Get started in the wine business with free workshop

Each year more than 1.7 million people visit Ohio's 123 winery operations, and demand for Ohio-produced wines continues to increase. Ohio State University Extension is offering producers and other interested individuals the opportunity to be a part of the growing industry and learn what it takes to establish a commercial vineyard.

OSU South Centers at Piketon is holding a free workshop, "Key Steps in Establishing a Commercial Vineyard," Sept. 17 from 6-8 p.m. at 1864 Shyville Rd., Piketon.

Workshop participants will learn more about the status of the Ohio wine industry, the key components of wine production, where to look for vineyard resources and who to contact for farm visits.

OSU Extension specialist Maurus Brown will discuss the resources and strategies needed to produce winegrapes. The first hour of the workshop will include a walking tour of the vineyard at South Centers, so participants should come prepared to walk to the fields.

"We continue to see interest from individuals who are interested in starting vineyards to grow winegrapes to meet the demand from the growing wine industry in Ohio," Brown said. "We want to educate producers on how to get started with their own winegrape vineyard.”

According to a recent survey conducted by OSU Extension, Ohio Wine Producers and the Lake County Soil & Water Conservation District, Ohio grape producers anticipate planting 234 new acres of grapes in the next five years.

Brown and his colleagues have established a winegrape trial at OSU South Centers to help educate growers about French-American and Vinifera varieties that could potentially be grown to meet the demand of the Southern Ohio wine industry.

The workshop is part of the Third Thursday Horticulture Business Training Series. The Ohio Grape Industries Committee is sponsoring the program.

For more information or to register contact Julie Strawser at 740-289-2071, ext. 223 or strawser.35@osu.edu .

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