Ohio’s wine and grape industry has grown alongside the state’s rich viticultural history—especially in the Lake Erie region and northeast “fruit belt.” As wineries expanded, so too did demand for education in grape growing, winemaking, and wine service. One of the standout programs is at Kent State University at Ashtabula, which offers the only wine degree in Ohio: an associate in viticulture and enology.
Meanwhile, the American Wine School (founded in 2003 as the Cleveland Wine School) provides certification-level training (including the Wine & Spirit Education Trust programmes) for both consumers and professionals. For winery professionals, the Ohio State University Research & Development Center (OARDC) offers short courses, such as “Sensory Evaluation & Winery Best Practices,” aimed at commercial winemakers and tasting-room staff.
Together, these programmes reflect Ohio’s dual needs: technical training for vineyard/winery operations and accessible courses for wine enthusiasts and hospitality professionals. Whether you’re looking to manage a tasting room or make wine commercially, Ohio’s wine education scene has matured to support the industry’s growth.
