While working as a high school biology teacher in 1979, Rick Moersch was invited to run the lab analyses
at Tabor Hill Winery located around the corner from the Round Barn. Ready to move on from the teaching
profession, he began a fulltime position with the winery and was promoted to winemaker after only two
years. Here, Rick's passion for farming and creating wine blossomed and the seeds for a larger dream of
his own winery were planted. He remained Tabor's winemaker until 1992 however, during his stay at there,
Rick purchased land in 1981 and planted grapes the same year. In these first few years with his new land,
he was a wholesaler for a German grapevine nursery, planting and grafting nearly a million vines throughout
the early 80's, all while functioning as Tabor's winemaker.
After leaving Tabor Hill in 1991, he decided to hold on to his grapes, begin to bottle wine and ultimately
open his own winery. His vision was finally actualized in August of 1992 with the opening of Heart of the
Vineyard Winery and he has never looked back since.
Over the next several years, Rick focused on producing world-class, award-winning wines while building a
concrete reputation among his visitors. Then, in 1997, the Moersch family made a daring move to transport
and rebuild a turn-of-the century Amish Round Barn from rural Indiana, realizing their wish to house a
first-class European-style brandy distillery at the estate. It struck Rick that this historic building
was the perfect home for the round copper pot still--he felt that good "spirits" should be created in a
structure where legend says that 'with no corners, evil spirits cannot hide.' And so history was preserved
while it is also made; a rare shelter housing a rare European-style brandy distillery. This bold reconstruction
proved not only highly successful by the popular hand-crafted brandies that emerged by 2001, but the beautiful
and unique barn quickly became the vineyard's iconic landmark. Reflecting growth of the winery and the popularity
of their new building, the Moerschs changed the name in 2004 from "Heart of the Vineyard" to the "the Round Barn
Winery." This beautiful piece of Americana is now the namesake of the Round Barn Winery and Distillery.
Rick encouraged his two sons to attend college and follow their own vocational paths. However, both boys found
themselves returning to the family business and these brothers continue to work side-by-side today as general manager
and winemaker/distiller. Their father Rick now has to battle his grown boys for a voice in the company workings!
Continuing to refine their craft and grow the business, the Moerschs launched a luxury vodka, DiVine, in 2006.
Produced from hand-picked wine grapes, DiVine is distilled in The Round Barn's German 20-foot copper pot still.
To date, it is the only estate vodka produced in the United States.
As if they didn't have enough to drink between wine, brandy and vodka, the Moerschs 'quenched their thirst' for
knowledge when they decided to begin brewing beer! In 2007, they learned the art of micro-beer production with
a release of a new line of full-bodied beers. Production started with kegs, then the brewery added 750ml bottles
in 2008 and has most recently moved to 12 ounce bottles in 2009.
In an effort to house both a beer tasting and a wine tasting area, the Moerschs separated the tasting rooms in 2009.
Guests are offered a true brewery experience in their Centennial post and beam barn while the wine tasting is now
enjoyed in the Round Barn.
Expanding the business further, the family opened a satellite retail shop and tasting room in Union Pier, Michigan
in 2005. In keeping with their namesake, the architecture of the newly constructed building is modeled after the
design lines of the vineyard's round barn. Then in 2008, they found the perfect space to open a third outpost in
Saugatuck, Michigan in order to continue to increase awareness of award winning Michigan products.
Launched in July 2006, Matthew and Christian Moersch opened "Free Run Cellars," a boutique winery that specializes
in producing single vineyard designate wines. The wine is available for distribution and available at the new winery
in Berrien Springs and at both satellite tasting rooms.
Round Barn Winery, Brewery and Distillery is a member of the
Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail.