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Gov. Bob Taft signed the new law, dubbed the "Merlot to Go" bill, June 20.
"This is a great step forward for our industry," Donniella Winchell, executive director of the Ohio Wine Producers Association, said in a news release.
Until now, a popped cork meant either finishing the whole bottle or leaving some on the table.
Supporters hope the change will discourage wine drinkers from drinking more than they should in one sitting to avoid waste.
"The law is a tip of the hat to common sense," Winchell said. "Its provisions are clear and straightforward so that wineries and restaurants can easily comply, and consumers will clearly understand their responsibilities."
Prior to allowing a patron to leave with an open bottle, the seller must securely reseal it so that it is "visibly apparent if the bottle has been subsequently opened or tampered with," according to the bill's text.
The buyer may then place the bottle in the trunk of a vehicle or behind a back seat - out of the driver's reach.
Tony Debevc, owner of Debonné Vineyards in Madison Township, said the law is good for both wine sellers and consumers.
"It's very positive because it's a real common-sense bill," he said. "It really is a law that's going to help reduce drunk driving by those people who have common sense and have good social habits."
Debevc said the law will be of particular benefit to those who like to drink some of the finer wines at area wineries, which often are not available by the glass.
Substitute Senate Bill 131, which contains the take-away wine provisions, also addresses a number of other alcohol-related issues. It bans the purchase, sale and use of vaporizing devices that mix oxygen and alcohol into a breathable vapor to achieve intoxication.
It also changes the language in the exceptions to underage drinking laws, requiring closer monitoring by parents, spouses and guardians who allow those younger than 21 to drink alcohol.
