Founded in 2009 by former Wright State University engineering dean Jim Brandeberry, Brandeberry Winery makes handmade wines in small batches at its 10-acre Enon property. Fruit wine is a house specialty, with the winery’s blackberry and Black Dog wines earning Best Fruit Wine honors at the Ohio Wine Competition on several occasions. Its tasting room also serves as a gathering place for Saturday live music and community fundraisers, including the annual Dogtoberfest benefiting the Clark County SPCA.
Benfield WinesWhat began as Rob Benfield’s home winemaking project for his wife and friends has grown into a family winery in Swanton, Ohio, producing distinctive wines from grapes sourced from California. Benfield Wines now makes its wines in the restored 1896 Pilliod Opera House, a 9,000-square-foot landmark that also houses its tasting room and event space. The family’s hands-on approach shows in its playful fruit wines as well as its traditional varietal bottlings.SWANTON, OH
Henke WineryEstablished in 1996, Henke Winery is a Cincinnati urban winery that makes all of its wines in its own cellar, using grapes sourced largely from Ohio Valley vineyards rather than growing its own. Joe Henke’s winemaking began with a homemade rosé in 1973 and grew into a west-side winery known for medal-winning wines and a welcoming, family-centered operation supported by an extended volunteer bottling crew. Henke has been recognized as one of America’s top urban wineries and received Ohio’s Director’s Choice Award for Best Red Wine.CINCINNATI, OH
Gillig WineryOpened in 2016 by Trevor and Nikki Gillig, Gillig Winery is Findlay’s first winery, producing and bottling handcrafted wines on-site from grapes sourced around the world. The family-owned winery pairs its locally made wines with a bistro menu and a welcoming tasting-room and patio experience, while also hosting bottling parties and private events.FINDLAY, OH
Wyandotte Winery LLCBuilt as both a home and winery in 1977, Wyandotte Winery is Central Ohio’s first and oldest winery, producing handcrafted small-batch wines on the premises of its Northeast Columbus neighborhood facility. The winery uses Ohio-grown fruit whenever possible and welcomes visitors to a relaxed tasting room with wood-fired pizza, small plates, live local music, and private event space. Ownership transitioned in 2023 to David and Robin Panzera, Alena Miller, and Matthew Greenwood, who continue the site’s winemaking tradition.COLUMBUS, OH