Feb. 2, 2012

Local Man Puts Retirement On
Ice with Wine Slushie Business



Jim Miller, president of Cherry Orchard Foods, shows off some
packages of the Vino Slush product he sells. All of Cherry Orchard's
products are mixed and packaged in a Batavia facility.

Jim Miller;Cherry Orchard Foods Jim Miller;Cherry Orchard Foods Jim Miller;Cherry Orchard FoodsJim Miller;Cherry Orchard Foods
Jim Miller;Cherry Orchard FoodsJim Miller created the Vino Slush for his company Cherry Orchards
Foods. The Vino Slush can be added to wine or fruit juice to turn
it into a frozen drink.

 
 

UNION TWP. — When self-employed businessman Jim Miller retired at age 50, he quickly discovered a life of leisure wasn’t for him.

“I’m just a born entrepreneur. I can’t just watch TV,” said the Union Township resident.

He and his wife, Dottie, had a booth at Trader’s World Flea Market selling another person’s pre-made dip mixes. Miller said he decided to take the plunge and make his own. After months of trial and error, he finally developed 15 successful recipes for dip and dessert mixes.

And Cherry Orchard Foods was born.

“As a whole, these 15 flavors have proven themselves as winners. And the Vino Slush has become the star of the show,” said Miller.

The Vino Slush is a mix that turns any flavor of wine or fruit juice into a frozen, slushy drink. Miller developed it after sampling a similar product while on vacation.

“It just exploded from the first day the website went up. That’s what made me decide this is the wave of the future,” he said.

He has distributors as far away as Canada and as close as the Clermont Springs Deli & State Liquor Agency in Anderson Township.

“It’s very good. It’s something that makes wine sweet and slushy, but the people who like it love it. I have people come in and buy six bags,” said Mary Jo Strassel, Clermont Springs manager.

Miller said he’s currently working on a sugar-free version of the Vino Slush and hopes to one day develop mixes for cocktails like margaritas and daiquiris.

“The Vino Slush doubled our business. We’re acquiring new wholesale accounts all the time. I’m counting my blessings,” said Miller.

For details about Cherry Orchard Foods, visit www.cherryorchardfoods.com.

For more about the Vino Slush, go to www.vinoslush.com.

And to learn about Miller’s microwavable pork rinds, go to www.microwaveporkrindsonline.com.

Or call 752-2646.

Lisa J. Mauch
/The Community Press

 

 

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   May 31, 2010   Cincinnati Budget Wine Examiner
        
 
           Valerie Hill

 
 

   Vino Slush  (twist on your typical wine)

   

Vino Slush

 Vino Slush
Photo by Jim Miller - VinoSlush.com
 
 

I was at the Anderson Farmers Market on Saturday and came across a booth giving
out samples of a product called Vino Slush.  Now, don't get me wrong I am certainly
NOT a wine snob, but my first reaction was SERIOUSLY!  But to my surprise the "wine
slushy" was quite refreshing and delightfully different. 

The booth was very busy and the owner sold completely out of his stock.  After talking
to the owner Jim Miller via e-mail, he recommended using a very inexpensive wine. He
said that he had used wine from Kroger or Walmart that was $2.99 a bottle and it tasted
great!  Now that's what I call BUDGET wine! 

For those of you with kids, you can mix up a non-alcoholic version as well. You can
substitute the wine with ginger ale, cranberry juice, or sparkling grape juice. Vino Slush
comes out as the same consistency as a frozen margarita.  It just a little something
different for the summer, and would be the topic of discussion at your next party!  Jim sells
the mix for $10.00 a bag and you can get several uses out of the bag. 

I hope everyone enjoyed the long Memorial Day weekend, whether with family, at the
Taste of Cincinnati, or picking up great bargains!    

Valerie Hill

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