Wisconsin Wineries: The Locally Produced Wine Experience
Looking for a one-of-a-kind wine experience that reflects the authenticity of Wisconsin? You may be surprised to learn that about 1,300 acres of grapes are grown here to produce wines at more than 100 wineries across the state.
The wineries in these five distinct regions deserve a visit for their efforts to create seasonal wines produced using local fruits. Take a tour, taste local flavors and enjoy spending time with loved ones at these unique wineries.
Driftless Region Wineries
Originally established before the Civil War, Wollersheim Winery & Distillery located in Prairie du Sac is both an impressive winery and a national historic site. Many of Wollersheim’s wines, including their white Prairie Fumé and sweet Ice Wine are national and international award winners. The winery makes many different wines, eight of which are from the grapes grown in its 27-acre vineyard.
Emphasizing locally grown products, Maiden Rock Winery & Cidery is located in the charming town of Stockholm on the Mississippi River. All of its award-winning ciders and Harvest Apple wine are made with Wisconsin-grown apples and berries.
The family-owned and operated Spurgeon Vineyards and Winery in Highland creates wines that range from dry grape to semi-sweet grape, as well as meads. Hike to the hilltops here for a scenic view of the vineyards, tour the winery and browse the gift shop.
Botham Vineyard & Winery in Barneveld has been a pioneer in Wisconsin's winemaking scene for over 30 years, embracing the farm-to-table philosophy long before it became a trend. With over 150 awards and medals, Botham is the only Wisconsin winery to achieve a double gold medal internationally for an estate-grown red wine.
Fox Valley Wineries
LedgeStone Vineyards is located on the Niagara Escarpment in the famous Niagara wine region, which provides Wisconsin with the climate and geography to grow high-quality grapes. Visit the Greenleaf vineyard to relax and catch up with your crew, while enjoying a glass of full-bodied red wine grown, produced and bottled on-site.
Also in Greenleaf, Trout Springs Winery is another unique destination featuring the state’s only combination of a winery, plant nursery and trout hatchery, known collectively as Branch River Farms. Visit for a tasting and to try grape cheese and grape chocolate, too!
Marinette is home to the Forgotten Fire Winery, named for its location on 20 acres of land that was once ravaged by the Peshtigo Fire in 1871. The winery features many excellent fruit wines from Wisconsin growers, including Door County apples and cherries, and cranberries from Nekoosa.
Door County Wineries
Door County features blossoming orchards and lush vineyards throughout the county. Travel the Door County Wine Trail with your wine-loving friends to sample wines from all of the wineries in the peninsula, or pick a handful for a few unforgettable tours and tastings.
The Simon Creek Winery in Sturgeon Bay, one of Wisconsin’s largest vineyards, makes a variety of wines. The Door County Cherry, a sweet wine produced from the peninsula's signature cherries, is a guest favorite. The winery also has been awarded gold and silver medals by the American Wine Society for its American Gewurztraminer and “Untouchable Red” American Ruby Cabernet wines.
Since 1985, the Lautenbach’s Orchard Country Winery in Fish Creek has grown a variety of cherries, apples and grapes to ferment into wine. Join a walking tour of the vineyard and orchards and taste more than 30 estate-grown pure fruit and traditional grape varieties.
The road less traveled leads to the von Stiehl Winery in Algoma. Tour arched limestone caverns that date back to the Civil War era and taste more than 30 varieties, including the Door County Montmorency Cherry Wine.
Glacial Hills Wineries
Wine enthusiasts can enjoy several wineries in the Glacial Hills region. Northleaf Winery, a family-run micro-winery, offers wines crafted on-site from grapes grown from coast to coast, including Wisconsin. Here, you and your friends can enjoy complimentary wine samples in a restored 1850 tasting room.
The Apple Barn Orchard & Winery north of Lake Geneva specializes in a variety of fruit wines, such as apple, blackberry and mulberry. Apple Barn also features an open orchard and a farm where you can pick your own strawberries, apples and pumpkins when they're in season.
Cedar Creek Winery is located in the historic Cedar Creek Settlement in downtown Cedarburg. Their limestone building was built in the 1850s on the banks of the Cedar Creek, and the stone cellars are an ideal location for barrel aging wines.
Northwoods Wineries
The Northwoods is famous for its wonderland of lakes and forests, making it an idyllic setting for a day or evening of wine tasting. Three Lakes Winery is best known for making Wisconsin’s original Cranberry Wine and offers free wine tastings and seasonal tours as well as a retail shop located in a turn-of-the-century train station.
Step into another time at the Chateau St. Croix Winery & Vineyard, created in the style of a European estate with an art gallery, vineyard, carriage house and stables, formal garden and fishing pond. Every group has some sweet-wine lovers and some dry-wine lovers — together, taste all of the 20+ varieties of the Chateau’s handcrafted wines.
Head even more north to Bayfield Winery, which overlooks Lake Superior with breathtaking views of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. The tasting room is located in a historic, mail-order Sears and Roebuck barn. Here, you can sip locally grown wines and picnic among wildflowers and apple blossoms.
Browse more Wisconsin wineries, and check out these homegrown Wisconsin distilleries!
