Wisconsin is one of the country's largest agricultural states, but many people are still surprised to learn that some of its crops consist of wine grapes, particularly cold hardy varietals that are well-suited to the chilly Wisconsin winters. Wisconsin wines may not be as well-known as those from California, but they're every bit as delicious, and many of the state's wineries are located on beautiful acreages that are well worth a visit. The state is home to more than a hundred wineries, but here are the ones you shouldn't miss on your next trip to Wisconsin.
Botham Vineyards & Winery
Proudly family owned and operated since it was established in 1989, Botham Vineyards & Winery produces authentic vine-to-bottle wines. All of the winery's red wines are made with grapes grown right on the estate, and the whites are made from grapes grown in the nearby Finger Lakes Region in New York. There are plenty of places on the property to relax with some snacks and a glass of wine, including a large outdoor terrace and two lounges, one of which is housed inside a beautiful refurbished barn that was built in the early 1900s. Tasting hours vary according to the season.
Botham Vineyards & Winery, 9798, 8180 Langberry Rd, Barneveld, WI 53507, Phone: 608-924-1412
Captain's Walk Winery
Known for producing small-batch wines made with grapes from some of the country's best growing regions, Captain's Walk Winery is housed inside a beautiful pre-Civil War building in downtown Green Bay. Visitors are welcome to come in for a wine tasting any day of the week, and light snacks are available for purchase. Tours are offered twice a day every Saturday for a fee; guests will be given a choice between the winery's regular and select wine tastings as part of the tour. Private tours can be arranged by appointment, and the winery can also be booked for weddings and other special events.
Captain's Walk Winery, 345 S Adams St, Green Bay, WI 54301, Phone: 920-431-9255
Cedar Creek Winery
Found inside a former woolen mill built in 1864, Cedar Creek Winery is an inviting family-run establishment. The winery produces traditional red and white wines as well as blush fruit wines, and all the grapes are either custom-grown or grown at the company's sister winery. Tours of the facilities are offered three times a day for a small fee; tours last approximately 45 minutes, and children under the age of 12 can accompany an adult for free. Wine tastings are offered free of charge all day long and at the end of every tour, and wine can also be purchased by the glass.
Cedar Creek Winery, N70 W6340 Bridge Road Cedarburg, Wisconsin 53012, Phone: 262-377-8020
Door 44 Winery
Named for its geographical location at 44° North Latitude, Door 44 Winery is one of two wineries owned by the husband and wife team that established the winery in 2005. The other winery, Parallel 44 Vineyard & Winery, is where they grow many of the grapes used to produce the wine at both wineries. Additional grapes are sourced from other vineyards across Wisconsin and the Midwest as needed. Wine flights and wine by the glass are available for purchase, and the winery also offers tastings of their wines and ice wines, which include a souvenir wine glass to bring home.
Door 44 Winery, 5464 Co Rd P, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235, Phone: 888-932-0044
Infinity Beverages Winery and Distillery
Offering a wide selection of canned and bottled wines, infused spirits, and other experimental alcoholic beverages, Infinity Beverages Winery and Distillery was born out of a desire to produce innovative, extraordinary drinks. Tour and tasting packages are offered on weekday evenings and throughout the day on weekends; the experience typically lasts between ninety minutes and two hours, and guests must book their tours at least two hours in advance. The winery's tasting lounge is open year-round, and the menu selection includes wine by the glass, specialty cocktails, and food pairing plates made with seasonal ingredients.
Infinity Beverages Winery and Distillery, 3460 Mall Dr, Eau Claire, WI 54701, Phone: 715-895-8020
Parallel 44 Vineyard & Winery
The sister business to Door 44 winery, Parallel 44 Vineyard & Winery boasts a gorgeous ten-acre vineyard. All the grapes grown here are special cold climate varietals, and they produce wine with a unique Wisconsin flavor profile. Vineyard tours are held on Saturdays between May and October; tours include ten wine samples, and advance reservations are required. Private tours are available as well, but they must be booked at least one month in advance. The winery also offers a unique Wine School experience, a two-hour class that teaches guests how to better taste and understand their wine and how to pair it with food.
Parallel 44 Vineyard & Winery , N2185 Sleepy Hollow Rd, Kewaunee, WI 54216, Phone: 920-388-4400
Pieper Porch Winery & Vineyard
Set on a beautiful eleven-acre property, the Pieper Porch Winery & Vineyard produces red and white wines as well as a large selection of fruit wines, including a refreshing lemon wine. Complimentary tastings are always available during open hours, and guests are welcome to bring their own food to enjoy on the winery's porch or at one of the picnic tables on the lawn. The winery is open for business on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays between the beginning of May and the end of December, and its wine can also be purchased from several local businesses.
Pieper Porch Winery & Vineyard , S67W28435 River Rd, Waukesha, WI 53189, Phone: 262-349-9092
Spurgeon Vineyards & Winery
Nestled in the scenic hills of southwest Wisconsin, Spurgeon Vineyards & Winery makes more than twenty different varieties of wine, including wines made from fruit and honey as well as from grapes grown in its 16-acre vineyard. The winery produced its first bottle commercial wine in 1982, and since then, it has refined its techniques, improved its equipment, and produced plenty of award-winning wines. Groups of between 10 and 25 people can reserve the winery's deck for private parties. Snacks can be purchased from the gift shop.
Spurgeon Vineyards & Winery , 16008 Pine Tree Rd, Highland, WI 53543, Phone: 608-929-7692
Staller Estate Winery
Specializing in wines made from cold hardy grape varieties, Staller Estate Winery is only a 15-minute drive away from Lake Geneva. Complimentary wine tastings are available, and visitors can also purchase wine flights, some of which come with chocolate pairings. Meats, cheeses, and other light snacks are available for purchase as well, and tours of the vineyards and the wine-making facilities can usually be arranged. Reservations are not required, but are appreciated, especially for larger groups. The winery is open every day between June and August and Wednesday through Sunday during the rest of the year.
Spurgeon Vineyards & Winery , W8896 County Rd A, Delavan, Wisconsin 53115, Phone: 608-883-2100
Trout Springs Winery
One of the most unique wineries in the state, Trout Springs Winery shares its property with a licensed trout hatchery and a "glamping" campground. The winery makes much of its wine using grapes from its own five-acre vineyard, but it also imports grapes from California to make wines that simply can't be made with Wisconsin grapes. It also produces a grape powder that is sold on its own as well as added to the winery's own cheese and chocolate products. Wine can be purchased by the bottle or by the glass, and tastings of seven different wines are available for a small fee.
Trout Springs Winery , 8150 River Rd, Greenleaf, WI 54126, Phone: 920-864-7761
Villa Bellezza
An award-winning vineyard and winery, Villa Bellezza is located in the Upper Mississippi River Valley, which has rolling hills and sandy soil perfect for growing grapes. The winery sources its grapes from its own two vineyards as well as from other vineyards in Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin, and the wines range from dry to sweet, ensuring there's something to suit every palate. The building that houses the tasting room was constructed around a former bank, and tours and tastings are available year-round. Visitors can also browse the gift shop, enjoy a meal at the winery's Italian restaurant, or simply stroll around the property.
Villa Bellezza, 1420 3rd St, Pepin, WI 54759, Phone: 715-442-2424
Vines & Rushes Winery
Part of the Prellwitz family farm, Vines & Rushes Winery has a five-acre vineyard, a modern wine-making facility, and a charming tasting room built from salvaged barn wood. Both red and white grapes are grown on the property and used to make special estate wines, and the winery sources as many of the other grapes it uses from Wisconsin vineyards as well. The tasting room is open every day of the week, and special events like live music and wine pairing dinners often take place in the evenings. The winery also has a wood-fired pizza oven, which is fired up on Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
Vines & Rushes Winery, 410 County Rd E, Ripon, WI 54971, Phone: 920-748-3296
von Stiehl Winery
Established in 1967, the von Stiehl Winery is the oldest licensed winery in Wisconsin. The building that houses the winery is on the National Register of Historic Places, and it boasts three underground wine cellars, a large terrace that overlooks Lake Michigan, and a 10,000-square-foot wine production facility. Tours of the building are offered every day between May and October and on Saturdays during the rest of the year, and tours can also be arranged by appointment. Guests can also order a glass of wine or one of the winery's excellent wine and chocolate or wine and cheese pairings to enjoy on the terrace.
von Stiehl Winery, 115 Navarino St, Algoma, WI 54201, Phone: 920-487-5208
Wollersheim Winery & Distillery
Owned and operated by the same family that runs Cedar Creek Winery, Wollersheim Winery & Distillery is a National Historic Site. The first grapevines were planted on the property were planted in the 1840s, and although the property was later converted into a traditional farm, it began growing grapes again in 1972. The vineyard grows four types of grapes, which are used to make both wines and spirits. Both the winery and the distillery are open for tastings every day of the week; the winery also offers daily tours, and tours of the distillery are held on Saturdays.
Wollersheim Winery & Distillery, 7876 WI-188, Prairie Du Sac, WI 53578, Phone: 608-643-6515
Kerrigan Brothers Winery
Kerrigan Brothers Winery makes traditional red and white wines as well as unique fruit wines and fortified wines. Highlights include an apple wine with mulling spices and brandy, a refreshing pineapple wine, and a raspberry wine blended with cream soda. Visitors can taste up to four wines free of charge, and extensive tastings of eight wines are offered for a small fee. Wine can also be purchased by the glass to enjoy outside on the beautiful patio. The on-site gift shop features a huge selection of wine-related gifts and souvenirs, and the staff are happy to make up customized gift baskets.
Kerrigan Brothers Winery, N2797 WI-55, Kaukauna, WI 54130, Phone: 920-788-1423
Maiden Rock Winery & Cidery
Producing wines, ciders, and other apple products made with fruit grown right on their farm, Maiden Rock Winery & Cidery is a family-run business. The winery's hours of operation vary according to the season, but the owners are always happy to accommodate special visits outside of opening hours if arranged in advance. Tastings are always available when the winery is open, and although there are no set tour times, customized tours can easily be arranged. The winery also offers wine making classes and summertime paddleboat tours down the Mississippi River complete with cider, wine, and delicious food.
Maiden Rock Winery & Cidery, W12266 King Ln, Stockholm, WI 54769, Phone: 715-448-3502
