The following story appeared in the March issue of The Auction & Foreclosure Inve$tor and in the July 21 edition of AntiqueWeek

The Internet is proving to be an ideal resource for researching even the most obscure interest. A simple phrase in any one of several search engines can provide a wide range of possible sources of additional information on practically any subject. But what could a psychologist in New York, a New Orleans attorney, a newsletter publisher in South Carolina and a long deceased, turn-of-the-century Rumanian immigrant possibly have in common on the Internet?

Dennis Fassuliotis, publisher of The Auction & Foreclosure Inve$tor, is both a real estate investor, antique collector, a common site at practically any type of auction and a self admitted garage saleaholic.

"You can't always find the right real estate deal or someone may outbid you at an auction, but every Saturday morning someone is trying to unload some household item, collectible or antique for cash," says Fassuliotis. "If nothing else it's fun, but the haggling keeps the negotiating skills tuned."

In late January, Fassuliotis was making the Saturday morning rounds. As the clock approached 9 a.m., late by garage sale standards, only one sale remained. Advertised in the 3-line classified was an antique wine press. Certain is was gone, but nevertheless curious, he pulled up to the house located in a prestigious golf course community of Mt. Pleasant, SC.

The usual set of household items, used refrigerators and other personal effects surrounded the still present wine press. It was fascination at first site. Upon inquiry, a bid had been left, but not accepted by the seller.

The oak barrel press was a significant commercial sized construction of wood and iron. Stenciled on the sides were art deco designs. It took two people to move it off the porch. After inspecting the 70 year old equipment, Fassuliotis, unsure of his wife's opinion of such a purchase, offered to provide a bid later if the owner did not receive a bid he was satisfied with. He left giving the owner a business card for contact.

Driving back home, the uniqueness of the find captivated his thoughts. It stayed on his mind so much that within an hour he returned with a truck, "just in case I could work out a deal," he said.

After a more complete inspection, a quick discussion with the seller of how it got from New York to South Carolina, on-site instruction of all the mechanics and a signed check for several hundred dollars more than the last bid the press and other assorted pieces and parts were loaded in the back of the pickup.

"That's when the fun began," said Fassuliotis. The pieces and parts turned out to be the grinder used for the last pressing. "It was another piece of the wine making process I didn't even know I had bought." Combined with a hand-worn stirrer and pressing blocks, the combined pieces made up all the equipment for a vintage wine making equipment collection.

Jotting down the words "Louis Birner, Brooklyn NY, No. 3" stenciled on the back of the metallic cross bracing that guides the threaded rod of the press, Fassuliotis signed on to the Internet late the next night.

"I didn't think the name, Birner, would be that common. After searching it through five major search engines, I came up with about 15 e-mail address around the world. I put together a two paragraph message noting the possible ancestral reference and broadcast the message to the e-mail list," said Fassuliotis. "One response I was hoping for quickly was from a New York City based psychologist bearing the same name, Louis Birner."

The next morning, two messages were returned, one from the New York based Birner confirming his namesake and grandfather was in the wine business. The second was from William Birner, a 60 year old New Orleans based attorney, also recognizing his father's name and business background.

The two Birner's were cousins. Bill's side of the family had moved south years before. Louis' side stayed in the New York area. The cousins had lost track of each other. "What a world," wrote Louis to Fassuliotis, "I never knew where my cousin Billy was and you found him for me."

Bill Birner, recently wrote Fassuliotis thanking him for the effort also saying, "Louis and I have started a dialogue and my son has become involved as well."

After several e-mail sessions with the two Birners, a third New York based cousin and Bill's son, Russell, Fassuliotis pieced together the history of the wine press as part of the DelVino Winery located at 211 Duane St. in Brooklyn N.Y. The winery was in operation until around 1939. According to the present day Louis Birner, "a duplicate is owned by the Sherry Lehman Wine company on Madison Avenue in New York." That press is often used for displays.

According to Sherry Lehman's chairman, Michael Aaron, the only other press known to exist from the Delvino Winery was acquired in the early 1940's at a bankruptcy sale.

Fassuliotis offered to share photos of the press with the family and recently posted them on the Internet. There anyone can now find the newest chapter in American wine making, a brief history of the DelVino Winery, Louis Birner's contribution and, of course, photos of Press No. 3.

Where it goes from here no one knows. Bill's son Russell, also an attorney, mentioned in one e-mail message he had come across some case law involving his great-grandfather. He planned to forward this piece of the information puzzle on for the site. Hopefully other members might provide other pieces and the Internet may be the original Louis Birner's final resting place.

In the meantime, Fassuliotis is inquiring into the fair market value of the antique equipment through wineries and auctioneers that have conducted wine auctions. Also being investigated are display interests for wine tastings and museums.

The site address is http://www.mtechpub.com/delvino. You are invited to pour yourself a class of your favorite chianti, cabernet or chardonnay and drop in for a visit.