Parallel 44 & Door 44: Redefining Wisconsin Wine

Back in May of 2005, when Steve Johnson and Maria Milano Johnson planted their first vines in the vineyards of Parallel 44 they had a vision of putting Wisconsin on the map as an unexpected area of the wine world. Back then, many thought it was a gamble to start a wine region known more for football, cheese, and the Frozen Tundra. Since that time, they have grown their production from 20,000 bottles a year to 150,000 bottles a year from Parallel 44 in Kewaunee County and Door 44 in Door County.

Our business model and purpose has and will always be to produce Wisconsin wines, from the ground to the glass. Many other wineries use grapes and juice from other parts of the nation, but we insist that our wines be 100% Wisconsin. Our wines capture the unique aspects of our soil, topography, and climate that the French call terrior or “sense of place”. In fact, this region of Northeast Wisconsin from Washington Island down the lakeshore to Port Washington is now an official nationally recognized wine appellation called the Wisconsin Ledge. We take great pride in being the largest producer of Wisconsin Ledge wines.

The reality is that wines from the Wisconsin Ledge are winning national and international accolades. Even though we are world famous for our cheese and football, we are now getting recognition for our wines. Over the past few years we have been fortunate to receive 61 double gold medals, 63 best of class awards and 32 wines scored 90 points or higher.

Not too long ago, when you said Wisconsin wine, most people thought you were talking only about cherry, sweet, or not very serious wines. However, we are proud to offer our customers and wine club members over 30 wines that are grown and produced here in Northeast Wisconsin from sparkling to sweet to dry and from reds to whites to roses’.

 Our most recent venture was to help create a Voluntary Quality Apellation with three other Wisconsin Ledge wineries in order to define both quality and characteristics parameters for  our Ledge Blanc wines. To be a Ledge Blanc wine the wine must be locally grown and score 90 points or higher. This offers wine enthusiasts a high degree of consumer confidence in the quality of the wine and helps increase both state and national awareness of the wines that this area can produce.

The near future offers guest an opportunity to attend our 14th  annual Frozen Tundra Wine Fest to be held on Sat, Febuary 22 at our Door 44 location. It’s the largest outdoor winter wine festival in the Midwest and an opportunity for Wisconsinites to get a first-hand experience as to why the Frozen Tundra is now becoming famous for more than just football. Come, see, and taste for yourself what wine from the Frozen Tundra is all about.