Leonard R. Olson, Wine Master
Wine Master, Leonard R. Olson, who has an extensive and impressive history in the industry, is the operating manager of Founders Wine Cellar. Mr. Olson began planting grapes in Southwest Michigan in 1968. Over 27 European wine varieties were planted on an experimental basis on 23 acres of land. These were the first European wine grape varieties planted in the Midwest. In 1970, Tabor Hill Vineyard and Wine Cellar was the first new winery established in Michigan since prohibition. Of the 14 Michigan wineries existing at the repeal of prohibition, only two remain. Well over 40 new wineries, all following the lead of Mr. Olson and Tabor Hill, harvest over 6,000 acres of wine grapes planted after 1970. For his pioneering efforts, the Knights of the Vine in 1978 recognized Mr. Olson as the founder of the premium wine industry in Middle America.
Mr. Olson’s wines have won numerous awards and medals. His wines were named Best of Show three of the first four years that the Michigan State Fair competition was held. At the Maitre De Tastevin competition in Washington DC, Mr. Olson won metals with Washington State grown Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Riesling, and Gewurztraminer well before Chateau St. Michelle received medals from wines with grapes from the same vineyards. At the eastern wine competition, his wines were awarded numerous medals. In 1983, his 1982 vintage Select Berry Sweet Harvest Vidal was awarded more points than any other wine in this 25-year-old competition. Finally, the most impressive and most memorable recognition for his work was when President Ford, in the White House, served Mr. Olson’s first vintage dated wine from Michigan-grown grapes at State dinners.
Mr. Olson worked with Michigan Representative, Robert Welbourne, and David
Braganini of the St. Julian Winery in writing the Michigan Small Winery
Act. This piece of legislation has been the guideline for other Midwestern
states, such as Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Kentucky.