Hidden gems: Six amazing wineries in Wisconsin
Wisconsin's winery scene is growin' like crazy. With 100 of them scattered across the state - each with their own vistas, tours and flavors - there's plenty of red and white to go around for everyone (of age, of course). Here are just a few I love that are a bit off the beaten path:
1. Villa Bellezza (Pepin)
"Bellezza" means "beautiful" in Italian, which is fitting because Villa Bellezza is, hands down, one of Wisconsin's most beautiful wineries. The architecture of the winery is inspired by southern Europe with a central piazza surrounded by numerous stucco and stone buildings. And the location is as gorgeous as the venue itself: Villa Bellezza is nestled in the rolling hills and river bluffs of the Pepin area in western Wisconsin.
2. Botham Vineyards & Winery (Barneveld)
The tasting experience at Botham Vineyards & Winery in Barneveld promises "a lovely balance of education, humor and playtime for the senses." This Iowa County gem grows and produces regionally distinctive wines that have garnered international praise. Sample the award-winning wines for yourself at the tasting room, do a little browsing at the gift shop and then enjoy a bit more vino from the terrace and indoor lounge.
3. Fawn Creek Winery (Wisconsin Dells)
Escape the hustle and bustle of Wisconsin Dells for the lovely Fawn Creek Winery located just outside of town. Fall is an especially wonderful time to experience the winery. Savor some fine wine from an outdoor deck that overlooks a 7-acre vineyard while enjoying the peace and quiet of the woodlands that surround you.
4. von Stiehl Winery (Algoma)
Founded in 1967, Algoma's von Stiehl Winery is Wisconsin's oldest licensed winery. This Civil War-era building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, features a tasting room, production facility, three Civil War-era underground limestone tunnels and a beautiful outdoor balcony complete with stunning views of Lake Michigan. As for the wine, all 30-plus of von Stiehl's grape and fruit recipes use high quality ingredients like West Coast-grown grapes and Door County cherries.
5. AEppelTreow Winery & Distillery (Burlington)
If you're a huge fan of cider as I am, you're going to love AEppelTreow in southeastern Wisconsin. Located on a farm and orchard outside of Burlington, AEppelTreow Winery & Distillery is a producer of small-batch cider, perry and spirits. The tastings here are very affordable: It's free to try five samples and just $5 for all 16. AEppelTreow also boasts a nice range of styles from sparkling to dessert to drafts.
6. Brambleberry Winery & Country Inn (Taylor)
Located along the Black River Country Wine Trail, Brambleberry Winery & Country Inn in Jackson County is the perfect spot for wine aficionados. The wines really run the gamut from full-bodied reds to crisp whites to their popular "sweeties." The Scottish medieval-inspired tasting room is whimsical and the bed and breakfast is a charming option for folks looking to "sample and stay."
For more hidden gems in Wisconsin, read more at bobber.discoverwisconsin.com. Happy trails!
- Mariah Haberman is the co-host of the nation's longest-running tourism TV show, "Discover Wisconsin." Her column is published Tuesday on Life page in the Times.
Wisconsin's winery scene is growin' like crazy. With 100 of them scattered across the state - each with their own vistas, tours and flavors - there's plenty of red and white to go around for everyone (of age, of course). Here are just a few I love that are a bit off the beaten path:
1. Villa Bellezza (Pepin)
"Bellezza" means "beautiful" in Italian, which is fitting because Villa Bellezza is, hands down, one of Wisconsin's most beautiful wineries. The architecture of the winery is inspired by southern Europe with a central piazza surrounded by numerous stucco and stone buildings. And the location is as gorgeous as the venue itself: Villa Bellezza is nestled in the rolling hills and river bluffs of the Pepin area in western Wisconsin.
2. Botham Vineyards & Winery (Barneveld)
The tasting experience at Botham Vineyards & Winery in Barneveld promises "a lovely balance of education, humor and playtime for the senses." This Iowa County gem grows and produces regionally distinctive wines that have garnered international praise. Sample the award-winning wines for yourself at the tasting room, do a little browsing at the gift shop and then enjoy a bit more vino from the terrace and indoor lounge.
3. Fawn Creek Winery (Wisconsin Dells)
Escape the hustle and bustle of Wisconsin Dells for the lovely Fawn Creek Winery located just outside of town. Fall is an especially wonderful time to experience the winery. Savor some fine wine from an outdoor deck that overlooks a 7-acre vineyard while enjoying the peace and quiet of the woodlands that surround you.
4. von Stiehl Winery (Algoma)
Founded in 1967, Algoma's von Stiehl Winery is Wisconsin's oldest licensed winery. This Civil War-era building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, features a tasting room, production facility, three Civil War-era underground limestone tunnels and a beautiful outdoor balcony complete with stunning views of Lake Michigan. As for the wine, all 30-plus of von Stiehl's grape and fruit recipes use high quality ingredients like West Coast-grown grapes and Door County cherries.
5. AEppelTreow Winery & Distillery (Burlington)
If you're a huge fan of cider as I am, you're going to love AEppelTreow in southeastern Wisconsin. Located on a farm and orchard outside of Burlington, AEppelTreow Winery & Distillery is a producer of small-batch cider, perry and spirits. The tastings here are very affordable: It's free to try five samples and just $5 for all 16. AEppelTreow also boasts a nice range of styles from sparkling to dessert to drafts.
6. Brambleberry Winery & Country Inn (Taylor)
Located along the Black River Country Wine Trail, Brambleberry Winery & Country Inn in Jackson County is the perfect spot for wine aficionados. The wines really run the gamut from full-bodied reds to crisp whites to their popular "sweeties." The Scottish medieval-inspired tasting room is whimsical and the bed and breakfast is a charming option for folks looking to "sample and stay."
For more hidden gems in Wisconsin, read more at bobber.discoverwisconsin.com. Happy trails!
- Mariah Haberman is the co-host of the nation's longest-running tourism TV show, "Discover Wisconsin." Her column is published Tuesday on Life page in the Times.