It’s interesting to see what a change in a state law can do to help wineries. It’s an old saying but it can be true. “Want to know how to end up with a million dollars in the wine industry?  Start a winery with two million.” Laws can be created to help wineries survive. Look at what has happened in the past year with wineries that went for foreclosure or closed because they could no longer support themselves. Even the well-known winery Kluge Estate Winery and Vineyard in Virginia was forced into foreclosure.

An example of a law change that can help some wineries was passed by the Wisconsin legislature. According to an article in the LaCrosseTribune.com by Barry Adams, the law was passed in 2009. The article title is Wollersheim Winery goes into brandy business. The legislation allows Wisconsin wineries to have a distillery. Two Wisconsin wineries have taken up this opportunity and more are planning to follow.

In addition to using grapes that would not be the best quality needed for grapes, there is another upside to a distillery at a winery. If there is a bad harvest year for grapes, distilleries can produce distilled items from other fruits including apples and pears. Jack Rabbit Hill winery in Colorado is subject to occasional severe freezes in some years. In order to compensate for these years he has a distillery on his property. Jack Rabbit Hill produces a wide range of distilled products under the name Peak Spirits.

At Wisconsin’s Wollersheim Winery, the distillery is in use now but the distilled wine will not be available for two years. Æppel Treow Winery was the first Wisconsin winery to begin producing distilled wine. Other wineries see a distillery as part of their future.

The passage of the law by Wisconsin is a win-win situation for Wisconsin (more tax revenue), consumers and wineries.

Cheers! Kathy