The Singletons, who raise grapes on seven acres in Morrow, are taking advantage of a new state program that helps defray the cost of planting vines. The Ohio Vine Grant Program, officials hope, will induce more grape growing to help offset the wine-grape shortage. The Ohio Grape Industries Committee and the Ohio State University Extension Service created the grant program to help existing wine grape growers expand their acreage, and to encourage the opening of more vineyards. Only a handful of growers have benefited from the program so far. The funding is granted after the new vineyard passes a first-year inspection.
Special consideration is given to growers with grape-growing experience.
It is a considerable help, though. He predicted that the grant program would bring a lot of new people to growing wine grapes, and that growers will not have a problem selling their grapes if they have quality and are properly cared for. With 68 wineries in the state, nearly double the number from 1994, Ohio-grown wine grapes are in high demand. She noted that Ohio could use 700 to 1,000 new acres of wine grapes, and if the Ohio wine industry continues to grow, the state could use double that amount in another five years. Ms. Winchell said the ultimate goal for Ohio wineries is to provide an Ohio product from start to finish that is grown, harvested and processed in Ohio.