Ohio University students and faculty and Athens residents in search of a unique alternative to the bar scene do not have to travel far to fulfill their quest.
The Ohio Wine Trails program offers participants an eclectic
wine-tasting experience while bringing business to the regions surrounding the wineries, said Doniella Winchell, executive director of the Ohio Wine Producers Association.
Launched in 2001, the program provides a structured environment where both wine connoisseurs and first-time visitors can tour wineries, samples products and learn about wine making without feeling intimidated, Winchell said.
The program divides 54 of Ohio's 93 wineries into six regional trails
including southeastern Ohio's Appalachian Trail. Each trail offers special events that span two consecutive weekends during the wineries' off-seasons, especially during spring and late autumn.
Participants purchase tickets for a specific trail from the association for $30 per couple or $20 per individual for most events, and in return they receive a packet, which includes information about nearby hotels, restaurants and tourist stops, as well as a map of the wineries.
Tickets permit visitors to drive to the wineries over the course of two weekends. During each visit, the winery owners discuss the wine-making process and offer tours while guests sample wines and hors d'oeuvres.
Guests also collect a small gift at each stop, forming a collection of wine-related keepsakes. For example, during the All Things Green event, owners provided bundles of napkins with the winery logo on them, and guests received a hand-woven basket to store the cocktail napkins.
Individuals interested in visiting wineries at their own pace can contact the association to request maps free of charge but must arrange their own visit with each winery.
Donna Roberts, who co-owns Terra Cotta Vineyards in New Concord, said some visitors are disappointed that wineries along the Appalachian Trail, the closest of the trails to Athens, are more spread out than those in other trails.
But those who do make the drive are rewarded, she said. The nice thing about it is these people get some one-on-one time with the winery owners and wine makers.
Carl Jahnes, owner of Flint Ridge Vineyard and Winery in Hopewell, Ohio, said visitors make the experience enjoyable for the winery staff. He benefits from the opportunity to promote and sell the seven wines he makes.
Ohio has good locations for wine making in areas that have well-drained soil and good air circulation, Roberts said.
But the individuality, locality and scenery of the wineries makes each visit a unique experience. Different people like different kinds of wineries he said. They find us and may feel they have a secret they can tell their friends about.
The other secrets of the Ohio trails can be found in the Cincinnati, Akron, Columbus, Sandusky and Cleveland areas.
For more information, visit www.ohiowines.org.
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Grapes cover the field of Flint Ridge Vineyard and Winery in Hopewell, Ohio.
