Allan Klingshirn of the Klingshirn Winery in Avon Lake served the industry as a visionary who helped guide the early years of the 'new' industry in the early eighties, first as a member and then as a two-term president of the Ohio Wine Producers Association.

Allan purchased the family farm in 1955 from his father Albert, who had established the winery in 1935 following the repeal of Prohibition. Under Allan's leadership, the winery more than quadrupled in size and its buildings were expanded to include a retail tasting room. When his son, Lee joined the business in 1986, vineyards were expanded to include a wide range of vinifera and hybrid wine grapes.

Source: Ohio Wine Producers Association Hall of Fame website