Peterson and Sons Winery

Peterson and Sons Winery
9375 East P Avenue
Kalamazoo
USA 49048
Phone: (269) 626-9755
http://www.naturalwine.net/

Contact: Duane Peterson

I started my first five gallons of Rhubarb wine in my basement in June 1982, and by October of 1982, I had several jugs of Cherry, Red Raspberry and some Concord and Delaware grape started. This was the meager start of what is now Peterson and Sons Winery with a total capacity of 20,000 gallons.

When I lost my job in March of 1983 at age 41, I couldn't find a job because I was too old and/or over-qualified, so I did a lot of fishing and talking with a retired neighbor. My neighbor, Norm, liked my wine and suggested that I make it to sell. Gradually, I thought more about his idea. I took some wine samples to a larger winery and had them checked out for the necessary government testing and they all passed with flying colors.

The winemaker suggested that I "go for it" so I studied the legal aspects of starting a winery at home. As it turned out, my basement met the A.T.F. requirements, so I submitted the forms to A.T.F. in September and received my license twenty-eight days later...just in time for our first major crush. My Dad, two sons, nephew and I picked the grapes and brought them home for crushing. We started 25 barrels of wine in October, 1983. In 1984, we expanded into the garage and in May 1988, we moved into our new 40'x84' winery. We still use the basement for tasting and sales and the garage for case goods.

Peterson wines have won 9 awards in the International Eastern Wine Competition held at Watkins Glen, New York, including a gold in 1985 for our rhubarb-raspberry. We have also won a gold for our cranberry at the Indiana State Fair. Our cranberry also won two bronze in New York and a bronze at the 1990 National Orange Show in California.

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