Ohio vineyards and wineries are celebrating a significant achievement as the winners of the 2025 Director’s Choice and Ohio Wine Competition Best of Show and Best of Ohio awards have been announced. The announcement comes as Ohioans prepare to celebrate Ohio Wine Month in June.
The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) Director Brian Baldridge recognized the Director’s Choice recipients for Best Red, Best White, Best Dessert, and Best Sparkling/Rosé wines at an event held at the Ohio Statehouse on May 21. “These awards highlight the strength of our state’s winemaking industry and the passion of the people behind it,” said Director Brian Baldridge. He congratulated this year’s winners and emphasized the importance of Ohio’s $6.6 billion grape and wine industry.
The winners for this year include Le Petit Chevalier Chambourcin from Creola, Vinton County for Best Red Wine; South River Grand River Valley Semillon from Geneva, Ashtabula County for Best White Wine; Ferrante Grand River Valley Bourbon Barrel Aged Vidal Blanc Ice Wine from Geneva, Ashtabula County for Best Dessert Wine; and M Cellars Grand River Valley Blanc de Blancs from Geneva, Ashtabula County for Sparkling/Rosé Wine.
The 2025 Ohio Wine Competition took place from May 13-15, coordinated by Kent State University Ashtabula under Todd Steiner’s direction. It was sponsored by the Ohio Grape Industries Committee (OGIC), with a record-breaking total of 545 entries this year.
Congratulations were extended to all “Overall Best of Show” and “Best of Ohio” award-winners. Notable mentions include Ferrante Winery Rosé for Overall Best of Show; M Cellars’ “Madelyn” Riesling for both Best of Show and Best of Ohio Sparkling Wine; Grand River Cellars’ Riesling for both categories in White Wine; Maize Valley’s “Hanky Panky” Pink Catawba as Best Blush/Rosé Wine; North Coast Wine Club’s “Left Side” as both categories in Red Wine; D&D Smith’s Blackberry as Fruit Wine winner; Raven’s Glenn’s “Scarlet Raven” as Dessert/Specialty winner; and Ferrante Vineyards’ Vidal Blanc Ice Wine in both categories for Ice Wine.
The “Best of Ohio” designation was awarded to wines made from at least 90% Ohio-grown grape varieties that received the Ohio Quality Wine seal designation. More information about medal winners is available through official channels.
Information from this article can be found here.
