Ohio Invests in Winegrapes
State will subsidize high-quality plantings to supply new wineries
As Ohio's wine industry continues to grow, the state plans to subsidize winegrape plantings.
Wooster, Ohio -- Grapegrowers in Ohio have the opportunity to get some financial help with the costs of planting winegrapes next spring. The Ohio Grape Industries Committee (OGIC) created a new program, the Vineyard Expansion Assistance Program (VEAP), to encourage growers to establish new vineyards or to expand existing ones.
A total of $38,000 is available through the United States Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grant program. The VEAP funding will cover only the cost of the winegrape vines planted. Each grower may apply for up to $3,000 per acre, with a maximum of three acres.
According to Christy Eckstein, executive director of the Ohio Grape Industries Committee, new wineries have been opening in Ohio at a rapid rate. “The problem,” she reported to Wines & Vines, “is that many of these new wineries are not planting vineyards as well. There’s a shortage of winegrapes produced in Ohio, and we want to encourage more locally grown, high quality grapes. We view this as an incentive program, and hope to be able to build on its success using additional block grants in the future.”
In 2008 the Ohio grape and wine industry set the goal of increasing vineyard acreage by 10%, or 220 acres, within the next five years. The Vineyard Expansion Assistance Program will allow more Ohio wines to qualify for the Ohio Quality Wine program, and should increase consumer awareness of Ohio’s premier wines made from Ohio-grown grapes.
All applications for VEAP must be submitted by Jan. 15, 2010. Additional information and application forms are available online at oardc.ohio-state.edu/grapeweb. Click on “Ohio Wine-Grape Electronic Newsletter” and open the Dec. 7, 2009 issue.
When all applications have been received, a VEAP working group composed of OGIC members, Ohio State University researchers and other grape and wine industry stakeholders, will review the applications and make the final decision regarding which growers will receive funding under this program.
To be eligible for the VEAP funding, growers must meet the following guidelines:
1. Only vineyards located in Ohio may apply for the assistance.
2. The applicant must provide a written plan outlining both short- and long-term goals, as well as a clear route for the grapes to be put into the production chain (i.e., have an established winery or contract between grower and winery).
3. Each vineyard shall be established in a location conducive to growing winegrapes. Vineyard site selection will be evaluated by an OSU viticulture staff person in conjunction with the grower after the VEAP requirements checklist is completed.
4. Applicants are encouraged to utilize the recommended list of winegrape varieties for variety selection, and consult with OSU viticulture staff. At least one acre of vines must be planted to be eligible for reimbursement.
5. The grower must agree to a subsequent vineyard assessment by OSU viticulture staff during the growing season.
6. All applications must be complete and postmarked by Friday, Jan. 15, 2010. Late applications will not be considered.