Le Petit Chevalier Vineyards and Farm Winery: A unique family-owned winery in the heart of Hocking Hills

By Marlee Stollar, OCJ field reporter

Tucked away in the rolling hills of southeast Ohio, Le Petit Chevalier Vineyards and Farm Winery is the perfect place to enjoy 100% Ohio-made wine this summer. With friendly hosts, a tasting room, and views that resemble Europe, this family-owned agritourism business is both a thriving farm and a special experience.

Mark and Margit Chevalier, the husband-and-wife owners, came into farming and agritourism in a unique way.

Originally from Germany, Margit was a fourth-generation pig farmer before becoming a plant pathologist in England. Mark, originally from the Hocking Hills area, met Margit in England through mutual friends — and their story began.

Inspired by friends in Germany who owned a vineyard and winery, in 2009, the two decided to move back to Mark’s hometown of Creola, near Hocking Hills, to try growing grapes. Neither had experience with the crop, but the couple used Ohio State University Extension as their advisors on how to best grow the fruit in Ohio.… Continue reading