Ohio Wine Travel Guide
Did you know Ohio used to produce more wine than any other state in the country, and Cincinnati was the most important city in the national wine trade. That was in 1859, thanks to Prohibition in the early 1900’s the wine industry in the state died. Today the Ohio wine industry is budding again and is producing award-winning wines.
The following Ohio Wine Travel guide shares a brief history of Ohio’s wine country, along with where to sip, where to stay and things to do beyond the vines. Cheers!
OHIO WINE HISTORY
Ohio’s wine history dates back to the 1800s when Nicholas Longworth, a pioneer in the commercial wine industry, planted Catawba grapes in Cincinnati. The wine was instantly praised by consumers for its semi-sweet taste, and because of Longworth’s initiatives, Ohio became the leading producer of wine by 1859, but the success was short lived. During the 1860s, crop diseases began destroying the grapes and the Civil War significantly reduced the labor force, which nearly wiped out the Ohio wine industry altogether. However, German immigrants came to the rescue when they brought their winemaking traditions to the Lake Erie Islands in northern Ohio.
Ohio’s wine industry was once again in danger of complete obliteration when Prohibition took effect. However, the 1960s revitalized the state’s wine production when disease-resistant French grapes were planted in southern Ohio. Before long, these grapes were flourishing in the Northern Lake Erie Belt.
Today, Ohio is home to 265 wineries with more on the way.
WINE REGIONS OF OHIO
Ohio produces more than 1.1 million gallons of wine every year, making it one of the top 10 wine producing states in the country. The state has five recognized AVAs and
THE FIVE MAIN WINE REGIONS OF OHIO
Lake Erie
Isle St. George
Ohio River Valley
Grand River Valley
Loramie Creek
PLANNING YOUR VISIT
Read on to find Carpe Travel’s first-hand travel tips and recommendations to help make your stay in Ohio Wine Country a memorable one.
WHEN TO VISIT
SPRING
Coming Soon!
FALL
Coming Soon!
SUMMER
Coming Soon!
WINTER
Coming Soon!
WHERE TO STAY
Grand River Valley AVA
Isle St. George AVA
Loramie Creek AVA
WHERE TO EAT
Carpe Travel's Top Picks
WHERE TO SIP
Sip your way through Ohio, here are some of the best wine bars in the state to check out.
GETTING TO OHIO WINE COUNTRY
If you are Flying…
Coming soon!
If you are Driving…
Coming soon!
GETTING AROUND OHIO WINE COUNTRY
Car Services
Tours
FESTIVALS & EVENTS
Be sure to check out these Missouri Festivals and Events that are not to be missed!
Vintage Ohio
August
This annual two-day festival boasts dozens of wines from all over the state, local artisans, live entertainment, food trucks and more. For those who want even more variety, there is a craft beer section to enjoy. Voted by USA Today 10 Best.
Geneva Grape Jamboree
September
This year will mark the 55th anniversary of the event, situated right in the heart of Ohio’s rich northeast wine region along Lake Erie. The purpose of the festival is to celebrate the grape harvest in the area, and activities range from wine sampling to live entertainment — and of course, grape stomping. Most importantly, it’s a completely free event.
Toast of Ohio
June
The annual Toast of Ohio Wine Heritage Festival features Ohio wineries, gourmet food, live musical entertainment, and an art show.
BEYOND THE VINES
Things to see and do besides sipping wine.
INTERVIEW WITH A WINEMAKER
Interviews with Ohio Winemakers coming soon, meanwhile check out the entire series.
