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Céline: Good morning. With the recent freeze story that was out on TV this week, we wanted to clarify a couple of questions that we’re seeing online. So we have Philippe here to answer the questions. Which wines will be affected and which wines will not be affected and why?
Philippe: So let’s start with the happy news. The wine’s not affected. The Prairie Fumé, the Scarlet Fumé, the Blushing Rose, the Riesling all the semi-dry, fresh, fruity, fun wines are not affected. Those affected are what is specifically grown on the estate. The estate of this property such as the Domaine du Sac, the Ruby Nouveau, and the Domaine Reserve percentage wise is small. It hurts the pride of being a grape farmer because we still have to tend a vineyard without fruit. So but again, Prairie Fumé, Scarlet Fumé, River Gold, Blushing Rose, all the most popular wines are not affected.
Céline: Has this happened before?
Philippe: It has happened many times. I would say almost every year. There are very few years that we haven’t had a spring frost. And it’s becoming more and more frequent because of the weather change, the vines are budding earlier in the season. It is warmer in the spring. And the last week of April, and the first week of May, we often experience a cold snap. We have seen a 10% loss and a 20% loss. It’s not even worth mentioning. It’s kind of customary, but 50%, 70%, 80% loss… In this last episode, we’ve never seen anything like that. And this is the worst we’ve had in over two decades.
Céline: Besides that, it was earlier and it was more of a freeze than the typical frost that we’ve had.
Philippe: Absolutely. This was April 16. So it’s what we consider a bit more freeze and it’s something we can’t fight.
Céline: Why grow grapes in Wisconsin?
Philippe: Well, because it’s part of our history story right here. It’s been done since the 1850s and it’s been successfully done for 50 years under the Wollersheim Winery. And it is going to continue. We are changing a few things. We are looking at different cultivars, different grapes that will bud later in the season and we will keep growing the grapes to make great wines.
Céline: Are the vines alive?
Philippe: Oh, yes the vines are alive. The vines are well. We are seeing tiny little buds popping from everywhere. So we will have green. The customer, the visitor enjoying the property, will not see a difference between June, July, and August. And there will be luscious leaves and shoots without clusters. But long as we have green, we have pruning work for next year. So we should be back to normal next spring.
Céline: What impacts will the typical customer notice and will it result in a price increase?
Philippe: No price increase. It has never been our policy here at Wollersheim Winery. In 2024 wines such as Domaine du Sac and Domaine Reserve will not be available and those are what we call the flagship wines of the estate because they are grown on the property. Those will be missing. It might also affect a tighter supply of Prairie Blush, Eagle White, and Sunburst Red. A few other Wisconsin-grown wines will be in smaller supply, but that’s the most impact.
Céline: Thanks to everybody who reached out with their well wishes and their comments. If you ever have any questions, we are happy to do this again. Thanks.
Philippe: Thank you.
