Harbor Country News (New Buffalo, MI)

Harbor Country News (New Buffalo, MI)

June 29, 2006

Simply DiVine: Winery releases grape-based premium vodka

Author: Ray Gudas, News associate editor

Section: Features

Article Text:

UNION PIER - The Baroda-based Round Barn Winery made history two weeks ago, when it became the first winery in the United States, and quite possibly the world, to offer an estate-bottled vodka distilled from grapes.

"Right now, there are only two wineries in the United States that make vodka from grapes," said Round Barn general manager Christian Moersch, "but we're the only one that uses its own grapes and distills and bottles the vodka on site."

The result, he'll tell you, is divine - DiVine Vodka, that is.

You bet the name is trademarked, as is its accompanying slogan, "Vodka from the Vineyard."

Chicago native David Otis came up with both the name and the slogan, and more importantly, was the instigator of the effort to bring the new vodka to market.

"He contacted us about two years ago, after being turned down by a couple of other distilleries," Moersch recalled.

Already established as a producer of both cognac-style and fruit-based brandies ("eau de vie"), in addition to a substantial selection of wines and cordials, the Round Barn Winery had the know-how, the equipment and, of course, the grapes to make Otis' vision a reality.

"We had act! ually talked about making a vodka at one time, but it was something that was still on the horizon for us," Moersch said. "When David approached us, we really liked the concept that he had come up with, and it just kind of got kick-started from there."

It took 18 months of experimenting to come up with a recipe that everyone agreed was worthy of the brand's name. The result is a vodka that is described as "refreshingly crisp and smooth."

Only 500 cases were produced this year, Moersch said. The initial goal is merely to quadruple that amount.

"It will never be mass-produced," Moersch said, explaining that doing so would jeopardize the very qualities that make the vodka special.

Qualities that have not gone unnoticed. A review on "The Guy Page" of last Sunday's Chicago Tribune singled out DiVine Vodka as "a worthy new native son" among vodkas, adding that, "This one could be a star."

Days later, a deal was made with Sam's Wine & Liquors, of C! hicago, La- Grange and Highland Park, Ill., for the company to become the brand's Illinois distributor.

For the time being, at least, the only other place you'll be able to buy DiVine Vodka (for $32.95 a fifth) is at the Round Barn Tasting Center in Union Pier, where it recently made its public debut.

Get 'em while they last.