The amazing journey for the Moersch family has taken a unique new route…one that could lead them to become the largest winery business in the entire state of Michigan. Chris and Matthew Moersch of Round Barn Winery fame have carefully pieced together a deal that has been nearly two years in the making to acquire the winery where their own father began his career decades ago — Tabor Hill Winery. It’s a deal that literally takes them back to their birthplace…and expands their holdings to land that is already contiguous to their own highly successful winery.
With the largest Michigan winery purchase in the state’s history, the Moersch family continues to push the boundaries in the Michigan craft beverage industry. Having started his winemaking career at Tabor Hill 38 years ago patriarch Rick Moersch and family have truly come full circle with the acquisition of Tabor Hill Winery.
It all began when Rick was hired by Tabor Hill’s founder Len Olson in 1979 to run their wine lab. It was during that time that a passion for farming and winemaking developed and the seeds for the larger dream of opening his own winery were planted. Rick was promoted to head winemaker in 1981 and in the same year he and wife Sherrie purchased a 28-acre farm right next door, planting, growing and selling grapes to Tabor Hill. In 1985 Rick added the title of GM overseeing all winemaking, sales and restaurant operations and during his tenure, Tabor Hill saw unprecedented growth.
It was also at Tabor Hill where Rick and Sherrie’s sons Chris and Matt grew up. On any given day, they may have been called out of school early to help on the bottling line. The school bus dropped them off at Tabor Hill every day where they would work in the cellar or vineyard, and ultimately gain the experience and education that still serves them today. Matt says, “When we toured Tabor Hill during the negotiations this past year, countless childhood memories came rushing back. It was like going home. My brother Chris and I have a deep-rooted love and passion for this brand. It’s what we know and grew up with.”
Ready to take the entrepreneurial leap, Rick and Sherrie opened Heart of the Vineyard Winery, forerunner to the current day Round Barn brand, on their farm in 1992. Entente Spirits, LLC, the parent company of the Moersch family, today includes a portfolio of complementary businesses including Round Barn Winery, Distillery and Brewery, Free Run Cellars and Round Barn Public House.
Chris Moersch will tell you that, “What started with just our family 25 years ago, has become a thriving group of unique businesses.” He adds, “As we reflect on our growth, we honor all the employees and customers who joined us on this journey and we recognize that without them, we wouldn’t be here today. Our focus has been on hiring good people, celebrating innovation and stewardship and figuring out how we can thoughtfully grow as a company. We want to contribute meaningfully to the SW Michigan farming and hospitality industries, while making our customers experience our top priority.”
With this significant expansion, Rick notes that he believes Tabor Hill’s customers will embrace the continuance of the brand with the historical ties that he and his family bring to the table. “It’s ‘tradition re-imagined’ because despite changing times, the core values that were planted at Tabor Hill and fostered at all of our properties haven’t changed. We always strive to put the best product forward and will continue to do so on our life’s journey.”
Entente Spirits will more than double its annual wine production with the acquisition of Tabor Hill, currently Michigan’s 4th largest winery. Along with expanding production, this acquisition adds 25 acres of existing vineyards, Tabor Hill’s award-winning restaurant and 3 retail locations.
The Moersch family is also taking time out to recognize the strategic partnerships with both Honor Credit Union and the Michigan Small Business Development Center. As Chris points out, “We couldn’t have realized this dream without the personalized attention and support from Scott McFarland of Honor CU and Carolyn Rourke with the MSBDC.”
