The “man behind the curtain” at Tabor Hill Winery for more than three decades finds himself on the sidelines for the first time in more than 31 years, and is pausing ever so briefly to catch his breath before finding his next adventure in the world of business in Michigan’s Great Southwest.
A true Gentleman’s Gentleman, Paul Landeck maintained the helm at Tabor Hill Winery & Restaurant for more than 31 years until this week’s conclusion of a nearly three-year deal-in-the-works between his “Jewel of Southwest Michigan” and his friends and neighbors at Round Barn Winery. Even though the negotiations and behind-the-scenes dealing has been underway for a considerable length of time, Paul finds this week to be “surrealistic,” to be sure.
He has taken time out to congratulate the Moersch family on their acquisition, but he has also responded to my request for his take on the deal and what it all means to the Tabor Hill family of hardworking men and women who crafted the 4th largest winery in the state of Michigan.
Paul goes back to the beginning, telling me, “The late Dave Upton was a local visionary. More than four decades ago, he saw what many others could not: a thriving ‘wine country’ right here in our backyard. He saw a wine country that would rival those of the better known wine regions in the U.S., but along the shores of Lake Michigan.”
Paul notes, “When one considers the current booming status of Michigan-made wines and our state’s wine industry as a whole, it’s impossible to deny he was on to something. Dave was the first president of the Michigan Wine Council as well as the Southwest Michigan Tourist Council. I am proud to have played a part in the amazing industry he jump-started.”
Further, Mr. Landeck says, “In my humble opinion, we all – from the thousands of wine and food enthusiasts visiting our wineries to the hundreds of past and present employees – owe him and his surviving wife Linda a thank you for envisioning and creating such an amazing experience here in Southwest Michigan.”
It was former St. Joseph Today Executive Kathy Zerler who referred to Paul as the man behind the curtain, and admits, “That may very well have been true. However, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside hundreds of hardworking team members who have made the winery so successful. Without the tireless dedication of restaurant and retail manager Cathy Fielding we never would have been able to provide such a lovely experience to each of our guests.”
Additionally, Landeck cites other key players, telling us, “Longtime winemaker Mike Merchant, and of course chef JohnPaul VerHage, also deserve recognition for putting Tabor Hill on the map as USA Today’s #4 Best Winery Restaurant in the Nation. I personally cannot thank them enough for their hard work and support.”
Paul says he has been truly blessed to spend those past 31 years surrounded by “the most dedicated team one could ask for on such a gorgeous piece of property.”
When it comes to what’s next for Paul Landeck, personally, he says he plans to remain here, his lifelong home, adding, “I’ll take a very brief respite to catch my breath and spend a little more time with the love of my life, my wife Kim. Then in the fall, we’ll move our pride and joy (and freshly-minted University of Michigan Ross School of Business double graduate) Meghan to Chicago to begin her new career in finance.”
After that? Paul concludes, “Rest assured you’ll still see me around, tackling a new business challenge or volunteering alongside many others to support the children at my, Kim and Meghan’s alma mater: Lake Michigan Catholic Schools.”
Paul Landeck is a long time close personal friend to me and my family and has earned every ounce of the respect that thousands of customers, colleagues, competitors, and others have delivered his way. He is, and always has been, a first-class, world-class act and we wish him well in his next big adventure. We certainly haven’t heard the last of Mr. Paul Landeck, business leader extraordinaire.
