Ziegler Winery

Malone, Wisconsin

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Crusin’ Rating: B-

Booze Rating:  B- 

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This week, we are up in in the Fond du Lac area (Malone, WI)  - not far off from the western shores of lake Winnebago enjoying the last bits of heat over with guests the Thirsty Badger and the Thirsty Bobcat to check out Ziegler Winery.  It’s been a sparse year for wineries for us, but what better way to take in some sunshine, live music, and the hint of fall color toward the end of September?  

Ziegler Winery is a spot that we went into blind - we had actually gone up to Fond du Lac to try a new brewery - but just our luck - they were hosting a wedding when we tried to visit.  Another great reminder to always check socials and not just posted hours when traveling over an hour to visit a new spot!

To get maybe one critique out of the way first.  The logo for Ziegler winery always reminds me of either a youth baseball team or insurance agent.  To us, it’s never exactly screamed wine, and there have been instances wherein I have passed on the bottle based solely on the logo.  It’s a very memorable logo, easily recognizable to the point of instantly recognizing the sign as soon as we pulled up.  So clearly something is working from a marketing standpoint - so who knows, maybe it’s better to be memorable rather than pretty.  We’d love to hear someone’s thoughts who knows about logos and marketing so let us know your thoughts!

Slightly offputting logo aside, we were excited to introduce the Thirsty Bobcat to our process of reviewing a spot, and we lucked out with beautiful weather and what turned out to be a really nice space.  While the logo may suggest something office or corporate - pulling up to the building revealed a large red-sided building that serves as a tasting room with an even larger pole-barn style building that I assume is used for production.  

We walked between tables on the large patio and passed a raised permanent stage to enter the building.  The outside was absolutely abuzz with activity that were enjoying their 86 degree weather and live music.  

We took note of a sign that stated no dogs and no one under the age of 21 unless you’re 16+ and with an adult and are the designated driver.  I mean, we are in Wisconsin, people bring their families to breweries and out to spots, including bars.  Hannah and I both moonlight in the service industry and to us - it’s a weird call.  It’s some specific rules, and I mean, maybe we could understand no kids under ten, but no college or highschool-aged kids allowed to come with parents?  We can even understand no dogs - sorry Barlow and Moretti.  But, to each their own - maybe they are going for an adults-only vibe or date night spot.  Just something to keep in mind if you are planning on visiting.  Luckily, we didn’t have the pups because it was supposed to be damn near 90 degrees and we saw the rules posted on the website.  Hannah thinks this is a fabulous idea that should be implemented in more places.

Inside, the building was not nearly as corporate as the logo would suggest.  There is earthy tones from wood, dark low-top tables and some plush furniture near a fireplace on the far end of the space.  There’s a high ceiling that can be spotted in the middle of the space and a lofted area that serves as a more intimate and comfortable space to hang out with a small group.  It manages to be bright with limited windows, which is always a nice touch, and I’m sure it’s fairly cozy even in winter months.  

As we were waiting to order, we noticed that a majority of folks seem to get bottles of wine, usually on a bucket of ice, to go outside and enjoy with some glasses.  It became clear that, with what appeared to be at the least two different bands that perform per day, that these carry-out bottles were the bread and butter of folks that come to enjoy some tunes and the weather.  We snagged 6 samples on a flight for $12.00 - it was far too hot for a full bottle of wine if you ask me, plus we had other traveling and reviews to do!  

The outdoor space is ample outside of the patio and offers plenty of room to spread out.  Many folks in the grass had their own camp chairs and a few even sported their own camp tables.  There’s picnic tables also available and what looks like a pavilion in the midst of being built to alleviate rainy days.  Our table was under a tree near the onsite pond and we were able to just hear some of the music while enjoying the shade.  

There is a food menu that features large pretzels and flatbreads if you’re feeling peckish after some wine.  We were pleased to learn that all the wines are made with grapes on the estate.  And even more pleased to learn that the grapes are grown onsite - all of them New World cultivars with even a few even being developed right here in Wisconsin!  

2021 La Crescent (12.7% ABV) - This white wine featured bright aromas of green apple, white flowers, and pineapple.  We tasted high acidity, green apple, citrus, and just a bit of caramel from the residual sugar.  Everyone in the group enjoyed this one.

2021 Brianna (12.5% ABV) - This white featured plenty of pineapple juice, sweet squash, and flowers.  This wine leaned sweet and was fairly one-dimensional in its presentation of pineapple with just slight oaky notes in there.  The Thirsty Badger enjoyed it as he prefers sweeter but agreed it was mostly just pineapple that he picked up on.  With a hint of minerality coupled with the pineapple it gave the impression, unfortunately, of tinned juice.  

Escarpment Rosé (12.5% ABV) -  This gold-colored wine featured an aroma of berries, honeydew, and juicy orange.  This wine leaned sweet with flavors of green strawberries and orange, an interesting combo and not our favorite. 

2020 Marquette 12.7% ABV) - Hannah’s favorite style, on account of good examples featuring some dark berry and earthy complexity with even a little spice in the finish.  This one, with an aroma of juicy red fruit and spice, smelled promising, but the flavor of preserved cherries and and sweet grapes left us a little down.  Both of our guests said this one tasted closest to grape juice that we tried and I found none of the complexity in there, even after attempting a full glass.  Hannah was saddened by this, as some of those aroma notes were there, but overall, we were hoping for those deep flavors you can sometimes find.  She will have to keep looking. 

2020 Petite Pearl Estate (13.0% ABV) - This wine poured brownish-burgundy and had a bitter woody aroma to it.  What should have given us similar notes to a cabernet - maybe some dark fruit, pepper, or even a little licorice depending on the source, instead we really got a significant amount of bitterness here - not tannins, bitterness.  It made this one unpleasant to drink for us but was hopefully a fluke. 

Ridge Red Reserve - Marquette (13.4% ABV) - We unintentionally grabbed two Marquettes, but all the more chance for Hannah to find one she likes.  With heavily wooded aromas and mellow spice,  this off-dry The Thirsty Badger noted:

“This smells like a table.”

While my descriptors aren’t so apt, I had to agree the oaking process here really took the forefront in the aroma department.  Tasting though, gave cake spice, plum skins, dark berries, and leather.  This was an instant hit with the table flavor-wise and the Thirsty Bobcat enjoyed it enough to snag a glass at the end of the tasting, with the Thirsty Badger agreeing on flavor, even despite the heavily woody aroma.

No matter what we think about the logo, when we get down to it - this is a winery that is selling grapes grown right here in Wisconsin, some varietals developed here in Wisconsin, and really just Wisconsin through and through.   Of course we are happy to find a place like that and we are always going to recommend visiting a spot like that in order to support local.  We found some wines we enjoyed and I’m sure there would have been others had we tasted the full list of offerings. 

Ziegler is situated in a unique area that really is putting it’s money where it’s mouth is - showcasing that wines here, grown in Wisconsin can stand up to wine that you might find in other states.  That’s always something that we can get behind as well - so if you’re in the Fond du Lac area, stop in and check them out!

Until next time, keep on crusin’, don’t stop boozin’!

To learn more about Ziegler Winery please visit their website at: www.zieglerwinery.com or on Facebook: @ZieglerWinery or on Instagram: @Ziegler.Winery