Count Round Barn Estate in Baroda, Michigan among wineries that also makes a line of craft beers and spirits.
The winery located in the heart of Southwest Michigan is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, 41 years after farmers and original owners Rich and Sherrie Moersch bought the land that would later frame their estate winery.
Their son, Matt Moersch, is now running the winery under the name Moersch Hospitality Group, which includes Tabor Hill Cellars and Free Run Cellars as well as Round Barn Estate.
The reason the winery expanded into the world of beer and spirits was simple, Moersch said.
“We started hosting weddings at the Round Barn Estate in the 1990s and quickly realized that we needed to develop our own line of craft beer and spirits to accommodate everyone’s tastes and needs at weddings,” Moersch explained. “We couldn’t bring in outside beverages to the Estate because of licensing and regulations.”
Today, 18 craft beers and seven spirits are sold at the winery in addition to its lineup of wines.
As it turns 30, innovation has continued to be the focus for Round Barn Estate. It’s keeping its foot on the gas pedal, developing new tasting rooms and restaurants in additional locations to expand its footprint locally.
A lesson the company learned over the past 30 years was that certain retail markets proved to be a challenge and that focusing on an audience closer to home served it well, Moersch explained.
“Our passion has always been around new products and experiences at the Round Barn Estate,” Moersch said. “While that continues to be a strong focus, we are also focusing on our other Round Barn properties, like the Round Barn Brewery & Public House and the Round Barn Tasting Room in Union Pier, and now this year’s launch of the Beer Garden at the Public House.”
Round Barn Estate was able to keep its trajectory focused upward during the tough early days COVID-19 pandemic by watching trends and doing its best to stay in front of them. Moersch said it was important to offer new products and experiences yearly.
Recent new features have included their Vineyard Premier wine club that includes online and in-person perks to offer guests choices and flexibility as well as additional perks for members who live in or visit Harbor County and hiking trails that have boosted Round Barn’s notoriety.
“For example, in 2020, when Michigan was shut down, our team had to pivot quickly to be an outdoor destination,” he said. “The dream of Mt. Tabor Trails came quickly to mind, and the team jumped on it. Today, the 3.5 miles of walking trails are enjoyed by thousands annually and have been featured in national publications as a destination to visit.”
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