"Wine is sunlight held together by water." ~ Galileo

In 1976, the world of wine was turned upside down when California beat France in a blind taste test. It began with a dream, turned into perfection of process, a few other events that turned nicely into a "based on a true story" movie, and resulted in a chardonnay that rocked the foundation of wine culture. "You mark my words," Alan Rickman (as sommelier Steven Spurrier) states, "we’ll be drinking wines from South American, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, India, China ... this is not the end ... this is just the beginning."

How about Wisconsin? Fish Creek?

For those of you that love wine, but have never tasted a Door County wine, you have been missing out. Few may know that Door County has a climate that is well prepared to produce pure fruit wines - limestone bedrock that is rich in nutrients and winds off the bay and lake that prevent early frosts.

My favorite winery by far is Orchard Country (and I have taken it upon myself, along with many of my willing wine loving friends, to try out several of the Door County Wineries). Located on the south side of Fish Creek (before the big hill – if you hit the stop sign you’ve gone too far), Orchard Country was established in 1985 and is currently run by Bob Lautenbach and his daughters Erin Lautenbach and Carrie (Lautenbach) Viste – the third and fourth generation carrying on the family tradition of selling quality fruits, wines and other products.

With a list that boasts over thirty wines (and thirty-four different awards), you’re sure to find something you like. Originally producing wines from fruit bearing trees (such as the Montmorency Cherry and Honeycrisp Apple), Orchard Country added their first grape wine in 2004, named Audrey Grace after Lautenbach’s granddaughter. Nathan John was added in 2007.

Though you can find their wines at retail outlets all over Wisconsin, I highly recommend making the trek to the winery, and bring the kids! While you are experiencing your complimentary wine tasting or taking a tour of the winery, your children can participate in a Door County tradition – the cherry pit spit. Though the actual competition takes place in July, Orchard Country (which sponsors the event) has a practice pit set up on site for some rare family fun. Once done tasting, touring and spitting those pits, you can start a family tradition and pick your own fruit!

Besides wine, Orchard Country also has a list of other products that include many family-friendly favorites. I highly recommend purchasing their cherry and apple ciders, and mixing them one part each. Or purchasing a bag (or two or three) of milk or dark chocolate covered dried cherries – sure to become a family favorite! (Did you know research shows that tart cherries are a rich source of antioxidants, which can help fight cancer and heart disease? And they contain melatonin – which may help to relieve the pain of arthritis, gout and possibly fibromyalgia.)

And the list doesn’t stop there! Jams, fruits, mustards, dips, oils, sauces, dressings, salsas, syrups, toppings, wild rice and soup mixes! I dare you to walk out empty handed. "We’re very diversified," Bob Lautenbach states. "We’ve got a lot going on here. If I have a light cherry crop like 2002, there are other areas to make up the difference. All of my eggs aren’t in one basket."

Upcoming Events at Orchard Country Winery:

2009 Cherry Harvest

Mid July

Tart Montmorency, Sweet Rainier, Sweet Bing, Sweet Queen Anne

It’s still too early to know what the 2009 crop will be. For updates call the winery at (920) 868-3479 .

4^th Annual Summer Harvest Cherry Festival

Saturday July 18^th, 10 am – 5 am

Free winery tours and tasting all day long, pick your own cherries, live musical entertainment, cherry pie eating contests, horse drawn wagon rides through the orchards, live Cherry Pit Spit competition and so much more! Bring the whole family for a day of Door County Cherry fun!

2009 Fall Harvest

Mid September – Mid October

Pick your own Cortland and Macintosh Apples, bring home some freshly picked Honey Crisp, Gala, Jonagold, Jonathan, Delicious, Macoun, Golden Supreme and so much more!

5^th Annual Fall Harvest Festival

Saturday, September 26, 10 am – 5 pm

Free winery tours and tasting all day long, pick your own apples, live musical entertainment, pulled pork sandwiches, apple and cherry brats, free pumpkin bowling, horse-drawn wagon rides thought the orchards, Apple Pie Eating Contest and so much more! Just because school has begun doesn’t mean summer is over just yet!

Orchard Country is located at:

9197 Highway 42

Fish Creek, WI 54212