While some of the Badger State wineries use grapes imported from other states, a surprising number manage their own vineyards and produce their wine from traditional or hybrid varietals. Others produce a variety of sweet wines from fruits and berries generally grown in their own or other Wisconsin orchards. Most are family owned, with the wines typically produced in small batches and sold on-site.
Types of Wines Produced in Wisconsin
Apple ciders and pear-based wines are popular varieties produced in Wisconsin. Cherries, raspberries and cranberries offer a unique taste. Some vintners have experimented with blueberry, elderberry, kiwi, and even pumpkin and rhubarb.
In the grape varietals, Wisconsin vintners produce a wide variety of whites and reds. A range from sweet dessert wines, to semi-sweet and dry dinner wines can be found throughout the state. Each venture takes pride in showcasing its own unique labels.
Tour a Winery and Vineyard
Besides the distinctive wines they have to offer, each of Wisconsin’s wine establishments boasts its own style and character. Here are five to consider. All have earned awards in either national or international competition. All offer tours and opportunities for tasting.
Located near Madison:
- Botham Vineyards (8180 Langberry Rd., Barneveld, WI 53507) Take a quintessential Wisconsin dairy farm, remove the cows and plant grapes—that’s the Botham Vineyard. The cira-1900, restored barn is the perfect setting for a tasting room, gallery, and gift shop. This winery is a popular destination for vintage auto tours and motoring enthusiasts who’ve discovered winemaker Peter Botham’s vintage sports car collection. Their oak-aged Uplands Reserved is a prized selection.
- Wollersheim Winery(7876 State Road 188, Prairie du Sac, WI 53578) With 25 acres of planted vineyards, the Wollersheim Winery and vineyard is nestled onto a scenic hillside overlooking the Wisconsin River. Considered to be one of the oldest wineries in the country, its original grape vines were planted before the Civil War. The sandstone buildings and limestone caves built into the hillsides lends the estate an old world atmosphere. Their Prairie Fume is a popular choice to go with cheese and hors d'oeuvres.
- Cedar Creek Winery(N70 W6340 Bridge Road, Cedarburg, WI 53012) The historic Cedar Creek settlement in downtown Cedarburg, Wisconsin serves as home to this winery. Built in the 1860’s, the century and a half old limestone building first served as a woolen mill. This facility shares a vintner with Wollersheim—Philippe Coquard—but produces its own distinct labels. Their Vidal Blanc is an example of how successful their French-American hybrids are.
Located Near DoorCounty:
- Simon Creek Vineyard and Winery(5896 Bochek Road, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235) Located near Sturgeon Bay, the gateway to Wisconsin’s popular Door County, Simon Creek holds the record as the state’s largest vineyard (30 acres). Having opened for business in 2003, it also claims the honor of being the most modern and technologically advanced wine producing facility in the Midwest. Their Door County Cherry is a sweet and popular fruit wine.
Located in north-western Wisconsin:
- Chateau St. Croix (1998A State Road 87, St. Croix Falls, WI 54024) Designed to evoke the image of a classical European estate, Chateau St. Croix comes complete with a carriage house, stables, gardens and pond. And of course the vineyards. Chateau St. Croix is a dream come true for its owners Troy and Laura Chamberlin who lived for awhile in Europe. Cheesehead White and Buckhunter Red showcase their lighter side; their Reserves are medalists.
Directions to these and other Wisconsin wineries can be found at the Wisconsin Winery Association website.
Margaret M. Williams - Margaret M. Williams (Peggy) has been a teacher for over 25 years. She currently teaches first grade in a classroom that combines native ...
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