Numerous states offer a variety of help for wineries and vineyards. This assistance ultimately helps the economy. While visiting Texas wineries we discovered how supportive the state is of promoting more vineyards. At the time we were visiting, we kept hearing that there were not enough Texas vineyards to fulfill the needs of the many Texas wineries. Texas was willing to support more vineyards.

Ohio is another state that supports increasing the number and size of vineyards. Thirty grape growers are to receive $2,000 each as reimbursement for purchasing grapevines. According to a Ohio State University Extension’s Ohio Ag Manageronline article, Vineyard Expansion Assistance Program Provides Grant Money to Ohio Grape Growers , the winery industry in Ohio provides jobs for 4,100 and in addition boosts the Ohio economy. The article quotes Robert Boggs, the Ohio Agriculture Director, ‘The Vineyard Expansion Assistance Program helps this industry to contribute more than $580 million to Ohio’s economy and to continue to be a successful industry within our state.’

The encouragement to expand vineyards in Ohio is not new. In 1982, The Vineyard Expansion Assistance Program was established under the Ohio Grape Industries Committee. According to the above mentioned article, “The committee provides marketing and research opportunities to Ohio’s wineries and vineyards and helps increase consumer awareness of Ohio’s modern, high-quality wine industry.”

What is your state doing to help build the wine and vineyard industry?

Cheers, Kathy