1943
By 1943 the business collapsed and was sold at bankruptcy proceedings. Mr. Houppert was unable to recover from the financial loss of the fire. Everyone wanted a piece of Mr. Houppert, including Uncle Sam. It is at this time that John Turner and Andy Murch of Michigan Wineries arrive on the scene. Turner, being a fair man, assumes the property since he holds the mortgage and to make it legal pays one dollar. He and Andy Murch then purchase the stock and equipment at a fair rate, thus giving Houppert some cash to quell his creditors. Houppert moved to California but was never able to get back into the wine business.