Grape Inventory Survey

Sample cover letter

Ohio Grape Industries Committee
8995 East Main Street, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068
(614) 728-6438
www.findohiowines.com

June 21, 2017
Dear Ohio Vineyards and Wineries:
Please find enclosed a survey developed by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service
(NASS) Great Lakes Regional Field Office, in conjunction with the Ohio Grape Industries
Committee and the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council. This survey will allow us to
collect important information about the Ohio juice and wine grape growing industry.
The most recent study of commercial growers was conducted in 2008 to determine acreage and
production by variety. The study found that Concords were the predominant variety grown in
Ohio accounting for nearly 59% of the acreage and 73% of the total production. It also revealed
that Ashtabula County accounted for half of the total acreage and 61% of the total production,
followed by Lake County with 16% of the total acreage and 18% of the total production. Lorain
County ranked third in both total acreage and production. The study also showed that 14% of the
respondents produced Ice Wine.
Recently, Ohio dropped out of the top 10 ranking of states for total acreage of grapes, including
both juice and wine grapes. Collecting data for both juice grape and wine grape acreage will
allow us to obtain valuable information about the importance and growth/decline of both of these
sectors to Ohio’s agricultural base, which will guide our program in the future.
Also, we often refer to these key data points when speaking with the media, as well as Ohio’s
legislators about the significance Ohio’s grape and wine industry has on the state’s economy.
Therefore, we strongly encourage you to respond to the enclosed survey. Your response is sent
directly to USDA NASS and is completely confidential.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the USDA NASS Office at (517) 324-5300
or [email protected].
Sincerely,

Christy Eckstein
Executive Director
Ohio Grape Industries Committee
Encl.

Tim Derickson
Assistant Director,
Ohio Department of Agriculture
Director’s Designee Chairman,
Ohio Grape Industries Committee
Jim Arbaczewski
Ferrante Winery & Ristorante
Bill Bakan
Maize Valley Winery
Van Creasap
Shamrock Vineyard
Janelle Mead
Deputy Director
Chief, Marketing Division
Ohio Department of Agriculture
Elaine Moore
Superintendent’s Designee
Division of Liquor Control
Dr. Joseph Scheerens
Viticulture Extension Specialist
OSU/OARDC
Mike Williams
The Winery at Versailles