Meet the owners/winemakers
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As a kid, Justin would trail ride his cousin's horse, in the early summer mornings, around his family's farm. As a teenager, Chelsea competed in stadium jumping with her larger-than-life gelding.
Justin and Chelsea Francis have now been married for nearly 20 years, and have three children. They live on a small hobby farm, with their menagerie of goats, ducks, chickens, cats, and dogs. Their three horses live at the family's boarding facility, next door to the future site of the Tasting Room. |
Our History
The couple began making wine as a hobby that they could share and learn about together. It wasn't long before they found they had a gift for the craft, and a real understanding of what others want in a wine.
In 2017, Equus Ridge became a recognized business by the State of Ohio, with a Federal Basic Permit being granted the following year. Much of 2019 was then spent building a dedicated production space, upgrading production equipment, and working with State inspectors. Late in the year, Equus Ridge was granted a State of Ohio Winery License. The first juice went into fermentation in the Fall of 2020, and our first bottle was sold on April 2, 2021. After a long Summer of navigating red tape, the "Tasting Room" was (finally) State-approved in October of 2021, just in time for Ohio's cold weather to set in. Equus Ridge Winery officially opened for regular hours and on-site consumprion on April 1, 2022.
In 2017, Equus Ridge became a recognized business by the State of Ohio, with a Federal Basic Permit being granted the following year. Much of 2019 was then spent building a dedicated production space, upgrading production equipment, and working with State inspectors. Late in the year, Equus Ridge was granted a State of Ohio Winery License. The first juice went into fermentation in the Fall of 2020, and our first bottle was sold on April 2, 2021. After a long Summer of navigating red tape, the "Tasting Room" was (finally) State-approved in October of 2021, just in time for Ohio's cold weather to set in. Equus Ridge Winery officially opened for regular hours and on-site consumprion on April 1, 2022.
Our Process
As a small-batch winery, the quality of our products is first and foremost. Our newest wines are only available in limited quantities in order to ensure consistency as we move from trial batches (single gallons) to small production batches (5 to 10 gallons). Wines that are well-recieved by our customers are them selected to move to full production of 60 to 80 gallons.
Our Future
As a family-run company, the growth of Equus Ridge is planned so that the owners/wine-makers can continue their attention to detail. When the time is right, Equus Ridge Winery "2.0" will be erected on 2.5 rolling acres of equestrian property, less than 2 miles from our current production area. This barn-style building will have group-minded seating inside, horse-observation spaces outside, game areas for adults and children alike, and a dedicated events floor. We are constantly working toward, and look forward to, being one of the premier destination wineries in Ohio. Check our Updates page for the latest news on our journey!