Tarula Winery opened in 1967 as a direct consequence of an Ohio State vineyard research project held in the Southern region of the state in the early 1960s. Founded by Wistar and Ursula Marting in New Clarksville, the farm transferred to Greg and Chris Hayward, two local teachers, in the late 1970s. During this period the winery produced mainly French hybrid wines.

In 1985, the couple sold the 26 acre wine farm to Lou Nebel, who started her career working for the short-lived Warren J. Sublette Winery in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati. Nebel closed the winery in 1988, acquired an additional 200 acres of land, and in 1999, reestablished the vineyard.