On May 4th, Philippe Coquard of Wollersheim Winery in Prairie Du Sac, Wisconsin commented on his spring 2012 vineyard experiences in the Wisconsin Grape Growers Association internet discussion forum. Coquard has one of the largest vineyards in Wisconsin at 27 acres and operates Wollersheim, the state's largest winery, with his wife, Julie. Philippe allowed Midwest Wine Press to print … [Read more...]
Mother, Daughter Make Wine at Elmaro Vineyard
May 4, 2012 By 3 Comments
Lynita Delaney and daughter Laura Roessler credit the price of Coca-Cola in Italy as one reason they started making wine together in Wisconsin. The two were pursuing their passion for curling at a competition in Italy when they discovered Coca-Cola was expensive, but wine wasn't. As a result, says Delaney, "We enjoyed trying the wines and visiting the vineyards there." Inspired by Italian … [Read more...]
Wis Freeze Damage Update from Wollersheim
May 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Wollersheim, Wisconsin's largest winery, reported bud loss between 9% and 50% from recent freezes. The report implies that Marechal Foch may have sustained the worst damage because Foch vines were the farthest along when the repeated April freezes occurred. http://www.wollersheim.com/?q=blog/VineyardFrostUpdate … [Read more...]
Outlook Bright for 2012 Midwest Wine Tourism
April 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Record-high gas prices this spring threatened to deflate plans for tasting rooms to welcome a steady stream of visitors coaxed by unusually mild temperatures. But, according to tourism officials in wine regions throughout the Midwest, wine lovers don’t mind paying current gas prices, as high as $4.25 a gallon in some areas. Midwest wine tourism officials interviewed last week reported no … [Read more...]
April Frost and Freeze Damage Reports
April 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Midwest Wine Press reported on conditions in Midwest vineyards throughout April 2012. The information below was compiled from conversations with grape growers across the Midwest between April 11th and April 26th, 2012. Updates on recent growing conditions can be found in the News section on the homepage and a related story published May 2nd, 2012: Grape Freeze Damage Extensive in Ohio, New … [Read more...]
How to Be Ready for Your Mobile Bottler
March 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Midwestern wineries are increasingly taking advantage of the opportunity to use mobile bottling. Aside from avoiding the massive expense of purchasing bottling equipment, mobile bottling saves hours of labor compared to hand bottling. Still, mobile bottling requires a considerable amount of preparation on the part of the winery. Recently, Midwest Wine Press spoke with two relatively new … [Read more...]
Viticulture Advice For Warmest March Ever from MSU and UW Experts
March 24, 2012 By Leave a Comment
According to Diane Brown at the Berrien County Michigan State University Extension, with the weather this warm this early, grape growers are in uncharted waters in terms of vineyard management practices. Brown, who is a Commercial Horticulture Educator at MSU, said that there has never been an earlier bud break in Michigan than 2012. The National Grape Cooperative officially set bud … [Read more...]
Wollersheim: San Diego Winery of the Year
March 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Up against 1,700 wineries from across the globe at the San Diego International Wine Competition last week, Wollersheim Winery of Prairie Du Sac, Wisconsin received a record six awards. Co-owner Julie Coquard told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Wineries are growing in all of the states, but there's a lot of emphasis on products made in our backyard. It's very neat to get the recognition … [Read more...]
Wisconsin Ledge AVA approved
March 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The Federal TTB announced yesterday that the Wisconsin Ledge AVA has been approved. Steve DeBaker of Trout Springs Winery in Greenleaf, WI spent seven years convincing the TTB that the 44 square mile AVA was worthy of this special geographic wine producing designation. For any AVA to be used on the label, 85% of grapes must come from within the AVA boundaries, or if the wine is a varietal, … [Read more...]
Bill to Ease Wisconsin Distribution Restrictions Fails
March 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment
From the Green Bay Press Gazette, a bill allowing for self distribution in Wisconsin apparently will not be brought up for a vote now in its current form. See: http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20120310/ADV01/203100415/Winery-bill-falters … [Read more...]
