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Business World |
June 2015
102
“The growth of the wine industry in Door
County wasn’t off the ground at all; we were
the only ones making wine – small amounts
at that,” said owner Robert Pollman. “In
1984, the winery grew 15 to 30% a year for
the next 25 years, and we continue to grow
every year.”
Growing at such a rapid rate meant doubling
the size of the winery. In 2000, the company
did just that – making it four times the size
of the original schoolhouse and adding a res-
taurant to the backend. More production
space meant bigger tanks and bigger equip-
ment.
“We were growing so fast, just to make a
quality product, we had to up all the equip-
ment,” Pollman said. “We started getting
into specialized equipment. Everything is
temperature controlled, heated and cooled
warehouses.”
After another two rounds of expansion – in
2007 and in 2012 – the 24,000 square feet
winery continues to crank out crowd pleas-
ing favorites. But if wine isn’t your beverage
your choice, the Door County Distillery is
here to enchant your senses with clever con-
coctions of vodka, whiskey, brandy, gin and
bitters. But even with the wider range of of-
ferings, wine remains in high demand.