Maiden Rock Winery and Cidery (and Maiden Rock Apples) is located just outside of Stockholm, WI. We stopped in on a lark and ended up having a delightful time.
The winery and cidery were established in 2008 by Herdie Baisden and Carol Wiersma as an addition to Maiden Rock Apples, started in 1998. It is a small, artisanal business specializing in wines and ciders derived from heirloom varieties. Herdie has served as president of the Wisconsin Apple Growers Associate and Carol was president of the Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association, so neither are slouches when it comes to sustainable agriculture.
12 varieties of European apples and 14 varieties of Northa American apples are grown — some for eating, many for making cider.
Wines
Maiden Rock Winery produces 4 table wines including: Harvest Apple, Dolgo Crabapple, Stockholm Red, and Eau Claire. What really interests me are the hard ciders. They offer 8 different artisanal ciders made in the farmhouse tradition of Southern England. Their flagship cider, if that’s the right term, is the Honeycrisp Hard Cider. It is a crisp, refreshing, and slightly dry cider that is good on a hot summer day, but I bet it is even better in the autumn.
Ciders
Other ciders offered by Maiden Rock Winery and Cidery are: Lake Pepin Semi-Dry Still Cider, Somerset Semi-Sweet Still Cider, Smooch Sweet Still Cider, Scrumpy Semi-Dry Sparkling Cider, Bitter Love Semi-Dry Sparkling Cider, Golden Russet Sweet Still Cider, and Kingston Black Limited Semi-Sweet Still Cider.
Maiden Rock Winery and Cidery offers free tastings in their tasting room. They carry their own products as well as wines and meads from several other Wisconsin wineries. Carol was a joy to talk to during our tasting. We also enjoyed the company of a couple from (I think) Manitowoc, WI who were on a Wisconsin and Minnesota winery vacation. This is just one of many wineries on the Great River Road Wine Trail.
They also sell jams, jellies, dips and sauces. We picked up a jar of Apple Blueberry butter and it is fantastic on buttermilk biscuits. I bet it would also be good on a shortbread cookie… I think I’ll have to try that.
Take a walk around the orchard. Rest in the gazebo. Sometimes they offer entertainment in the orchard. There are other events scheduled throughout the year. They are also available for weddings and receptions. For a real treat, be sure to reserve your spot for the Medieval Feast & Wassailing of the Apple Trees coming up in December.
If you ever find yourself in Stockholm, WI, take the time to go up the hill to the Maiden Rock Winery and Cidery. You won’t regret it.
For more information on the Maiden Rock Winery and Cidery or to purchase wine or cider, visit http://www.maidenrockwinerycidery.com/
Looking for other things to do in Stockholm, WI? Visit http://www.stockholmwisconsin.com/
For more information on the Great River Road Wine Trail, visit http://www.greatriverroadwinetrail.org/