Lonz
of Middle Bass - The Tale of a Man, a Woman, a Building and an Island
Cover of Henry Barr's 1982 Book
- See Chronology Below
This 1982 book is occasionally available
from assorted used book dealers at a fairly reasonable cost. It chronicles
the winery history as follows:
1863
Andrew Wehrle started pressing grape juice at
the site of the Lonz Winery where he had carved a 14' cellar out of the
island limestone - the same excavation that stayed in use at the Lonz
winery.
1865
Andrew Wehrle built his winery, and then
added to it over the years.
1871
Andrew Wehrle builds his residence on the
mound to the east of the winery. This burned to the ground in 1906 and was
replaced by the Hotel Hill Crest
which opened in 1907.
1905
At a sheriff's sale (the winery had some
financial trouble) the winery went to a trustee named Zoellinger.
1906
The winery is sold to August Schmidt, Jr.,
who also built the Hotel Hill Crest
1916
The property is purchased by John Roesch,
James Hauck, William Conley and Earl Heinen
1920
Prohibition starts and wine-making stops, to
be replaced by grape juice making
1922
The various interests were brought together
under Clyde Blair
1923
In June, the winery/dance pavilion and hotel
were destroyed by fire
1926
The ruins are bought by George Lonz and the
building is reconstructed in Bavarian style.
1933
Prohibition - which started in 1920 - ends
and George, who had been producing just grape juice, resumes wine
production.
1942
On January 11, the winery burns to the ground
a second time
1969
George Lonz
dies with no heirs. Ownership is transferred to "The George F.
Lonz Foundation", the winery continues operation, and the profits go
to charity.
1972
The winery is sold to Phillip Portteus of
Monroe, Michigan for $350,000.
1976
The winery is auctioned off piecemeal to
satisfy lienholders, and is acquired by Terry Cornell of Port Clinton and
Jerry Sawicki of Toledo
1979
The winery is sold to Robert Gottesman,
president of Paramount Distillery of Cleveland, who had already purchased
North Bass Island and its vineyards.
2000
In May, the Governor announces the state's
plans to purchase the winery and turn the property into a state park. The
winery continues operation until July 1, when the tragic collapse of a
concrete terrace kills one person and injures 80 more. The winery closes
for the last time on that day.
From the fly leaf:
"Lonz of Middle Bass is a
unique book, particularly in view of the fact that it covers not only the
obvious story of George Lonz and his wife, Fannie, but effectively
chronicles the history of Middle Bass Island from the earliest
explorations of Champlain in 1545 through the mid-nineteenth century when
the island, as it is known today, began to emerge."
"Mr. Barr, from the grandstand of 21
years of being 'summer people', was intrigued with the island story from
the beginning of his sojourn. He had the opportunity to know personally
many of the people who were George's contemporaries or were a part of the
story."
