Lonz Winery records

Collection – Multiple Containers

Identifier: MS-0150

Staff Only

Collection Overview

Abstract

The Lonz Winery Collection dates from 1899-1980. The operation and growth of a Lake Erie wine industry and some personal history of its owner, George Lonz, are reflected in the collection which consists of correspondence, ledgers, Internal Revenue forms, financial papers, pamphlets, and photographs.

Dates

Creation: 1899-1980

Extent

11.95 Cubic Feet (26 legal archive boxes)

Creator

Lonz Winery (Organization)
Lonz, George F., 1887-1969 (Person)

Scope and Contents

The papers from the Lonz Winery, located on Middle Bass Island, Ohio, document the growth of a Lake Erie wine industry from 1899 to 1980. Although it consists primarily of correspondence and financial records from the 1920s, the 1950s, and the 1960s, the collection still holds much potential for national, state, and local research.

There are large gaps in the collections (especially in the 1940s which are almost non-existent) because of the method of acquisition. When the papers were collected in the summer of 1980, most had been strewn on the winery floor for several years, and therefore, subject to varying environmental conditions. Those lying on top were collected and brought to the Center for Archival Collections for processing. Those underneath had deteriorated to such a degree that it was decided that they were not salvageable. The papers from the pre-1940 era are, therefore, in poor condition. Those from the 1950s and 1960s, which were found still in their original file folders stored in metal cabinets, are in fair to good condition. Additional records are in the possession of Jeff Koehler of Middle Bass Island.

The ordering of correspondence and financial papers from 1919-1933 document the reaction of midwest residents to Prohibition. These papers, perhaps, hold the greatest potential for scholarly research. Although manufactories, such as Lonz Winery, were not able to produce alcoholic beverages during Prohibition, hundreds of Americans continued to buy grape juice. A quick glance through the ordering and financial correspondence shows that most Lonz customers during this period were not only interested in purchasing grape juice, but were using the directions provided by Lonz to make homemade wine from that juice. A detailed analysis could be made, therefore, to assess midwest compliance to the Prohibition Amendment.

Researchers interested in local studies will also find this collection useful. The daybook, documenting productivity from 1899-1905, financial documents, and information provided in the Chamber of Commerce, marina and tour, and promotional brochures and correspondence, provide an overall view of Middle Bass industrial and social growth. Pre-1890 activities, documented in the 1880 Ottawa County Census Records, Middle Bass Township, supplement the information given here.

A third avenue of research is the study of the winery itself. Lake Erie wineries were famous nationwide, and this collection provides excellent insight into the operations of one of the area's most important winery operations. Especially helpful in this research would be the operating correspondence, business papers, and the promotional literature.

Some of the records may be valuable to the researcher interested in George Lonz himself. He was one of the first wine makers in the area to apply scientific research to wine production. He was well acquainted with several local, state, and national personalities. He was descended from some of Middle Bass Island's first settling families. Although some biographical information is given in the promotional literature, many of the names and dates need to be verified. This holds especially true with the photograph collection which contains portraits of the Lonz and Siegrist family members and acquaintances. Many are vaguely verified and most are undated.

Biographical / Historical

The Lonz Winery, located on Middle Bass Island, Ohio, is one of the oldest and largest of the Lake Erie Wineries, known not only in Ohio, but throughout the midwest. Its early history involves two separate wine making establishments: that of Andrew Wehrle and Peter Lonz. Wehrle established his winery, known as the Gold Eagle Wine Cellars, in 1866. He constructed his first wine cellar on the southern tip of the island. By 1870 Wehrle formed a partnership with George Werk and soon the establishment grew to be one of the largest wineries in the country. In the next year Wehrle constructed a large dance pavilion over the wine cellar, and built several additions to it in the ensuing years.

The reputation of the Golden Eagle continued to grow during the late 1800s, but by the early 1900s financial difficulties plagued its owners, and it was sold at Sheriff's auction in 1905. August Schmidt, another island resident purchased the winery the next year. He constructed a large house near the winery as well as a sixty-room hotel (called the Hillcrest) at the site of the Wehrle residence. Both the hotel and the dance pavillion were destroyed by fire in 1923.

The Lonz Winery was established by Peter Lonz (1857-1955) in 1884. He had come to Middle Bass Island in 1874 at the age of seventeen. Lonz assumed the responsibility of running the eighteen-year-old industry of his father-in-law, John Siegrist (born in 1825), an early resident of the island. This winery was located just one mile north of the Wehrle complex.

George Lonz merged the Lonz and former Wehrle wineries into one business in 1926. George, born in January 1887 was one of three children born to Peter and Maggie Siegrist Lonz. He and his sisters Cora (born in August 1884) and Louise (born in 1887) grew up on the island and helped with the family business. George attended Ohio Northern University, studied chemistry and botany, and graduated in 1910. He used his scientific skills to experiment with grapes and wines, and tested his own product in a lab in the rear of the winery.

George Lonz purchased the wineries during the midst of Prohibition and on the eve of the Great Depression. He remained solvent during these years by selling grape juice at a rate of over 100,000 gallons 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, which, like his wine, became famous throughout the country.

The winery continued to prosper well into the 1960s and was known not only for its high quality product, but also as a popular tourist attraction. To accommodate the ever-increasing number of visitors each year, Lonz constructed a pleasure boat marina behind the winery in 1968. The marina accommodated 150 boats of average size and an additional seventy-five boats when the north canal was completed soon thereafter.

In December 1968, George Lonz put his business up for sale for $800,000, citing a lack of heirs and failing health as causes. He had yet to find a buyer at the time of his death from cancer on May 15, 1969. He wife Fanny (1888-1955), who acted as sales representative both in Detroit and on the island, preceded him in death. At the time of George's death, the winery was producing twelve varieties of wine and two kinds of juice. Ten years prior to his death, he planned on how to perpetuate the winery. Having no immediate heirs to continue after him, he formed the Lonz Winery, Inc., to operate the complex. All profits of the operation were to go to the George F. Lonz Foundation and in turn to charities of his choosing.

The winery and the vineyards were neglected by subsequent owners and operators, however, and in 1976 a public auction was held where much of the furniture, antiques, tools and equipment were sold.

In 1979, Meier's Wine Cellars, Inc., a division of Paramount Distilleries, Inc., 3116 Berea Road, Cleveland, Ohio, purchased the Lonz Winery. Meier's is also one of the oldest wine-making establishments in Ohio. They are now in the process of revitalizing the winery by replanting the vineyards and restoring the complex's structures.

Conditions Governing Access

No known access restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Researchers using this collection assume full responsibility for conforming to the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright, and are responsible for securing permissions necessary for publication or reproduction.

Language of Materials

Materials in English.

Additional Description

Related Materials

At the time the Lonz Winery records were acquired by the Center for Archival Collections, additional records were in the possession of Jeff Koehler of Middle Bass Island, Ohio.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The records of the Lonz Winery were transferred to the Center for Archival Collections in July-August 1980, with the cooperation of Meiers Wine Cellars, Inc., and Ted Ligibel, Northwest Ohio Historic Preservation Officer.