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Legend tells that in the early 1980's, before the actual winery existed, founder Jerry Hazlitt, a 5th generation grape grower, made wine in his home for family and local friends. The first batch was hand pressed (actually foot stomped) in a big wooden tub in Jerry and wife Elaine's driveway. The wine they called Red Catawba, for the native New York grapes used to make it, would soon be nicknamed Red Cat. Some of this early Red Cat wine made it's way down to beach parties on Seneca lake. Jerry's sons, re-known for their gracious hospitality with the fairer gender, "borrowed" some of Dad's "grape juice" and hosted a waterfront bash with a big bonfire and a homemade hot tub. It was quickly noted that as Red Cat was consumed, less apparel was worn in the hot tub. HHJ, the original hot tub wine was born!