Wedding at the winery

WINE GOES WITHweddings Weddings

Staller Estate Winery offers perfect space for events of all sizes

By Sandra Landen Machaj

CORRESPONDENT

For every event – especially those special occasions that carry with them a lifetime of memories – everything has to be perfect.

The perfect location, the perfect refreshments, and if possible perfect weather.

While we can control the location the guest list, and the refreshments, the perfect weather is harder to control. But choosing a location that has beautiful spaces both indoors and out is the solution for a perfect event.

Located on the outskirts of Delavan along Highway A, Staller Estate Winery is a pristine farm with multiple well-kept buildings painted in the traditional red and white that once dotted the Wisconsin countryside.

Once a dairy farm as many Wisconsin farms were, today this property has been transformed into a vineyard and winery – the perfect place to spend an afternoon enjoying the beautiful Wisconsin countryside while enjoying a glass of the wonderful wines produced.

It is the place to hold a birthday or anniversary party, a bachelorette party, bridal shower, or even just a casual get together with friends to enjoy a day out in the Wisconsin sunshine amidst the grape vines. And for some, the place to celebrate their wedding.

The winery is a welcoming place, able to accommodate visitors who may just stop for a wine tasting with friends on a pleasant afternoon. The sunroom and the gazebo are light and airy although on pleasant days, many prefer to be outside, sitting on the terrace or in the vineyards. Warm greeting

Arriving at the winery, one is greeted by Wendy Staller, owner, or another of the friendly and knowledgeable employees who will guide you in choosing a wine that you will enjoy.

There will be a sheet listing the wines available for you to order, either a glass or a wine flight of four, one-ounce pours of the wines of your choice.

Make it a picnic as you add a charcuterie board of fruits, nuts, cheese and meats, or just a cheese tray to enjoy with your wine.

The winery and vineyard are owned and run by Wendy and Joe Staller, who became interested in growing grapes for wine and producing that wine while still at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Wendy Staller furthered her studies of wine making at the University of CaliforniaDavis.

What began as a hobby for Wendy Staller has now become a full-time activity. She oversees the growing of the grapes, creating the wine with Joe and overseeing the daily running of the winery and tasting room. It is Wendy who plans showers, bachelorette parties, and even weddings here at the winery.

The winery is the perfect place to hold

The bridal couple along with the bride’s attendants and the mothers of the bridal couple pose outside the barn on this beautiful day. There are many picturesque settings at Staller Wine Estates that can serve as backdrop for beautiful photographs.

Over 50 varieties of apples in our outdoor sales area!

HOURS Mon-Thurs 12-5 Fri-Sun 9-5

Handmade Honeycrisp Caramel Apples Fresh Cider • Honey • Apple Cider Vinegar

Pumpkins • Squash • Gourds

Sorry, no pick your own.

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a bachelorette or bridal shower event. The large sunroom and gazebo are bright and light, with long tables to accommodate all the attendees. The décor is simple, white and open.

The rooms are climate controlled and as such, are available year-round. Participants are welcome to bring their own table decorations to add to the party atmosphere.

“Many bring floral centerpieces or balloons to add to the festivities,” said Wendy Staller. “While balloons and flowers are usually sufficient for bachelorette parties, more decorations are often brought for the bridal showers.” In the fresh air

Another option that is popular, especially in the comfortable temperatures of autumn, is to move the event outside right into the vineyard. Imagine sitting at long tables with rows of grape vines on either side (by now most of the grapes have been harvested), while you enjoy a pleasant day celebrating with friends or family members at your wine event.

According to Wendy Staller, the facility can accommodate from five to 80 guests for the typical bachelorette event. They offer several packages for your guests to enjoy. Try the European lunch with flights of wines. This choice includes a wine flight with imported Belgian Chocolates and a picnic platter of cheese, meats, and freshly baked bread.

Also included is a tour of the winery. Learn about the process from the planting and growth of the grapes, through the harvesting, pressing, crushing, destemming, and finally processing into the tasty wines produced today. Visitors will learn about the oak barrels used to age the wine and why they are used – and finally, the process for bottling the wines.

In addition to the packages available, they will gladly customize a package to suit you.

“I recommend that you book your event as soon as you decide on a day and time. The dates, especially in the nice weather, fill up fast,” said Wendy Staller.

above: A group gathers in the vineyard to celebrate the upcoming marriage of one of their friends. The vineyard makes a beautiful background for a bachelorette party. right: A special spot for a wedding ceremony is outdoors near the vineyards at Staller Estate Winery. Chairs with decorative red sashes are arranged to create an elegant ceremony venue.

Small events welcome

Looking for a place to hold a small- to moderate-sized wedding? Consider Staller Estate. With so many choices available as a site for the ceremony, your wedding will truly be unique. Have you thought about exchanging vows in the vineyard? Or perhaps you would prefer to do so in the gazebo?

Wendy will work with families to make the event special, including directing visitors to the perfect caterer if needed. Couples can just have the ceremony here or just the reception or best of all everything in this one beautiful location.

“We have seven varietals of grapes that we nurture and grow,” said Wendy Staller. “We added another acre to the vineyard

last year, making four acres devoted to vineyards, close to our capacity. We grow cold tolerant grapes that do well in the Midwest.”

Another addition to the winery is the Barrel Cellar. The barrel cellar is one of the newer spaces used for tasting – a cozy intimate space on the lower level. It is a true wine cellar where the temperature is maintained at 55-60 degrees, the perfect cellar temperature for serving red wines.

The décor is dim and intimate, the perfect place for a romantic evening for a couple. Enjoy a date, just the two of you in the Barrel Cellar, enjoying a special wine event.

The special Barrel Cellar event for two includes two wine flights paired with specialty truffles, a charcuterie and fromage board for two, two glasses of wine selected by the guests from the wine list, and two limited edition “Allure” Staller Estate wine glasses.

The cost is $99 plus tax per couple. The wine event in the Barrel Cellar usually lasts about two hours. Small groups, up to 10 can also be accommodated. Consider it for an engagement party or the spot to pop that important question or for just the two of you to celebrate an anniversary, birthday, or other special day. Seasonal events

In addition to private events, there are seasonal events throughout the summer and fall sponsored by Staller Estate Winery that includes a variety of activities including wine with food trucks from local restaurants, yoga in the vineyard, and “Blooms+Bouquets,” one of the very popular events.

This season there are still two events to be held. On Sunday, Nov. 13, a Thanksgiving Wine and Dine Dinner will be held at the winery. The dinner will be a five-course, Thanksgiving-themed and locally curated meal which will be paired with the appropriate Staller Estate wines.

The meal will be created by local chef Maria Halpin, and Wendy Staller will pair the wines, with assistance from Joe Staller.

“While we don’t have the complete meal and wine menu at this time,” aid Staller. “Possibilities for some of the courses are roasted pumpkin soup, braised short ribs, and shredded Brussel sprouts with apples, cranberries and walnuts. The plan for dessert is gingerbread tiramisu. The wines have not yet been chosen.”

The dinner will be held from noon to 2:30 p.m. Purchase tickets online soon, as they are going quickly.

The final social event is the yearly Deer Widows weekends on Saturday, Nov. 19 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. This Ladies Day event will feature a variety of local vendors and new drink specials. Enjoy the weekend with other “deer hunting widows.”

Wines available now include white wines oaked Sauvignon Blanc, the regular Sauvignon Blanc, the blush Sunset Cuvee, and in the reds, the Sun-gria, a bright red wine with fresh fruit flavors.

In the dessert wine category, the Pardo Classico aged in a bourbon barrel is now available. It is described as “a strong robust tawny character wine balanced with a mature grape complexity and oak developed wisdom.” If you haven’t tasted it yet, now is the time.

Staller Estate Winery has embarked on a new venture. They are now a working distillery and are producing their own brandy. The first batch will be ready next year, as it needs to age in the oak barrel before it is ready to be bottled and sold.

Staller Estate Winery is located at W8896 County Road A, Delavan. Reach them by phone at 608-883-2100 or visit online at www.stallerestate.com.

Email wendy@stallerestate.com for reservations or visit on Facebook. Watch Facebook for the In Vino Veritas programs presented by Wendy and Joe Staller who will share a variety of wine topics with you including the art of pairing wines with foods to bring out the best tastes in both the wines and the foods.

above: Sumptuous catered meals make a wedding at Staller Estate Winery special. left: The perfect setting for a summer afternoon event. Enjoy a shower, bachelorette, party or just a gathering of friends for a beautiful relaxing afternoon while enjoying the fresh open air at Staller Estate Winery.

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