By DOUG GRAVES
Ohio Correspondent

REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio — The Ohio Grape Industries Committee wants residents to visit any of the 125 wineries in the state. As an incentive, the committee is conducting a photo contest to encourage residents to submit their best grape photos from these visits – with awards for the top five photos.

“This photo contest encourages Ohioans to venture out and enjoy the state’s wineries with friends and families during the winter season,” said Ohio Agriculture Director Robert Boggs. “The photos captured for the contest will help educate consumers about one of Ohio’s award-winning industries.”

Pictures must be submitted by Feb. 28 and may include scenic vineyards, charming tasting rooms or simply friends and families enjoying Ohio wines. The Ohio Grape Industries Committee will award the top five photographers with a gift basket filled with Ohio food and wine valued at $100. All photos may be used by the committee for promotional purposes.

“This is the first year for the wine photo contest,” said Kaleigh Frazier of The Ohio State University extension in Columbus. “The Ohio Grape Industries thought it would be a good way of getting Ohioans to learn about the many wineries in the state and the size of this industry. They expect a lot of entries.”

Entrants must be at least 21 years of age, and the original photographer. The contest is open to amateur photographers only and the photos must feature Ohio wineries or wines.

No more than five photos per household may be submitted, and all photos must be submitted as a digital image burned to a CD, with a resolution of at least 300 dpi. Computer-aided adjustments to the photos are prohibited.

Ohio is divided into six wine regions: Nicholas Longworth Heritage Wine Trail (southwest), Appalachian Heritage Wine Trail (southeast), Canal Country Wine Trail (east), Lake Erie Shores and Islands Wine Trail (north), Vines and Wines Wine Trail (northeast) and Capitol City Wine Trail (central).

Directions to any of the 125 wineries in the state may be found online at www.ohiowinesonthego.com

The Ohio Department of Agriculture hosts a similar photo contest titled “Life on the Farm,” now in its second year.