Today we’d like to introduce you to Tara Bright.
Hi Tara, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Our Story
Our story begins with love, hard work, and a dream, and it ends with wine and celebration.
In 2015, after many years of homebrewing, we found ourselves at a crossroads. Tom’s parents, the owners of Sunny Slope General Store, faced a challenging medical situation, forcing us to make a life-changing decision. Should we take over the family store, or continue pursuing our dream of owning a vineyard and starting a winery? Out of necessity, we took over the store overnight, giving us the time and space to think about what was next for both our family and our community.
It didn’t take long for us to realize that to keep the family business alive, we needed to evolve. The world was changing, and so were the needs of the people around us. We asked ourselves, “How can we follow our dream of starting a winery without letting go of the family legacy?” That’s when the idea for Sunny Slope Winery was born. Instead of closing the store, we transformed it into an urban winery in the countryside—keeping our roots but branching out into something new and exciting.
We worked hard to get our licensing in place, and on June 22, 2017—our 15th wedding anniversary—Sunny Slope Winery opened its doors for the first time. From that day on, we’ve been pouring Good Times & Bright Wines. We specialize in sweet and fruit wines, with unique offerings like our maple syrup wine and mead made from honey. For those who prefer something drier, we have two dry wines and two semi-dry wines, along with our best-selling Elderberry wine, which somehow delights both sweet and dry wine lovers.
While we don’t currently grow our own fruit, this allows us to be selective, crafting wines we truly love and are proud to share. One day, we hope to have our own vineyard, but for now, we feel incredibly blessed to have transformed the family business into something that brings people together.
We take great joy in making wines that are part of life’s biggest celebrations. Our motto is simple but meaningful: “Pour yourself into all you do, and don’t forget to pour yourself a glass or two.”
Our signature wine, TNT, represents us perfectly. A semi-dry blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, black cherry, and blackberry, it’s bold yet balanced—a reflection of the love, grit, and grace we’ve poured into every step of this journey.
With love and gratitude,
Tom & Tara Bright
Owners of Sunny Slope Winery
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
We were incredibly blessed to have a successful start right out of the gate—but like any business owner will tell you, the road is never without its bumps. From the beginning, we had to figure out how to get things off the ground with a small budget, which meant being resourceful and creative with every step.
As we grew, we had to navigate the challenges of expansion—both in-house and, as we like to call it, Sunny Off the Slope—taking our wines on the road to festivals, events, and wholesale accounts. Just when we started to find our rhythm, 2020 hit. That year came with its own set of hurdles and unexpected blessings. We had to learn how to pivot quickly and adapt to keep moving forward.
Another big challenge has been space. Our current building was originally a general store and gas station—not a winery. So we’ve had to continually reimagine, renovate, and upgrade the space to support our growth, which is an ongoing process.
Through it all, we’ve learned how to twist when the plot does and stay afloat with the rhythm of life. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s always been worth it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Sunny Slope Winery?
Sunny Slope Winery is a family-owned urban winery tucked in the countryside of Holmes County, Ohio—one of the top three tourist destinations in the state. We specialize in small-batch wines, with our fruit and sweet wines being customer favorites, though we also offer semi-sweet and dry options. One of our most popular signature wines is TNT, a semi-dry blend we crafted just a couple of years ago that’s quickly earned a loyal following.
We’re open Monday through Saturday, with extended hours on Fridays and Saturdays to make space for live music and food trucks—two things that pair perfectly with wine and good company. Some of our most-loved offerings include our wine slushies, sangria mason jars, and newly added zero-proof kids’ slushies, making Sunny Slope a fun stop for all ages.
But what really sets us apart isn’t just the wine—it’s the experience. We’ve created a space that’s welcoming, fun, and full of heart. Our team, affectionately known as the Sunny Squad, is the backbone of everything we do, and our culture is rooted in positivity, collaboration, and a whole lot of hustle with heart.
Tom and I started this winery as a labor of love—first building a life together in marriage, and then in business. That personal foundation has shaped how we show up each day—at home, at work, and in our community. We believe synergy is our superpower—whether it’s the synergy of a marriage, a team, or the people who walk through our doors.
At Sunny Slope, we like to keep things festive. From themed events to seasonal releases, we pour intention into creating moments worth celebrating. Just this June, we celebrated 8 years of pouring magic into your glass—and the outpouring of love from our community was everything.
Our motto sums it up best: Pour yourself into all you do… and don’t forget to pour yourself a glass or two.
We hope that when you visit Sunny Slope, you not only enjoy what’s in your glass—you leave feeling like part of something a little bigger.
What does success mean to you?
To me, success is hearing the echo of laughter from our customers and staff. It’s breaking a sweat during a shift because we’re so busy we can barely keep up. It’s the joy of seeing familiar faces return again and again because what we’ve built has become part of their lives. Success isn’t just about numbers—it’s about connection, community, and creating a place where people feel good, time and time again.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sunnyslopewinery.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunnyslopewineryohio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SunnySlopeWinery
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@sunnyslopewinery
