New App Encourages Visits to Ohio Wineries

The new Ohio Wines Visitor’s Incentive Passport app encourages visits to the state’s more than 400 wineries by allowing the holder to earn points that can be redeemed for prizes.

The free app can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play.

The VIP app must be installed on the smart device with location services turned on for participants to get their passport stamped while visiting Ohio’s wineries.

The app also offers additional features that encourage exploration at participating wineries.

The VIP app is controlled by the Ohio Grape Industries Committee, which operates in part through the Ohio Department of Agriculture.

“Ohio’s wines and vineyards help bring agriculture and tourism together,” said Brian Baldridge, director of the agriculture department. “The creations and contributions from our grape growers and winemakers are a big reason why food and agriculture is Ohio’s No. 1 industry.”

The Ohio Wines Visitor’s Incentive Program, previously web-based, was created in 2013 to incentivize visits to Ohio’s licensed wine manufacturers and retailers.

The program allowed visitors to collect uniquely coded tickets at participating locations and enter the codes at findohiowines.com to earn points and redeem them for prizes. There are currently 23,960 active Ohio Wines VIP members from 38 states.

Both returning and new VIP members can visit the website for information on how to claim their existing account or create a new one.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.