The Driftless Wisconsin Wine & Cheese Trail will host special activities at each of fourteen businesses October 12, 13 & 14, 2018, with all businesses open from 10 – 5 pm each day. Celebrating one year since its inception, this successful collaboration between the state’s renowned dairy industry and its growing wine industry is drawing visitors from throughout the Midwest to estate wineries and local creameries throughout the year.
During the Fall Colors Event Weekend scheduled for October 12 – 14, visitors will be treated to tasting specials, promotions, entertainment, local vendors, and educational activities such as tours. This self-guided driving tour features the stunning natural beauty of Southwest Wisconsin’s Driftless Area aglow with the colors of autumn.
The Trail is comprised of these businesses located roughly between Madison and La Crosse, Wisconsin:
Baraboo Bluff Winery, Baraboo Arena Cheese, Arena
Branches Winery, Westby Carr Valley Cheese, LaValle
Rock N Wool Winery, Poynette Cedar Grove Cheese, Plain
Spurgeon Vineyards and Winery, Highland Organic Valley, Cashton Retail Store
Weggy Winery, Muscoda Pasture Pride Cheese, Cashton
Wollersheim Winery & Distillery, Prairie du Sac Westby Creamery, Westby
Vernon Vineyards, Viroqua Nordic Creamery, Westby
For specific information about the special activities at each location go to www.driftlesswinecheesetrail.com. The Trail Weekend activities are free to attend; normal tasting fees may apply.
“This weekend will offer visitors the best in fall colors and the best flavors of the Driftless Region,” according to Therese Weiter Bergholz, trail director and owner, Branches Winery, Westby. “Visitors will have the chance to meet cheesemakers and watch cheese being made. They can also stroll through vineyards and learn what it takes to make excellent wine from Wisconsin-grown fruit. This is a unique opportunity to taste acclaimed wine and cheese, learn what it takes to create these products, plus meet the families you support when you shop local.”
The Driftless Wine & Cheese Trail Brochure, available at each participating business, offers a passport program where consumers can earn a stamp at each business when they make a purchase. When they have collected all 14 stamps, they can redeem their completed passport for a VIP Discount Card for future purchases. Stamps can be collected through November, 2018; the discount is valid through 2019.
Part of what makes this trail particularly interesting is that the participating businesses range from small- to medium-sized family wineries and creameries to state and industry leaders. The participating cheese producers offer a multitude of options of award winning cheeses including organic cheese and goat cheese. Wineries too offer an outstanding range of products – created from estate-grown cold-climate grapes and other fruits. Wines range from dry, oaked red wines to sweet white dessert wines, with many delicious options in between.
The Trail is made possible through a matching Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin Grant through the WI-DATCP.
More information about the Trail can be found at driftlesswinecheesetrail.com and Facebook.com/driftlesswinecheesetrail. The Trail office is located at E6796 Old Line Road, Westby WI 54667. Phone 608-634-9463; email driftlesswinecheesetrail@gmail.com.
Media Contact:
Therese Weiter Bergholz
Owner, Branches Winery; Director, Driftless Wisconsin Wine and Cheese Trail
driftlesswinecheesetrail@gmail.com