the details of the old building were carefully and successfully put into the way the space is decorated. So excited to have a great winery in OTR! read more

It is no surprise to me that they currently have a 5 star review. What can I even say?!?!!? This girl, Kate, is doing it up right! The place looks amazing. I WISH I had what she has. The wines are 100% wonderful; no complaints. Hubby has been a wine maker for years and he LOVED every wine he tasted. The wine, the place.........YES. read more

This is a good place to go have a conversation and a glass of wine. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. However, I would expect to be able to pick the wine flights to be more individualized. The menu has a set list for the flights. read more

Beautiful hidden gem!! Huge space and extremely nice staff. Can't believe I'm just getting around to finding this place.

This is an awesome space!! There is a lot of room and it's nicely decorated. It was close to 10pm on a Friday when we arrived, and although they had just extended their hours to 11, we were the only patrons there (we did pass a few people on their way out when we came in). It's a destination to get to, but if you take the streetcar to Race at Findlay Market, it's only a 3 minute walk from there (albeit a lonely dark, walk). Since it was our first time here, my husband and I tried the white and red flights, figuring we may as well try them all. The Petit Verdot and Petie Sirah were our favorites, we'll definitely stick to those when we go back. If you don't know what you're into, the flights are the way to go. read more

Skeleton Root is a unique winery located near Rhinegeist. I have only been once but it was great for after work drinks. The wine was delicious and prices were I recommend trying one of the flights they offer so you can get a sample of everything. read more

The Skeleton Root - Wine Bars Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

We tried this place on a whim and ended up having a great experience. We eavh got a 4-wine flight, I got white wines and she got red so we could sample 8 different wines. We also got a meat and cheese charcouterie board and it was delicious. Skeleton toot emphasizes local wines and local grapes, and their bartenders educated us on each wines where it was from, and what flavors we might taste in each of them. They have a great doace, with a nice area for special events and parties. It's also a 3 minute walk to the streetcar station in front of Rhinegeist. We'll definitely be coming back again. read more

We had my mom's surprise party here last night, and the place was perfect. The staff was very friendly, knowledgeable, and accommodating. The wines were great, and one of the bartenders even took us on a tour. I would definitely recommend this place. read more

Great spot! Very cool to have a winery in OTR and w a friendly staff. We hosted our mother in law all day Sat & did a bit of a tour of OTR/CBD. She likes wines & sweeter cocktails (not beer). So, after lunch at Maplewood came here and we got to taste some of the wines and finally opted for a glass of Cab, Sangria (which she really enjoyed) and a Rose. They have comfortable lounge seating and high tops in the main room. I peaked into the barrel room and it was so cool and beautiful. Well priced. Again very convenient to have an actual full blown winery in the neighborhood. read more

Incredible experience! Kate and Josh are extremely experienced and very passionate wine makers! By far the best reds my friends and I have ever had! The owners have created a vintage atmosphere that is comfortable and inviting. This is a very nostalgic winery for a couple's night out or even a large group setting. Bend an ear and they might even give you a tour of this 10,000 square foot landmark of history. Stop by and learn what makes this winery unlike any other establishment in OTR! A must see!! read more