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Wisconsin Wineries Offer Culinary Adventures

Posted: 11/12/2010

There are almost 800 acres of Wisconsin-grown grapes for wines produced at 51 wineries around the state.

(NAPSI) - People are looking for experiences that reflect the authenticity of the destination, and local foods and culinary adventures are part of these experiences. Wisconsin wineries reflect this trend as many are producing wines developed from Wisconsin-grown grapes. In fact, there are two regions in Wisconsin that have been named ìAmerican Viticultural Areasî by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Only geographical locations that use at least 85 percent of the grapes grown in that area to make wine are granted the title.

Here are a few regions that deserve a visit:

Driftless Region

Established before the Civil War, the Wollersheim Winery is a national historic site. Wollersheimís wines are national- and international-award winners. The winery makes many different wines, seven from the grapes grown in its 27-acre vineyard (www.wollersheim.com, 800-847-9463). The new Tourdot Winery in Wisconsin Dells showcases wines made from Wisconsin and California grapes. Visitors can sample wines year-round and tour the estate (www.tourdotwinery.com, 608-253-4400).

Fox Valley

LedgeStone Vineyards is located on the same Niagara Escarpment as the famous Niagara wine region that provides Wisconsin with the climate and geography to grow grapes that will lead to high-quality wine. Visitors to the vineyard can relax and enjoy a glass of full-bodied red wine, grown, produced and bottled on-site, with artisan cheeses and bread all year round (www.ledgestonevineyards.com, 920-532-4384). Trout Springs Winery is another unique winery featuring the stateís only combination of a game farm, plant nursery and Class A Trout Hatchery, known collectively as Branch River Farms, offering fine vintage wine with an exquisite culinary experience (www.troutspringswinery.com, 866-687-9463).

Door County

Door County features blossoming orchards and lush vineyards throughout the county. The Simon Creek Winery, Wisconsinís largest vineyard, makes a variety of wines. The Door County Cherry, a sweet wine produced from Door County cherries, is a guest favorite. The winery has also been awarded a silver medal by the American Wine Society for its American Gewurztraminer and “Untouchable Red” American Ruby Cabernet wines (www.simoncreekwines.com, 920-746-9307). For 25 years, the Orchard Country Winery & Market has grown a variety of cherries, apples and grapes to ferment into wine. Guests can join a walking tour of the vineyard and orchards and taste more than 30 estate-grown pure fruit and traditional grape varieties (www.orchardcountry.com, 866-946-3263).

Glacial Hills

Wine enthusiasts can enjoy several wineries in the Glacial Hills region. The Northleaf Winery, a family run microwinery, offers wines crafted on-site from grapes grown from coast to coast and in Wisconsin. Visitors can enjoy complimentary wine in its restored 1850 tasting room (www.northleafwinery.com, 608-580-0575).

Northwoods

The Northwoods is famous for its wonderland of lakes and forests, making it an idyllic setting for a day or night of wine tasting. Three Lakes Winery is best known for making Wisconsinís 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 (www.tlwinery.com, 715-546-3080). Or step into another time at the Chateau St. Croix Winery & Vineyard. Itís the image of a European estate complete with an art gallery, vineyard, carriage house, stable garden and fishing pond, where visitors can taste more than a dozen different varieties of handcrafted wines (www.chateaustcroix.com, 715-483-2556).

For more information about Wisconsin wineries and other Wisconsin getaways, visit TravelWisconsin.com or call (800) 432-TRIP. Also, be sure to “like” Travel Wisconsin on Facebook at Facebook.com/TravelWisconsin and follow along on Twitter @TravelWI.

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