Publisher's note: This is the second in a three part series on how wineries structure successful events Lacking the dramatic backdrop of vineyards, urban wineries, such as family owned Easley Winery in downtown Indianapolis, bring in customers with music, art, festivals and performances, and, of course, with wine. Because urban neighborhoods can change rapidly, successful city wineries … [Read more...]
Midwest Wine Press recently compiled current TTB data to arrive at the number of wineries in the Midwest. (This tabulation method entails acceptance of the TTB definition of a winery which is subject to debate.) The number of wineries in the Midwest as defined by the 11 states in the Midwest Wine Press market area is now 1,132. There are now also 43 organized wine trails in the Midwest. … [Read more...]
The largest winery in the Midwest, Oliver Winery in Bloomington, Indiana, lost 20% to 30% of its crop due to recent freeze damage according to RTV6-ABC in Indy. This video takes a minute or two to load, but contains a dramatic account of Oliver's efforts to keep from losing the entire 2012 harvest. http://www.theindychannel.com/news/30944201/detail.html … [Read more...]
What if your winery could reach thousands of new potential customers by sending one bottle of wine? With extensive internet and social media followings, leading Midwest wine bloggers reach thousands of interested consumers each month. For example, Michigan by the Bottle, a blog that only reviews wines from Michigan, averages over 7,000 unique visits per month. And the Indiana based … [Read more...]
Huber Winery posted a reassuring message that the tornadoes which produced tragic loss of life in nearby Borden, Indiana did not damage the winery. More info at www.huberwinery.com. MWP sends this message of support to those readers who have suffered through a harrowing week and we take a moment to remember those who were lost. We would like to hear more about your experiences with the … [Read more...]
As more people seek their region’s local foods to purchase, more than 1,000 new farmers markets began operating across the country last year. As of mid-2011, 7,175 farmers markets were recorded, reports the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Considering that consumer interest in local foods has helped foster interest in regional wines, farmers markets and wineries would seem a natural coupling, … [Read more...]
Here in Minnesota and across much of the Upper Midwest we have had two dramatic frost damage events in the past year and a half. One on Mother’s Day Weekend in Spring 2010 and one this past September 15, 2011. Some growers escaped. Others did not but this has demonstrated clearly how serious these events can be and has made us look toward ways to reduce or escape the damaging effects of late … [Read more...]
As the economy continues to limp along, more winery owners are diversifying their product offerings to boost their bottom lines. Some wineries are adding brewing capabilities, but in the Midwest, more wineries are starting a distillery, producing vodkas, gins, whiskeys, brandies in addition to wine. For example, Woodstone Creek Winery in Cincinnati became the first licensed micro distillery in … [Read more...]
Effective November 28, 2011, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau approved the names of certain varietals as requested by various breeders, vineyards and wineries in the Midwest. Under the TTB ruling, these varietal names can now be used in designating wines so consumers can more readily ask for and read about them by name. The ruling also allows the use of the new varietal … [Read more...]
It may not be a corked bottle or a spider seeking refuge in the tasting room that sends visitors running from the region's wineries– it might be unruly kids. Bill Skvarla, owner of Harmony Hill Vineyards & Winery in Bethel, Ohio, caused a little rough and tumble when he implemented a no-children policy at his tasting room this season. Once news of this rule broke in Mark Fisher’s … [Read more...]
Recently, Midwest Wine Press spent time with Clara Orban, the author of Wine Lessons: Ten Questions to Guide Your Appreciation of Wine. Clara not only chairs the Department of Modern Languages at … [Read More...]
Publisher's note: This is the second in a three part series on how wineries structure successful events Lacking the dramatic backdrop of vineyards, urban wineries, such as family owned Easley … [Read More...]
