Wisconsin Vintners Association

(Home Wine Makers Club)

 


Lakefront Brewery Cook-Out

Our July membership meeting will be a cookout and potluck picnic at the garden of the Lakefront Brewery. Bring something to grill for yourself and a dish to pass (an appetizer, salad or a dessert) and your own plates, napkins , utensils, etc. There will be plenty of tables and chairs and we will have grills for group use. Don’t forget to bring a bottle or two of your homemade wine, one to share with your fellow winemakers and another to give to our host Russ Klisch to show our appreciation for providing his brewery riverfront patio for our enjoyment. You should also bring your own wine and/or beer glasses according to your tastes in beverage. Activities will start at 5:00 PM.

Welcome New Members

Let’s all welcome our newest members: Michael & Kim Ackley of Racine, WI and Alfonso Morales of Milwaukee. Thanks for joining and welcome to our club!


President's Message

At the July Board of Directors’ meeting, we will continue to discuss the formation of committees to organize the upcoming events. If you have any thoughts or comments on our activities, or would like to volunteer for one of the committees, please call me or one of the other board members. The club depends on volunteers and cannot continue its vibrancy and growth without them.

We had two big events in June – the June 19th winemaking seminar and the 40th Anniversary dinner. Thirty-eight people attended the very informative seminar on fining agents, pectic enzymes, and tannins presented by Doug Moorhead of Presque Isle Wine Cellars. Seventy-seven people attended the 40th Anniversary dinner. A good time was had by all! Thank you to George and Mary Scovronski for organizing both events, and to Howard Hasselkus for finding yet another great venue.

July is the month to sign up for the reduced-rate subscription price for WineMaker magazine. If you are not currently subscribing, give it a try. It is a very informative magazine and a lot of us read it cover-to-cover!

Also, the July’s membership meeting will begin our summer schedule with a picnic at the Lakefront Brewery.  I look forward to seeing you at the Lakefront Brewery.

Tom Courtney

Annual Picnic in August

The August 2010 membership meeting will be the annual club picnic on Saturday August 14th at the Fox River Park in Waukesha. The club will again furnish roasted sweet corn and delicious roast chicken. You should bring a dish to pass, your eating utensils, your wine and wine glasses. We will have the use of a large shelter with bathrooms. There will also be games to play and prizes for the winners.

What a Great Day

On June 19 we held a special winemakers seminar at the Country Springs Hotel, presented by Doug Moorhead of Presque Isle Wine Cellars. Doug presented a lot of very useful information about the variety and use of fining agents available to clarify wines. He discussed the proper use of pectic enzymes and demonstrated how additive tannins can be used to enhance your wines. During the three hours, Doug also answered many questions related to all kinds of winemaking topics.

The winemaking seminar was followed by a reception and dinner celebrating our 40th anniversary. Russ & Karen Helwig who are WVA members that were among the founders back in 1970, brought a lot of their memorabilia, two tables full, from those early years. Russ and Karen took turns making an informal presentation to those attending and were available after the dinner to answer questions. Our club is strong today due to the great foundation provided by the early members like Russ and Karen. All attending the dinner received a commemorative WVA anniversary wine glass. There was also a beautifully decorated cake to help us celebrate. Thanks to George Scovronski, Howard Hasselkus and everyone else who helped to make this event another memorable one in the many years of our club.


Calendar of Events


July 7th Wednesday - Board of Directors meeting at the home of Tom & Linda Courtney, 7:00 PM

July 14th Wednesday - Annual outdoor patio picnic at the Lakefront Brewery in Milwaukee, WI, 5:00 PM

August 14th Saturday - Annual WVA Picnic at Waukesha Fox River Park

 

Special Thanks To Clifford's For The Use Of Their Hall!

10418 W. FOREST HOME AVE

HALES CORNERS, WI

(414) 425-6226

www.cliffordsfinefood.com
 

Map
 

Please Support Our Sponsor!
 

 

 



 

 ABOUT THE WISCONSIN VINTNERS

 
 ASSOCIATION
 
 
The Wisconsin Vintners Association of Milwaukee was organized in 1970. Membership is open to anyone over 21 years old who has an interest in wine making. Our mission is educating our members in the many styles of wine and techniques while promoting the responsible use of alcohol.

Regular monthly meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month at Clifford's Supper Club, 10418 West Forest Home Ave. Hales Corners, WI. at 7:30PM. Usually we feature a speaker and offer tasting and evaluation of different varieties of wines.

To join our organization please click on and complete the following:

WVA Membership Application (PDF)