W hether it’s roadside attrac- tions, cultural tours, cross- country road trips, beach resort relaxation, romantic getaways, fam- ily outings, outdoor conquests, or out-of-country experiences, Volume One’s annual summer travel section has got you covered. In this year’s edition, we focus on the regional waterways and the cities and attrac- tions that surround them – from ad- venture getaways to relaxing cruises and lighthouse tours. Check it all out in Hip Trips, where it’s always 70 and sunny. W hether you’re a newbie or a straight-up connoisseur, the Chippewa Valley and surround- ing areas offer a vast variety of different wines and beverages. Despite Wisconsin being known as a beer state, we hold our own in the sweet (or dry) treat. So as the weather turns nice, hit the road – or stay right in town – and enjoy the fruit of the vine. Editors: Tom Giffey, Thom Fountain, Tyler Griggs • Writer: Sam Clark • Photos: Andrea Paulseth • Design: Josh Smeltzer
Transcript
Whether it’s roadside attrac-tions, cultural tours, cross-
country road trips, beach resort relaxation, romantic getaways, fam-ily outings, outdoor conquests, or out-of-country experiences, Volume One’s annual summer travel section has got you covered. In this year’s edition, we focus on the regional waterways and the cities and attrac-tions that surround them – from ad-venture getaways to relaxing cruises and lighthouse tours. Check it all out in Hip Trips, where it’s always 70 and sunny.
Whether you’re a newbie or
a straight-up connoisseur,
the Chippewa Valley and surround-
ing areas offer a vast variety of
different wines and beverages.
Despite Wisconsin being known as
a beer state, we hold our own in
the sweet (or dry) treat. So as the
weather turns nice, hit the road –
or stay right in town – and enjoy
the fruit of the vine.
Editors: Tom Giffey, Thom Fountain, Tyler Griggs • Writer: Sam Clark • Photos: Andrea Paulseth • Design: Josh Smeltzer
Taking a quick ride
VolumeOne.org May 9, 201334
SHORT DRIVES AROUND THE STATE OF WISCONSIN
Spooner, WI“Here comes the dinner
train” might be a strange and
intimidating phrase used to
get a stubborn child to eat, but
it might as well be the slogan
for Wisconsin Great Northern
Railroad. The Spooner-based
company offers scenic rail
dining in their historic trains
with options available for the
entire family. The company also
has bed and breakfast train
rides, complete with a five-
course dinner, and a night spent
in an vintage 1950’s sleeper car.
DIRECTIONS FROM EC:
North on Highway 53
TRAVEL TIME:
1 hour, 30 minutes
Hayward, WIHayward is home to the Fresh-water Fishing Hall Of Fame and Museum – or as many know it as, The Musky Mu-seum. The grounds are home to a massive musky-shaped structure and an equally mas-sive 88,000 gallon pond for fishing. At the museum, you can learn all about the sport of freshwater fishing and pe-ruse the many records that fishermen and women have hooked over the years.
DIRECTIONS FROM EC:North on Highway 53, then west on Highway 63.
TRAVEL TIME:1 hour, 45 minutes
Phillips, WILocated in Phillips, Wisconsin, Fred Smith’s Concrete Park proves that cement isn’t just for sidewalks. The park features over 200 figurines made out of wire, cement, and various junk art materials. It’s free to the public, and is such a big deal that the town throws an annual Concrete Park Celebration in mid-August featuring events like a tuba band and a biographical puppet show of Fred Smith.
DIRECTIONS FROM EC:West on Highway 29, then north on Highway 13
TRAVEL TIME:2 hours, 15 minutes
We wanted to find the best destinations for a
quick weekend road trip around Wisconsin,
whether it’s for the gorgeous natural beau-
ty, an interesting educational experience or
just a wacky, weird attraction. So we asked
you to give us suggestions on Facebook
and here’s what you came up with:
WORDS: SAM CLARK
VolumeOne.org May 9, 201335
Sumpter, WIYou’ll probably have to see this one
to believe it. Back in the 1980s, a
former demolition expert named
Tom Every succeeded in building
the world’s largest scrap metal
sculpture, measuring 50 feet tall
and 120 feet wide. The behemoth
is located along Highway 12 in
Sumpter, Wisconsin, and is just
one of many Every sculptures
found in the park. Other eye-
catchers are gigantic insects,
a bellows-driven barbeque
train called “Epicurean,” and a
70-piece orchestra of birds. Yep.
DIRECTIONS FROM EC:
South on I-94, then south on
Highway 12
TRAVEL TIME:
2 hour, 30 minutes
Nelson, WIIf you live in Wisconsin, there’s a 79% you came here for the cheese. Even if you’re among the minority, The Nelson Cheese Factory in Nelson is still a great place to experience and rekindle your love with the dairy delicacy. The factory itself no longer makes cheese, but it has adequately compensated by offering cheeses from around Wisconsin and the world, as well as a gourmet menu of fresh soups, salads, sandwiches, and pizzas.
DIRECTIONS FROM EC:West on Wisconsin Trunk 85, then south on Highway 25
TRAVEL TIME:1 hour
Alma, WIBuena Vista Park is located 500 feet above Alma, and offers the best view of the Mississippi River aside from a photoshopped postcard. Describes by Better Homes & Gardens magazine as “one of the river valley’s finest natural balconies,” Buena Vista Park offers breathtaking views and accommodations for the entire family, including picnic tables, grills, and a small children’s playground.
Holiday Vacations 2727 Henry Ave., Eau Claire • (800) 826-2266 • holidayvacations.net.Red Cedar Travel 1311 Broadway St. N, Menomonie • (715) 235-8870.
Supreme Travel E3698 750th Ave., Menomonie • 866-683-1648 • [email protected] • su-premetravelllc.com.Thorpe Tours 916 E. Clairemont Ave., Eau Claire • 715-552-5252, 866-553-TOUR • [email protected] • thorpetours.com.Travel Leaders Chippewa Falls 31 E. Columbia St., Chippewa Falls • (888) 642-8270 • travellead-ers.com.Travel Now 630 Broadway St. S #1, Menomonie • (715) 235-8000.
WI/MN TRAVEL WEBSITES
TravelWisconsin.com
EscapeToWisconsin.com
DiscoverWisconsin.com
ExploreMinnesota.com
MinnesotaBeautiful.com
DNR.WI.gov
DNR.state.MN.us
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Matthew Rick has been planning Infinity Beverages for a long time. He said he first began
building a business plan for a future winery in high school. At the time he was working as a server at a restaurant and would spend time talking to patrons about the various wines that were offered. A couple of years ago that plan became a reality, with Infinity Beverages opening in Banbury Place and promptly growing into a winery, distillery and tasting room surrounded by the warm brick of the old tire factory.
Infinity Beverages is a small opera-tion that currently offers a range of wines, vodka and – new to the family – brandy. This new addition to the line-up is a watermelon brandy that comes in a clear, moonshine-style bottle (but I can assure you it’ll taste much better than something like that). The brandy is ‘unoaked’, mak-ing it clear, but it still has a classic brandy taste. The watermelon isn’t overpowering – it certainly isn’t a sweet, candy flavor – but comes in at the end with a nice, subtle hint.
The brandy is part of a new experi-mental line that Infinity is starting, with small batches of various spirits that give Rick the ability to try things with little risk. He was experimenting with creating watermelon wine and had thought about whiskey, but settled on brandy. Rick said he’s always working on new ideas, often making small batches to have patrons at the tasting room sample
and give feedback.Rick’s business philosophy is about
branching out from the traditional and trying to create a unique product – and that’s apparent in every aspect of his busi-
ness. Take catering: Instead of providing cases of wine to large events Infinity is working, Rick has begun using a new wine keg, which pours wine just like you’d have a beer. While it seems weird and almost wrong at first, Rick said its
easier for everything from transportation to helping the bartender stay efficient. No idea is too much for Rick to try.
And he’s always working on those new ideas. The next in his experimental series
is a mulberry brandy that he’s been tweaking over the last few months and hopes to have out some-time in the future. But get it quick when it comes out
– Rick is probably already thinking about his next concoction.
Find out more at InfinityBeverages.com or at their tasting room in Banbury Place, 930 Galloway St., Eau Claire.
A Brandy New Direction Local Wineriesin and near the Chippewa Valley
Vino in the Valley W3826 450th Ave., Maiden Rock • (715) 639-6677 • www.vinointhevalley.com.
LOCAL WINERY + DISTILLERY BRANCHES OUTWORDS: THOM FOUNTAIN // PHOTO: ANDREA PAULSETH
The watermelon isn’t overpowering – it certainly
isn’t a sweet, candy flavor – but comes in at the end
with a nice, subtle hint.
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The Grape EscapeA MISSISSIPPI RIVER WINE TRAIL
SHOWS OFF ITS NATURAL BEAUTY
Valley VineyardW10415 521 Ave, Prescott, WI • 262-4235 • www.valleyvineyardltd.com • Right now several thousand pounds of smashed local grapes are waiting inside huge stainless tanks, ready to be bottled and sold from this 12-year-old vineyard. These ambitious
winemakers hope to eventually produce 50,000 bottles a year, focusing on the Frontenac, Frontenac Gris, Marquette, and St Pepin varieties. Besides locally grown grapes, they also bring in bunches from California and elsewhere so they can craft their own versions of Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
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Canyon River Valley421 Mill St West, Cannon Falls,
MN • (507) 263-7400 • www.
CannonRiverWinery.com •
Grapes and valleys are like peas
and carrots. These particular
grapes thrive in the “lush and
rolling hills” of the Sogn Valley,
10 miles southwest of Cannon
Falls. A 19th century timber-
frame barn sits on the vineyard,
and a building with century-
old limestone walls composes
the downtown winery. While
you’re sipping, feel free to use
their free WiFi to surf the web,
check emails, or blog about
your Cannon River Winery
experience.
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EC
Started in 2009, The Great River Road Wine Trail was named after the road that sews these nine wineries together. The famous road itself, recognized as a National Scenic Byway, runs from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. This particular stretch flanks a railroad and is characterized by glacier-made bluffs. The wineries that dot these valleys benefit from unique soils of the river valley. A fully punched passport gets you a free souvenir wine glass. For more information and a detailed map, visit GreatRiverRoadWineTrail.org.
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Falconer Vineyards3572 Old Tyler Road, Red Wing, MN • (651) 388-8849 • www.falconervineyards.com • In the mood for a picnic? Spread out on one of the tables near the vineyard. Pair your vittles with one of Falconer’s nine white wine varieties and seven red wines. Be sure to try the wood fired pizza. If you
really get into it, you might consider buying one of your own grape vines, which bear the U of M’s Grape Varieties as well as others that can withstand a harsh winter. Falconer knows its cold climate wines, having won the Governor’s Cup at the Minnesota State Fair for their Frontenac Port, which was entered into the “International Cold Climate Wine Competition.”
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Maiden RockW12266 King Lane, Stockholm,
WI • 448-3502 • www.
maidenrockwinerycidery.com
• This is a winery in which
the grape is not king. Instead,
the wine crafters focus on
tending their very own apple
orchard, conjuring such drinks
as Harvest Apple wine and
Honeycrisp Hard Cider, which
can be described as distinctive,
snappy, and sassy. In addition
to ciders, they will be bottling
up some squashed blueberries,
cranberries – and, yes – a few
grapes, originating just a few
miles from their orchard.
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Danzinger VineyardsS2015 Grapeview Lane, Alma, WI • (608) 685-6000 • www.danzingervineyards.com • One of the newest in the state, Danzinger has been open since 2010. Don’t be fooled by the newness, however – they allowed their vines six years to mature before harvesting the
grapes and transforming them into something you can sip. Located on a bluff-like perch above the Mississippi River val-ley, the vineyard bears 15 acres of grape varieties. They also boast an outdoor patio and 25 different kinds of wines, includ-ing the 2012 Best of Show at the Wisconsin State Fair, Mississippi Mist.
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Seven Hawks Vineyard17 North St, Fountain City,
WI • 866-946-3741• www.
sevenhawksvineyards.com
• Another bluff-top vineyard,
Seven Hawks is one of the
largest in the upper Midwest.
Soak in the views and the
impressiveness of their 18,000
grape vines, alongside their
500 plum and cherry trees.
They also offer sweet (no pun
intended) lodging options on
site, including five cottages
overlooking the city, two
sizeable lodges on the ridge
top, and two suites down in
Fountain City, located above
their tasting room.
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Garvin Heights Vineyard2255 Garvin Heights Road, Winona, MN • (507) 313-1917 • www.ghvwine.com • Twenty years ago, their first grapevine commenced from a seed catalog. Now, not only are these winemakers concerned with creating a successful environment for their grapevines, but they also want to create a place for wildlife to bustle, taking particularly good care of their bluebirds by
managing some special houses along Garvin Heights Road. Their wines come from several vineyards, with each style of wine specific to one vineyard. They even segregate those grapes grown in Minnesota so they can wear the Minnesota Grown badge.
