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Parallel 44 Vineyard and Winery
This Tuscan inspired vineyard and winery is 18 miles east of Green Bay, WI in Kewaunee County on a 35 acre site. The vineyard and winery are located on the same latitudinal line as the great wine regions of Bordeaux, France and Tuscany, Italy, the 44th parallel. This family owned winery was the brainchild of husband and wife team Steve Johnson and Maria Milano.
Almost 9 acres of the vineyard is planted with French hybrid grapes. Although it is difficult to grow grapes in Wisconsin there are eight varieties of grapes grown on this land including Marechal Foch and Seyval. They harvested their first grapes in September 2007 and use a mix of imported and estate grapes in their wines. At this time there are 6 whites and 6 reds to choose from.
While visiting the winery over the summer I had the opportunity to taste a cross section of their wines. The Gewürztraminer was a standout. A semi-dry white with a bold floral bouquet, this wine is perfect on a crisp autumn night. The winery itself is housed in a Mediterranean styled building with a tasting bar and meeting room. You can watch winemaking in progress through the large windows to the right of the bar. On any given day you will have a family member pouring your tasting and giving you the history of the two families while watching another in the wine making process on the other side of the glass. With plans to increase their vineyard to 25 acres there are sure to be many new wines to come. You can order wines through their website at www.parallel44.com