Spurred by a commitment to make and sell wines, David and Susan Wesa have turned their dream into reality with the opening of The Winery at Shale Lake near Williamson.
This family-oriented travel destination includes a vineyard, winery, large cabins, bed-and-breakfast-style cottages, horse stables, fishing and trails. Approximately 40 miles northeast of downtown St. Louis, The Winery is located southeast of Staunton between U.S. I-55 and Historic Old Route 66.
In late 2006, the couple purchased the 212-acre rolling tract of land, once owned by the Boy Scouts, while searching for a vineyard site. The property had been part of one of the largest operating coalmines in the region from 1904 to ‘57.
Since the purchase, David and Susan Wesa have continuously developed Shale Lake into an attractive recreation option for individuals, families and groups. As their business financing needs evolved, they called upon the Metro East SBDC for assistance in one particular area: finding an appraiser.
“Jo Ann Di Maggio (small business specialist) and Patrick McKeehan (director) were really helpful in meeting with us and helping us retain the services of a good appraiser within a short period of time,” Susan Wesa said. “Due to the economy, we had been to several different banks to try to get that done. The Metro East SBDC’s clout opened a door for us that enabled us to continue moving forward.”
“Our extensive network of partnerships made this success possible,” explained Di Maggio. “In this case, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity was extremely valuable in identifying an appraiser, ultimately securing the needed financing.”
In 2007,the Wesas planted more than 5,000 grape vines, launched their fishing membership program and opened Shale Lake’s premium horse boarding stables. They added pasture boarding in the on-site Hill Barn in 2009 and opened the winery with a tasting room in the former trail office in 2010. Other amenities include four fully equipped, air-conditioned log cabins and six deluxe cottages with open floor plans and screened-in porches.
For Susan and her husband, building The Winery at Shale Lake has been filled with hard work, long hours and challenges but very definite rewards, too.
“While some improvements haven’t happened within our anticipated timeframe, we’ve never stopped moving forward,” she said. “We do most of the work ourselves with the help of incredible friends and family members. We lead exciting, exhausting lives … and we wouldn’t have it any other way.”
For more information on The Winery at Shale Lake check out the website www.shalewine.com or call (618) 637-2470.
The Illinois Metro East SBDC assists start-up ventures and existing businesses in the nine-county Metro East region of Calhoun, Jersey, Madison, Bond, Clinton, St. Clair, Washington, Monroe and Randolph. It is a service to the community supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Illinois DCEO and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. To learn how the SBDC might help your small business, call (618) 650-2929 or sbdcedw@gmail.com.