Call 440-466-4417 for information

A day-long workshop, presented by the Ohio Wine Producers as a supplement to the 2024 Ohio Grape and Wine Conference, will begin at 9:00 am with panels of experts addressing business and marketing considerations to ensure success.  Several guest speakers will address the major topics, and some very valuable information will be addressed via handouts.  [some topics and times subject to change]

9:00: Meet and Greet 

9:15: So you want to open a winery OR first-year considerations video [will assess group]

9:45: Business consideration handouts and discussions – a plethora of key information to get you started on the right track

o    Contact list – handout   

o    Accountants - considerations before you select an accountant – handout 

o    Benefits and obstacles with sole proprietorships, LLC vs. corporations - handout 

o    Succession planning – handout 

o    TTB Appellations of origin information - information on COLA applications – handout 

o    Winery farm exemptions/ Attorney General Opinion on Marketing – discussion 

o    Temporary permit requirements – highlights discussion

o    Tasting opportunities and limitations – handouts and discussion

o    Crisis management – handout 

o    FSA offices – handout 

o    Association member benefits booklet – handout

o    Links to 16 videos for planning and soon-to-open wineries: Intro to the business, first year, zoning, financing, permitting and labels, establishing a vineyard, developing a business plan, developing a marketing plan, sourcing equipment for the winery, insurance, sourcing equipment and vines for a vineyard, dollars and sense decisions on how to sell, tasting room training, working with distributors, applicable temporary permits 

o    Links to Lauren Fiala series for consumers use: Chardonnay, Riesling, Meritage, Rose, Ice Wine, Sparklers, Pinot Gris, How to Taste, How to Open a Bottle of Wine, Frost in the Vineyards, Wine and Cheese  

10:40:  Financing – OWPA Video series 

11:00:  Dealing with EPA and other regulatory health and safety organizations – pre-recorded – Patrick McGrath

11:25:  Insurance needs and considerations – Anna Hall Stroud, Paul Hall Insurance

       12:15:  Lunch –

        1:15: Todd Steiner’s book highlights – Todd Steiner, OARDC 

       1:25:  Develop a plan for your tasting room: Strategies and considerations - Kathy Kelley, Penn State 

       2:15: Label design and development – speaker TBA

       2:45: Creating a workable marketing plan – Donniella Winchell, OWPA

      3:30: KSUA Viticulture and Enology Degree and certificate – Lori Lee, KSUA 

      3:45::  License to Steal March 14-16 – Lancaster PA 

      4:00:  Informal winery veteran panel – learning for their successes and mistakes – Panel tba

       5:30 -6:30: WINE, SNACKS, CONVERSATION AND FUN