Small Wineries Given Ultimatum

TRIPOLI - Small wineries have their niche in the multi-billion dollar wine industry.

But a new Wisconsin law is threatening their existence.

David and Linda Welbes run their Tripoli winery on their own.

David says, "I think right now we have 23 or 24 wholesale accounts going, that we handle, take and we do all the deliveries and everything."

But now Brigadoon Winery will be apart of the Wisconsin Winery Co-op. That's because of a new Wisconsin law requiring all wineries to use distributors.

Linda tells Newswatch 12, "They want us all to go through a distributor, so they decided to put this cap on there, so if you're a small winery you have to be part of the co-op. If you're over a certain gallon then you're with a distributor."

David adds, "Basically we're still going to be self distributing, as we did before, getting our own sales, the only difference is our billing is going to have to go through the co-op office."

If Brigadoon Winery hadn't entered into the co-op they would have lost almost 30% of their total sales.

David says, "That it comes down to, you have the co-op or out your front door."

But while the co-op is important to get Brigadoon's name out, it's the front door sales that they rely on.

Linda says, "People like to see your facility, tour the facility and of course taste the product they're going to purchase."

And whether a customer gets their wine from a store or from the winery, Brigadoon's wine isn't going anywhere.

Currently there are 15 to 17 wineries that will join the Wisconsin Winery Co-op.