The vines may come from a northern state, but the wine is produced right here in the Miami Valley. Troy Rotarians hosted Donna and Jeff Clark, owners of the Old Mason Winery, at their November 15th meeting to learn more about what it takes to produce award-winning adult beverages.

What started out as a “hobby that got out of control” has become their vocation. They opened the doors of their winery located at 4199 South Iddings Road in West Milton in April of 2013. Since then, they have expanded production to include 17 different varieties of red and white wines. The grapes they use are both grown on-site and come from other areas in Ohio. Word has spread about the tasty products, and Old Mason now sells their wines in 19 retails establishments, including some Kroger grocery stores. Their best-selling wine is the Statesman, a sweet red wine.

Recently, they won best of class for two of their wines at the International Wine competition in Indianapolis, IN. The winery produces 6,000 gallons of wine a year. The winery is open Monday-Thursday from 12-6 p.m. and Friday-Saturday from 12-9 p.m. They offer live entertainment on Friday and Saturday evenings. To learn more, please visit www.oldmason.com.

Troy Rotarians and the Troy Rotary Foundation support several community projects annually. During the 2015-16 Rotary year, over $23,000 in scholarships and community aid was distributed from the fund, including support for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program, Rotary’s annual Shoe Project, academic and community service scholarships, and sponsorships to summer camps at Brukner Nature Center and WACO Air Museum. The Troy Rotary Club is a member-involved, goal-oriented service club focused on socio/economic issues that have an impact both locally and internationally. Follow their activities on Facebook at Troy Rotary Club. To learn more about Rotary and membership, please visit www.troyohiorotary.org.