by
Kathy Sullivan
Summary: Enjoy the experience of visiting a winery located in a restored woolen mill. Cedar Creek Winery, a sister winery to Wollersheim Winery, offers a different style of wines. Plan on spending the day at the former woolen mill and enjoy the tour and tastings at the winery, browse the specialty shops and eat at one of the local restaurants.
We discovered Cedar Creek Winery in the historic town of Cedarburg, Wisconsin located about 20 minutes from Milwaukee. The winery is located in a restored 1864 Wittenberg woolen mill along with several other specialty shops, known as the Cedar Creek Settlement.
After arriving at Cedar Creek Settlement, we took time to view the picturesque Cedar Creek that runs along the edge of the historic building. Cedar Creek provided the power for the woolen mill. At the winery, we met Connie Niebauer, manager, who described a visit to Cedar Creek Winery as “an experience.” The Wittenberg woolen mill was popular due to the Civil War that ravaged the southern cotton fields. The mill continuously operated from 1864 until 1969 when it was vacated for several years.
The renovation of the woolen mill was the result of community pressure to stop the mill from being torn down and replaced with a gas station. In 1972 Jim and Sandi Pape purchased the woolen mill and renovations began. A few months later, Cedar Creek Winery began operation. The Papes produced wine and restored the mill a little at a time. Although Wollersheim Winery purchased Cedar Creek Winery in 1990, the wines at Cedar Creek Winery are a different style. Philippe Coquard is the winemaker for Cedar Creek and Wollersheim wineries.
Tours
Tours are available daily and add to the experience of visiting the winery. The tour will take you to the lower level of the mill where you will view limestone cellars where the fermentation and aging of wines take place. Large overhead beams and flooring from the original building remain and add to the ambiance and history. A video showing winemaking techniques is also available. Large oak barrels, no longer in use, show a glimpse into the history of winemaking.
White Wine
After our tour of the winery, we tasted several Cedar Creek wines. Connie mentioned that the wines are made more in a German style than a French style. The 2007 Chardonnay was aged in oak and offered an aroma of oak and apple. The taste was of apples and butter with a crisp finish that was dry with lingering fruit. Unoaked Chardonnay had a citrus aroma with a citrus and tropical fruit taste. The finish was crisp and fruity.
Red Wine
Old Mill Red 2008 was produced from Marechal Foch grapes and had a light red-purple color. The wine offered a red fruity aroma and taste with a crisp finish and mild tannins. Hillside Red 2007, also produced with Marechal Foch grapes was aged in oak. The wine’s aroma was of red fruit and spice while the taste was smooth and complex with multiple layers of red fruit and spices. The finish was crisp and fruity. Cabernet Sauvignon 2007's dark purple color was almost opaque. The wine offered a smooth blackberry and spice taste. With a crisp finish, the wine had fruity and spice notes. Syrah 2007 was an opaque purple. The aroma and taste were of dark fruit while the finish was crisp with tannins.
Fruit and Specialty Wine
Non-vintage Strawberry Blush produced with grape wine and strawberry juice offered a strawberry shortcake aroma with a strawberry forward taste. The wine dried on the finish with strawberry notes. Non-vintage Cranberry Blush was produced with cranberries from Wisconsin. The wine had a light cranberry aroma and was light and refreshing. Cedarburg Spice had a Christmas aroma and taste with cinnamon and other seasonal nuances.
Gift Shop
The gift shop adjacent to the tasting room offers numerous wine related items for visitors to browse. Wine bottle holders in many shapes and styles include tabletop models and wall mounts. A variety of gift sets include two bottles of wine with two wine glasses and a Wisconsin Gift Set. The Wisconsin Gift Set contains two bottles of wine, Cranberry Wine Cheese Spread and Pinot Grigio Swiss Spread.
In addition the gift shop offers four food tastings. Dip a pretzel in a small dish of Cranberry Wine Cheese Spread, Cranberry Mustard, Dijon Mustard or Pinot Grigio Wine Cheese Spread. Enjoy each of the flavors.
When you visit Cedar Creek Winery plan on enjoying the entire experience including the wine tasting, tour and browsing the gift items.
Cedar Creek Winery
N70 W6340 Bridge Road
Cedarburg, Wisconsin 53012
GPS: N43º 18.102’ W87º 59.334’
