Why Drink Ohio Wines?
- Posted on
- By David Samples
First, a word about American wine growing regions. Analogous to areas such as Bordeaux, Burgundy, Tuscany, etc., America has specific wine regions that are officially recognized and regulated by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) of the United States Department of the Treasury.
The official term in America for what generally are referred to as appellations in other countries is AVA, or an American Viticultural Area. The TTB defines an American Viticultural Area, or AVA, as a “specific type of appellation of origin used on wine labels. An AVA is a delimited grape-growing region with specific geographic or climatic features that distinguish it from the surrounding regions and affect how grapes are grown.” (TTB 2024)
With written support from Ohio governor Richard F. Celeste, Anthony Debevc of Debonné Vineyards petitioned the TTB early in 1983 for the creation of the Grand River Valley AVA in northeast Ohio. The petition was accepted and the Grand River Valley AVA was formally established on November 21.1983. (TTB 1983)
The Code of Federal Regulations defines the boundaries of the Grand River Valley AVA as follows:
The Grand River Valley viticultural area is located in the following Ohio counties: Lake,
Geauga, and Ashtabula. The viticultural area consists of all of the land within the Lake Erie
viticultural area, which is also within 2 statute miles, in any direction, of the Grand River.
Specifically, the Grand River Valley viticultural area consists of all of the land west of Ohio
Route 45 which is within 2 statute miles, in any direction, of the Grand River, and which is
also within 14 statute miles inland from any point on the shore of Lake Erie. (EFCR 2026)
The point of this brief overview is to emphasize that east of Cuyahoga County lies an official wine growing region of the United States. From a purely legal perspective, the Grand River Valley AVA is as official as the AVAs of Napa, Sonoma, or Willamette Valley.
So, why support Ohio wines? First, they play a significant role in the Ohio economy. Simply put:
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. (Ohio Department of
Agriculture 2026)
Then, from a wine lover perspective, northeastern Ohio wineries appear to be coming into their own. Passing are the days when Ohio wines were sweet and/or made with Concord grapes (which should only and ever be used to make jelly). Northeast Ohio is cooler in climate and vintners are finding success producing wine with cool-climate grape varieties, such as Riesling, Pinot Gris, and Cabernet France. In fact, several Grand River Valley AVA wineries won medals in their class at the prestigious San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 2026. (Bona 2026)
In conclusion, the Grand River Valley AVA to our east is a valid, official wine growing region. And vintners are making nice, interesting wines from grape varieties appropriate to the regional climate. Western Reserve Wines looks forward both to visiting wineries and hosting Ohio wines for tastings from time to time!
References
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. (2024, May 1). American Viticultural Area (AVA)
https://www.ttb.gov/regulated-commodities/beverage-alcohol/wine/american-viticultural-
area-ava
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. (1983, April 4). Grand River Valley.
https://www.ttb.gov/system/files/images/pdfs/Grand_River_Valley_NPRM.pdf
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. (1983, May 16). Grand River Valley.
https://www.ttb.gov/system/files/images/pdfs/Grand_River_Valley_comments.pdf
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. (1983, October 21). Grand River Valley.
https://www.ttb.gov/system/files/images/pdfs/Grand_River_Valley_final_rule.pdf
Bona, Mark. (2026, January 25). Ohio Wineries Clean Up in Prestigious Competition.
https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2026/01/ohio-wineries-clean-up-in-prestigious-
competition.html
Code of Federal Regulations. (2026, March 4). Grand River Valley.
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-27/chapter-I/subchapter-A/part-9/subpart-C/section-9.87
Ohio Department of Agriculture. (2026, February 18). State Initiative Spotlights the Businesses
Powering Ohio’s Wine Industry. https://agri.ohio.gov/home/news-and-events/all-news/state-
initiatve-spotlights-businesses-powering-ohio-wines-industry-2-2026