Favorite Chippewa Valley Wineries
Trail the Chippewa Valley Wineries
I’ve always been a “wino.” The process of making wine to the different taste each one extracts is exquisite! As I like to support local companies, I’m a regular of the Chippewa Valley wineries. I’ve visited all, but two, which are on the top of my must-do list in the coming weeks. I just discovered one of them during my research!
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Currently my stock consists of Cottage Grove’s Candoni Moscato, Infinity’s Panache and River Bend’s Moonlight. Different flavors and different occasions.
COTTAGE GROVE WINERY
Located outside of Menomonie, Wis., Cottage Grove is like walking into a fantasy. When you turn up the drive way, you will notice what I like to call the “fairy house” to the left. It’s a small door built into the hill. This sets the mood for what you are about to experience. Coming up the driveway you notice two buildings – the tasting room and the owner’s home. Both unique as if you were in a Lord of the Rings film. After you arrive, I recommend walking the grounds, as there are more unique “hobbit” homes and landscaping to see.
Cottage Grove is a small vineyard that ships their grapes to a wine maker. Bottled in many different tastes from sweet to dry. They also offer wines from around the world – including my favorite Moscato, Candoni. It’s light, crisp and not too sweet. Definitely a Moscato for a semi-sweet/dry taste. After finding a wine to meet the taste buds, there is a patio or gazebo that allow you to overlook the grounds making it a great afternoon stop.
RIVER BEND VINEYARD & WINERY
After enjoying your first tasting and glass of wine at Cottage Grove, hop on to Highway 29 East towards Chippewa Falls. About 30 miles down the highway you will see a billboard advertising River Bend Vineyard. River Bend is one of the larger Chippewa Valley wineries. Walking into the winery, you are greeted with great staff and an even better wine room. Here you can step up for a tasting, or continue towards the back for the distillery. Since this post is about wine, we’ll come back to the distillery another time. I’ve actually never done it before!!
River Bend has taken over 50 medals for their wine, and has been voted the #1 Winery in the Chippewa Valley! Now that’s something to brag about in Wisconsin! They offer two wines that I enjoy – Moonlight and Summer Red. Both two VERY different flavors, but each exquisite in their own way. River Bend recommends Moonlight has an after dinner drinking wine. I usually drink this after or before dinner – when I’m ready to relax. In other words, the bottle doesn’t last long. Summer Red is great when cooking on the grill, but personally I’ve always enjoyed it with something salty! As an off dry wine, it has a softness when it leaves your palate.
My only complaint for River Bend is sitting is limited in the winter months.
INFINITY BEVERAGE WINERY & DISTILLERY
After a day of sipping wine, it’s probably time to head towards Eau Claire, but you’re likely not ready to stop! In the heart of Eau Claire off Highway 93 sits Infinity Winery and Distillery. Again, we’re talking about wine, not booze – and I have tried their booze! <3
Infinity started in the historic Banbury Place in downtown Eau Claire, but as they’re wine improved they had to improve their space. A great issue to have as a business owner. Moving their location to Highway 93 creating a great atmosphere for socializing with friends. A majority of the wines are made from grapes, which puts Infinity high up on my list. Really, I think I enjoy each of their wines in a different way, but I usually buy a bottle of Vivid and Solace. Both great sipping wines, or dinner wines.
O’NEIL CREEK WINERY
Last stop on the Chippewa Valley wineries trail is O’Neil Creek Winery located in Bloomer, Wisconsin. Many folks of the Chippewa Valley enjoy O’Neil Creek. The small winery features crisp, fruit wines such as cherries, berries and apple flavors. If you enjoy less grape and more “juice”, this is the place for you!
Wine hopping is a great past time for me personally. Even if you don’t enjoy wine, the experience is what makes it even better. I’m not one to walk into a supermarket and buy bottle after bottle of wine. I wine hop! Once my rack starts to look empty, I find a winery near me.
I haven’t visited Autumn Harvest or Sandstone Ridge Winery. Have you visited a winery I didn’t mention here? Drop me a comment below with some of your favorite Chippewa Valley wineries!
Disclaimer
Everyone has a different palate, therefore a different taste for wine. Some may find a wine delicious that other’s find disgusting. Every person’s taste palate is different from another. Therefore, please know that what I discuss below is based upon my palate. I am not a fan of cherry flavored things – cherries, cherry pie, cherry coca cola, or cherry wine. I also enjoy the flavor of the grape rather than the berry. As I’ve been drinking wine throughout my years, my palate has changed from a sweet to a semi-sweet/dry, which is to be expected.
Please note, I’m not an expert when it comes to wine. I just enjoy drinking bottles of the stuff. For a complete list of wineries in the Midwest, visit the Winery section.
