GENEVA — U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown met with local wine grape growers on Tuesday to assess the devastating effects of winter’s polar vortex on the region.

The entire wine grape crop was destroyed in Ashtabula, Lake and Geauga counties. There was no yield at all this year for the area’s wine industry. Losses of millions of dollars are predicted.

The combination round table and panel discussion was held at Windows on Pairings Wine and Culinary Experience and was hosted by Donniella Winchell, executive director of the Ohio Wine Producers Association.

Brown, who came to the county to listen to local growers and learn the extent of the crop failure, said a Farm Bill is in place that contains opportunities for insurance and relief funds.

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