Another Wisconsinite

[FrontenacMan]

Greetings all from Wisconsin (Oconomowoc). I've jumped into winemaking after planting 6 Frontenac vines (3 Frontenac and 3 Frontenac Gris). They are now going on 4 years old and I harvested my first crop this last fall - 5 gallons each and started my first wine from fresh grapes. I look forward to more this year. While waiting for their maturity and yield I have made a few kits to learn the art of wine making.

 

[drumlinridgewinery]

Welcome from another Wisconsinite. I am closer to Sun Prairie. Enjoy the hobby

 

[bkisel]

Welcome to the forum!

I've never been to your part of the country. It is nice that you can grow grapes there.

 

[FrontenacMan]

Thanks Bill. Yes, the Frontenac is a cold climate wine grape developed by the University of Minnesota. I've always wanted to try my hand at growing grapes and discovered this varietal while dining at a restaurant in Northern Wisconsin where they served Frontenac wine. So I purchased some vines from a local nursery and went from there.

 

[bkisel]

Thanks Bill. Yes, the Frontenac is a cold climate wine grape developed by the University of Minnesota. I've always wanted to try my hand at growing grapes and discovered this varietal while dining at a restaurant in Northern Wisconsin where they served Frontenac wine. So I purchased some vines from a local nursery and went from there.

That's cool! [pun intended] If I were a younger man I'd give some serious thoughts to growing my own grapes. I do kits, country wine and have one juice bucket under my belt but have no intentions of doing a wine from grapes - much less grapes I've grown myself. I do see though how satisfying and rewarding it would be to produce a decent wine having started with your very own vines. Good for you!

 

[sour_grapes]

Welcome, fellow cheesehead! Enjoy the ride.

 

[richmke]

Welcome. How did your first harvest taste? I am in Milwaukee and have thought about buying some local fresh grapes.

 

[FrontenacMan]

Thanks. The jury is still out on how it will turn out. I currently have a post running in the Wine From Grapes section. The Frontenac Gris looks like it will be good but the Frontenac is a little trickier. The problem is dealing with the higher acidity of cold weather grapes. Also I think I harvested just a bit too soon. Lessons learned. If you are interested in sourcing local grapes, Mitchell Vineyard in Oregon WI. grows local varieties and allows you to pick your own. http://www.mitchell-vineyard.com/

 

[havlikn]

We also have a vineyard with grapes for sale to local winemakers. We are located about 35 minutes north of Milwaukee. If you are interested in learning more, feel free to private message me.