Ohio: The Once-King of American Wine Production?!?

Did you know that Ohio was once the largest wine producer in the United States? 

Yep, Ohio has many many secrets. 🍷🍇

Long before Napa Valley made its name, the Buckeye State was sipping its way to a reputation for exceptional wines. Let’s rewind to a time when Ohio’s vineyards were so abundant they were considered the heart of the country’s wine industry, and dive into the history of Ohio's once-thriving wine culture.

The Rise of Ohio Wine Production

Back in the early 19th century, Ohio was already ahead of the game when it came to wine. Thanks to the fertile soil and the temperate climate around Lake Erie, the state became the nation’s premier grape-growing region.

It all started with a man named Nicholas Longworth, a Cincinnati lawyer turned viticulturist, who planted the first vineyards in the 1820s. His vision for Ohio wine production was realized when he introduced the Catawba grape in the 1830s—an early hybrid grape that thrived in Ohio's climate and turned into a game-changer for the state’s wine scene.

By the 1850s, Ohio had firmly established itself as the leading wine producer in the United States, with 2,000 acres of vineyards and more than half a million gallons of wine being produced every year. Longworth’s sparkling Catawba even caught the attention of the world, with European critics praising its quality—some even went as far as to say it rivaled French Champagne. So, you can imagine the state’s wine scene was pretty legit.

Grape-Powered Glory

Ohio was growing grapes like nobody's business. The main player? The Catawba grape. But Ohio’s wine industry wasn’t limited to just one type of grape. The state also produced Concord grapes (which are still used in juice today) and other hybrids that were especially hardy in Ohio's climate. These grapes were perfect for making wines that could be shipped across the country and internationally.

In fact, by the mid-1800s, Ohio was a hub for wine exports, and Cincinnati earned the nickname “The Queen City of the West” as a major wine-making center. The Ohio River also played a huge role in transporting wines down to the southern states, with wineries spreading across the region. And by the early 1900s the southern shore of Lake Erie had even earned the name The Lake Erie Grape Belt!

The Prohibition Punch

Then came Prohibition in 1920. And, as you might imagine, the industry took a huge hit. Ohio’s booming wine culture was put on ice. The state went from being the number one wine producer in the U.S. to basically losing all of its vineyards as alcohol production was outlawed.

The few vineyards that survived the ban started shifting focus from wine to producing grapes for juices and fresh fruit instead. And while the wine industry never fully recovered from the loss of Prohibition, it did leave behind a legacy that would eventually help Ohio’s wine industry make a comeback.

A Modern Resurgence

Fast-forward to today, and Ohio is making a bit of a comeback in the wine world. While it’s not quite the powerhouse it once was, Ohio’s wine scene has seen a steady resurgence, particularly in regions like the Lake Erie Wine Trail. 

The resurgence is thanks to local wineries embracing the state’s unique climate, focusing on cold-hardy grape varieties that thrive in Ohio’s weather. Ohio now has nearly 300 wineries spread throughout the state, and it’s gained recognition for producing award-winning wines—especially in regions like the Grand River Valley and the areas surrounding Lake Erie.

What Does This Mean for You?

Next time you're enjoying a glass of Ohio wine, whether it’s from a local vineyard or even a local wine shop, remember that you're sipping from a state with a storied past in the wine industry. Ohio may have been dethroned by California in the grape-growing game, but the state’s history as the top wine producer is still a fun piece of trivia that proves Ohio's rich agricultural roots.

And if you want to dive deeper into Ohio’s grape legacy or even sip a glass for yourself, you can always visit one of the many local wineries that have picked up where history left off. Who knows? You might even find a bottle that traces its roots back to the very same vineyards that made Ohio the wine capital of the U.S. in its heyday.

There’s one thing that’s for sure — Ohio is the region to watch when it comes to up and coming wines!

“There grows no vine
By the haunted Rhine,
By Danube or Guadalquivir,
Nor on island or cape,
That bears such a grape
As grows by the Beautiful River.”

– from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s “Ode to Catawba Wine”

Here are a few local wineries you can check out to experience Ohio’s modern-day wine scene:

• The Lake Erie Wine Trail – Explore a stretch of local wineries that are all about cold-hardy grapes and delicious wines.
  

• Gervasi Vineyard (Canton, OH) – A gorgeous estate with wines that showcase Ohio’s growing wine scene.
  

• Ferrante Winery & Ristorante (Geneva, OH) – A family-run vineyard with a variety of wines perfect for any palate.