Behind the Scenes – Clay Avenue Cellars Expands
Clay Avenue Cellars has been experiencing dramatic growth since opening just over two years ago at 611 W. Clay Avenue. The project was a match made in heaven when Brenda Moore purchased and relocated the Freres Gas Station building from Laketon Street to Clay Ave, which made perfect sense for her partner Bob Rajewski and friend Garret Anguilm to use as an outlet to sell the fruity wines that they had been preparing to bring to market at that time. The unique building, combined with a great location near all of Muskegon Arts and Entertainment events, worked well to get the business underway, but within months, as sales and demand grew, the space was proving to be too small. Muskegon Main Street caught up with Bob to hear all the details of the expansion and other news from the Cellars.
MS: When did you know it was time to expand?
BR: After our first summer in 2006 we began filling the barrels we knew we would be able to sell for the summer of 2007. After we squeezed 22 barrels in our original room we knew there was just no way to grow anymore. From that point on we started exploring how we could create more space to support our vinting.
MS: Explain the expansion and what it adds to the winery. 
BR: After some thought, it made sense for us to add a basement addition to the back of our historic building. This would provide the space and the environment needed for our wine making. The space needs to be cool and dry. So in the summer of 2008 we excavated the area needed to create 1100 square feet of space. This is allowing us to build up to the 40 barrels of wine currently in production, enough to fill 3,000 bottles of wine.
The expansion is pretty bare bones, but allowed us to install a walk in freezer where we store our local fruits till we can use them in our wines, as well as lots of space to store fermenting batches, as well as finished product. Our wines, particularly the fruits that take a lot of product to draw out the flavor (apples, pears, peaches), take hundreds of pounds of fruit to create a single batch.
MS: Very exciting. Any other news at the Cellars?
BR: As I said we have 40 barrels currently fermenting, and two of those contain flavors that we tested last year and are ready for production. Those are Golden Strawberry and Fantasy Red (Grape/Cranberry), and they will be available here at the winery in a month or two. In addition we currently have 12 test batches fermenting which won't be available to the public this year, but could be available in 2010. These include our first dry wine varieties as well as some new tastes such as citrus and elderberry. So come on down to one of our tastings and you can experience one of our new varieties.
MS: For those who have never attended a wine tasting, what can they expect?
BR: Our tastings are pretty fun and relaxed. We just have all of our varieties available for tasting and patrons can taste them all before making a decision on a wine they might like to take home. Our tasting room is cozy and our tastings are popular so be prepared for standing room only and a good time. Our next tasting is this Saturday, March 14, but if you can't make it then we have tastings every second Saturday of the month.
MS: Of course everyone is looking forward to spring and summer. Any special events/promotions planned for the “happy” season? 
BR: We join in that sentiment of looking forward to summer. We are licensed to serve on our deck and of course can’t wait for weather when we can move our tastings outdoors. This summer we are planning to participate in the Taste Garden at the Taste of Muskegon again, as well as hold tastings during downtown Muskegon's other big summer events including Summer Celebration, the Art Fair, Bike Time etc.
MS: Well it's very exciting to your business prospering downtown Muskegon and to see the creativity with which you approach your craft. All the best in the future
BR: Thank you.
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Labels: Downtown Muskegon E-News
posted by Dan & Sarah @ 8:53 AM
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