We decided to head down to the winery because it was open in the winter and a cheap attraction ($3.50 each for a tour). We had a good time! We joined the tour of the winery about 10 minutes late (it was the last tour of the day), but it was very informative. We learned about the wine-making process there, as well as the history of that particular winery (which has been around since the 1850s). At the end was a wine tasting where we could taste any of the wines they had in stock, including wines from a sister winery. We found a very good spiced wine that we bought two bottles of. We were glad we went.

It took about 40 minutes to get to the Wollersheim Winery by car from the upper Dells.

Learn more about the Wollersheim Winery at http://www.wollersheimwinery.com/

This is a very nice winery. You would not expect this in Wisconsin. The tour guides were great in giving the history of the place and explaining the wine-making process. The wine tasting at the end was fun. They had sparkling juice for the kids to try. It was a very nice drive down to the winery and back, making for a good day's trip.

On our off-the-Dells path to the Cave of the Mounds, we planned on our way back to have a leisurely country drive and finish it off with a tour and wine-tasting at Wollersheim. The winery sits on southern slopes overlooking the Wisconsin River. This site was selected 150 years ago because the temperature here remains steadier because of the river. This is a beautiful establishment. We felt like we had stepped back in time and were in Italy or France. The original huge limestone winery, covered in vines, still stands, and the basement is still used as their cellar storage, while the main floor now is the wine and gift shop and wine-tasting area. They have five estate wines grown here on 25 acres, plus they work with other vineyards from NY and Washington state to make approximately 900,000 bottles per growing season. Wine is my choice of drink, and I learned so much on this tour.

At the end of the tour, we were taught the correct way to examine, swirl, and taste the wine. Our tour group all got the giggles acting like wine connoisseurs. There was quite a variety to sample, tasting first the five estate wines and moving on to any of the other 15 or so they create if you wanted. These wines have won hundreds of awards in national and international competitions. Children are welcome on the tours and were served their own grape juice champagne during the tasting. This champagne is also made here. Guided tours run daily starting at 10:15am, running on the hour until 4:15pm. Tours last an hour and cost $3.50 for adults, with 11 and under free. Wine-tasting is at no charge and available at any time during the day or along with the tour. You must be 21, of course. They also had a wine garden where you can purchase a glass of wine and some Wisconsin cheese and enjoy looking out over the vineyards. What a relaxing way to end our country drive. And needless to say, I didn't go home empty-handed. To reach the winery from the Dells, take Hwy 12 East (going south) past Baraboo, turn left on Hwy PF going through Prairie du Sac, continue straight ahead to cross Hwy 60 bridge, and turn right on Hwy 188; the winery is 3/4 of a mile on the left, approxmately 30-40 minutes from the Dells.