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The Cedar Creek
Winery is nestled in the wonderful old-world ambiance of the Cedar
Creek Settlement, a restored 1860's woolen mill that was once the
largest west of the Alleghenies.
The mill was
powered by the rushing waters of Cedar Creek, which were channeled down
the mill race and through an open-flume water wheel. The 50-horsepower
water wheel generated electricity and ran the mill's
21 looms and
knitting machines, which converted heavy Wisconsin wool into yarns,
blankets, flannels and even socks for the old Chicago White Sox!
In 1972, the
building was converted to a winery by Jim & Sandi Pape and became
known as the Newberry and later the Stone Mill Winery. The upper floors
of the mill were converted to shops. The winery in the 70's was famous
for its cherry wines and the unique clay bottles they were bottled in.
Traditional European casks were used for about ten years, and then
replaced with stainless steel tanks and smaller barrels.
In 1990, the
winery was purchased by the Wollersheim family and became the Cedar
Creek Winery. The wine style changed to focus on traditional style
grape wines with a few grape-based fruit wines. The building's cool
limestone underground cellars provide an ideal environment for
fermenting and aging wines in oak barrels.
Cedar Creek
Winery shares the same winemaker as Wollersheim Winery in Prairie du
Sac, winemaker Philippe Coquard, but the two brands remain distinct.
Cedar Creek wines have received recognition in both national and
international wine competitions.
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Guided tours of
the winery last approximately 45 minutes and conclude with a wine
tasting. The tour starts with a short history on their building,
a restored 1860's woolen mill, then follows with a visit to the
winery's underground limestone cellars. Learn how the wines are made,
aged and bottled along with viewing a short video on the art of
winemaking.
After the tour,
visitors are invited to participate in a formal wine tasting. While
sampling several Cedar Creek wines, you can enjoy the view from the
tasting room windows of the beautiful
Cedar Creek
waterfall, which flows at the heart of Historic Cedarburg.
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