Wisconsin is part of the largest American Viticultural Area (AVA), the Upper Mississippi Valley AVA, which includes southwest Wisconsin, southeast Minnesota, northeast Iowa, and northwest Illinois. The state also has two smaller designated American Viticultural Areas, the Lake Wisconsin AVA and the Wisconsin Ledge AVA. Wisconsin’s first wine grapes were planted in 1847. In addition to producing cold-hardy hybrids, Wisconsin wineries are also starting to produce quality vinifera. Dozens of wineries are conveniently located near the Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay and Minneapolis metropolitan areas.

See winery listings for this region