20 reviews for Wollersheim Winery
20 reviews in English
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Review from Thongsy S.
Chicago, IL
12/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've never been a winery before so I really don't have anything to compare to but if my future winery visits were anything like this one, I would be 1 happy gal. The tour was about an hour in length but because I was enjoying myself so much, it felt much shorter. I actually learned quite a lot about the winery business and about the wine-making process. And most importantly, I now know why ice wine costs so much!! The wine tasting portion at the end of the tour was great. The tour guide even showed us how to taste our wines and the what/what not to do. We liked their signature wine so much that we ended up going home with several bottles. I was there during the fall months so the the vines were somewhat bare but I bet it must be gorgeous during the spring and summer months. I simply can't wait to go on another winery tour.
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Review from Angela H.
Plainfield, IL
8/16/2011
The location is perfect, just a stone's throw from the Dells. And the wines are inexpensive, we purchased 2 bottles while we were there: Prairie Fume and River Gold.
The wine samples are generous. The $5 fee includes a tour and 5 wine samples, a mix of whites and reds.
If you've done a winery tour elsewhere, I recommend skipping the tour. Our tour guide was boring and appeared to lack energy and interest. Also, we had a semi-large group with 2 guys who kept asking questions, some extremely technical. I felt like the snotty, cool kid on a field trip pouting in the corner - I wanted to head to the tasting room!
Also, during the tasting, there's a brief "how to drink" presentation, and they actually take this seriously.
Go, enjoy the wine, and don't take these tour guides seriously. Enjoy yourself, and consider skipping the tour. They're desparately trying to be midwest Sonoma here, and y'know what? Sonoma is actually more laid back. Just go so you can take home some wine.
And for the love of god, don't bring your kids. I had to spend my whole vacation with YOUR kids in the Dells. -
Review from Marc B.
Chicago, IL
6/27/2011
In short, it's a pretty, little winery with fair-priced, fair-tasting wines. Please note that they don't offer free tastings of many of their wines.
I've been here a couple of times. In my experience the Midwest region (Michigan, Indiana, Missouri) seems to produce better sweet wines than full bodied dry reds, which I prefer. Most types of wine have their place in this world, and Wollersheim does a good job at producing some okay wines at okay prices. If you're a tedious snob that only drinks expensive wines then please go away. However, if you drink wine just about every day and/or you like sweeter, lighter wines then you'll have a fun afternoon here.
My recomendations:
Chardonnay: is light, fresh and quite nice. I bought a case.
Port: can stand up to dark chocolate and duck very well, I really like it.
Prairie Fumé: has won a lot of awards, but I think it's just okay.
Many other wines are made here, but the grapes are grown elsewhere. -
Review from Christine M.
Madison, WI
11/29/2010
My parents became Case Club members (meaning they buy at least a case a year....although it's more like 5) several years ago, and I've been to Wollersheim several times, but last weekend was the first time since they built the renovation. It really is a treasure nestled in the hills of Wisconsin prairie - the inspiration for their most popular and award-winning wine, the Praire Fumé. I have tried all the wines, and while I normally drink white or blush, they even have some reds (Prairie Sunburst and Ruby Nouveau) that I'll drink.
The scenery is gorgeous and wonderful to enjoy in the summer. The old building has wine cellars made out of stone lined with oak barrels which makes me feel like I was back in the 12th century priory in France where I went to school for a semester. The new addition is modern and state-of-the art processing and bottling. They even have a kids room with activities and coloring for kids; they've thought of it all.
Their wines are very affordable, but good. I'm enjoying one right now. They just got their license to bottle brandy, so I'm looking forward to that as well...in a few years. Last time I was there, the owner and winemaker Philippe poured us our samples and later came over and talked with me about my experiences in France. I really can't recommend it enough. Go! -
Review from Susan T.
Glen Ellyn, IL
8/26/2011
Amazing discovery. Beautiful grounds that rival a Napa winery. And very good wine, too, not just sweet fruit wine. Try their Pinot Noir (grapes from WA). You'll be pleasantly surprised.
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Review from Caroline M.
Chicago, IL
9/24/2008
Oh. My. God.
They remodeled within the past year and the tasting room/retail area is GORGEOUS! It's all stone and probably was a fortune to build, but it's so lovely.
We didn't do the tour, but it's a steal at $3.50. We just did the tasting. Free tasting! They will give you anything you want, well almost anything. I really wanted to try the ice wines, but those aren't offered until October. Isn't it close enough to October??
Check out the semi sweet riesling, Prairie Fume, and cranberry blush... (What?! I'm a chick. I like girly wines!)
Wollersheim Winery is worth a visit if you're in the Madison area & love some good local wines.Listed in: Wisco Roadtrip!
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Review from Mike P.
Broadview Heights, OH
10/18/2009
Napa Valley and Central Coast, California, meet the outskirts of the Madison, Wisconsin metro area!
Wollersheim Winery is a local favorite and a beautiful place. Just coming here to look at the sights and scenery is good enough. This place is on a hilly location, so many of the grapevines grow on the hilly inclines. With the constant light breezes, the winery in agreement to the sun's rays, and the nearby Wisconsin River, the climate is near perfect for growing grapes to make excellent wine.
The outside also has a cave entrance, which used to be the entrance to the original wine cellar. Its not used any more but gives the place character and a sense of history.
There are outdoor tables and chairs for guests to sit and relax and drink wine.
Tours are available. They begin 15 minutes after a new hour begins- first tour 10:15am, last tour 4:15pm. The tours are about an hour long, and start off with the history and story behind the winery, followed by a visit to the fermentation room, the wine cellar with dozens and dozens of oak wood barrels (smells great, too), and ending with a tasting of selected wines. During the tasting part, you get educated on how to look at, smell and drink wine the proper way.
The tour guide Louann was very friendly, perky and knowledgeable. If she didn't know the answer to anyone's questions then she would get the answer right away. Matter of fact, most of the people who work here were friendly, pleasant and helpful. They know what they're doing and enjoy it!
They have a store, shop, whatever you want to call it. Its big in size and where you can buy their wines. They also sell shirts, hats, books, wine accessories and related knick knacks as I overheard someone say. What I like about this store is that they provide metal carrying cases that easily hold bottles of wine.
On this visit I brought a couple bottle of their red wine "Domaine du Sac". We tried this in the tasting at the end of the tour and was my favorite of all they had. They have a more intense tasting red wine but that already sold out. Don't laugh- this is excellent red wine. Wisconsin may soon become a serious winery contender among places such as California, New York and the Columbia River region of Washington State and Oregon.
Also at the store the more bottle of wine you buy, you get a discount for each bottle. I believe its 25 cents off each bottle when you buy 6-11 bottles and 50 cents off each bottle when you buy 12 or more bottles. Furthermore, if you buy a case of wine (12 bottles) you get a membership to their club, which allows free admission to tours. As long as you buy at least a case of wine every year from them, you renew the membership.
Even if you don't drink wine, this is a fun and interesting experience. A must see when you're in the area. Cheers! -
Review from Heather F.
Foster City, CA
12/7/2008
Today at a vineyard in California (Avio in Sutter Creek) I talked with the owner about other wineries we have been to in the US ranging from New England to Hawaii (both Maui and the Big Island). I told him my favorite winery tour was in Prairie du Sac, WI. He didn't seem shocked when I mentioned Wollersheim, and he commented on the ice wine there. It brought back wonderful memories of this winery and the amazing wine we brought home from there.
For this tour, I think I had to bribe Pete, probably with fried cheese curds since we were living in Wisconsin and he was a tad bit obsessed with them. But he came along, and actually enjoyed himself. The tour was well worth the $3.50 and the renovations were absolutely beautiful. I remember wishing that I had an event to have here, but alas, my life is far too boring for that. The tour included a bit of history, and it was interesting that Hungarian Count Agoston Haraszthy left this winery to head out to California and became the founder of the CA wine industry. So out here in California we need to thank Wisconsin for the cold weather that caused winter damage on his vines, and sent him West in search of a better climate for making vine.
Anyway, this winery has a good selection of dry wines, semi-dry wines, sweet wines, seasonal wines, and imported family wines. I left here with more than a case of wine, including the Prairie Fume, the Dry Riesling, the White Riesling (I like my sweet wines!) and the Ice Wine. I also had one of the imported family wines (either Little Brother or Uncle Jean). I drank some of the wine and gave several as gifts, and I received lots of compliments on the wine (as if I had anything to do with it) when I brought it to parties/dinners. Since leaving Wisconsin, I've had friends try the Domaine du Sac and have raved about it. The wine is very reasonably priced so you can definitely leave with a good selection. If I am ever in the area, I will definitely head back here. But for now, I can order online :) -
Review from Jen G.
Chicago, IL
11/3/2009
Tired, dirty, sore from a long day of hiking, we came across a sign on our way to the hotel (yes, a hotel--it was that kind of adventure.)
Winery: 2 miles ahead on left. Or something to that effect.
Two members of our party voted "Yes" to visiting. The other two, and I'm sad to say I'm one of them, snorted our noses at the visiting a winery in the middle of Wisconsin. Really?
Well, color me embarrassed!
This place is gem! For only $3.50 you get a tour and a wine-tasting and I have to say I learned a lot about grapes, climate, barrel-aging...Our tour was conducted by Celine, a third-generation Wollersheim and she was very knowledgeable--she even gave us restaurant recommendations in town.
The winery sits on a hill and boasts spectacular views. My only regret is that we got there just in time for the last tour and didn't get to linger. I would love to come back and have lunch on a warm day and sit outside.
Looking for a day trip/escape from the city? Look no further. -
Review from Booda B.
Lombard, IL
7/23/2008 1 photo
This place was so much better than I expected. I anticipated that my husband and I would be the only people visiting a tired, old tourist trap selling Door County cherry wine and crafts. It's not like that at all. They have vineyards and make "real" wine. It's a beautiful place.
The tour was worth every bit of $3.50, and the wine is good. Like, really good. My husband and I are both Shiraz devotees, but we loved nearly all of the Wollersheim white wines. Didn't care so much for the reds, with the exception of the Domaine du Sac, which was good.
I considered giving this place five stars, but then I remembered how stiflingly hot the tasting area was, and how the (very nice) tour guide was a ridiculous caricature of a tour guide, with a bizarre, unnatural cadence that fell off at the end of every sentence. Where do they learn how to speak like that?Listed in: Things to do - or not - in…
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Review from Jessica O.
Glenview, IL
1/3/2008
As far as wineries go I'm a little bit of a fan. I really love wine, and after a trip out west to Napa/ Sonoma country a few years ago, I really think I had a fair amount of experiences with wine tours and tastings. We went here as something to do, and I was really pleased with what I found.
Wollersheim winery is actually one of the oldest-established wineries in the nation. The man that founded the winery in the late 1800's actually ended up moving out west and becoming the grand-daddy of Sonoma. The Wollersheim family that owns it now hasn't continually owned it, but it is nonetheless amazing. The history was great, the building is beautiful, and our tour guide Julianna was new but great and accomodating.
The tour cost $3.50 and lasted an hour with a complimentary tasting at the end. You had to pay $2 for the ice wine tasting (if you have never had it and have a sweet tooth, go for it!). The wines were really great, especially considering I was in Wisconsin!
I really enjoyed the Prarie Fume (I'm not a white drinker, but this was good), as well as the Reserve. We left with a case. Check them out if you are in town! -
Review from Luthien N.
Oakland, CA
8/18/2009
Only a quick 30-minute drive from Madison and you're out in the rolling hills of Wisconsin in an old farmhouse full of wine and port. We went for the unveiling of their 2004 Tawny Port last spring and they really made a show of it- a do-it-yourself winery tour with tastings, appetizers to enjoy on the deck, and plenty of people around to answer every question you could have about wine and port making.
I'm not a big fan of the wine, I tend to stick to Prairie Fume like everyone else, but whether it's spring, summer, or fall, keep an eye on the special events here for an extra-special Saturday afternoon. -
Review from Casey W.
Milwaukee, WI
4/9/2008
I had a great time here! It isn't too far out of Madison, we picked a sunny day -- and just enjoyed our time. The tour is quick, and the grounds are beautiful! We packed a picnic lunch and sat out back to enjoy... I can't wait to go again..
It seems that there are a few things going on at the winery on a regular basis and there is a new building opening. I thought they had a grape stomp every year as well-- you would have to check the website to see when that is. -
Review from nancy s.
Milwaukee, WI
6/26/2011
Drove up the driveway and came upon this beautiful vineyard, nicely landscaped, quite beautiful! Walked up the hill, inside the store. Quickly greeted by a cashier who asked us if we wanted to go on their tour or just enjoy the wine tastings. We agreed to the tour and meandered around. We thought we'd taste some wine before it started, only to be told we weren't allowed! Ouch.. so we were directed upstairs to an empty room and waited fifteen minutes for the tour to begin. It quickly filled up and started with a dull video presentation. The tour guide spoke so quickly that her words started to blend together. She was pleasant enough, but clearly wanted the tour to finish quickly. (Which was fine, because it wasn't that interesting). Things picked up a bit when the tasting started. The first white wine 'prairie fume' was very good, followed by three just average wines. Next time, I would just wander around the grounds and bring my own cheese/lunch and buy a bottle of wine to sip slowly outside, without the tour.
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Review from Jennifer P.
McHenry, IL
9/5/2009
Wollersheim was my first experience at a bona fide winery. The bf and I decided to go on a whim when we took a trip to the Dells and weren't in the mood to partake in any more kiddie attractions.
Unfortunately, we arrived about an hour until closing, and the last winery tour/tasting was already booked solid. I was a bit surprised, given it was the middle of the week and it seemed people would be at work - things were even slow in the Dells. (So, if you want to take a tour, make sure you arrive with plenty of time, or call ahead to see how booked they are.) We perused the winery (outside and inside the shop) anyway, and were able to taste several different wines at the tasting counter.
The woman who was working the counter wasn't friendly in the least; in fact, she seemed bored of her job or perhaps angry. She did make some suggestions about the order we tasted some wines in. There was a dessert wine that was $45 for the half bottle, and there was a $2 tasting charge. My boyfriend was grumbling about that, but I can see that if they didn't' charge people to taste such a pricey wine, I'm sure people would take advantage.
We ended up purchasing at least 9 bottles of wine and a schnazzy corkscrew from Wollersheim before we left. -
Review from Nicole R.
Joliet, IL
7/6/2010
Since the remodel it's better then before. I've never done the wine tour, just the tasting. The wine cheese is real good too.
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Review from Bruce Daniel K.
Madison, WI
6/26/2008 1 photo
I've worked in Prairie du Sac for over four years, but somehow I'd never been to the Wollersheim Winery until earlier this year. I don't know how I let that happen. Fortunately for me I had relatives come up from Illinois and I happened to think of the winery as a good way to spend the afternoon before going out to dinner. We just made it in time for the last tour of the day, which started out with a "quirky" video explaining the history of the winery. It was informative but the period costumes and the crazy Hungarian accents made me laugh out loud. The outdoor portion of the tour was limited as it was early Spring and there was still snow on the ground. However, the vine pruning had just begun and we were able to compare before and after side-by-side. At the time the winery was just wrapping up an expansion, now complete, so there was a bit of construction fencing spoiling the view. Regardless, the setting is truly beautiful and the buildings and grounds are remarkable.
There was a quick stop by the aging tanks and then underneath to the wine caves, and the tour guide was quite informative. Then it was on to the highlight of the trip, the tasting. We all lined up along a long bar and were started off on pre-selected set of five wines. Afterwards we were free to choose our own to contrast and compare. I had often had the Prairie Fume and the Dry Riesling prior to coming here, and I knew that I enjoyed these very much. I was surprised to find that the darker reds were even more impressive. I now put the Domaine du Sac at the top of my list. Of course everyone in my family had a sip of the port to round off the tasting, as recommended by the guides.
The wine store was still open to us after the tasting, and we ended up getting several dozen bottles, ostensibly to get the discount. It was a perfect afternoon, and everyone from Illinois was highly impressed. A couple of the bottles we had purchased didn't make it through the night, including a bottle of port. Overall it was a complete success. I just recently stopped back to pick up a few gifts from the wine store, and the renovations are complete. The new wine store has much more space and an easier layout. The staff were very helpful, making up a port gift box for me when there weren't any left on display. I'm also definitely thinking about going to the Grape Stomp this year. -
Review from Blaise S.
Chicago, IL
2/13/2011
Wollersheim is such an amazing vineyard! Wollersheim is what you get when you mix a friendly staff with a beautiful location and make delicious wine. They have tours daily nearly every hour which I highly recommend. It's only $5 and you can have as many tastings as you would like afterward. Their wines are worth it! I liked the Domaine du Sac 2009 the best (if you enjoy reds as I do), and their River Gold makes an excellent dessert wine. They now also have an ice wine which you must try if you enjoy sweet wines. And I'm talking real sweet wine. The tour is great - not only do you get to enjoy the view of their vines, but they show you the original wine cellar, a cave along the hillside, where the original owners even lived. After a short video about wine making, they show you where the magic happens, and wrap it all up with the tastings. Great place outside of Madison to spend a day. I've been here a couple times now and am already planning my next return!
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Review from Anthony M.
Centerville, OH
5/9/2010
This winery has a lot of character. We drove from Illinois to Madison for a weekend get away and this was the first place we stopped. They have all sorts of wine. However they have a white relesling that reminded me of home. It was quite enjoyable.( very sweet). The winery grounds are very pretty and a great atmosphere to enjoy a glass or two.
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Review from Fei X.
Sun Prairie, WI
5/4/2009 6 photos
Beautiful day for a tasting for Case Club Members. I would highly suggest getting a case to become a member.
