If you’re staying in Baraboo and someone tells you to save an afternoon for a winery, they almost always mean Wollersheim Winery. It’s about a 20-minute drive south along the Wisconsin River to Prairie du Sac, and it’s the one wine stop in this part of the state that regularly pulls people out of the Dells and Devil’s Lake crowds for a relaxing afternoon. There’s a history behind the label, with a distillery and bistro on-site now, in addition to the tasting room, which has a hillside setting overlooking the river.
We send guests here often enough that we figured it was time for a dedicated guide. Here’s what to know before you go, what makes Wollersheim different from a typical winery stop, and why Ringling House Bed and Breakfast in downtown Baraboo is a great alternative to Hotels near Wollersheim Winery. We can’t wait to welcome you. Book your stay today!
Wollersheim Winery and the History Behind It
Wollersheim Winery isn’t a recent addition to the area. The hillside it sits on was first planted with grapevines in the 1840s by Agoston Haraszthy, a Hungarian nobleman who also founded nearby Sauk City before moving on to California, where he later helped establish that state’s wine industry. After Haraszthy left, the Kehl family took over the property, built much of what still stands there today, and ran it as a working winery until 1899, when a brutal winter killed the vineyards and the land was converted to a traditional farm.
In 1972, Bob and JoAnn Wollersheim bought the property and started replanting. Winemaker Philippe Coquard, who arrived from France’s Beaujolais region in the 1980s, and his family have run it since, growing it into one of the Midwest’s best-known wineries and adding a distillery and bistro along the way. The Wollersheim Winery property is recognized as a National Historic Site, and the original hillside wine cave, started by Haraszthy and finished by the Kehls, has been restored into a small exhibit on the estate’s history.
What to Expect at Wollersheim: Wine, Spirits, and a Bistro
Wollersheim Winery & Distillery is now really three stops in one, and it’s worth planning for all three if you have the time.
The Winery is still the heart of the property. Prairie Fumé, a dry white made from a French-American hybrid grape bred for Wisconsin’s climate, is the flagship pour and one of the most recognizable Wisconsin wines outside the state. The tasting room pours a rotating lineup, from dry reds to fruit-forward and dessert wines.
The Wollersheim Distillery was added in 2015. Wollersheim makes brandy and gin, including the ingredients behind the Wollersheim Old Fashioned, a house riff on Wisconsin’s unofficial state cocktail.
Distilling isn’t new here either. Jacob Kehl, whose father built the historic winery, was making brandy back in the 1800s. A century later, the Wollersheims wanted to resume distilling, but Prohibition-era rules prevented Wisconsin wineries from doing so until the laws changed in 2009. Wollersheim began producing Coquard Brandy, which quickly sold out, leading to the creation of the distillery on the winery grounds.
The Wollersheim Bistro serves food made from scratch with locally sourced ingredients. The wine country menu pairs well with what’s in your glass and is served in the former winery space.
Tours and tastings run throughout the day, and the property hosts seasonal events, live music evenings, and private gatherings, including weddings, on the grounds. Hours and tour availability shift by season, so it’s worth checking Wollersheim’s site for the current schedule before you drive down.
Wollersheim is located in Prairie du Sac, about 16 miles and roughly 20-25 minutes south of Baraboo via Highway 12, making it an easy half-day trip. Pair it with a stop in downtown Sauk City on the way, or treat it as your afternoon after a morning hike at Devil’s Lake.
Where to Stay Near Wollersheim Winery
This is the part most guides skip, and it’s usually the first thing people ask us: is there somewhere to stay near Wollersheim Winery that isn’t a highway motel?
Ringling House Bed and Breakfast sits in downtown Baraboo, about 20 minutes north of the winery, the perfect lodging for a romantic wine tasting getaway. Built in 1901 for Charles Ringling of circus fame and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, our location puts you within walking distance of Baraboo’s downtown restaurants and breweries for the evening, while keeping you close enough to Prairie du Sac, Circus World, and Devil’s Lake. Book a room, spend your afternoon at Wollersheim, and come back to a quiet, historic house instead of a chain hotel off the highway.
A Bed and Breakfast in Baraboo gives you both a comfortable place to stay with hosts who know the area well enough to help plan the rest of your getaway, from what time to arrive at the winery to what else is worth seeing nearby. Reserve your room now.
FAQ
Where should I stay near Wollersheim Winery?
Ringling House Bed and Breakfast in downtown Baraboo is about 20 minutes from Wollersheim Winery and puts you within walking distance of Baraboo’s own restaurants and shops. It’s a perfect fit for a wine-country weekend.
What town is Wollersheim Winery in?
Wollersheim Winery’s located in Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin, on a hillside overlooking the Wisconsin River, just across from the village. It sits right next to Sauk City as well, and the two towns are often mentioned together since the winery is close to both.
How far is Wollersheim Winery from Baraboo?
It’s about 16 miles, roughly a 20- to 25-minute drive south from Baraboo to Prairie du Sac via Highway 12.
Does Wollersheim Winery have food?
Yes. The on-site bistro serves a seasonal menu designed to pair with the winery’s wines, with patio and wine garden seating available when the weather allows.
Is Wollersheim Winery good for weddings or events?
Wollersheim hosts weddings and private events on the property, as well as seasonal public events such as live music evenings. Availability and details are best confirmed directly with the winery, especially for peak wedding season.
What is Wollersheim Winery known for?
Wollersheim is best known for Prairie Fumé, its flagship dry white wine, and for being one of the oldest and most established wineries in Wisconsin, with a history that traces back to the 1840s.