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Willett's Winery & Cellar Receives 2009 Best of Business Award

Small Business Commerce Association’s Award Honors the Achievement

SAN FRANCISCO, November 6, 2009, Willett's Winery & Cellar has been selected for the 2009 Best of Business Award in the Wines, brandy, and brandy spirits category by the Small Business Commerce Association (SBCA)

The Small Business Commerce Association (SBCA) is pleased to announce that Willett's Winery & Cellar has been selected for the 2009 Best of Business Award in the Wines, brandy, and brandy spirits category.

The SBCA 2009 Award Program recognizes the top 5% of small businesses throughout the country. Using statistical research and consumer feedback, the SBCA identifies companies that we believe have demonstrated what makes small businesses a vital part of the American economy. The selection committee chooses the award winners from nominees based off statistical research and also information taken from monthly surveys administered by the SBCA, a review of consumer rankings, and other consumer reports. Award winners are a valuable asset to their community and exemplify what makes small businesses great.

About Small Business Commerce Association (SBCA)

Small Business Commerce Association (SBCA) is a San Francisco based organization. The SBCA is a private sector entity that aims to provide tactical guidance with many day to day issues that small business owners face. In addition to our main goal of providing a central repository of small business operational advice; we use consumer feedback to identify companies that exemplify what makes small business a vital part of the American economy.

SOURCE: Small Business Commerce Association

CONTACT:
Small Business Commerce Association
Email: Press@SBCAAwards.org
URL: http://www.SBCAAwards.org

Pour More Years
Arizona and Illinois Meet in the Quadrennial Presidential Taste-Off

The Wall Street Journal SEPT 26, 2008  By Dorothy J. Gaiter & John Brecher - Read Article / Watch Video

"...about which Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.)  said, with a faraway look, "I can see this on a hot day with heirloom tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella, served well-chilled." (It turned out to be Willett's Winery & Cellar Frontenac Rosé from Illinois.)"

Who is Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.). Well he is a true wine lover and he along with Rep. George Radanovich (R-Calif.) founded the Congressional Wine Caucus in 1999. Since then, they've held policy briefings and wine receptions on Capitol Hill, and become involved in a wide variety of legislative issues, all with the goal of promoting our incredibly vibrant American wine industry from the vineyard to the wine glass.    Congressional Wine Caucus

With just weeks left until the election, many questions remain to be answered, including whether the Obamas really have a built-in wine cellar in their house and, if so, what's in it; whether Sarah Palin prefers Australian Shiraz or a hearty red Rhône with her just-skinned moose; and whether John McCain's wife, who owns a beer distributorship, takes her work home to him.

And then there's the most important question: Between the states of the presidential candidates -- Arizona and Illinois -- which makes the better wine? It's our job to find out. So on a beautiful night in Washington, D.C., at Proof, a popular wine bar and restaurant, we tasted two dozen carefully chosen wines to find the answer to that question. And this won't surprise you: We didn't know the answer until the very last label was revealed.

It was our third Presidential Taste-Off, in which we invite a bipartisan panel of wine-loving Washington pooh-bahs to join us in sampling wines from the home states of the two presidential candidates. In 2000, Texas beat Tennessee and in 2004 Massachusetts was a surprise winner over Texas. That means this method has a 50% chance of correctly predicting the winner of the election, which is probably better than some famous pundits.

We invented the Presidential Taste-Off to hammer home the point that good wine is being made all over the U.S. these days. There is now a commercial winery in all 50 states. When we conducted the first taste-off in 2000, there were 1,450 wineries in California and 1,453 in the rest of the U.S., according to figures from the federal government. By 2007, there were 2,687 wineries in California and 3,271 in the rest of the U.S. In just seven years, the number of wineries outside California more than doubled.

We all have our favorite comfort foods; why not comfort wines? Read Wine Notes for look at wonderful wines during difficult times. Wine has had an interesting role in this year's presidential race -- and not in a good way. Despite wine's increasing popularity all over the country -- red and white are equally enjoyed in states both red and blue -- it still is used too often as a pejorative that equates with Eastern Establishment Elite and weakness. Remember how Barack Obama made a point of drinking a beer in Indiana and Hillary Clinton showed her toughness by enjoying a beer and a shot? In fact, back on her campaign plane, Sen. Clinton drank Yellow Tail Shiraz from Australia.

This business of running away from wine is a shame, especially considering that there is far more interest than ever in the 50 states of wine. At the Slow Food Nation wine and food event in San Francisco last month, there was a pavilion featuring wines from 30 states. The place was packed, according to our assistant, Melanie Grayce West, who attended. Among the offerings she liked: Barboursville Vineyards 2005 "Monticello District" Nebbiolo Reserve from Virginia and Pontchartrain Vineyards 2006 Blanc du Bois "Le Trolley" from Louisiana, which she described as "light as angel food cake." In fact, a nationwide group of wine writers and bloggers have declared the week of Oct. 6 "Drink Local Wine Week" and are coordinating efforts throughout that week to make Americans more familiar with the wineries of each state. More details will be posted soon at DrinkLocalWine.com.

Over the years, we have written about various wineries in Arizona and Illinois. We once raved about a Sauvignon Blanc from Callaghan Vineyards in Arizona and we were members of the wine-of-the-month club of Lynfred Winery in Illinois for years. Their wine industries are quite different, but the one thing they have in common is that they've been growing like a vine recently. Leon D. Adams, in his classic "The Wines of America," wrote that Illinois produced "142,359 gallons of wines in 1859 and 10 million pounds of grapes as late as 1919, the year before Prohibition began." When he wrote the 1985 edition of his book, however, there were only three wineries in the state. He also reported that Arizona "had wineries from the 1880s until Prohibition, but for four decades thereafter grew only table grapes."

Illinois State Fair Showcases Local Wines

Posted to Food & Drink / Wine Punk by Sam Vandegrift Thursday, July 3, 2008 3:00 PM

... I have no burning interest in the upcoming Beijing summer games. While I may try to watch some fencing or swimming, winters luge is more to my taste. Besides, the medal contest I really follow occurred in early June in Urbana. Over 250 wines competed for medals at the Illinois State Fair Competition held at Bevier Hall on the University of Illinois campus. The judges assessed entries using a predetermined rubric. While each of the 12 judges added their own professional wine experience and personal taste to the process, this scorecard allowed objective comparisons between wines of different styles, sweetness and ingredients.

Judges decisions came from analyzing specific attributes of each wine. For example, points are given to the color; likewise, the smell. In sum, these individual points translate the overall quality of that bottle into a numeric score. If total points fall within a medal range, Gold, Silver or Bronze, that wine earns a medal. Under this system, every bottle can potentially receive a gold medal. Conversely, there is no requirement mandating a minimum number of medals.

Overall, wines were very to extremely good this year. More than 85% received a medal of some kind. 37 wines earned gold medals. This speaks very well for the Illinois wine industry. My personal feeling is that every wine entered should be of sufficient quality to earn at least bronze. This isn't grandpas barnyard brew and should give people who buy them value and pleasure. I am happy that most wineries came through.

Many of us overlook wines produced locally in Illinois. Greater consciousness of where our food comes from leads consumers to seek out beets and chickens from down the road, yet our bias towards established appellations prevents us from the classic pleasure of drinking and eating locally.

The following wines received Governors Cup Gold medals at the 2008 competition. That means they represent the best wines grown in Illinois from their category. Receiving a gold medal is not what makes these wines worth trying. They all have unique personality, and I can tell you that each one is delicious. Think of this list as a starting place to begin your own love affair with Illinois wines. Some of these are available at retailers, but purchasing most requires a trip to the winery. Don't be shy.

Willett's Frontenac Rose 2007 (Manito, Illinois)
Produced from Frontenac grapes grown at their vineyard near Spring Lake, IL. Its hard to describe just how beautiful this wine looks in the glass. A nice sweet tart cranberry, cherry, dark chocolate aroma and flavor continues all the way through the finish. While there is a bit of sweetness to this rose, lively acidity makes this out right refreshing. This is a rose that can be taken seriously and will handle your spicy grilled chicken or BBQ spareribs this summer. Bring on the dry rub!

Prairie State Illini Cabernet Franc 2007 (Genoa, Illinois)
Not much Cab Franc is grown in Illinois, but look out for more awesome wines from this grape in the coming years. Dusty raspberry, bright cherry and earthy mocha notes on the nose give way to ripe tannin, impeccable balance and a long, rewarding finish. Perfect herbal and smoke notes add depth to already delicious berry fruit in the mouth. I plan on adding a case of this dry red to my cellar this summer.

Blue Sky Vineyard Seyval Blanc 2007 (Anna, Illinois)
Seyval often produces wines compatible with Riesling-lover tastes. This is a light, crisp summer white that balances pear and floral aromas with green apple in the mouth. Delicate pineapple notes fill the finish. This is as dry as your average Pinot Grigio.

Lynfred Seyval 2007 (Roselle, Illinois)
Lynfred is one of our urban wineries that buys fruit from growers instead of managing their own vineyard. This is sweet and tropical, drinks like a Spätlese and never winds up too sweet. I see this as a perfect partner to all manner of southwestern-style foods. My peppers are just about ripe, and this would help balance the salty-cilantro-hot of homemade salsa.

Pomona Kir 2006 (Pomona, Illinois)
A classic Kir is a glass of white wine with a splash of crème de cassis. Pomonas take on this marries their apple and black currant wine and manages to restrain the sweetness to create a perfect aperitif.

Kickapoo Creek Nort Noir NV (Edwards, Illinois)
Oh yeah.100% Norton grown by the winery and growers south of Carbondale. Classic port-style wine with layers of black cherry, raspberry, coffee, caramel and chocolate framed with grip and finesse. As good or better than nearly every other port Ive ever had, this is the perfect way to warm up on these rainy days of late or save for winter.

Midwestern Wineries 'Stealing' Vino Away From the Snobs

By STEVE TARTER Journal Star Posted Oct 20, 2008 @ 08:49 PM

This may come as a shock to Joe Six Pack but the Midwest is turning into wine country.

Illinois is a good example of the trend. "Ten years ago there were 14 wineries in the state. Today there are 80," said Bill McCartney, executive director of the Springfield-based Illinois Grape Growers & Vintners Association. Other Midwestern states have followed suit. Wineries are on the rise in Indiana, Ohio, Missouri and Iowa. Wine from the heartland is even getting respect in California wine country.

"Critics who dismiss many Midwest wines miss the point," said Jon Bonne, wine editor of the San Francisco Chronicle, writing in Midwest Living.

"(Midwest wineries) are converting America into a wine-drinking nation by putting wine in a comfortable context, stealing it away from the snobs and rooting it
back on the farm - which, it should be noted, is actually the norm throughout most of Europe," said Bonne.

At Willett's Winery & Cellar in Manito, a wide variety of wine is produced. In addition to traditional reds and whites, there are fruit wines with names like Apple
Splash, Cranberry Frost and Midnight Cherry, said Dan Willett, who established the winery in an old harness shop with his wife Cris in 2005.

"It's been a good year. We're done with the harvest. The wine is in the tanks," said Willett.

The couple tends to an eight-acre vineyard and orchard located near Spring Lake, the source for fresh-picked apples sold at the winery through Thanksgiving. "After that we make apple wine," he said.

A rough-and-tumble economy hasn't diminished Willett's spirits. "If anything, it makes us a little sharper," he said. "We still make something that people enjoy. People still need to celebrate."

The town of Manito can celebrate, too. "(The Willetts) have been instrumental in bringing in people from out of the area for many of their events. They've helped put Manito on the map," said Nancy Proehl of the Manito Area Regional Economic Development group.

Other area wineries are also attracting visitors. In his third year at the Kickapoo Creek Winery in Edwards, 10 miles from Peoria, former surgeon Dr. David Conner is getting plenty of reservations.

Since adding a pavilion to his facility, the Kickapoo winery has attracted a number of weddings, he said. "We're booking into 2010," said Conner.

On the wine side, quantities are up, he said. "Our output tripled over last year. We picked 84,000 pounds of grapes this year. I had to scour the countryside for 500-gallon tanks," he said.

Conner expressed concern over the impact of these uncertain economic times on the fruit of his labor. "In our tasting room,we offer 24 different kinds of wine. We grow 15 different types of grapes," he said.

The question is whether there will be enough people to do the tasting, said Conner. "For the first time in a while, we're seeing a slowdown in wine sales. Some of the (state's) wineries have reduced production this year," he said.

But Paul Hahn, owner of the Mackinaw Valley Vineyard & Winery in Mackinaw, doesn't look for business to slow down with the economy. "What local wineries offer is an experience that's different from going to the store and buying a bottle of wine. We provide an escape for people," he said.

Area wineries also provide some economic advantages. "It's cheaper to go to Mackinaw Valley than Napa Valley. Folks who sit on our back deck can't believe they're in Illinois," said Hahn, referring to the view of his Mackinaw vineyards.

This was an unusual year for grapes, he said. "Everything got off late (due to spring rains) and while May, June and July were pretty good, August was a relatively cool month this year, which slowed the maturity of the grape," said Hahn.

"Grapes like it hot and dry. The more stress, the better the flavors," he said.

Hahn wasn't writing off this year's crop, however. "In a wet year, the grape is bigger with more juice. What that does is water down the wine. In a drought year, the grapes are smaller and more intense," he said.

The wine Hahn harvested this fall won't be released for another year or so. "It might be good. It just won't be intense," he said.

Steve Tarter can be reached at 686-3260 or starter@pjstar.com

About Chef Kevin
BIO

Kevin was born in Peoria in 1962.  He lived his early years in East Peoria and graduated from East Peoria High School.  His first foray into the working world was being a news carrier for the Peoria Journal Star.  In 1978, he started as a dishwasher in a Morton, Illinois restaurant mainly working second and third shifts over the weekend.  After the "fry guy" didn't show up three days in a row, he was unofficially promoted to doing the deep fry work by the late night line cook.  Kevin went on to be a banquet set-up and busperson at the Redbud Tree Restaurant in Morton and got his first attempt at waiting tables.  He then went to the Blue Max restaurant where he picked up bar tending skills.  Kevin then spent the next seven years working for Apostolic Christian Restmor nursing home where he learned institutional and quantatative cooking along while learning some fairly complex nutritional information.  While at Restmor, he earned his Associates Degree in Business Management at Illinois Central College.  He went on to work for Thompson Food Basket.  He was accepted in to the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park New York and graduated with honors in 1994.  Kevin externed at the Hyatt Regency Hilton Head in their Mobil 4 star restaurant: Hemingways. 

After graduation, he took over the kitchen at Longview Lodge, in Longview, New York in the heart of the Adironack Mountains resort community.  As the Lodge was seasonal, Kevin returned to Peoria to become the Executive Chef of the Illinois Valley Yacht & Canoe Club (IVY Club).  During this time, he moonlighted at area restaurants such as the Rhythm Kitchen and Panache.  He resigned from the Club to start his own restaurant, Willie & Octavia's Internationally Inspired American Cuisine.  After this venture, he worked for a short time as Food and Beverage Director for Lindsay's on Liberty.  Kevin currently works for a food service distributor.  As cooking is still dear to his soul, he teaches cooking classes, does some guest chef appearances, conducts wine tastings and does some catering and consulting work.  To his credit are the following:

Two recipes published in Wineries & Bed and Breakfast Recipes of Illinois, 2006.

Induction to the Manchester Whos Who of American Chefs, 2004.

Has two recipes published in "A Collection of Successful Club Recipes" cookbook by the Culinary Advisory Committee of the Club Managers Association of America, 1997.

Have been profiled by the Peoria Journal Star in their "Meet the Chef" column as well as been interviewed for various articles such as Vegan Cuisine, Omelet Making, Working with Mushrooms, Grilling, Knife Cuts, Thanksgiving and Native Grains.
 
Received a rare 100 point score from the Peoria County Health Department for establishments that are considered "high risk".

Top 100 finish in the Ernest and Julio Gallo Pizza Recipe contest, 1992.
 
Second place in the Methodist Medical Center/Central Illinois Healthy Heart Nutritional Recipe Contest, 1991; recipe was published in "The Healthy Heart: The Power of Cooking Works Wonders" cookbook, 1992.
 
Kevin is currently working on his first cookbook.