Did you know June is Ohio Wine Month? In 2012, Governor Kasich declared June as the official Ohio Wine Month, paying homage to some of the best wines in the country as well as honoring their significant impact on the state’s economy.
This region is home to 240 wineries, each attracting visitors from all over the country. Many award-winning wines are among the state’s biggest economic contributors.
Every June is dedicated to Ohio wine’s powerful impact and growing popularity among wine connoisseurs and novices alike. Since the turn of the century Ohio has expanded from 77 to 243 wineries.
There is no shortage of ways to participate in the 5th Annual Ohio Wine Month, from fairs to festivals, tastings to pairings throughout the state to celebrate this rich history.
The state has a long history of wine production dating back to the 1800s, and the industry has grown exponentially since, garnering national and international marks of excellence. Ohio is currently the seventh largest wine-producing state with more than 1.1 million gallons produced each year — something to be proud of, Ohio!
The fertile soil and temperate growing climate of Ohio are responsible for producing some of the best, award-winning wines in the country. Ohio grape growers and winemakers have earned a reputation of excellence, continually striving to harvest only the highest quality of wine grapes to produce the highest quality wines possible.
Each of the state’s wineries offers something for everyone. Perfect for family excursions, outings with friends or pet-friendly day trips, many of the wineries feature restaurants, overnight accommodations, patios, live music and vineyard tours.
From Ohio’s lakes to its countryside, Ohio wineries attract visitors from all over the region and country. No matter where you are in Ohio, you’re just a short car ride away from discovering why the state is on par with the likes of California, New York and Washington.
Some of Ohio’s most well-known wineries include:
- Firelands Winery, Sandusky
- Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, Geneva
- Debonne Vineyards, Madison
- Breitenbach Wine Cellars, Dover
- Heineman’s Winery, Put-In-Bay
- Gervasi Vineyard, Canton
- Vinoklet Winery, Cincinnati
- Wyandotte Winery, Columbus
- Harmony Hill Vineyards, southwest (voted one of America’s most dog-friendly wineries)
- Valley Vineyards, Morrow
A full list of Ohio wineries can be found here. Join the conversation with #OhioWine.
Thanks to the Ohio Grape Industries Committee (OGIC), who was established by the Ohio General Assembly in 1981 to create viable, income-producing grape enterprises in the state of Ohio.
By providing marketing and promotion efforts, OGIC expands new markets for grapes and grape products and research to improve the quality of grapes and grape growing as an agri-business.