Door County, Wisconsin’s Wine Trail

While cheese is at the top of the list of “things Wisconsin is known for”, wine probably isn’t. However, for a state so well known for cheese, it makes sense that someone would start producing wine to accompany it. Originally, the wines coming out of Wisconsin were sweet fermented fruit wines such as cherry or apple, but today winemakers are taking a more sophisticated route.

This is especially true in the beautiful peninsula of Door County, a three-hour drive north of Milwaukee, which is known for its endless outdoor activities and charming small towns. Some Door County winemakers are importing premium California grapes, while others are growing hybrid varietals, such as Marquette grapes, that have been specifically bred to withstand the hard midwestern winters. Both have resulted in award-winning wines and growth in the Wisconsin wine industry. As the Door County Wine Trail is surrounded by rolling hills, blooming cherry orchards, verdant forests, and endless lakeside beaches, it’s the perfect place to visit and taste your way through the wineries.

Door Peninsula Winery/Door County Distillery

 Door Peninsula Winery is one of the oldest in the region. They began making dry and sweet wines from locally grown cherries and apples in 1974, then broadened into dozens of other fruit and grape wines. With over 10,000 gallons of wine produced a year, they’re the second largest winemaker in Wisconsin and have something for everyone.

Their tasting room is part of an old school, which the winery has expanded over the years. They offer free tastings every day and lead tours of the winemaking facility between 10am-4pm. Dozens of wines are available to taste, from sweet fruit wines to holiday-themed customer favorites like their Hallowine (apple wine spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg), to dry classics such as Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. If you’re a fan of full-bodied fruit forward wines, this is the first place to stop.  They also have an award-winning distillery onsite which is worth a visit.

Hours: Sunday-Thursday 9 am – 6 pm, Friday & Saturday 9 am – 7 pm; Phone: (920) 743-7431; www.store.dcwine.com

Harbor Ridge Winery

Harbor Ridge Winery began in 2010 when the owners opened the winery and planted a small vineyard next to their building. They now have 350 vines of the hybrid Marquette grape, a medium bodied red grape that is somewhat reminiscent of Pinot Noir and has been expertly made into a sparkling rosé and port style desert wine.

The staff are fun and their tasting room is a great spot for a casual tasting. Harbor Ridge’s everyday wines have cheeky names such as Call Me A Cab and What the Heck? Malbec, that encourage customers who are novices at wine to have some fun exploring the beverage. But they also produce a line of premium wines that are more refined. These are made from grapes brought in from Lodi and Napa in California, and Walla Walla, Washington. Most of them are barrel-aged in Italian hand coopered Garbellotto barrels and display a more serious nautical themed label.

Tastings are $5-8 and you can choose between their popular choice wines or their premium wines. They also offer group tours, but reservations are required.

Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 am – 5 pm, Sunday 10 am – 4 pm; Phone: (920) 868-4321; www.harborridgewinery.com

Stone’s Throw Winery

Stone’s Throw Winery sits a few miles outside the closest lakeside town but is definitely worth a trip. The winery began in 1993 with the idea of buying premium California grapes from small vineyards, shipping them to Door County, and making the wine in Wisconsin. To this day, the winery rents refrigerated trucks and the grapes are team driven from California to Wisconsin so they arrive only 36 hours after harvesting and are ready to be fermented.

The tasting room is a converted 100-year-old dairy barn that perfectly mixes the rustic history of the area with their luxury wines. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable and is happy to tell you about the winemaking process. There are several tasting options that run from $8-12 per person. The Signature Series tasting is a good introduction to a variety of their wines and features some great blends, while the Winemaker Select tasting showcases their Bordeaux and Burgundy inspired winemaking style with Petite Syrah, Petite Verdot, and Cabernet Sauvignon varietals.

Next door is their Tuscan Wine Bar, Vino!Vino! that serves tapas and wines both by the glass and bottle with live music in an airy dining room or outside on the patio.

Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Daily; Phone: (920) 839-9660; www.stonesthrowwinery.com

Door Country Trolley Tours

 If you’re looking to explore the area but don’t want to drive, sign up for the Door County Trolley Premium Wine Tour. A classic, old fashioned trolley will take you around Door County, stopping at 4 wineries for private tours and tastings of red and white wines, port, and cider. The drivers/tour guides are engaging and informative as they zip you around the peninsula explaining the history of the area. Lunch is also included at a local restaurant. This tour takes several hours so you aren’t rushed at any of the locations and is offered daily during the summer and some Saturday’s offseason. Check their website for dates and reservation information.

Hours: 8:30 am – 7 pm Daily; Phone:  (920) 868-1100; www.doorcountytrolley.com