June is Ohio Wine Month and the Ohio Department of Agriculture is announcing the state’s award-winning, locally made wines for 2024.
The Vineyards at Pine Lake earned two awards during the 2024 Ohio Wine Competition, which was held in May. The Columbiana-based winery won “Director’s Choice Best White Wine” for its “2022 The Vineyards at Pine Lake Vignoles” and “Best of Show and Best of Ohio Blush/Rosé Wine” for “The Vineyards at Pine Lake Avily, 2023, Ohio.”
Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Brian Baldridge announced the 2024 Director’s Choice recipients for the Best Red, Best White and Best Dessert/Specialty wine during the Ohio Wine Month Kick-Off Celebration held at the Ohio Statehouse on May 15.
The 2024 Ohio Wine Competition was held in Columbus May 16-18. The event was coordinated by Kent State University Ashtabula and Todd Steiner, OSU enology outreach specialist and program manager, and sponsored by the Ohio Grape Industries Committee (OGIC).
A record-breaking number of 436 entries were submitted this year with Debonné Vineyards taking home top honors with the “Overall Best of Show and Best of Ohio.”
The “Best of Ohio” designation was awarded to the “Best of Show” wines that were made from a minimum of 90 percent Ohio-grown American/Labrusca, hybrid and Vinifera grape varieties, and have received the Ohio Quality Wine seal designation.
This year’s winners include:
- Director’s Choice Best Red Wine: 2021 Ferrante Signature Series Grand River Valley Dolcetto, Geneva.
- Director’s Choice Best White Wine: 2022 The Vineyards at Pine Lake Vignoles, Columbiana.
- Director’s Choice Best Dessert/Specialty Wine: Kosicek Vineyards Concord Ice Wine, Geneva.
- Overall Best of Show and Best of Ohio: Debonné Vineyards Riesling, 2023, Grand River Valley.
- Best of Show Sparkling Wine: Kosicek Vineyards Traminette, non-vintage, Lake Erie.
- Best of Ohio Sparkling Wine: M Cellars Blanc de Blanc, 2021, Grand River Valley.
- Best of Class and Best of Ohio White Wine: Debonné Vineyards Riesling Reserve, 2023, Grand River Valley.
- Best of Show and Best of Ohio Blush/Rosé Wine: The Vineyards at Pine Lake Avily, 2023, Ohio.
- Best of Show Red Wine: Kosicek Vineyards Cabernet Franc, 2022, American.
- Best of Ohio Red Wine: Baci Winery Cabernet Franc, 2021, Grand River Valley.
- Best of Show Fruit Wine: Olde Schoolhouse Vineyard and Winery Preble Pear, non-vintage, Preble County.
- Best of Show Dessert/Specialty Wine: The Winery at Spring Hill Frosted Red Raspberry, 2023, American.
- Best of Show and Best of Ohio Ice Wine: Debonné Vineyards Vidal Blanc Ice Wine, 2023, Grand River Valley.
A complete list of this year’s medal winners can be found here.
The OGIC was established in 1981 and operates in part through ODA.
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