Destructive fires were an unfortunate part of the history of the Kelleys Island Wine Company, one of several wineries on the island. A fire on September 1, 1876 burned three upper cellars and destroyed their contents: 300 cases of champagne, 6,000 gallons of wine, 30 tons of coal, plus sugar, bottles, caps, corks, barrels, and kegs. Three lower cellars were undamaged, and the upper cellars were rebuilt.