Von Stiehl Winery - Algoma, Wisconsin

Which wines go best with pizza? With burgers? These are questions we've all asked ourselves at one time or another. Wine drinkers know that pizza can and should be enjoyed with wine. Pizza is frequently eaten in Italy and France, after all, where it is surely served with wine. Yet in this country, pizza and burgers are frequently served with beer. What's a wine drinker to do?

For the casual cooks out there, and even the gourmet chefs who like to feast on hamburgers and pizza from time to time, this is for you.

At our Ladies of the Vine Super Tasting, you'll learn how to pair our Wisconsin Wine (and any wine, really) with casual fare. You'll learn what tastes best with pizza and which wines to serve with birthday cake. In the process, you'll eat, you'll drink, and you'll be merry.

By the time you head out the door and over to a Super Bowl Party, you'll be armed with much knowledge and you'll be in a good mood. You may even feel like throwing a party yourself.

Hope to see you at our Algoma, Wisconsin Winery on Sunday, February 5, 2012, from noon to 3 p.m.

Wisconsinites who are crazy about ice fishing, snowmobiling, and cross country skiing have been a bit blue this winter. While the mild temperatures and lack of snow have their benefits, they interfere with winter sports.

Door County, just north of our Algoma, Wisconsin Winery, is known as a winter wonderland. During typical winter weather, folks flock there to explore its miles of trails on skis, snowshoes, or snowmobiles. Don't stay home just because Mother Nature hasn't cooperated; there is plenty to do in Door County even without snow.

• The 25th Annual Fish Creek Winter Festival takes place February 3-5, 2012. Ride the trolley, play human foosball, and check out the Door County Idol contest.

• Candlelight Ski/Hike through Peninsula State Park on February 4, 2012. Warm yourself by the big old bonfire. 5:30-8:30 p.m.

• Fire and Ice at Sturgeon Bay, February 17-19, 2012. Watch professionals carve ice, or try your own hand at it. Evenings are full of dancing.

Or forego the festivities and head to Door Peninsula with your sweetie for a romantic getaway. Cute cabins, quaint inns, and luxurious resorts invite lazy mornings and romantic evenings. Be sure to visit the tasting room at our Algoma, Wisconsin Winery on your way north. Find a wine you both like, and maybe some local cheese or sweet treat, to enjoy during your weekend in Door County. Valentine's Day will soon be here; what are your plans?

Try a bottle of our 2008 Barrel Select Cabernet Sauvignon, made with grapes from Washington State's Yakima Valley. A special wine for a special occasion.

Super Bowl Sunday doesn't only have to be about football. Really.

This year, Super Bowl Sunday can be about a whole lot more, at least for any ladies who can be at our Algoma, Wisconsin Winery from noon to 3:00 p.m.

Ladies of the Vine "Super" Tasting

February 5, 2012

aka Super Bowl Sunday

Learn about that mysterious magical art--the art of pairing wine with food. In honor of the Super Bowl, the focus is on casual fare rather than gourmet.

Have you always wondered which wines taste best with pizza? With burgers? With bowls of chips and dip? These mysteries and others will be solved on Super Bowl Sunday at von Stiehl. We'll share some cardinal "dos" and "don'ts". We'll eat food. We'll sip several types of our Wisconsin wine. We won't have our eyes glued to a television.

After the magical pairing of wine and food, we'll turn the spotlight on Lou Lepore. Lou has been practicing and performing magic for more than 25 years. We expect audience participation, laughs, and magic, of course.

By the time our "Super" Tasting has finished, participants may not remember the other big event that takes place on February 5, 2012. Those who do remember should have ample time to make it to a Super Bowl party.

Not a member of Ladies of the Vine? Not a problem. To become a member, all you have to do is attend an event. Ladies of the Vine are entitled to many perks: 10% off gift merchandise at the winery, periodic special deals on our Wisconsin wine, and invitations to exclusive events.

Ladies of the Vine know how to have fun.

A couple of weeks ago in this blog, we invited one and all to dust off the old dancing shoes in anticipation of the Stiehl Ball planned for January 28, 2012.

We regret to inform you that the Stiehl Ball has been canceled due to insufficient interest .

If you had your heart set on attending the Stiehl Ball, don't despair. We still think it's a good idea, and we hope to plan a similar event in the future.

2011 has been an exciting year for our Algoma, Wisconsin Winery.

During the summer, we all enjoyed our new terrace, and the Cuisine Concert Series that took place there on Saturday afternoons.

After years of planning, our new production facility is now fully operational. We love "Over There." It's spacious and the vats gleam.

A variety of special events kept us busy and entertained in 2011: the annual Wet Whistle Wine Fest, the annual Ladies' Fest, and a host of smaller but no less fun luncheons and tastings.

The art of transforming grapes and fruit into this magical liquid is ancient and inspired. It is an honor for us to carry on the tradition here at von Stiehl. For us, one of the best aspects of wine is that people like to enjoy it in the company of others. It brings people together.

As 2011 draws to a close, we feel thankful for all that has transpired in the last 12 months. We're thankful for the amazing community here--folks who work with us and folks who visit. We look forward to another good year in 2012, and hope you'll stop by our Algoma, Wisconsin Winery when you have the chance.

Happy New Year!

Fun on the terrace this summer.

Dust off your dancing shoes and mark your calendars. The von Stiehl Stiehl Ball is set for January 28, 2012. It is shaping up to be THE event of the season.

We've been planning the Stiehl Ball for months, ever since we opened Over There, our new production facility, last spring. The space is so spacious, the vats so tall and gleaming, that they just demanded a Special Event. Who are we to say no to a party?

If you're looking for something special to give your sweetie this holiday season, give her (or him) tickets to the Stiehl Ball.

We'll all arrive around 5 p.m., grab a glass of our favorite Wisconsin wine, and mingle until heading to the table at 5:30. Dinner, catered by our own talented Sallie Marquardt, will be a leisurely affair; we'll have until 8 p.m. to enjoy each others' company and savor five courses (accompanied by five of our Wisconsin wines, of course).

Then, let the dancing begin. Jimmy Rosetti and the Rat Pack Review will make the music. We'll boogie down until 11 p.m., or until our legs give out, whichever comes first.

The dress is formal, because it's fun to dress to the nines from time to time. The attitude is casual, because it's just us under the beautiful clothes. So press your tux and fit your gown; the Stiehl Ball at our Wisconsin Winery will be a night to remember.

Reserve your spot before Christmas, and give a gift that will always be remembered.

The price is $75 per person (plus tax). Call 800.955.5208

Von Stiehl Wisconsin Winery has the perfect gift for folks with a Sweet Tooth (Sweet Teeth?).

Members of our Sweets Club receive five gifts a year. Each one contains 2 bottles of semi-sweet or sweet wine, and a sweet treat. We pair the wines with the sweet, and they are meant to be enjoyed together.

This is a great gift for anyone who likes to drink wine, from budding wine drinkers to folks who've had many years with the bottle. Our Sweets Club introduces wines to novice wine drinkers. It helps seasoned oenophiles get out of ruts by introducing wines they might not choose on their own. In addition, it educates recipients on the wonderful science of pairing wine and desserts (not always an easy task, but so worth the effort).

Plus, the Sweets Club is a gift that arrives at regular intervals throughout the year. It's a wonderful way for folks who live far from the recipient to stay in touch: each time the recipient opens the wine and sweet, they'll think of you. Likewise, it's a wonderful way to connect with friends and family who live nearby: when the shipment arrives, you can enjoy it together. That's what we call a "win, win" situation.

So give a gift of Wisconsin Wine this holiday season; sweet wines for the sweetest people in your life.

Picture this, five times a year.

No, we're not talking about flying to a warm Caribbean Island or a snowy ski resort. We're talking about flights of wine. Wisconsin Wine, to be exact.

For some folks, the best part of the holiday season is the presents. For others, it is the time we all set aside to be together. This year, we've decided to combine these two "holiday bests" in one terrific package.

Four People, Four Tastings Each, $44 Total

Participants will tour our historic barrel aging tunnels and learn how oak barrels affect the taste of white wines. You'll then tour our new production facility, "Over There," and learn just how grapes are transformed from fruit to wine. Along the way, a variety of our Wisconsin wines will be sniffed, swirled, and sampled, and we'll share some local cheeses and smoked meats.

Back in the tasting room, we'll pour your choice of wines, dry or sweet, grape or fruit, or a combination thereof. We'll then create a flight of three wines and three chocolates around your preferences.

Share this experience during the holidays with family or friends, or offer it as a gift to someone you love. "Four People, Four Tastings Each" must be enjoyed some time before March 31, 2012. These special pairings are offered at 2 p.m. Fridays, 12:30 and 2:45 p.m. Saturdays, and 1 p.m. Sundays.  If you bought your "Four People, Four Tastings" through Living Social please have your confirmation number to make reservation.  Reservation times are limited to groups of 20ppl each time slot.

Just like with air travel, if you need to reschedule your Four Flights of Wisconsin Wine because of bad weather, you may do so.

Please call 800.955.5208 to reserve your special holiday flights.

Find out just what takes place "Over There."

Or rather, serve Naughty…Naughty Girl Red Wine, that is.

Our top-selling Wisconsin Wine is on sale through the end of November. That means you have a day and a half to stock your wine cellars with Naughty Girl at the sale price. If you live close to our Algoma, Wisconsin Winery, stop by our tasting room. If you live far from here, order online.

Buy six bottles of Naughty Girl, and get one bottle free. Buy a case of Naughty Girl, and receive a 20% discount off the case (offer expires 11/30/11). Shipping costs will apply to online or phone orders.

With holiday parties just around the corner, it's worth stocking up on your favorite Wisconsin Wine. It's also worth taking advantage of a bargain. We hope you'll do both, and we hope you'll serve our fabulous blend of Cabernet Franc and brandy-fortified black raspberry wine to your guests this holiday season. We call her Naughty Girl.

The von Stiehl Wine and Cheese Club makes the best gift ever. Really.

Four times a year, members of our Wine and Cheese Club receive a delicious package in the mail. Each box contains a block of Wisconsin cheese and 2 bottles of our Wisconsin Wine that have been selected to complement the cheese. Tasting notes accompany the wine, and a selection of other tasty goodies are also included.

Present the gift announcement with a bottle of our Wisconsin Wine and a block of cheese - we'll help you make a good selection when you visit our Algoma Winery and Tasting Room. Your friend will be delighted, and you'll probably enjoy that bottle of wine and that block of cheese together, right then. A few months later, your friend will receive a gift box of wine, cheese, and goodies in the mail. This will happen again, and again, and again.

Each time your friend opens the box, he or she will think of you. If you live close to one another, you may be invited over to share the contents. If you live far from one another, our Wine and Cheese is a way to stay connected.

Why limit the holidays to just once a year? With our Wine and Cheese Club, you can enjoy them, and share them, winter, spring, summer, and fall.

For additional information, please see our Wisconsin Wine and Cheese Club brochure.

Give a von Stiehl gift box to someone you love this holiday season.