Prawns & Fine Wine
Ridge
Winery adds new twist
to its wine-making: fresh-water prawns
By
Barbara Fluegeman
Contributing Writer
Epicureans take note: There's good news coming for the
Ohio Valley's growing legion of gourmet food fans. But perhaps the best
news of all is that two contributions are being produced under one roof,
so to speak.
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Photo by Barbar Fluegeman Tommy
Demaree demonstrates |
That "roof" is the big sky country in the plains
area of Switzerland County, looking down on a former tobacco-hay-cattle
farm on Parks Ridge Road near Moorefield, Ind., the home of Tom and
Mary Jane Demaree.
It all began about five years ago when the future began to look bleak
for standard farm operations. Then the Lawrenceburg, Ind., distillery
where Tom worked for several years closed, and he and his wife began
looking for alternative ways to make their farm pay.
Given Switzerland County's unique heritage, producing homemade wine
on a commercial basis seemed feasible. Now producing about 5,000 bottles
annually, wines from their Ridge Winery have become a recognized commodity
in the Ohio Valley. Seven varieties currently appear under their house
label, including blackberry (now in production), Concord, Sauvignon,
Blush, Country Red, Country White, and Catawba, which Demaree describes
as a rosc. A sparkling stainless steel filler allows the winery to bottle
about 1,500 units per day.
"I worked at the distillery for 26 years," Demaree explained.
"That's where I got the knowledge. I really get a kick out of it."
And what could go better with a bottle of good home-made wine than fresh
prawn hot off the grill?
Partly with that thought in mind, two years ago the Demarees expanded
their operation to include prawn, freshwater cousins to the shrimp.
Raising juveniles that he purchases directly from hatcheries, this year's
harvest should total close to 500 pounds.
Demaree's interest in raising prawn was sparked when he joined Ways
to Grow, a pilot program funded by the Commissioner of Agriculture and
administered by Historic Hoosier Hills and Purdue University. The program
is designed to assist family-owned farming operations in using all the
resources each farm may possess.
Jim Casper, field coordinator for the program in the 15-county area
of southeastern Indiana, works in partnership with the Cooperative Extension
Service. After talking his goals over with Casper, Demaree purchased
his current crop of 7,000 juvenile prawns from Kentucky State University
in Frankfort as part of the school's study of alternative farming operations.
Other than a pond, very little equipment is required. Water quality
is, however, important. The biggest factors are aeration to keep an
even flow of oxygen, high alkalinity (they prefer a pH of 7-9), and
ammonia control (which, among other causes, can be created by excess
food in the water).
They are fed a high-protein foo, and are, in turn, high in protein and
low in cholesterol. They will eat anything, from alfalfa hay to algae
and even each other, especially if they feel their personal space is
being invaded. Highly territorial, they are particularly vulnerable
to their fellows at shell-shedding time, which occurs three or four
times each growing season.
The Ridge Winery will be holding its second annual Prawn Harvest and
Wine Tasting on Saturday, Oct. 2, beginning at 4 p.m. and lasting as
long as the delicacies hold out. Besides peel-and-eat prawn, the bill
of fare will include prawn gumbo, cheeses, and apples and apple products
from a Switzerland County orchard. This event includes the actual prawn
harvest, so bring a cooler and be prepared to take a few pounds home.
Last year's crop sold out that same day, so don' miss out.