Thriving Wine Industry Boosts Ohio’s Economy

COLUMBUS — Compared to many other industries in Ohio, winemaking is a toddler, an industry that’s just starting to learn to run, but it’s quickly uncorking a significant amount of economic clout for the state’s tourism industry.

In 1985, there were only 35 wineries in Ohio. That number today stands at 178, according to Donniella Winchell, executive director of the Ohio Wine Producers Association. She said 65 percent of Ohio’s wineries didn’t exist seven years ago.