Wednesday, August 26, 2009
What a pleasant surprise we, at Founder’s Wine Cellar, had this past weekend. We had a soft opening of our tasting room on July 14th and we were pleasantly surprised at the acceptance. What happened this weekend at our Grand Opening was beyond our wildest expectations. We had three to four times the guests and friends than we anticipated. There were plenty of smiles and well wishes to go around.
When I opened my first tasting room on the weekend of July14th in 1972, there was, as best I can remember, only four tasting rooms in Southwestern Michigan -- Warner and St. Julian in Paw Paw, Bronte in Hartford, and Molly Pitcher in Harbert. All of these wineries had been in existence since prohibition. Now there are more than 16 tasting rooms in southwestern Michigan with a highly popular and successful wine trail. The opening weekend back then netted one bottle of sales late Sunday afternoon. This past weekend was just plain overwhelming.
I do take pride in establishing the first commercial European grape variety vineyard in Michigan and the Midwest. But this was only a beginning. If I had not started the first new winery, someone else would have. The pioneers that followed and persevered made it possible for us to have such a fine Grand Opening.
Passion is such an understated word when it comes to the wine business. Without it, you have nothing, and with it, an industry is becoming a reality.
I would especially like to thank Doug Welch, Ric Moersch and his sons. Jeff and Tim Lemon and their children. Dave Bragannini, Jim Warner, Dave Upton, Mike Merchant, The Petersons, Wally and Katie Mauerer, Mike De Schaf, Jim Eschner and Jim Lester.
Their passion and farsighted fortitude allowed a fine Grand Opening for us and a future of growth for the whole community.
Thank you all for what you have done.
Leonard R. Olson
Owner/Winemaster