Description: This photograph show the vineyards of a winery in Ohio, probably around the Sandusky or Put-In-Bay area. Because the lake tempers the climate, the islands and shore-line areas have the longest growing season in Ohio. Apples, peaches, and grapes are leading crops, and wine making has been an important industry in the Sandusky area and the Lake Erie Islands since the 1860s. Wine has been produced in Ohio since 1823 when Nicholas Longworth planted the first Alexander and Isabella grapes in the Ohio River Valley. In 1825, Longworth planted the first Catawba grapes in Ohio. Others soon planted Catawba in new vineyards throughout the state and by 1860, Catawba was the most important grape variety in Ohio. At this time, Ohio produced more wine than any other state in the country, and Cincinnati was the most important city in the national wine trade. As in many other states, Prohibition in the United States destroyed the Ohio wine industry, which has struggled to recover View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B08F09_006_1
Subjects: Wine and wine making--Ohio
Places: Ohio
 

Description: This photograph show the vineyards of a winery in Ohio, probably around the Sandusky or Put-In-Bay area. Because the lake tempers the climate, the islands and shore-line areas have the longest growing season in Ohio. Apples, peaches, and grapes are leading crops, and wine making has been an important industry in the Sandusky area and the Lake Erie Islands since the 1860s. Wine has been produced in Ohio since 1823 when Nicholas Longworth planted the first Alexander and Isabella grapes in the Ohio River Valley. In 1825, Longworth planted the first Catawba grapes in Ohio. Others soon planted Catawba in new vineyards throughout the state and by 1860, Catawba was the most important grape variety in Ohio. At this time, Ohio produced more wine than any other state in the country, and Cincinnati was the most important city in the national wine trade. As in many other states, Prohibition in the United States destroyed the Ohio wine industry, which has struggled to recover View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B08F09_009_1
Subjects: Wine and wine making--Ohio
Places: Ohio
 

Description: This photograph is blurry and the building in the center is at a distance, but this could be the Lonz Winery. Facing the south shore, on Middle Bass Island, is the Lonz Winery. The winery was originally built as the Golden Eagle in 1863 by Andrew Wehrle, who carved a 14 foot deep wine cellar into the limestone. The winery prospered for many years, and for a time, even had the largest wine casks in the United States (each held 16,000 gallons). The company began failing around 1885, after a failed attempt at a partnership with Michael, Casimer and Emile Werk, of Cincinnati. In 1888, Herman Wehrle, Andrew’s youngest son, became a full partner with hopes that he would be able to rescue the winery from its financial troubles. Things went from bad to worse after Herman leased the land to Mr. R. W. Brown in 1890. The winery was sold at a sheriff’s auction in 1905, and then sold again a year later, to Mr. August Schmidt, Jr, who also owned a winery in Sandusky. The Hill Crest hotel and a manor home were added and the winery was again successful, until Schmidt’s death in 1913. His daughter Elsie took over for a time, but sold the winery to John Roesch, James Hauck, William Conley and Earl Heinan in 1916. Fire struck in 1923, destroying almost everything except the large house where Mrs. Schmidt and her daughter were living. The Lonzes bought the winery in 1926 and due to Prohibition (from 1920 – 1933) began selling grape juice. In 1934, following the repeal of Prohibition, George Lonz designed the castle-like structure that was built above the original cellars. In 1941, the entire wooden structure of the winery was destroyed by fire, but rebuilt adding a copper dome which housed a telescope. The castle like structure is of brick and stone, with turrets and battlements measuring100 feet by 150 feet. The 2-story structure is a mason’s caprice; often a course of stone is broken by an inset or two or three of brick; a straight arch may be succeeded by one with a stringbone effect; and a brick inset is likely to have bricks laid flat, on edge and sideways. Inside the wine cellar are a number of chambers lined with vats holding from 1,500 to 2,000 gallons each. About 50,000 gallons of wine were made here annually (during the 1930s). The dry wines were Delaware, Riesling, Catawba and Claret; the sweet wines Port, Sherry, Tokay, Haut Sauterne and Muscatel; the sparkling wines, Burgundy and Champagne. The Silenium was the name given to the clubroom of the winery. The room, 40 feet square, was paneled in dark oak and had a flagstone floor, with heavy oak beams overhead. The chandeliers were made from the hoops of old wine casks. Sunlight filtered into the room through four windows whose designs show Bacchus and Pan capering among bacchantes and dryads. The bar was lighted through small panes of stained glass, and around the room were solid trestle tables of oak and smaller octagonal tables, with benches and chairs to match. The Lonz family continued to operate the winery until George’s death in 1968. The winery continued operation until 2000 when it closed and was purchased by the state. The cellars were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. In July 2000, a terrace collapsed into the cellars, killing one and injuring many. Later that year, the land became property of the State of Ohio, with the intention of the site becoming a state park in order to preserve a piece of Ohio history on this beautiful island. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B08F09_031_1
Subjects: Lake Erie; Erie, Lake, Coast (Ohio); Wine and wine making--Ohio; Lonz Winery
Places: Put-in-Bay Township (Ohio); Ottawa County (Ohio)
 

Description: This photograph show the vineyards of a winery in Ohio, probably around the Sandusky or Put-In-Bay area. Because the lake tempers the climate, the islands and shore-line areas have the longest growing season in Ohio. Apples, peaches, and grapes are leading crops, and wine making has been an important industry in the Sandusky area and the Lake Erie Islands since the 1860s. Wine has been produced in Ohio since 1823 when Nicholas Longworth planted the first Alexander and Isabella grapes in the Ohio River Valley. In 1825, Longworth planted the first Catawba grapes in Ohio. Others soon planted Catawba in new vineyards throughout the state and by 1860, Catawba was the most important grape variety in Ohio. At this time, Ohio produced more wine than any other state in the country, and Cincinnati was the most important city in the national wine trade. As in many other states, Prohibition in the United States destroyed the Ohio wine industry, which has struggled to recover View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B08F08_027_001
Subjects: Wine and wine making--Ohio
Places: Ohio
 

Description: This photograph show the vineyards of a winery in Ohio, probably around the Sandusky or Put-In-Bay area. Because the lake tempers the climate, the islands and shore-line areas have the longest growing season in Ohio. Apples, peaches, and grapes are leading crops, and wine making has been an important industry in the Sandusky area and the Lake Erie Islands since the 1860s. Wine has been produced in Ohio since 1823 when Nicholas Longworth planted the first Alexander and Isabella grapes in the Ohio River Valley. In 1825, Longworth planted the first Catawba grapes in Ohio. Others soon planted Catawba in new vineyards throughout the state and by 1860, Catawba was the most important grape variety in Ohio. At this time, Ohio produced more wine than any other state in the country, and Cincinnati was the most important city in the national wine trade. As in many other states, Prohibition in the United States destroyed the Ohio wine industry, which has struggled to recover View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B08F08_032_001
Subjects: Wine and wine making--Ohio
Places: Ohio
 

Description: Facing the south shore, on Middle Bass Island, is the Lonz Winery. The winery was originally founded as the Golden Eagle in 1884 by George Wehrle, who carved a 14 foot deep wine cellar into the limestone. Due to a series of misfortunes and the onset of Prohibition, the winery was forced to close. In 1934, following the repeal of Prohibition, George Lonz designed the castle-like structure that was built above the original cellars. In 1941, the entire wooden structure of the winery was destroyed by fire, but rebuilt adding a copper dome which housed a telescope. The castle like structure is of brick and stone, with turrets and battlements measuring100 feet by 150 feet. The 2-story structure is a mason’s caprice; often a course of stone is broken by an inset or two or three of brick; a straight arch may be succeeded by one with a stringbone effect; and a brick inset is likely to have bricks laid flat, on edge and sideways. Inside the wine cellar are a number of chambers lined with vats holding from 1,500 to 2,000 gallons each. About 50,000 gallons of wine were made here annually (during the 1930s). The dry wines were Delaware, Riesling, Catawba and Claret; the sweet wines Port, Sherry, Tokay, Haut Sauterne and Muscatel; the sparkling wines, Burgundy and Champagne. The Silenium was the name given to the clubroom of the winery. The room, 40 feet square, was paneled in dark oak and had a flagstone floor, with heavy oak beams overhead. The chandeliers were made from the hoops of old wine casks. Sunlight filtered into the room through four windows whose designs show Bacchus and Pan capering among bacchantes and dryads. The bar was lighted through small panes of stained glass, and around the room were solid trestle tables of oak and smaller octagonal tables, with benches and chairs to match. The cellars were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. In July 2000, a terrace collapsed into the cellars, killing one and injuring many. Later that year, the land became property of the State of Ohio, with the intention of the site becoming a state park in order to preserve a piece of Ohio history on this beautiful island. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B08F09_008_1
Subjects: Wine and wine making--Ohio; Lonz Winery
Places: Put-in-Bay Township (Ohio); Ottawa County (Ohio)
 

Description: Facing the south shore, on Middle Bass Island, is the Lonz Winery. The winery was originally founded as the Golden Eagle in 1884 by George Wehrle, who carved a 14 foot deep wine cellar into the limestone. Due to a series of misfortunes and the onset of Prohibition, the winery was forced to close. In 1934, following the repeal of Prohibition, George Lonz designed the castle-like structure that was built above the original cellars. In 1941, the entire wooden structure of the winery was destroyed by fire, but rebuilt adding a copper dome which housed a telescope. The castle like structure is of brick and stone, with turrets and battlements measuring100 feet by 150 feet. The 2-story structure is a mason’s caprice; often a course of stone is broken by an inset or two or three of brick; a straight arch may be succeeded by one with a stringbone effect; and a brick inset is likely to have bricks laid flat, on edge and sideways. Inside the wine cellar are a number of chambers lined with vats holding from 1,500 to 2,000 gallons each. About 50,000 gallons of wine were made here annually (during the 1930s). The dry wines were Delaware, Riesling, Catawba and Claret; the sweet wines Port, Sherry, Tokay, Haut Sauterne and Muscatel; the sparkling wines, Burgundy and Champagne. The Silenium was the name given to the clubroom of the winery. The room, 40 feet square, was paneled in dark oak and had a flagstone floor, with heavy oak beams overhead. The chandeliers were made from the hoops of old wine casks. Sunlight filtered into the room through four windows whose designs show Bacchus and Pan capering among bacchantes and dryads. The bar was lighted through small panes of stained glass, and around the room were solid trestle tables of oak and smaller octagonal tables, with benches and chairs to match. The cellars were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. In July 2000, a terrace collapsed into the cellars, killing one and injuring many. Later that year, the land became property of the State of Ohio, with the intention of the site becoming a state park in order to preserve a piece of Ohio history on this beautiful island. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B08F09_007_1
Subjects: Wine and wine making--Ohio; Lonz Winery
Places: Put-in-Bay Township (Ohio); Ottawa County (Ohio)
 

Description: Group portrait showing the employees of Engel & Krundivig Winery in Sandusky, Ohio, ca. 1890-1895. They are seated on wine barrels and bottles of wine in baskets are at their feet. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL02688
Subjects: Wineries--Ohio; Ohio Economy--Agriculture; Wine and wine making--Ohio
Places: Sandusky (Ohio); Erie County (Ohio)
 

Description: Caption reads: "One of the larger wine casks measuring about twelve feet in height. Wine is stored in these immediately after pressing for periods ranging from a few months to several years depending on the type of wine desired. It is then bottled and placed in racks to clear." The E & K Winery began as the Engels and Krudwig Winery which operated from 1863 to 1959. It has since been reopened under the name E & K Winery. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B05F01A_007_1
Subjects: Business and Labor; Agriculture--Ohio--History.; Wine industry; Wine barrels
Places: Sandusky (Ohio); Erie County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph shows numerous bottles of wine being stored. They are on stacked on their sides on wooden shelves and are quite dusty and covered with cobwebs. A wooden sign hangs in front of the shelving which reads, "White Star 1889." View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B07F07_029_1
Subjects: Wine--Storage; Ohio--History--Pictorial works; Wine and winemaking
Places: Ohio
 

Description: The caption reads: "Wine Cellar, Erie County." The photograph shows a man checking wine cask number 109. It could be in a winery named Winesaw in Erie County, Ohio View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B07F07_017_1
Subjects: Wine; Wineries; Erie County (Ohio)
Places: Erie County (Ohio)
 

Description: This 8" x 10" (20.32 x 25.4 cm) photograph of Lonz Winery on Middle Bass Island was taken in the 1960s. Lonz Winery was established by Peter Lonz (1857-1955) in 1884. His son George Lonz merged the Lonz and Golden Eagle Wine Cellars (established in 1866 by Andrew Wehrle) into one business in 1926. George studied chemistry and botany at Ohio Northern University, graduating in 1910. He used his scientific skills to experiment with grapes and wines, and tested his own products in a lab behind the winery. George Lonz purchased the wineries during Prohibition and on the eve of the Great Depression. He remained solvent during Prohibition by selling 100,000 gallons of grape juice per year. Some of his product was eventually sold to a Chicago firm which made it into champagne. The New Deal and the repeal of Prohibition brought new prosperity, and from 1934-1944 he rebuilt the old Wehrle Winery and added a boathouse and basin to the complex. During this time Lonz became one of the few American champagne makers. Through the 1960s, Lonz Winery continued to prosper on the strength of its high-quality wines and as a popular tourist attraction. Lonz constructed a pleasure boat marina behind the winery in 1968. George Lonz died in 1969, without heirs and before finding a buyer for the winery. For a time, profits from the winery were given to charity. In 1979, Meier's Wine Cellars, Inc., a division of Paramount Distilleries, Inc. in Cleveland, Ohio, purchased the Lonz Winery. Meier revitalized the winery by replanting the vineyards and restoring the buildings. The winery is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: Om3072_3670565_001
Subjects: Business and Labor; Architecture; Wine industry; National Register of Historic Places
Places: Middle Bass (Ohio); Ottawa County (Ohio)