Co-owner and Winemaker

Joe’s love of plants led him to the Ohio wine industry at the young age of 13. Working in vineyards in Sandusky OH, Joe quickly grew a deep interest for the byproduct of his hard work, wine! Over the years he has assisted many vineyard operations throughout Ohio and the Midwest. At the age of 22 Joe became managing partner of Vermilion Valley Vineyards. He takes great pride in his 100% estate grown business model and is a huge advocate for Ohio grown fruit and environmental sustainability.

Beyond growing grapes and making wine, Joe serves the wine industry at large as the president of the Ohio Wine Producers Association, a board member of National Grape Research Alliance, a member of The Government Affairs Committee for WineAmerica, and on the National Clean Plant Network. Joe’s company, Ohio Vineyard Management, currently owns and operates 120 acres of vineyards on the south shore of Lake Erie.