Holmes County wineries drive Ohio ag growth

For many decades Ohio’s agricultural growth has balanced on the flowing fields of corn, soy, and many other crops that are grown and harvested. Agriculture has been a driving force in Ohio’s economy and continues to be an integral part of Ohio’s success.

However, in recent years a newcomer to the development of agricultural success has continued to take a stronghold, and that is wineries, which have helped spur Ohio’s economy.

Recently, Holmes County Commissioner Dave Hall joined Brian Baldridge, director of Ohio Board of Agriculture, and several other key agricultural and winery figures at French Ridge Vineyards, located between Killbuck and Brinkhaven, where they connected with Scott Buente, owner of the vineyard, to talk about the important role vineyards continue to play in the development of the agricultural economy in Ohio.

Baldridge said as vineyards continue to make a bigger impact on Ohio’s agricultural outlook and growth, it pairs well with another big Ohio industry — cheesemaking — especially here in Holmes County.

“As we think about the impact agriculture has made in Ohio with a $124 billion industry, we can see so much growth in this area,” Baldridge said of Ohio’s growing vineyard population. “We have 430 vineyards just like this one scattered across Ohio. It’s exciting to see what they mean to their respective communities as a destination.”

Baldridge said the Ohio Grape and Wine Industry was transitioned under the Department of Agriculture in the 1980s. He said it began with around 60 wineries.

The explosion of producers has been dramatic.

He said the app Uniquely Ohio Wines showcases each member and gives people insight into how important these wineries are to Ohio’s agricultural status and development.

“Ohio is everything agriculture, and it is such an important driver in our economy,” Baldridge said.

Hall agreed, noting Holmes County continues to have its wineries being recognized for their quality statewide and beyond.

He said that image helps drive tourism in Holmes County and plays a major role in the county’s prosperity. He said wineries and the cheesemaking industry combine to play an important role in the local economy.

“The wine and cheese industries have developed a tremendous name outside of this area, and it’s brought tourism here, people who come for the wine and cheese experience and end up enjoying other aspects of our county,” Hall said. “It extends people’s stay here. It’s been important to see that growth take place.”

He said seeing the state’s agriculture director come in for a visit showcases how important the winemaking industry has become, noting the state has recognized Holmes County for its exceptional wine, and he’s starting to hear that same sentiment from the nation as people have made Holmes County a stop because of the wineries and cheese houses.

Grapes have ultimately become an Ohio crop, playing a key role alongside the longtime staple crops that have bolstered the state’s economy for decades.

Buente said the vineyard industry in Holmes County and Ohio has grown rapidly over the past years.

“We’re a little mom and pop business doing everything we can to keep up with what we have and what we offer,” Buente said. “We sell bulk wine to seven other wineries, and we’re in six different stores.”

Buente said they produce around 15,000 gallons of wine per year on the 23 acres, of which his oldest grape arbor is just under a quarter-century old.

“We feel blessed to be able to help bolster Ohio’s economic growth through what we’re doing here,” Buente said.

According to a 2022 study conducted by John Dunham & Associates and funded by the Ohio Grape Industries Committee, the wine and grape industry has become a true staple in Ohio’s economy.

The study says grapes and wine have produced $6.6 billion in economic activity in the state, having created 40,399 jobs while generating $1.9 billion in wages.

Ohio grape and wine producers have produced upward of 1.2 million gallons of wine during a recent 12-month period, and the state ranks eighth in the country when it comes to wine economic output.

Those are numbers that have state and local leaders excited about the growth of the industry.