Call 440-466-4417 for information

When the annual Ohio Wine Conference date was moved from its traditional time frame, Preview Day for wannabees and newbees would have been on Super Bowl Sunday -- hence we had to cancel.  

We had initially planned to develop a series of Zoom meetings, but there was so much information -- AND one of the most important results has been in the interaction among the attendees.  

So -- we have planned a full day, May 4th from 9 til 4 with a couple of additional optional opportunities in the Grand River Valley. While it is a bit distant from some of you, we promise it will be worth the trip. We are working on some discounted hotel rooms and have planned several behind-the-scenes winery tours which will prove invaluable to those either dreaming of a new adventure or just getting started with that dream.

[In addition, the day will not have to build in the substantial hotel rental and meal fees so it will be much more affordable for everyone.]

Cost: $100 includes lunch and a glass of wine for the first person from a business
$75 for any subsequent people from the same business
Some topics to be covered.

This list will be tweaked based on attendees' needs and interests. 

Before you launch your dream
First year considerations
Insurance options
Incorporation considerations
Accountants and lawyers
Vineyard options
Sourcing fruit and juices
Equipment options[presses, crush pad, bottling, etc.]
Licensing/ permitting -- State and Federal
Agriculture exemptions
Resources available from OARDC and OGIC
Creating a business plan
Creating a marketing plan
Working with your local visitors' bureaus
Social Media: the basics and beyond
Staff training
Packaging options
To wholesale or NOT

Winery visits: 

At the end of the Sunday session, we will drive to one of the newest wineries in the region, where the owners will share perspectives after their first two years in operation: "What we know now that we would have done the same, and what we would have done differently." This winery visit and tasting will be included in your registration fee.

Some additional options if interested:

• A discounted overnight stay at one of the Wine Country lodging facilities in a couple of price ranges.

• A drive-it-yourself Saturday or Monday tour to nearby wineries whose business plans would interest a newer operation.

• A group dinner at one of the GRV's wineries for a meal and tasting.