Winery owner seriously injured after stepping in to protect bartender from customers, sheriff says

PORTAGE COUNTY, Ohio (WOIO/Gray News) — A winery owner in Ohio was seriously injured when he was attacked by a customer while trying to protect a bartender, officials said.

According to Portage County Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski, Eric Blose was arrested Tuesday.

The sheriff said Blose assaulted the owner of The Cove W Winery in Deerfield Township on June 12.

Security video from the winery that evening showed the moments before investigators said the dispute turned violent.

Zuchowski said it started when a group of customers tried to take their alcohol from the winery onto a boat, which is not allowed under the winery’s liquor license.

A bartender repeatedly told the group that they could not bring their alcohol on the boat.

The group “started getting rowdy and obnoxious,” Zuchowski said.

Zuchowski said about 10 people became involved as fights broke out.

“There were fights going on here, fights going on there, and they were all trying to break it up,” Zuchowski said.

That is when winery owner Dave Wilson stepped in to help the bartender.

According to the sheriff, Blose then punched Wilson in the face.

“It cracked his jaw,” Zuchowski said. “He fell backwards, hit his head on the concrete, which you can see closely on the video.”

After the fight, deputies searched for Blose for nearly two weeks. He was arrested Tuesday morning in Canton with help from the U.S. Marshals.

Blose is charged with felonious assault and remains at the Portage County Jail.

Wilson is still recovering from his injuries.