2010-2011 Michigan Wine Industry Research
State of Michigan, Department of Agriculture
The History of Fenn Valley Vineyards
by Sharon Kegerreis and Lorri Hathaway
The Welsch family immigrated to Illinois from East Germany in the 1880s. In 1948, Walter
Welsch established Welsch Lumber and Supply Company in Mokena, Illinois, a small
community about 35 miles south of Chicago. Twenty-five years later, profits from this
successful family-run business funded the establishment of a winery that is now (2011) one of
Michigan’s largest wine production facilities. 1
In the 1940s, Welsch acquired farmland as an investment. Mature apple trees on the property
inspired him to make homemade wine, like his family had done in Germany. 2 He dabbled in
winemaking while running his lumber business and, around the holidays, shared his apple,
cherry and other fruit wines with family and friends. His grandson, Doug Welsch, candidly
recalled, “The wine was awful. You couldn’t tell if it was cherry or grape wine.” 3
William (Bill) Welsch, Walter’s son, assumed oversight of the lumber business after his father’s
retirement in 1957. Bill, who had a degree in chemistry, 4 was somewhat interested in the
winemaking process. He planted three grapevines, consisting of Concord, Delaware and
Niagara, in his backyard and, over the years, experimented with winemaking; though, initially,
he didn’t take the effort too seriously. 5
While Bill’s son, Doug, was a junior at Illinois State University, Bill’s interest in wine grew
substantially. He started to consider getting into agriculture, growing more grapevines and
opening a winery. Doug was instantly intrigued. 6 Together, they drove to southwest Michigan
to buy grapes at Rambo nursery with the intent to learn how to make wine “the right away.”
1
“With the use of sulfites, the wine started turning out pretty good,” recalled Doug. “White was
white, and you could tell grape wine from cherry wine.” 7
In 1972, as a senior in college, Doug made batches of wine in his dormitory for practice. He and
his dad made another 200 gallons of wine at home, which reflected significantly refined skills.
The same year, Doug graduated from ISU with a teaching degree in biology and chemistry,
though winemaking was foremost on his mind. He knew he did not want to be a teacher; in
subsequent years, however, he put his degree to good use in the winery.
Lake Michigan Shore Farmland
While Doug was wrapping up his collegiate studies, his father had been searching for farm
property. Doug joined his dad when he could. Midwestern-bred, they first checked for suitable
land around the outskirts of Chicago, Galena and along the Mississippi River in Illinois. They
also looked in southern Indiana, the Ohio River Valley, the Herman region along the Missouri
River and, eventually, in the Finger Lakes region in New York.
A new focus on Michigan was inspired by a visit with Bernie Rink of Boskydel Vineyard in
Lake Leelanau in northwest Michigan. Rink had planted grapevines in 1964 and planned to
start a winery and tasting room, which he later opened in 1976. Rink had walked Bill through
his vineyard, and the experience prompted Bill to search along the west coast of the Lower
Peninsula for the ideal farmland.
Bill hired a consultant to advise him on suitability of land for wine grapes. He desired a
farmstead with good soils, lake proximity, access to metropolitan areas and the right
topography; all needed to ensure long-term success with the winery. He looked at properties in
Traverse City and near Holland. Soon after, an advertisement in the Chicago Tribune posted by a
2
west Michigan realtor caught his eye. The ad touted fruit farmland for sale in the Fennville
region.
The farmstead and two adjoining parcels were acquired by the Welsches in 1973. 8 The property
had massive potential, though much hard work was required before it was ready for new
plantings. First, the family removed 170 acres of old, diseased fruit trees, 9 preserving only 14
acres of tart cherries, one acre of sweet cherries and five acres of peaches. 10
Immediately, Doug and wife Lynn relocated to the farm and lived in a mobile home for two
years until their new house was built on the land. Doug’s parents, William and Ruth, relocated
to Fennville from Illinois in February 1975 11 into a second house built on the farm. 12 The
property’s original farmhouse had been deemed unlivable and was torn down in 1978.
Daughters Diana and Deborah also lived on the estate. 13
Before planting, the property had to be cleared of junk left behind from migrant orchard
workers. Old bed springs, refrigerators and stoves, junk cars and more were hauled away to a
nearby junk yard. 14 Once clear of neglected trees and junk piles, the land was fumigated
because of nematodes, or roundworms, slivering through the soils. 15 In cooperation with the
local conservation services, 16 the land was then graded for air drainage to create ideal
conditions. 17 Within four miles of Lake Michigan, the property benefitted from lake effect, a
natural tempering of climate which aids in growing grapes.
Further work involved turning over existing sod. While the sod prevented erosion, it competed
with the grapevines for water and nutrients. By turning over the sod, the roots of the sod held
the soil in place for several months before decaying without competing with the vines. 18
At the same time that the Welsches were preparing their land for a vineyard, they broke ground
for the construction of their wine production facility, 19 a 17,000 square foot building 20 built into
3
the hillside to aid in the natural cooling of wine aging in the cellar. The facility was equipped to
produce 100,000 gallons of wine and had enough storage to hold 150,000 gallons. 21
The First Plantings
The Welsches bought their first grapevines from New
York, Pennsylvania and Michigan. The first
grapevines were planted in April of 1974, consisting
of 27 acres of Marechal Foch, Seyval, Cascade
(S13053), Chelois (S10868), DeChaunac, Vidal, Villard
Blanc, Baco Noir and Aurora.
In 1975, they added European vinifera to the
vineyards, planting Riesling grapevines acquired from Herman Wiemer’s nursery in the Finger
Lakes region. In 1976, Vignoles was planted. 22 Within three years, Fenn Valley had 50 acres of
grapevines. 23 Of these original varietals, Marechal Foch, Vidal, Seyval and Riesling still exist
today (2011), while other trial plantings were eventually torn out.
Launching a Winery
The winery opened in the summer of 1976 24 followed by a grand opening on August 10. A selfguided tour, 25 invited guests to overlook the winery from a balcony. Numbered stations
described the viewing points of the winemaking process. 26
Initially, the winery was a family operation. Doug’s sister, Diana, assisted with the family
venture from 1978 to 1998, while his sister, Deborah, was involved for a couple of years. 27 Lynn,
who was also a teacher in Fennville, 28 worked in the winery and tasting room for special events,
while Bill’s wife, Ruth, worked in the tasting room every weekend. From the start, Doug was
deemed chief winemaker, and his father oversaw the business operations.
4
While waiting for the grapevines to take root and provide wine grapes, Doug focused on
crafting fruit wines from the abundant supply of fruit on the farm and in the region. His first
two releases were cherry wine and blueberry wine. 29
First, Doug crafted dry and semi-dry cherry wines using Montmorency cherries. 30 The Welsches
planned to call the label, “George Washington Cherry” until the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,
Firearms and Explosives (ATF), a division of the federal government, nixed the name,
explaining the label implied that the first President actually grew the cherries. The wines were
subsequently named, “Orchard Nectar Cherrywine” and semi-dry “Red Cherrywine” for
pairing with red and white meats. 31 Interestingly, Doug left the cherries on the trees for 10 days
longer than neighboring cherry farmers, then picked them and immediately made wine
believing that dead-ripe cherries made better wine. 32
The blueberry wine was crafted from local blueberries bought from a neighboring farmer. Soon
after, he broadened his offerings with a variety of fruit wines. 33 The strawberry, pear and plum
wines sold out quickly. 34
In the first year, 25,000 gallons of wine were produced. 35 The Welsches also sold home
winemaking equipment and fresh fruits in season, including cherries, grapes and plums; and,
they invited visitors to pick Red Haven peaches from the orchards. 36 They targeted a
production level of 100,000 gallons per year within three years of opening the winery.
37
Beyond the region’s ample fruit bounty and the first year or two, wines were crafted from nine
different French-American hybrid and European vinifera grapes grown on the estate and from
other growers. 38 By 1977, 19 different styles of wine were produced. 39 A notable release recalled
by Doug is the 1978 Vignoles, crafted entirely from grapes grown on the farm. The vines, the
first on the farm to bear fruit, had been acquired from Bernie Rink, who had opened his winery
in 1976 as well.
5
In 1979, the tasting room attracted 50,000 visitors per year, 40 and Doug produced 21 different
styles of wines, 41 including the first release of Riesling. 42 Additional varietal wine releases
included Vidal Blanc, Aurora, Seyval Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Baco Noir and Chancellor. Two
blends called Regal White, a blend of Seyval and Vidal Blanc, and Ruby Red, as well as two rosé
wines, were also available. Doug continued to make fruit wines from the farm’s cherries and
peaches. 43
Interestingly, Fenn Valley’s Gewürztraminer vineyard may be the oldest in the state. The
Gewürztraminer grapevines, planted in 1982, were purchased from a nursery in Washington. 44
On a side note, Doug spent his limited spare time scuba diving among the finest tropical reefs in
the world. Some of his underwater photography graced the labels on Fenn Valley Vineyards’
wine bottles, though the unique labels were eventually discontinued as streamlining was
needed to keep up with the growth of the winery. The Welsches contributed a portion of the
proceeds of the sale of those wines to conservation efforts of coral reefs around the world. 45
Michigan State University Research on Farm
Around 1976, researcher Dr. G. Stanley Howell of Michigan State University, the first academic
in Michigan to devote his time to wine grape research, visited the Welsch farm. <Refer to the
History of Wine Grape Research at Michigan State University for full details of MSU’s wine grape
research.>
Initially, Doug informed Howell that he did not need assistance from MSU with his vineyards,
as the vintner was already experiencing success. Over time, though, Welsch invited Howell and
MSU graduate research students to test grape varietals on the farm. Welsch opened his home to
Howell and his students, housing them for overnight stays in the vineyard for multi-day
research projects. Incidentally, the friendship with Howell and MSU grad students led to
Welsch getting more involved in the American Society of Enology and eventually becoming a
frequent technical speaker until the 1990s.
6
On the Welsch family farm, Howell and his master and doctorate graduate students planted
grapes and, eventually, harvested them for experimental wines produced on MSU’s campus at
Spartan Cellars. Two of these students have evolved this experience into operating their own
wineries in Michigan: Dr. Charlie Edson of Bel Lago Vineyard and Winery and Dr. David Miller
of White Pine Winery and Vineyards. Since Howell’s retirement in 2006, MSU varietal
experiments on the Welsch farm have ceased.
Wines Earn Accolades
Starting in 1977, the Michigan Wine Institute, which dissolved in the 1980s when the Michigan
Grape and Wine Industry Council was formed, hosted an annual commercial wine competition
at the Michigan State Fair. On August 27, 1977, Fenn Valley Vineyards wines were evaluated by
a panel of judges. “Our wines earned a bunch of golds,” recalled Doug.
Fenn Valley was deemed the big winner of the competition, walking away with eleven of the 35
medals awarded overall. Five gold medals were awarded to Fenn Valley’s White Riesling,
Gewürztraminer 76, Chancellor, Peach and Strawberry. Three wines, Baco Noir, Regal White
and Ruby Red, won silver medals. And, two wines achieved honorable mention: Seyval Blanc
and Vidal Blanc 76 Reserve. 46 Around the same time, the Vidal Blanc won a bronze medal at an
international wine and cheese competition in Washington D.C. 47
A historical note of reference, during the first two years of the Michigan wine competition,
wines were not required to be made solely with Michigan grapes. Similar to today’s wine
competitions (2011), the wines reflected the winemakers’ skills. Since roughly 1979, wines
entered in the Michigan Wine and Spirits competition have been made with Michigan grapes.
The same month as the 1977 state competition, two Fenn Valley Vineyards wines, along with
wines from St. Julian Winery and Vendramino Vineyards, were selected to be served at the
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National Governors Conference in Detroit. The wines were selected after a judging of numerous
Michigan wines at Win Schuler’s Restaurant in Marshall. In September, 48 Fenn Valley’s Riesling
was served to the governors with the stuffed pike course and Vidal Blanc was served with the
cherries jubilee dessert. 49 “This is when I knew our wines measured up,” said Doug.
By 1977, Fenn Valley wines had earned 60 awards in Michigan, Indiana and Pennsylvania 50 and
wide acclaim continued. Fenn Valley’s Regal White was the house wine at Joe Muer’s restaurant
in Detroit, reporting excellent acceptance. 51
Within an article in the New York Daily News, wine writer Barbara
Ensrud wrote, “I also like the Fenn Valley 1979 Riesling from
Michigan. This delicate, fragrant, stylish wine bodes well for its
growing area.” 52
Numerous awards have followed in subsequent years. Notably, in
1990, Fenn Valley Vineyards was selected to participate in a festival
that was part of George H. Bush’s inauguration. Doug was one of
only three Michigan vintners invited to present products at a VIPonly food, wine and festival. Chateau Grand Traverse and L.
Mawby Vineyards were the other selected wineries. 53
The Quiet Pioneers
Throughout the years, the Welsch family has remained focused on crafting quality wines and
increasing wine production. Savvy business decisions have made them pioneers in many
aspects.
The Welsches were the first in Michigan to use sterilized bottling rather than using
pasteurization or preservatives. They were also the first in Michigan to produce fruit (non-
8
grape) wines by stopping fermentation rather than by adding sugar. 54 The Welsches were also
one of the first to offer personalized labeling to their customers. 55 Fenn Valley is one of only
three wineries in the nation 56 and the only winery in Michigan to produce de-alcoholized wines,
57
where alcohol is removed through reverse osmosis.
Perhaps the Welsches’ most notable accomplishment, however, was earning Michigan’s first
American Viticultural Area (AVA) designation.
Fennville: Michigan’s First Designated AVA
Effective January 1, 1983, new federal regulations mandated vital changes on how wines could
be legally labeled. To note the wine’s vintage, the year the grape was harvested, the wine must
be grown within a federally designated wine grape growing region. The same rules applied for
labeling a wine as estate bottled. These federally designated regions are called American
Viticultural Areas, or more simply, AVAs. Remarkably, the Welsch family earned Michigan’s
first AVA designation and the United State’s third AVA for the region surrounding Fenn Valley
Vineyards.
An AVA is a designated wine grape-growing region approved and established through the
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), formerly ATF. The geographical area is
petitioned, typically by a vintner, for approval and is defined by specific geographical
boundaries. In order for a vintner to list an AVA on a wine label, at least 85% of the grapes used
to produce the wine must be grown within the geographical area.
The Welsch family initiated the petition to designate the Fennville area as an AVA. The family
members included the father-son team, Bill and Doug, as well as Bill’s daughter and Doug’s
sister, Diana Welsch. The decision to file the petition came after a long struggle between other
wineries in southwest Michigan. The wineries could not agree on the AVA boundaries and
which wineries should be included.
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The Welsches needed the AVA designation because new labeling regulations at the time
mandated that vintage-dated wines needed a federally-designated area. That rule has since
been modified to allow state appellations.
The BATF conducted a full-blown hearing at the Saugatuck Library in Saugatuck. BATF
representatives flew in from Washington D.C. and Cincinnati to conduct the hearing. The
Fennville AVA was established on September 18, 1981. The area consists of 75,000 acres and,
interestingly is located within the Lake Michigan Shore AVA, which was established two years
later on October 13, 1983.
As defined by TTB, “The Fennville viticultural area is primarily located in the southwestern
portion of Allegan County, Michigan, with a small finger extending into the northwest corner of
Van Buren County, Michigan.” 58 <Refer to The History of Michigan American Viticultural Areas for
the full story.> Fenn Valley Vineyards is still (2011) the only commercial winery located within
the Fennville AVA.
Tours Drive Year-round Business
Also in the 1980s, the Welsches began hosting summer gatherings of area Taster Guild members
and dignitaries. Doug borrowed a farm tour wagon from the nearby MSU research farm to cart
guests through the vineyards. By the late 1980s, another wagon was constructed for tour use;
though, it was in the late 1990s when vineyard tours really took off.
A group representing the Saugatuck Bed and Breakfasts approached Doug about hosting
weekend tours to encourage visits to the region during the autumn months. After a several
weeks with only a few customers in a wagon that holds 20 people, the Welsches decided to
open the tours to the public. Initially, interest was marginal; though, within two years,
participation skyrocketed. This prompted Doug to contact the Michigan Liquor Control
Commission to secure permission for wine tastings in the vineyard. In 1999, wine tasting tours
in the 160 acres of Fenn Valley Vineyards were approved.
10
“Our vineyard is the largest licensed tasting room in Michigan, if not the United States,” said
Doug. Three wagons are available to take guests into the vineyards for wine tastings and
tastings of fresh grapes plucked from the vines.
Cellar tours were also launched in the mid-1990s when Doug coordinated with area bed and
breakfasts to promote, “Wine Lovers Weekend,” during the winter months. “The tours involved
tasting from barrels and tanks, and often involved opening one or more older bottles of wine
from our wine library,” said Doug. “Little did I realize that I was planting the seeds for what
would later be a driving force for our retail sales during the winter months.”
Starting in 2005, demand for guided cellar tours substantially increased, so it was necessary to
require reservations. “The tour-and-tasting centers compare two or more examples of wines
made from the same grapes where a winemaking process is changed. We are attempting to
illustrate how practices in the cellar can affect a wine’s style,” explained Doug.
Red Wine Production
Since 1976, Doug has made red wine from FrenchAmerican hybrid grape varietals and believes Fenn
Valley Vineyards’ red wine reputation was solidly
built on the 1980 planting of the hybrid Chancellor.
In fact, his 1988 Chancellor took Best of Show at the
1990 Michigan State Fair Wine Competition. When
commenting about the competition, Master
Sommelier Madeline Triffon stated, “Fenn Valley’s
Winemaker Doug Welsch
Chancellor was an exciting red table wine.” 59 In
1998, two decades after crafting his first red wine, he
made the winery’s first red European vinifera wine, Cabernet Franc.
11
Doug also has a few acres of Pinot Noir; and, even though his 2008 Pinot Noir sold out, it is his
least favorite grape to work with due to its fickle growing challenges. The 2009 Pinot Noir will
be released in 2011, followed by a 2010 vintage release in the future.
Doug’s philosophy is that “no red should stand alone.” He may add a small percentage of
another varietal to add depth to a vintage wine, which he stated is a common practice in the
industry. He is particularly enamored with his Meritage, a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and
Cabernet Sauvignon. He grows Merlot and buys Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from Lemon Creek
Winery in Berrien Springs, Tom Zabadal’s Terrace Hill vineyard and Karma Vista Vineyards in
Coloma.
Custom Crush Work
Beyond his own wine production, Doug manages a very successful custom crush operation,
which was launched in the late 1980s. It began when Bill Welsch and James J. Warner of Warner
Vineyards of Paw Paw worked together on the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council,
which formed in 1985. Around 1989, Warner approached Bill to discuss financial challenges in
running his family’s 1938-established winery. Bill recognized an opportunity, and, together,
they developed a partnership for Warner to utilize Fenn Valley Vineyards’ facility and Doug’s
winemaking skills to assist with the production of wines for Warner Vineyards. 60 This
partnership launched the new, highly profitable custom crush business for the Welsches.
By 2009, 52 percent of wine production in the Fenn Valley Vineyards winery was custom crush
work. By 2010, custom crush work increased another 13 percent. Today (2011), Doug assists 10
or more custom crush customers. The customers may be vintners launching a new winery or
longtime wineries, like Warner Vineyards, that hire Doug to facilitate certain components of
wine production.
“The great accomplishment is helping others in the industry move in a direction, and they take
it from there and develop their own product,” said Doug.
12
Fenn Valley Vineyards’ Continued Growth
By 2009, the winery produced 40,000 cases of wine or 95,000 gallons. In 2010, the winery
produced 50,000 cases of wine or 122,000 gallons. More than 60,000 people visit the tasting room
each year and nearly 2,500 people sign up for guided tours through the vineyards and wine
cellar; 1,000 of these visitors tour during the prime fall season of September and October. 61
Sixteen grape varietals, including Sauvignon Blanc that was planted on the farm for the first
time in 2009, are thriving on 62 of the farm’s 230 acres.
The 2010 vintage was a “pretty awesome year for wine,” said Doug. A spring 2011 notable
vintage release is the Riesling Vintner’s Select. Botrytis, considered a “noble rot” in the industry,
affected one vineyard of Riesling. The grapes were made into a wine that has apricot and peach
undertones and an expressive bouquet like an open “jar of apricot jelly,” described Doug.
Riesling and Vignoles exhibit Doug’s Germanic style of winemaking that expresses intense fruit
with higher acidity. And, while the winemaker produces a French-style oaked Chardonnay for
customers who prefer traditional Chardonnay, he is especially pleased with the crisp, 100percent steel Chardonnay he first produced in 2009. The wines are crafted from Chardonnay
grapevines that were planted in the vineyards in 1991.
Most notable, perhaps, is the 2008 42 Ice Wine; Doug’s most successful wine to date. 62 The wine
evolved from a surplus of Vidal Blanc grapes grown by grower Dan Nitz. Nitz contacted Doug
to see if he would be interested in grapes that Nitz intended to leave on the vines to freeze. The
large quantity of grapes resulted in 4,254 gallons of juice, an affordable economy of scale. Doug
bottled 2,914 cases of the wine (3,464 gallons), 63 which allowed Doug to price the resulting ice
wine at a well-below typical market cost of $15 a bottle. Nitz’ vineyard is on the 42nd parallel, so
Doug aptly named the wine, “42” Ice Wine.
“The quality is exceptional,” said Doug. This is evident by the accolades and awards the wine
has earned. 42 Ice Wine won a “Best in Class” double gold at the 2009 Michigan Wine and
13
Spirits Competition, gold at the 2010 Tasters Guild International Wine Judging and silver at the
2010 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition. Doug stated the wine will sell out by midsummer 2011.
“We will make more when the opportunity presents itself,” said Doug. The 2009 and 2010
vintages did not produce enough grapes for ice wine production.
Reflecting on the Winery’s History
Reflecting upon the early years, Doug shared, “At the time, there were only a few wineries
open: Tabor Hill, Warner Vineyards and St. Julian. There was no glamour; people wondered
why we were doing what we were doing. This allowed us to focus on the task at hand.”
“Fortunately, we never ran out of money,” continued Doug. “Dad maintained his lumber
business in Illinois until the late 1980s. He kept funneling money into the winery, so we didn’t
have to worry about paying the electric bill. We could focus on making good wine.”
Throughout the forthcoming years, Doug focused on planting and growing the grapevines, as
well as the winemaking; all of which came naturally. Bill walked the farm every day, enjoyed
the wine crafted by his son and remained focused on running the business as financially solvent
as possible.
After years of tending the business, Bill retired in 1991. Doug gradually took over the business
end of running the winery, while continuing his role as winemaker and tour educator. In 1993,
Doug began the financial process of acquiring the winery from his parents. 64
Bill enjoyed daily walks in the vineyard until his passing at age 83 in August 2010. His wife
Ruth, whom he was married to for 62 years, still works busy weekends at the winery in the
summer and fall. 65 “Dad thought this was the best thing we’ve ever done,” shared Doug.
Published February 2011
14
Endnotes
Doug Welsch, Email interview, 12 January 2011.
Stan Kaufman, “Fenn Valley’s wines result of growth of family’s hobby,” Battle Creek Enquirer, 12
September 1976.
3 Doug Welsch. Telephone Interview. 26 January 2011.
4 Kalamazoo Gazette, “Winery at Fennville Seeks ‘European’ Flavor,” 18 October 1975.
5 Doug Welsch, Email Interview, 26 January 2011.
6 Doug Welsch, Telephone Interview, 10 March 2010.
7 Doug Welsch, Telephone Interview, 26 January 2011.
8 “A Grape Success,” November 1978. (publication unknown)
9 Ruth Ellen Church, “A tour through Fenn Valley Vineyards, Chicago Tribune, 9 December 1976, Section
26, p 26.
10 The Great Lakes Fruit Grower News, “Grape Growing Operation French Hybrid Planting,” February
1975, p 39.
11 The Great Lakes Fruit Grower News, “Grape Growing Operation French Hybrid Planting,” February
1975, p 39.
12 Leon Adams, The Wines of America, Third Edition, (New York: McGraw Hill, 1984): 215.
13 George Cantor, “Family Winery Uncorks Winners,” Detroit Free Press, 11 September 1977.
14 Ruth Ellen Church, “A tour through Fenn Valley Vineyards, Chicago Tribune, 9 December 1976,
Section 26, p 26.
15 “A Grape Success,” November 1978. (publication unknown)
16 The Great Lakes Fruit Grower News, “Grape Growing Operation French Hybrid Planting,” February
1975, p 39.
17 Michigan Wine Institute, The Wines of Michigan, p 22.
18 “A Grape Success,” November 1978. (publication unknown)
19 The Holland, Michigan, Evening Sentinel, “Daily Tours Available at Fennville Winery,” 9 July 1976, p
11.
20 Kalamazoo Gazette, “Winery at Fennville Seeks ‘European’ Flavor,” 18 October 1975.
21 “Fenn Valley Vineyards Looks Ahead to 120 Acres of French Hybrid Grape Plantings,” 1976.
(publication unknown).
22 “Fenn Valley Vineyards Looks Ahead to 120 Acres of French Hybrid Grape Plantings,” 1976.
(publication unknown).
23 The Fennville Herald, “Hearing Held on Fennville Viticultural Area,” 5 February 1981.
24 The Commercial Record, “Area Vineyard Opens for Tours,” 29 July 1976.
25 Larry S. Mims, Business Manager, Fenn Valley Vineyards, 14 November 1979 letter.
26 Maggi Stewart, “Wine taster’s odyssey,” Michigan Living/Motor News, August 1979, p 43.
27 Doug Welsch, Email Interview, 25 January 2011.
28 Ruth Ellen Church, “A tour through Fenn Valley Vineyards, Chicago Tribune, 9 December 1976,
Section 26, p 26.
29 Kalamazoo Gazette, “Winery At Fennville Seeks “European” Flavor, 18 October 1975.
30 Ruth Ellen Church, “A tour through Fenn Valley Vineyards, Chicago Tribune, 9 December 1976,
Section 26, p 26.
31 The Herald-Palladium (Benton Harbor-St. Joseph), “Michigan Week Sees News Wines,” 19 May 1976, p
4.
32 Ruth Ellen Church, “A tour through Fenn Valley Vineyards, Chicago Tribune, 9 December 1976,
Section 26, p 26.
33 Michigan Wine Institute, The Wines of Michigan, p 22.
1
2
15
Ruth Ellen Church, “A tour through Fenn Valley Vineyards, Chicago Tribune, 9 December 1976,
Section 26, p 26.
35 Allegan County News and Gazette, “County’s only winery opens doors,” 5 August 1976.
36 The Holland, Michigan, Evening Sentinel, (Holland), “For Sale Fruit and Produce Ad,” 17 August 1976,
p 15.
37 News-Palladium (Benton Harbor), “Winery Near Fennville Offering Guided Tours,” p 26.
38 Doug Welsch, Email Interview, 2 February 2011.
34
George Cantor, “Family Winery Uncorks Winners,” Detroit Free Press, 11 September 1977.
Larry S. Mims, Business Manager, Fenn Valley Vineyards, 14 November 1979 letter.
41 “A Grape Success,” November 1978. (publication unknown).
42 Doug Welsch, Telephone Interview, 12 January 2011.
39
40
Michigan Wine Institute, The Wines of Michigan, p 22.
Leon Adams, The Wines of America, Third Edition, (New York: McGraw Hill, 1984): 215.
45 Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council notes.
46 Joe Borello, “Michigan wines earn medals Fenn Valley big in Michigan judging,” Wine Spectator, 16-30
September 1977, Volume II, No. 12.
47 The Herald Palladium, (Benton Harbor-St. Joseph), “Three Wineries Earn Awards,” 28 October 1977, p
15.
48 George Cantor, “Family Winery Uncorks Winners,” Detroit Free Press, 11 September 1977.
49 The Herald-Palladium, (Benton Harbor-St. Joseph), “Area Wines Selected for Posh State Dinner,” 12
August 1977, p 3.
50 Michigan Business News, “Fenn Valley is State’s 1st Viticultural Area,” October 1981.
51 “....toasting Michigan-made wines,’” (publication unknown).
52 “....toasting Michigan-made wines,’” (publication unknown).
53 Mike Norton, “Area wineries add spirits to Bush inauguration,” Record-Eagle, (Traverse City).
54 Tasting & Touring, p 11.
55 Maggi Stewart, “Wine taster’s odyssey,” Michigan Living/Motor News, August 1979, p 43.
56 Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council, Michigan Wine Facts.
57 Touring & Tasting, p 11.
58 Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, 6 March 2009
43
44
<http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/textidxc=ecfr&sid=057f99d792668247a3c45b4699417291&rgn=div
5&view=text&node=27:1.0.1.1.7&idno=27#27:1.0.1.1.7.3.41.13>.
Eleanor and Ray Heald, “Good Harbor is a big winner,” O&E, 17 September 1990, 2B.
James J. Warner, Telephone interview, 28 September 2009.
61 Doug Welsch, Personal interview, 25 January 2011.
62 Doug Welsch, Telephone interview, 12 January 2011
63 Doug Welsch, Email interview, 26 January 2011.
64 Doug Welsch, Email interview, 25 January 2011.
65 Doug Welsch, Email Interview, 26 January 2011.
59
60
16