State Initiative Spotlights the Businesses Powering Ohio’s Wine Industry

Ohio's wine industry is more than a cultural asset-it's a powerful economic engine supported by hundreds of small businesses across the state. A new statewide initiative, Uniquely Ohio, administered by the Ohio Grape Industries Committee, is launching this month to spotlight the people, growers, and winemakers behind Ohio wine and the role they play in strengthening local economies.

Ohio is home to 430+ licensed wine manufacturers, making it the seventh-largest wine producer in the country. The state's wine industry generates $6.6 billion in economic activity, supports 40,399 full-time jobs, and produces $1.9 billion in wages statewide. Ohio wineries also attract 2.33 million wine-related tourists each year, contributing to economic growth in both rural and urban communities across the state.

The Uniquely Ohio campaign celebrates the people, places, and experiences that define Ohio wine culture. Through storytelling and outreach, the initiative invites consumers to explore wineries close to home and discover the diversity of Ohio wine. It highlights how Ohio wine reflects the creativity, grit, and pride of the people who make it.

"Ohio wineries-and the people behind them-have created an incredible range of wines and experiences rooted in their communities," said Brian Baldridge, Director of the Ohio Dept of Agriculture. "The Uniquely Ohio campaign encourages people to discover those wines and experiences right here in our home state, while highlighting the important role these businesses play in agriculture, tourism, and local economies across Ohio."

By increasing awareness and encouraging discovery, Uniquely Ohio supports continued growth for the small businesses and communities that make up Ohio's wine industry-while reinforcing wine's role as both a cultural and economic contributor statewide.

For more information about the Uniquely Ohio campaign and to explore Ohio wineries across the state, visit https://www.uniquelyohiowines.com