6 Wisconsin Food and Wine Festivals Perfect for Fall
Food and wine festivals are the perfect way to taste many favorite fall flavors while making great memories. Wisconsin's chefs, winemakers, farmers and other artisans team up all over the state during the harvest season to provide the ultimate foodie experience. Plan a trip to one or more of these delicious celebrations and make the most of your autumn.
Wet Whistle Wine Fest – Algoma
This celebration of the senses with award-winning wines, grape stomps, live music and heritage foods takes place in Algoma at the von Stiehl Winery, the oldest licensed winery in Wisconsin. Located just steps from the shores of beautiful Lake Michigan, von Stiehl’s specialties include wines and hard ciders made with Door County cherries and apples. To really blend in with the locals at this celebration, wear your best Halloween costume and get in the seasonal spirit early.
Autumn Harvest Annual Fall Festival – Chippewa Falls
Coming from a place named Dixon’s Autumn Harvest Winery and Orchard, you know this event will be perfectly in season. Owners Becky and Jim Mullane have combined their passion for growing apples and making wine. They even have their own trademarked apple variety, the Champagne Apple! Stop by this smaller celebration in Chippewa Falls for live music, apple picking, wine slushies and to spend some quality time with the people you love most.
Wine & Harvest Festival – Cedarburg
Enjoy the bounty of fall at Cedarburg's Annual Wine & Harvest Festival. A farmer's market, art show, grape stomp, grape spitting contest, hayrides and live music are uncorked at this event in Cedar Creek Park. Bring the kids and be sure not to miss the Giant Pumpkin Charity Regatta, where you can vote for your favorite carved pumpkin boat after the race. Other family-friendly activities include a petting zoo and barrel train rides.
Grape Stomp Festival – St. Croix Falls
Dancing Dragonfly Winery's fall bash in St. Croix Falls revolves around the grape stomp but also includes arts and crafts booths, carriage rides, and live music throughout the weekend. Stop by and sip their award-winning dessert wines including the Hula, a reserve ice wine made from grapes harvested and pressed on cold December days.
Wisconsin Wine Harvest Fest – Kewaunee
This fall festival at Parallel 44 Vineyard and Winery is truly meant to celebrate the months of hard work that went into the year’s harvest. Named for the latitude line the Kewaunee vineyard shares with both Bordeaux, France and Tuscany, Italy, this celebration offers wine by the flight, glass, or bottle, as well as live music, a food truck, tours of the grounds and of course, a grape stomp with prizes.
Kohler Food & Wine Experience – Kohler
Looking for a sophisticated seasonal celebration? Visit the American Club Resort in Kohler and taste exciting fare from award-winning local and international chefs, soak up culinary knowledge from food and wine specialists and get your cookbooks signed by celebrity chefs/authors.
The weekend kicks off with a Chef’s Challenge where it’s up to you and your friends to choose the best tasting bite. Purchase tickets in advance for a variety of demonstrations that range from making the perfect empanada to which wines pair best with mac and cheese. Work off all the wine on Sunday with a “Barbells and Bubbly” class that starts with a light workout and ends with a mimosa bar.
Still hungry for more fall flavors? Browse our list of Wisconsin’s Top Fall Food Festivals.
