Wisconsin may be known for beer – but don’t forget the wine. Wisconsin is home to a wide variety of wines – some fruity, some traditional, and some completely unique to the Northwoods. This is our list of tried and true favorite Wisconsin Wineries – and we’ve tried a lot. Keep reading to see if any of them would make a good place for you to visit.
A Little About Wisconsin Native Grapes
The grapes that grow well in Wisconsin are generally cold hearty varieties bred specifically for the Midwest. Varieties include:
- La Crosse: La Crosse grapes make a white wine similar to a Riesling but a bit more acidic and less sweet. This is one of our favorites! They make a great summer sipping wine that pairs well with time on the boat or an afternoon around the bonfire.
- Frontenac: There are red and white varieties of Frontenac. Frontenac Gris is a white wine with citrus notes that makes a great all purpose white table wine. Frontenac, sometimes called Frontenac Noir, is a red wine that is usually dry and sometimes semi-sweet. It’s also a popular base for port style wines.
- Marquette: Marquette grapes make an amazingly complex red wine. It’s one of our favorite red wine varieties, generally similar to a Pinot Noir. Marquettes go well with steak on the grill and days spent doing puzzles during a snowstorm.
- Edelweiss: Edelweiss is popular in the midwest because it grows well in the climate and is one of the few sweet varieties that grows in the cold. It’s generally somewhere between a Moscato and a Riesling in terms of sweetness. Edelweiss is best served ice cold on a sweltering summer day with 90% humidity.
And now, the wineries that make Wisconsin great!
Wollersheim Winery
Close to the capital city of Madison, Wisconsin, Wollersheim’s is one of the largest and most popular wineries in Wisconsin. The estate is impressive and it includes multiple tasting areas and a pretty cool wine cave. If we’re being honest, we don’t love their wine, it’s pretty average in our opinion. However, the grounds are gorgeous and they also have brandy, which is a Wisconsin staple that everyone must try when in Wisconsin.
Elmaro Vineyard
We’ve gone back to Elmaro so many times on our Great River Road trips. We return each time for the views. Their huge patio is something that many Wisconsinites have enjoyed. The views are sprawling any time of the year but we love visiting in fall. The wines vary widely in our experience but some years they are real treats. Of all the Wisconsin wineries in this post, this one has the best view.
Door County Wine Trail
There are so many amazing and varied wineries along the Door County Wine Trail. If you pick one place to explore Wisconsin wines, you should go to Door County. There are amazing traditional wines with price tags to match and there are $12 bottles of delightful cherry wines and everything in between. There are 9 wineries on the Door County Wine Trail. If you purchase a wine passport, you get deals at all wineries. These can be purchased at any of the participating wineries.
Von Stiehl Winery
This is our favorite Door County winery. So if you only visit one winery in Door County, check this one Von Stiehl. There is a massive lists of wines to try here. I was blown away by the variety and the quality of each that we tried. Located in town, this winery does not have the expansive views of other wineries but it does have a wine for everyone.
Villa Bellezza Winery
Villa Bellezza is a faux Italian village on the shores of the Mississippi River. Yup, you read that sentence right. The Villa is complete with an event space, wine tasting room, restaurant and outdoor patio. This is one of the pricier wineries in the area with their wines $30-40/bottle, but some of their reserves are truly amazing. What’s even more amazing is sitting on their patio on a warm summer day and imagining yourself in Italy.
Infinity
From their humble roots providing free samples in an old shoe factory to a full winery and cocktail bar, we’ve been with Infinity from the beginning. Their wines are consistently good. Our favorites are Panache, a Pinot Noir and Syrah blend, and their port style Pride. In recent years, their cocktails have become even more popular and are beautifully crafted.
Chateau St Croix Winery
A Chateau in Wisconsin – believe it or not, yes. This sprawling estate along the St. Croix river is a gorgeous backdrop for some wine tasting. Come for the beautiful grounds, stay for the La Crescent. Chateau St. Croix often offers tastings paired with local foods and chocolates. So even if you don’t like the wine, you’ll like the
Dancing Dragonfly
Dancing Dragonfly is one of our favorite places because they consistently make good, reasonably priced, easy to drink wine. If you’re looking for a summer porch sipper in Wisconsin, this is the stop for you. The winery also has a large indoor and outdoor tasting area that is great for spending a relaxing afternoon with wine.
We hope this has helped you to find a few new Wisconsin wineries. We’ve tasted and tried several and these are our repeat favorites. However, if you have any you want us to try, leave them in the comments section and we’re happy to do a tasting 😉 For more on places to visit in Wisconsin, check out all of our vacation guides here.
