Lonnie Huhman Daily Telegram Staff Writer @lenaweehuhman

ADRIAN Paul Rupert is taking his twin passions wine and chemistry to another level.

The Adrian man does so at his home-based laboratory, Cool Climate Analytical, which recently was recognized as one of 10 newly certified wine labs in the U.S. The certification comes from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Were very pleased to have received this certification, Rupert said in a statement. The presence of an independent TTB-certified wine lab in southern Michigan provides wineries located throughout the Midwest with analytical and diagnostic information critical to the winemaking process.

In addition, we now can facilitate the process for Midwest wineries as they develop opportunities for their wines in the international marketplace.

He said the certification allows his labs results to be accepted by the TTB, whose mission is to ensure that beverages containing alcohol are produced, labeled, advertised and marketed in accordance with federal law. The criteria for lab certification are based upon academic credentials, experience and the demonstration of accuracy and precision in the analysis of red and white wines across the nine chemical and physical parameters generally required for the export of wines. The analytical methodology is consistent with that developed by the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC).

Rupert started the full-service laboratory in 2006 with Jon Treloar, who was an instructor in the AgTech Enology and Viticulture Program at Michigan State University and has since started his own vineyard and winery, J. Trees Cellars Tasting Room in Tecumseh. The goal of the lab was to support the analytical and diagnostic needs of the wine industry in Michigan and around the Midwest. It helps wineries with chemical analyses and diagnostics critical throughout the winemaking process.

Cool Climate is one of 42 TTB-certified wine laboratories in the U.S., of these, 33 of which are in the wine-producing regions of California and Washington, according to Rupert. Most are the internal wine labs of very large wine producers, he said. His lab works with many small- to medium-size wineries around the midwest. Leighs Garden Winery in Escanaba is one of the wineries hes worked with the longest.

Ruperts lab will do analytical services for samples from a winery wanting to know the content of such things as sugar, acids, carbohydrates and alcohol.

Rupert grew up in Pittsburgh. His love for chemistry was refined through his undergraduate studies at Carnegie Mellon University and doctorate studies at the University of Pittsburgh. His career began with an oil company in Texas, but later brought him to Adrian and the Anderson Development Co., where he was president and CEO.

During that time his passion for chemistry remained intact, while his love for wine and its makeup grew. This led him to seek out further education in wine through the enology and viticulture program at MSU. One part of the program required putting together a business proposal. While many students were interested in vineyards and wineries, Rupert was interested in a wine lab.

I get to have my cake and eat it to, he said of combining wine and chemistry.

The labs growth slowed a bit in 2007 as Rupert took on a teaching role at Adrian College and the later as dean of graduate studies. His full attention turned back to the lab when he stepped down from his role at the college to devote himself fully to his passions.

Now, with the wine industry booming, Rupert said the lab is once again at the forefront. When he created his lab, he said, there were around 40 wineries in Michigan, but now that total has increased by at least 100.

Although devoted to the lab, Rupert hasnt turned his back on teaching. Next month he will teach wine-making classes through the Adrian Center for the Arts. He said there is still room for students. For those interested, contact the ACA at 517-902-8383.

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Adrian man combines wine with chemistry - The Daily Telegram