Door County, Wisconsin, just isn’t normally the highest of thoughts for wine connoisseurs. But with greater than 15 wineries in Door County and the encompassing space, it must be! The local weather and soil in Door County are excellent for rising grapes, and consequently, the wines produced listed below are a few of the greatest wines within the Midwest.
The first vineyard in Door County was established in 1967, and since then, the trade has flourished. Today, there are greater than 15 wineries within the Door County space, every with its personal distinctive ambiance.
The wines produced in Door County are largely crimson wines, however there are additionally a number of white and glowing choices. The hottest grape varietals grown within the space are Marquette, Frontenac, and Petite Pearl.
Door County is the proper place for a wine-tasting getaway with family-run wineries, award-winning wines, and gorgeous views. So subsequent time you’re planning a visit to Wisconsin, make sure you add a number of of those Dorr County wineries to your itinerary!
How many wineries are there in Door County, Wisconsin?
With new ones popping up on a regular basis, it’s laborious to say for positive. But we estimate that there are greater than 15 wineries within the space.
What is the preferred wine from Door County?
The hottest grape varietals grown within the space are Marquette, Frontenac, and Petite Pearl.
History of wineries in Door County WI
The first vineyard in Door County was established in 1967, and since then, the trade has flourished. The charming cities in Door County, together with the local weather and soil which might be excellent for grape rising, have made it a main vacation spot for wine lovers. The space began out with a number of small family-run wineries however has since grown to be a wine lovers’ paradise.
1. Door Peninsula Winery
Door Peninsula Winery is likely one of the OG wineries in Door County, opening its doorways in 1974. Their wines vary from crimson, white, and fruit wines, all made with grapes grown proper in Door County. In addition to their scrumptious wines, additionally they have a Hard Apple Cider that’s excellent for fall days spent apple selecting.
My favourite factor about this vineyard is that they do FREE tastings… sure you learn that proper. They need you to discover a wine you’re keen on, so they provide their total choice at no cost tastings. They even have a wonderful reward store on-site, making it the proper place to select up a good friend’s bottle (or two).
Also, be sure that to attempt their selfmade fudge… it’s melt-in-your-mouth good!
2. Stone’s Throw Winery
Stone’s Throw Winery is a legendary vineyard in Door County. They shortly made a reputation for themselves over 20 years in the past and are nonetheless going robust. They provide all kinds of crimson and white wines, all made with Californian grapes grown of their winery. My private favourite is their award-winning Petit Verdot, a dry crimson wine that’s excellent for a winter night time by the fireplace.
Their tasting room is cozy and charming, and their workers is all the time glad that will help you discover the proper bottle of wine. Keep in thoughts this can be a very upscale vineyard. They don’t enable bachelorette events or massive celebration buses. This is a spot to come back to loosen up, benefit from the wine, and take within the gorgeous views of Door County.
Don’t neglect to eat breakfast earlier than wine tasting! Here are our high breakfast eating places in Door County.
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3. Door 44 Winery
Door 44 Winery is a more moderen addition to the Door County wine scene, however they’ve shortly turn out to be an area favourite… and perhaps my favourite too. Sitting on a 6-acre winery, they provide a wide range of crimson and white wines, all made with grapes grown proper on the property.
I really like their relaxed ambiance. It’s the proper place to come back to unwind after a protracted day exploring Door County. And their wine… it’s a few of the greatest wineries in Wisconsin. You can have only a regular tasting, a wine flight, or get pleasure from the entire vineyard by taking a tour of the property and the wine-making course of.
If you’re in search of a particular deal with, attempt their white frosting, it’s a dessert wine made with grapes which might be left on the vine till they’re tremendous ripe and candy. It’s completely scrumptious!
4. Lautenbach’s Orchard Country Winery & Market
Lautenbach’s Orchard Country Winery & Market is the proper place to come back to pattern a wide range of various things. This vineyard initially began out as an orchard farm in 1955. Since then, they’ve been utilizing their juicy fruits to make scrumptious jams, jellies, and naturally, wine.
They provide all kinds of fruit wines, made with all the things from apples to cherries to raspberries. My private favourite is their Door County Cherry Wine. It’s the proper steadiness of candy and tart.
In addition to wine, additionally they have a market on website the place you should buy their jams, jellies, and different fruit merchandise. They even have a deli with freshly made sandwiches, salads, and soups. Make positive to attempt their cherry pie. It’s out of this world!
5. Harbor Ridge Winery
Harbor Ridge Winery is a wonderful vineyard overlooking the bay of Green Bay. They provide all kinds of crimson, white, and blush wines, all made with grapes grown of their winery. Quite a lot of their wines are impressed by individuals and locations world wide, which makes for some very attention-grabbing and distinctive flavors.
I actually advocate the Jimmy Buffet impressed white wine. It has a posh taste that’s excellent for summertime. With their 70 barrels of wine growing old within the cellar, there’s all the time one thing new to attempt at Harbor Ridge Winery.
6. Red Oak Winery
A family-owned and operated vineyard, Red Oak Winery takes nice pleasure in its wines. The household opened its doorways in 2004, meaning to create high-quality wines that everybody may get pleasure from. Ran by husband and spouse with the assistance of their two daughters, Red Oak is really a household affair.
Their winery is filled with completely different grape households and produces crimson, pink, and white wines. Because of the excessive demand for his or her wines, they needed to open up two extra areas in Egg Harbor to accommodate all of their die-hard wine drinkers. Due to the excessive demand, that is going to be one of many dearer wineries on this record. Wine tastings and flights begin at $10, and bottles common round $30.
Best Restaurants in Door County
7. Simon Creek Vineyard & Winery
Your Sunday Funday simply acquired a complete lot extra enjoyable at Simon Creek Vineyard & Winery. This vineyard is thought for its reside music and enjoyable ambiance. They have a big outside patio the place you may get pleasure from a glass of wine and hearken to reside music. Every Sunday, you may get pleasure from some native music on choose Saturdays. You can verify their music schedule on-line.
Due to Covid, they’re not providing excursions, however you may all the time are available for a tasting of their award-winning wines. Their wines are budget-friendly and vary in value from $16-$20, making it simple to seize a number of bottles and never break the financial institution. My favourite is their specialty taste, chocolate port. It is ideal with a darkish piece of chocolate.
8. Von Stiehl Winery
Von Stiehl Winery is the oldest licensed vineyard in Door County and one of many oldest in Wisconsin wineries in Wisconsin. The vineyard was based in 1967 by Doc Stiehl, and though it nonetheless have the Stiehl title, it’s not within the household. The vineyard was offered in 1981 to the Schilling household and has continued to be handed down by way of the household.
They launched nonfruit wine into the gathering once they took over, and now they proceed to provide high-quality wines utilizing grapes grown of their winery. You could have your selection from over 40 completely different wines, so there’s positive to be one thing for everybody. As they are saying, the one restrict on the wine you drink is how a lot room you may have in your automobile!
Bonus Three Places to Grab a Drink
9. Door County Distillery
Needing one thing with a bit extra of a kick than a glass of wine? Stop by Door County Distillery for some small-batch spirits. This distillery opened in 2011, and all of its merchandise are made with regionally sourced elements, and you’ll actually style the distinction. So a lot pleasure and dedication go into each bottle.
My private favourite is their cherry vodka. It has a clean taste with only a trace of sweetness. It’s excellent by itself or in considered one of their scrumptious cocktails. You can take a tour of the distillery or simply cease in for a fast tasting.
10. Island Orchard Cider
You know what they are saying… an apple a day retains the physician away, and I believe that applies right here as effectively.. Ha! Over the final decade, cider has turn out to be extraordinarily in style, and Island Orchard Cider is main the pack.
This cidery was based in 2005 and is household owned and operated. All of their ciders are made with regionally sourced apples and some different fruits they’ve experimented with, and also you received’t get a crisper, extra refreshing cider in all of Wisconsin.
A enjoyable reality concerning the cider from Island Orchard is that there are roughly two apples in each glass of cider you drink.. so you’re positive to be getting your really helpful dose of fruit. I extremely advocate the apple lavender cider. It will depart you smackin’ your lips.
11. Hacienda Beer Co.
Hacienda Beer Co. is a must-stop in your Door County journey in case you like quirky labels and engaging brews. All of their beers are brewed on-site, they usually have a fantastic choice of year-round and seasonal choices. You can all the time depend on these guys to provide you with some type of scrumptious concoction.
My favourite factor about this beer firm is the wacky art work on all of its labels. They are all the time developing with new and creative designs, and it’s inconceivable to not discover one you want. The milk stout is my present favourite with hints of espresso and coconut… mmm, SO GOOD!