Ohio House passes wine bills

COLUMBUS — The Ohio House has signed off on separate legislation to help local wine makers better showcase and sell the fruits of their labors.

House Bill 178 passed on a vote of 97-1, while HB 342 moved, 96-1. Both head to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.

HB 178 would create a new temporary liquor permit allowing the sale of sealed bottles of wine and samples at farmers markets.

There would be limits on samples being sold – patrons could buy one sample, up to one ounce, of any given wine, with up to five varieties offered per day. And up to four wineries would be allowed at each permitted farmers market.