Full Steam Ahead for Winery in Rose
Eric Marlowe, Wayuga Staff Writer
Tuesday, December 5 2006
ROSE - Four propositions were passed in Rose on Nov. 7, officially ending its status as a dry town. Three of those propositions were needed for Barbara Jean Squires and her daughter and son-in-law Bernie and Brad Cooper to legally open a farm winery at their furniture store on Route 414.
The first allows for wine tasting, the second for the sale of wine by the bottle or case for purchasers to take with them, and the third allows for the operation of the farm winery itself.
Another proposition was passed allowing for the sale of beer at outdoor events, racetracks, athletic fields and stadiums.
Previously Rose was a dry town, meaning that alcoholic beverages could not be sold under normal circumstances for on-premise consumption. The small grocery and convenience stores in town petitioned and got ballot approval to sell beer about 1976.
Bernie, who lives in Fair Haven, said people in Rose circulated petitions on their behalf in the summer to get the referendum on the ballot. They collected just under 200 signatures as required by law and Bernie said most people reacted positively.
“One of the few negative things we heard is that people don’t want a bar, but we’re not going to be a bar,” she said. “There have been a lot of people who are very positive about this.”
Squires said now that she has approval from the town, she must contact the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Board to attain a state license. “It’s been a fairly long and drawn out procedure.”
The family has not yet begun planting grapes for the production of wine and has no timetable for doing so. “We didn’t dare take a chance until the propositions passed because that (planting) is quite an expense,” she said.
Squires put her plans for a winery in motion three years ago. She had previously held wine tasting for special events and thought the hayloft in her barn would make an ideal tasting room.
Bernie said research on the effort has gone on since 2002 - she and her husband have spent a lot of time speaking with other winery operators as well as the state Department of Agriculture and Markets.
They want to plant grapes on the hill at the winery and produce their own vintages. They’ve had the soil tested and it’s conducive to growing grapes.
She said the winery would help the Town of Rose economically with the hiring of labor to work the farm and the purchase of various farming equipment including tractors. “The trickle down effect of our expenses will be major to the town. It can’t happen instantly, it’s going to take time.”
Once the grapes produce and the family doesn’t have to buy grapes or wine from other growers as much, Barbara Jean’s workforce could increase from 20 to 40 people.
Squires estimated the cost for the venture would be in the hundreds of thousands.
Squires said the winery would have a gift shop and hopes that it will become a tourist destination.
Town of Rose Supervisor Lucinda Collier said the four propositions passed on Nov. 7 make it legal for not only Squires to open a winery but for other interested parties as well.
Collier said she supports Squires’ venture and thinks it will be good for Rose’s economy. “I think it will give some jobs to people and I think people will come to Rose from the Finger Lakes along Route 414.
“They may need gas or groceries or they may stop in the diner. I think it will help. I think it will be beneficial,” she said.
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