!7# Wine Travel - Surprising Lake Geneva and Southern Wisconsin

!±8± Wine Travel - Surprising Lake Geneva and Southern Wisconsin

Lake Geneva, Wisconsin holds a special connection for many Midwesterners. Located 10 miles north of the Illinois-Wisconsin border, Lake Geneva and Walworth County have long been a resort community destination. In the late 1800's, prominent Chicagoans began to summer here, building palatial homes along Geneva Lake's 21 mile shoreline. Most of these mansions are still here today, accessible by private boat and public sightseeing cruises.

Often dubbed "The Newport of the Midwest", Lake Geneva is a popular destination for weekend travelers, offering a vibrant shopping scene and numerous all-in-one resorts. The star of the show, though, is Geneva Lake and the surrounding rural vistas. The lake itself is 7 miles long, 2 miles wide, and a sportsmen's paradise. One of the deepest lakes in Wisconsin, Geneva Lake is teeming with fish, evidenced by numerous Friday night fish frys in Walworth County restaurants.

Just 90 minutes from Chicago and less than an hour from Milwaukee, Lake Geneva is the best of both worlds. There's a cosmopolitan sophistication here, nicely balanced by a homespun community feel. Farms dot the landscape, offering a bounty of fresh produce and dairy. And as you'll discover, vineyards also thrive here, as valleys surround literally dozens of smaller lakes, creating a blossoming opportunity for southern Wisconsin winemakers.

Lake Geneva And Southern Wisconsin Wine Country

There are three very enjoyable wineries within 15 minutes of Lake Geneva. Incidentally, the lake (and town) were named after Geneva, New York by early settlers, due to a striking resemblance to the Finger Lakes town of Geneva. And just as Finger Lakes is wine country, the Lake Geneva area holds its own as a wine travel destination. You can easily visit all three in one afternoon.

About 5 miles east of town you'll find Apple True Winery, located on a sprawling farm and orchard. Apple True is actually known for their draft ciders, both apple and pear in a variety of styles. Even if you don't imbibe, there's ample reason to visit, with over 100 varieties of heirloom apples awaiting your tasting experience.

While the ciders are the star of the show at Apple True, don't pass up a chance to sample their wines, the pear wines in particular. On our trip to Maine earlier this year, we enjoyed a pear wine and looked forward to trying another. Apple True's mellow, semi sweet Pear Wine is made from two varieties of pears grown on site. If you've never tried a wine like this before, this is the place to start!

There are also several types of apple wine available, each made from a different apple variety, all grown right here. We liked Autumn Glory the best, probably since it's made with our favorite apple, the Jonathan. The result is a rich, full bodied wine with just the right amount of crispness that you'd expect.

Apple Barn Orchard and Staller Estate

Heading back west 15 minutes from Apple True, you'll enter the small town of Elkhorn, 6 miles north of Lake Geneva on Highway 12. We often come here to visit the local bakery on the quaint town square. Just outside of town is the Apple Barn Orchard and Winery, located on a family farm and orchard founded in 1848.

In addition to picking your own apples, you can tour the farm and of course sample Apple Barn's wines. We've always liked the fruit wines here. Wine competition judges agree, as Apple Barn wines have racked up an impressive collection of awards and medals. There's always an apple wine available, so be sure to try Honey Crisp Harvest, but don't overlook other offerings like Summer Peach and Hardy Pear. Take a few bottles to go and savor them over a Lake Geneva sunset.

Less than 10 minutes away on County A is Staller Estate Vineyard and Winery, the area's newest and a very welcome addition to Wisconsin's wine scene.

Using grapes primarily from their Walworth County vineyard, Staller Estate is already producing an impressive array of wines.

This was our first visit, so we tried everything available. We were very impressed with their newest offering, Whitewater Rush, a semi dry white named after the nearby college town of Whitewater. With a fragrant grape aroma, this wine starts boldly on the palate and finishes fruity. This wine came home with us, as did a few bottles of Estate Blanc, reminiscent of some wines we tasted in the Finger Lakes. With a touch of sweetness, Estate Blanc is fruit forward, and you'll love the taste of ripe peach and apple.

There's also Maiden Blush, in the white zinfandel style but with a bit more fruit aroma and taste, and Horizon Cuvee, a semi dry white with a wonderful grapefruit tang. We can't wait to come back to Staller Estate to see how they're progressing and taste the interesting wines they're sure to come up with down the line.

Closing Thoughts

Whether you stay for a week or just a weekend, Lake Geneva's charms will capture your heart and imagination. You'll see why this area has long been a preferred destination for generations of visitors. Plan your visit for any time of year, as there are ample activities to delight even the most seasoned traveler. And, with three impressive wineries to visit, wine lovers will discover and embrace this beautiful corner of southern Wisconsin.