Crystal Cave & Heineman’s Winery:
A Journey Beneath the Earth and Into Island Tradition
No trip to Put-in-Bay is complete without a stop at one of its most magical, storied, and surprising attractions: the Crystal Cave. This isn’t just a cool place to explore—it’s a living, glittering piece of Earth’s history, nestled within the grounds of Put-in-Bay’s oldest family-run winery, Heineman’s.
“Where else can you sip sweet island wine and stand inside the world’s largest geode?”
The Crystal Cave
Step into a Sparkling Underground World
Discovered in 1897 entirely by accident, this natural wonder lies hidden beneath the very vineyard that has produced some of Ohio’s finest sweet wines for generations. While digging a well, workers stumbled upon a hollow space glittering with celestite crystals—and what they found was beyond belief.
“The crystals reach up to three feet wide—each one shimmering like stardust frozen in stone.”
The Crystal Cave is, in fact, the world’s largest geode, its walls encrusted with strontium sulfate in its rarest and most beautiful form—celestite, a mineral that glows in hues of blue and ice white. Stepping into the cave is like entering another planet. It’s cool, quiet, and breathtakingly surreal.
A Winery With History—And Grit
Heineman’s Winery was founded in 1888 by Gustav Heineman, a German immigrant who knew a thing or two about wine—and about climate. The unique environment of South Bass Island, tempered by Lake Erie’s waters, creates ideal grape-growing conditions. Soon after Heineman set up shop, 16 more wineries followed.
But when Prohibition arrived, only Heineman’s survived.
“Other wineries closed their doors. Heineman’s opened the cave.”
Gustav’s son, Norman Heineman, realized the Crystal Cave was more than a curiosity—it was a lifeline. By offering cave tours and selling unfermented grape juice, the winery weathered the storm. Visitors today are still walking the same steps that saved a family business nearly a century ago.
Heineman’s Winery Today
Local, Sweet, and Proudly Island-Grown
After your cave tour, step out into the sunshine and right into the Heineman Wine Garden, where award-winning wines are served alongside their famous fresh grape juice. The vibe here is casual and cozy, with picnic tables and island breezes.
“Every bottle sold here is made on-site—grown, harvested, and bottled without ever leaving the island.”
Specialties include:
– Sweet Concord & Catawba wines
– Fruity, floral whites
– Dry and semi-dry options for more refined palates
And don’t skip the gift shop, where you can snag everything from wine-scented candles to island-made jelly, plus bottles to bring back as souvenirs for friends (or yourself—no judgment!).
More Than Just a Cave and a Vineyard
This peaceful pocket of the island is perfect for a more relaxed afternoon away from the downtown energy. Nearby attractions include:
🕳️ Perry’s Cave, a natural limestone cave with a mysterious underground lake
🍫 Chocolate Museum & Café, a sweet stop for ice cream and handmade truffles
🧭 Perry’s Monument, just a short drive or golf cart ride away
You could easily spend a half-day in this area alone, enjoying history, geology, and a glass of wine under the sun.
📍 Plan Your Visit
– Location: Heineman’s Winery & Crystal Cave, Put-in-Bay, OH
– Season: Open spring through fall
– Admission: Includes both cave tour & wine tasting (or grape juice)
– Pro Tips:
— Wear comfortable shoes for stairs
— Go early in the day to avoid crowds
— Bring a cooler if you plan to take wine home
What Visitors Are Saying
Nathan M: “I thought the winery would be a waste after seeing the cave, but no, the cave was incredible and the winery tour was interesting and informative. The included glass of wine (or juice) was delicious. Multiple award-winning wines from a vineyard where they still pick the grapes by hand because machines won’t fit!”
Adam R: “This is a cave that is also the world’s largest geode. There is also Perry’s Cave right across the street. Both are very cool places to visit and very reasonable prices. It’s a short trip by ferry. Plan on spending a full day and remember to find out when the last ferry leaves the island!”
Lauren B: “It’s a huge celestite geode you can walk in! I’m a rockhound, so I wish it was a longer experience. They had to drag me out to go on the wine tour. It’s a small space and they pack it tight. You’ll find it interesting even if you aren’t a rock person—but be prepared for stairs. No touching!”
Why You Shouldn’t Miss It
This experience is quintessential Put-in-Bay. It captures the island’s unique combination of natural wonder, resilient history, and friendly charm. Whether you’re a wine-lover, a rockhound, a history buff, or just curious—you’ll leave with something to remember.
“It’s not just the cave, and it’s not just the wine—it’s the story, the survival, and the sparkle that makes this one of the island’s most magical must-sees.”
See you at the bay! 🙂