Category Archives: Lake Wisconsin

Gretchen Neuman
VinoVerve Editor

As I have mentioned before, I have two potential routes. Ironically, both take me initially to the same place. Wisconsin.

I realize that most people do not associate Wisconsin, America’s Dairyland with wine. Cheese? Clearly. Beer? Definitely. Badgers? Oh, yeah!

Wine has been part of Wisconsin since the first vines were planted in 1847 by Agoston Haraszthy, who is known as the “Father of California Viticulture”. The majority of wineries in the state grow hybrid varietals which are better acclimated to cold temperatures.

The Wineries of Wisconsin website indicates that there are five distinct wine regions in the State:

• Northwoods is home to 9 wineries and is famous for its lakes, forests and trails. Sadly, the deepest I will probably get into this region is Chippewa Falls.
• Driftless Region is part of a multi-state region and home to the Upper Mississippi River Valley AVA and the smaller Lake Wisconsin AVA.
• Glacial Hills are in the southeastern portion of the state close to Lake Michigan. There are five wineries in this area including one that I have visited before, Cedar Creek Winery.
• Fox Valley is located from Lake Winnebago to Green Bay. Again, sadly this will be too far northeast for my travels.
• Door County has long been a winery destination for us Flatlanders (Illinoisans). I like this area because the geography reminds me of home as the Niagara Escarpment re-emerges from Lake Michigan.

As for other places to stop?  Well there are plenty.

Places that I am considering include:

• The Wisconsin Cranberry Discovery Center. I love cranberries. ‘Nuf said.
• The Janesville Ashbeds. This would only be a destination for a geek like me. You can take the nerdy girl out of her EPA past, but you can’t wipe it from her memory. Apparently this site is all cleaned up. That sounds like our work paid off.
• Laura Ingalls Wilder Historical Society. The nerdy little girl might have grown up, but she still remembers about sugaring parties in the Big Woods.
• Leinenkugel Brewery. For Kevin and my Dad.
• Taliesin. A bit off my path… but as a former Hyde Parker it seems wrong not to stop and see this.
• Aztalan State Park. One word. Mounds. (did I mention that archaeology was a passion of mine in my distant youth? Consider yourself warned.)
• Yerkes Observatory. A UChicago site. I have been here before but they were nice to me and let me look at the telescope close up. Why is this an obsession? Two words. Carl Sagan.

So there are my initial ideas. Any others would be most welcome. Also something iconic to eat (and no, I won’t be there on a Friday, so Fish Fry is out. Also, I also came from the land of the Friday Fish Fry… Niagara County, NY, so I might be fished out). And did I mention wineries? Someplace that might tolerate a gal and her video camera would be appreciated! You can email me here

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