Planting 7000 French Hybrid Rootstock (wine grapes) In Southern Ohio, In The Late 60s

Ohio Viticulture & Enology
The late 60s found Sandra’s young family of 3 on 135-acre farm as participants in a state program designed to re–establish the grape growing industry in Southern Ohio. It was destroyed as a result of blight and downy mildew attacking the grapes. Referred to by Columbus and Athens, Ohio newspapers as “the daring young couple” and “midwives to nature” they formed a rewarding working relationship with agricultural representatives from Ohio Sate University. With on-going support, the OSU agents directed them in the planting of 13 acres of French hybrid rootstock… an estimated 7000 vines. Long-term plans for the couple included the opening of an Ohio boutique winery and hospitality room with tastings and wine making classes. The Grape Growing Adventure was a family affair as described In the feature article in The Spectator, Ohio’s Largest Weekly Newspaper, Thursday, October 3, 1968 titled: Those Little Old German Village Winemakers!

Wee Becky Joblonicky isn’t really crushing grapes with her feet as is still the custom in some European communities. However, like most two-year olds, she loves the world of make-believe and happily joined mother and dad as they began the process that will put a new wine on their table about a year from now.

The consummate event and party planner
This would-be farm girl fell back on her career experience and carved out space in the weathered vintage 20s barn for a Sales Room to create an additional profit center for the young family during the 5-year grape growing process. Purchasing a refrigerated show case and pulling her antique chopping block from a German Village meat shop out of storage, the barn became the perfect setting for a ‘Gourmet Deli’ offering fresh fruits from their orchard, vegetables, cheeses, sausages and seasonal flowers to the OU students and the Athens community.

This sought after couple made frequent appearances to wine tasting groups throughout Ohio to educate interested individuals on the grape growing culture in southern Ohio, and naturally, the skills, secrets and techniques necessary to the art of wine-making. They were also in a position to offer fresh crushed grape juice from the Ohio plantings to their fellow wine enthusiasts for their winemaking pleasure as well.

We stood in passionate, respectful silence after we cranked the press handle several times and watched the grape juice run from the spout of the antique wine press into the glass carboy… in all it’s foaming glory… this was a thrilling moment in this life time!