Ohio Wine Month Award Winners
June is Ohio Wine Month and it was celebrated on May 22 at the State House by the introduction of the Director’s Choice Awards by the Ohio Director of Agriculture, David L. Daniels.
The three awards were given to:
Red Wine: Presenting this award along with Director Daniels were Senator Balderson and Representative Hill.
Terrra Cotta Vineyard, owned by Paul and Donna Roberts for their estate grown Chambourcin.
White Wine: Presenting this award along with Director Daniels were Senator Cafaro and Representative Patterson.
Ferrante Winery, owned by Nick Ferrante and Family for their estate grown 2012 Signature Series ‘Golden Bunches” Dry Riesling Wine.
Specialty Wine: Presenting this award along with Director Daniels were Senator Eklund and Representative Young.
Debonne Vineyards, owned by Tony Debevc and Family, with the award being accepted by Ed Trebets, Debonne’ winemaker for their 2011 Debonne’s Vidal Ice Wine.
Congratulations to the winners of the Director’s Choice Award and to all those who won medals in this years’ Ohio Wine Competition and recipients of the Ohio Quality Wine Seal. Ohio Department of Agriculture Director David Daniels spoke to a crowd of 200 people consisting of grape and wine producers, legislators, agricultural representatives and several community and business leaders. Director Daniels spoke about the economic impact of the grape and wine industry on Ohio’s agricultural based economy. Some key points are:
 Ohio’s wine industry is the 4th largest in the eastern United States and is known nationally and internationally for excellence.
 Ohio’s nearly 200 wineries tend to over 1,600 acres of grapes that produce more than 1 million gallons of wine each year.
 Ohio’s Grapes and Wines generate more than $580 million in economic activity.
 Ohio’s Grape and Wine Industry employs more than 4100 people providing a payroll of $124.2 million.
Dave Scurlock is the Ohio State University/OARDC Viticulture Outreach Specialist. Please see http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/grapeweb/ for more information about the Ohio Grape Web.
