Did you know that every state in the USA produces wine? It's a fact. Some states produce phenomenal wine, others great, and the rest are working their way through the process finding the right clones for their specific terroir. Many wineries produces their wines from estate or local vineyards. Others choose to reach outside of their area - even their state- to procure the best grapes possible for their particular wine vision. 

I recently attended a seminar and wine tasting featuring several small craft wineries from the East Coast. I was impressed by a small lot winery located in Wisconsin by the name of Lewis Station Winery.

Wisconsin is one of the country's largest agricultural states. But you may be surprised to learn that some of its crops consist of wine grapes. As expected the varietals planted are cold hardy varietals well-suited to the frosty Wisconsin winters. The resulting wine is likely to surprise and delight you.

Many of the state's wineries are located on picturesque acreage or in stand alone facilities sans vineyards. All are  well worth a visit. The state is home to more than a hundred wineries, but here is one you shouldn't miss on your next trip to Wisconsin. Lewis Station is one of those to explore. It is about a 50-minute drive from Milwaukee and 20 minutes from Madison offering daily wine tastings, as well as a small bistro menu. Always check out the website or call to confirm hours and days of operation.

Lewis Station Winery is a family owned winery and boutique wine shop in the heart of downtown Lake Mills, Wisconsin. The winery has the look and feel of an old vintage gas station. You can trust that your tasting is going to be special as many of the wines produced and bottled by Lewis Station are Gold and Silver award winners in the World Wine Competition and the Finger Lakes Region Wine competition.

In 2018, Lewis Station Winery became Wisconsin's first Certified Craft Winery, earning certification from the Craft Wine Association. The designation means the winery makes its wines in small lots and the winemaking is entirely overseen by the winemaker, using grapes from an identifiable vineyard. This is an important distinction you should take note of.

Lewis Station creates mostly California based wines, although when they add fruit to their wines like Cranberries and Apples, it comes from Wisconsin. Their big reds, such as the Lodi California Zinfandel showcase dark-fruit flavors and spiciness. The Sangiovese is packed with red and dark berries. About eight of Lewis Station's wines are on the sweeter side, featuring a combination of grapes and other fruits ending in robust flavors,  utilizing California grapes. The winery currently offers 24 different wines for sale, the majority of which are made in tiny 60 to 70 case lots.

Here's a couple of wines I think you will especially enjoy. One is perfect for those who love a touch of fruit and sweetness in their wines. The other is for the adventurous palate that is open to trying new creative approaches to winemaking.

Bartel's Peach- $12: A fun blend of Chardonnay and peach. Juicy peach flavors on the nose and palate. Meant for sipping on a warm summer day. Try it in place of a Mimosa at brunch.

Dry County Cabernet Sauvignon – Rejected, $28: The wine is aged in used Jack Daniels whiskey barrels creating a wine that is unique. According to the winemaker Rob Lewis, "We are the first winery in the state to use Jack Daniels barrels for wine aging! Why dry county? This Cabernet is aged with Jack Daniels Oak… take a smell. Delicious, velvety and smooth with hints of charcoal, toasted barrels and whiskey." This wine has rich, sweet vanilla oak flavors with nice hints of dark cherry.

Figgy Piggy Pizza

Wood oven fired pinsa crust (pizza crust) with dried mission figs, prosciutto, a blend of Romano, Parmesan, Mozzarella and Provolone cheeses topped with fresh arugula, black pepper and a balsamic glaze.

Per the winemaker, "This pizza pairs amazingly with the Dry County Cabernet Sauvignon."

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