A diversity of local wine

A diversity of wine AREA OFFERS A FULL SPECTRUM OF WINE EXPERIENCES

Those who enjoy sipping from a bottle of red, white or blush wine but find that a trip to the Bordeaux region of France simply isn’t in the cards right now needn’t give up their desires to visit a winery or vineyard.

Wineries and fully functioning vineyards and orchards dot the landscape of the Geneva Lakes Area. In fact, wine afficionados don’t have to go far to find award-winning wines made from a variety of locally grown fruits.

Visiting a local winery or vineyard can be educational and fun. Wine tours can be entertaining because some allow visitors to choose their own tasting adventure depending on their level of interest in wine, their budget and what they would like to get out of the experience.

Some wineries and vineyards offer extensive tours of the harvesting and production aspects of wine-making. Others will give visitors a chance to mingle among wine barrels and witness the fermentation process. Still, some wineries or vineyards may limit visitors to tasting rooms where they can sample select vintages.

Thanks to the relatively short Wisconsin growing season, the types of fruits used – whether its grape, apples or pears – will be quite different from one winery to the next.

According to viniculture experts from Professional Friends of Wine, grapevines are fairly adaptable plants that can thrive in a variety of soil types and temperatures. Soil, sun exposure, drainage, and topography all play roles in how the grapes will ripen and taste.The chance to support a local business is another reason to make a trip to a nearby winery or vineyard. These facilities often produce wine and sell it close to home. By supporting small business, consumers can contribute to the success and the diversity of offerings where they live.

Wine tastings are an enjoyable recreational pursuit. Remember to drink responsibly, and join the mailing lists of nearby wineries and vineyards to learn more about tasting events and food pairings.

Here’s a closer look at three wineries and two shops in the Geneva Lakes Area.

ÆPPELTREOW WINERY AND DISTILLERY

“ÆppelTreow” is Old English, and is a play on words for “true to the apple” or “apple truth,” according to owner Charles McGonegal. The name is pronounced “Apple true.”

ÆppelTreow is Wisconsin’s only winery and distillery. It is well known for producing perry, which is pear cider produced in the English tradition.

The pears are specifically to be used for producing perry, and offer properties and flavors that can’t be faked by using other pears.

McGonegal said he imagined ÆppelTreow as a fruit winery, but the facility produces cider, perry and spirits.

Staller Estate Winery near Delavan produces several varieties of wine using grapes from its own vineyards.

“I think that Wisconsin can grow a better apple than it can a better grape,” McGonegal said. “I admire the folks growing their own grapes, but I find through personal experience they make very good brandy.”

ÆppelTreow is at 1072 288th Ave., Burlington, and is a 25-minute drive from downtown Lake Geneva. ÆppelTreow is on the web at aeppeltreow.com.

APPLE BARN ORCHARD AND WINERY

The Apple Barn, in Elkhorn, has been a favorite of customers for many years. Six generations of the Jacobson family have made their home on this land and continue the family tradition of farming the land and caring for their fruit orchards.

Around 2004, the Jacobson’s introduced a new product that has become one of their most popular.

“In the 1990s, my husband, Steve, began experimenting with wine making after he received a home wine-making kit from his mother as a gift,” Judy Jacobson said. “As he experimented with making wines, he turned from making grape wines to experimenting with other fruit wines. As he became more interested in the various types of wine that he produced, we considered making a few wines to sell on site at the Apple Barn.”

They began to produce fruit wines on site. What began as a hobby, then moved on to a small addition to the business. It didn’t stop there as the Apple Barn is now producing more than a dozen varieties of wine.

The wines are made from fruits such as strawberries, apples, rhubarb, pears, and cranberries. While most people assume that these fruit wines would all be sweet, they are not

“Our wines range from dry to sweet,” Jacobson said. “Most of the wines are in the semi-sweet range. We do not add any enhancements or coloring to our wines, so the color and flavor comes from the fruit used

The Apple Barn is at W6384 Sugar Creek Rd., Elkhorn. Call 262-728-3266 or visit www.applebarnorchardandwinery.com for additional information.

STALLER ESTATE WINERY

Wendy Staller, co-owner of Staller Estate Winery, set out to be a pharmacist when she went into the sciences at the University of WisconsinWhitewater, but her career choice evolved.

The dynamic nature of grapes keeps Staller interested in wine.

“It’s always going to be different,” Staller said. “The wine is always going to change. You’re never going to get the same growing season, there’s always going to be a variety in how your wines are going to taste.”

Staller produces more than a dozen varieties of wine and port using those grapes, and relishes every step.

“I enjoy everything,” Staller said. “It doesn’t matter whether were picking grapes, bottling wines – I enjoy every aspect of it.”

Staller Estate is at W8896 Highway A, Delavan. For more information call 608883-2100 or visit stallerestate.com

left: Apple Barn wines have received awards from the University of Wisconsin-Madison for the finest fruit wine (2017) and their pear wine was recognized as the Grand Champion at the Walworth County Fair a few years ago. right: Visiting a local winery can be an enjoyable way to spend a fall afternoon and support a local business.

FILE PHOTOS Spirit of Geneva Lakes

SHOPS OFFER WIDE SELECTION

In addition to the local wineries, there are several shops that offer extensive wine selections. These include:

THE BOTTLE SHOP

Wine can be enjoyed outside year-round at The Bottle Shop, 617 W. Main St., Lake Geneva. The airy patio defines the shop.

Owner Elizabeth Tumas said she loves the building and location, and admits there isn’t enough space for all the wine she wants to carry. She knows wine through and through, and offers it in the forms and quantities people want.

“I’ve watched a lot of people be successful and not successful in my years of being in business,” Tumas said. “The average consumer doesn’t want to be geeked-out – they just want to enjoy the experience, (which is) why is why I chose the form of the shop I do today.”

The Bottle Shop features a wine bar, offers regular wine tasting events and periodic live entertainment.

For additional information, call 262348-9463 or visit thebottleshoplakegeneva. com.

BRUNO’S LIQUORS

Looking for top-rated wines?

Known by residents and visitors alike as the largest liquor store in Lake Geneva, Bruno’s has the variety and inventory to satisfy most tastes.

This full-service, independent liquor store features a wine selection that has few rivals in the area.

Looking for a moderately priced wine to enjoy? Whether white or red, sweet or dry, there is sure to be one to suit your palate and your price range.

Celebrating a special event such as an anniversary, birthday, or a dinner with someone special? Perhaps a higher end bottle of wine is the right choice. If help is needed, ask one of the knowledgeable employees. A complete line of champagnes is also available.

A walk through the fine wine selections is like a walk through the wineries of the world as bottles of fine wines from around the globe can be found on the shelves.

Bruno’s Liquors is at 524 Broad St., Lake Geneva. For questions call (262) 248-6407 or visit www.brunosliquors.com.