Meet the Winemaker

Hmmm, tomato juice or wine? Now here is where the Italian half of my family enters. My grandfather, Michael Tarsitano, who lived in Collinwood, always had something bubbling away in his cellar. Elderberry, dandelion, apple, dago red, mead, if it could be made into wine, he taught me how. I took a job at the OSU Grape Research Center and learned how to grow and care for the different types of wine grapes. Fred Bucci, Nick Ferrante, and Joe Biscotti helped influenced my wine making techniques, but it was Arnie Esterer from Markko, that had the greatest impact on my style. I planted my first vineyards in 1998. In 2000, I bought my first grapes from the Research Center. The only press I had was my grandfather’s big boy screw press. Luckily, Fred Bucci offered to help press my grapes if I helped him press his. Arnie Esterer told me to go pick some of his Chardonnay grapes, and Dave Genger offered his Cabernet grapes. The next thing I knew I had 1500 gallons in my cellar, anything over 200 is illegal. So, I got bonded, dealt with the ATF, TTB, State Liquor Control, lawyers, accountants, tigers, and bears, oh my. The next thing I knew I opened for business Covered Bridge Weekend 2001, even though I hadn't planned on being open till 2005. Well, I guess the dream has to find you as much as you find the dream! I went from farmer to winemaker to wine judge to bottle washer to cook to instructor. In 2011, I began teaching viticulture (grape growing) for Kent State University VESTA program. I am the owner/enologist(winemaker)/viticultualist(grape grower) for Tarsitano Winery and Café. I have 25 varieties of wine from Auxerrios to Pinot Noir and, on 17 acres of vineyards. I try to be a good husband to my wife Kelly and great father of my three wonderful children Isabella, Brant, and Mia. I look forward to sharing the wonderful world of grapes and wine with you and taking you through the adventure of turning sunlight into wine.  

Yours truly, 

Kenneth Tarsitano