Dayton-Buzz.com

Ohio wineries are catching a buzz from an advertising campaign aimed at promoting wines produced in the state.

The Ohio Grape Industries Committee rolled out its first statewide television advertising campaign in the summer and is airing commercials again this holiday season.

The effort has made a significant difference in wine sales and the number of visits to Ohio’s 92 wineries, said Michelle Widner, program manager for the committee.

Wine production is on the rise in the state. The number of gallons available for sale from July to December this year increased 75 percent from a year earlier, Widner said. In that period of this year, Ohio wineries released 256,000 gallons for sale.

The first round of 30-second ads ran from June to August in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton and Toledo. The newest ad campaign aired in Cleveland, Cincinnati and Columbus starting Thanksgiving weekend; it ended Saturday.

The Ohio Grape Industries Committee spent $500,000 on the summer ads and $225,000 on the holiday ones, a considerable amount; in comparison, the agency’s annual budget is $800,000. The committee is funded through part of the taxes collected on all wine sold in Ohio. Money for the ads came from a reserve fund.

Source