Cleveland Wineries: Vino Veritas Cellars Winery Offers Fun At Former Schoolyard Space

Vino Veritas, on the grounds of the former Memphis Elementary in Old Brooklyn, would like to quiz ya’. Sit inside the 20-seat tasting room or the 3,000-square-foot greenhouse? A game of bocce or a soothing sample by the pond with resident ducks nearby? Hey, you passed!

Kick back in this private 2.5-acre park with a glass or two created by owner Anthony Nunes-Insana. Vino, the red Doberman, escorts you to the wine bar, while you choose from one of eight varieties including cabernet, bourbon barrel-aged merlot, Sicilian Stallion (a blended red) or Kool-Aid, the vineyard’s sweetest blend.

The winery first laid its roots 11 years ago in Little Italy, then moved to Old Brooklyn in 2016. Nunes-Insana ships a rainbow variety of grapes from California, then processes everything on-site, from crushing to bottling. His vision is to make the winery an urban oasis, a destination for get-togethers, weddings and family celebrations.

“My parents are from Sicily and made wine when I was a kid,” Nunes-Insana says. “It’s been my goal since high school to own an Italian restaurant and winery.”

School was never this much fun. 4103 Memphis Ave., Cleveland,216-650-9877, vinoveritascellarswinery.com

Try This: Sicilian Stallion ($28) is an artful red blend that’s not too dry, with a soft edge that blooms beautifully in your glass. 

Click here to read more about Northeast Ohio’s wineries.