By Kylie Compe – Nestled in the backwoods of Barneveld, Wisconsin is a cute little barn that houses Botham Vineyards & Winery. Bright green trees loom over the little gravel road like something out of a fairytale as you pass by the vineyards and little house on the hill. DrivingContinue Reading
By Rick Pedersen – In the Driftless area, Fall brings an amazing color transformation of the trees and other foliage. Some people travel cross country to view the changes. In Warren’s Wisconsin, a small town of about 400 people, becomes host to roughly 150,000 visitors for its annual Cranfest celebration.Continue Reading
By Jenn Peitscher – Where do you Wonder? The most obvious answer would be nature, right? But could that be in the woods of a brewery? I experienced the surprise of wonder in the cool crunch of the leaves at the New Glarus Brewery. So our visit began with aContinue Reading
By Anthony Larson – It all started with a Facebook post from my friend Bob:“Heading to Wyalusing tomorrow and taking worms and poles. Lived nearby for 15 years and have never stopped in to see it. Maybe Pikes Peak and McGregor, IA too. We also know a fossil spot onContinue Reading
New Life Lavender and Cherry Farm So, what’s your story? How long have you been here in the Driftless, Were you born in the Driftless, What keeps you here in the Driftless? Aron grew up on a cattle and wheat ranch in Kansas and Laura was born in Waupun, WI.Continue Reading
By Matt Schumann – “Why open and run a distillery in the heart of the Wisconsin Driftless Region?” you might ask. I did. “Why distill and bottle hand-crafted bourbons and whiskey? That’s what Kentucky is for, right? Well, I got schooled. The Driftless Area has blossomed into a producer andContinue Reading
By Erica Howe – The Driftless area is full of locally owned and run start-ups; from bookstores to restaurants to family farms. This includes, of course, breweries. The Driftless Brewing Company, located in Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin, is a prime example of the passion the residents of the Driftless area possess.Continue Reading
An Interview with Lynita M Docken – Elmaro Vineyard About Lynita Lynita May Docken, by far the most active and creative woman you will ever meet, wanted a retirement project. Originally one of three women master plumbers (yes, you read that right: PLUMBERS) statewide, Lynita was finishing up her careerContinue Reading
By Rick Pedersen – Americans have always had a romantic fascination and attraction to distilled spirits dating back to the days of prohibition. The location of these Speakeasy joints was often secret and hidden. Visions of Al Capone come to mind and packed businesses full of eager customers dancing theContinue Reading
World’s First Pete Gengler is happy that his family and its company, Sno Pac Foods, Inc., got into the organic food business early. Touting itself as the world’s first grower/processor of frozen organic vegetables, Sno Pac, located in Caledonia, Minnesota, is in its third generation of ownership. Pete Gengler’s mother,Continue Reading
By: Rick Pedersen – The rise of small-batch distilleries has pumped new life into the small towns they have set up their operations in. Such is the case of Harmony Spirits located in Harmony, MN, where they have sourced local grains that are artfully distilled with care by Larry, Andy,Continue Reading
What is your best childhood memory here in the Driftless.I remember going to Whitewater State Park while in daycare. All of us daycare kids would go on a hike followed by a swim. We’d always have a picnic lunch. Just thinking of those days makes me smile. I can justContinue Reading
First, a little history … Katie Lange is Farm Operator and manages all aspects of the farm. Katie will be taking over as Owner as Jim and Joyce retire. She is learning numerous aspects of the farm from pest control to customer service. Katie was born and raised in WinonaContinue Reading
By Nolan Arentz – Kombucha … Maybe you’ve heard of it, maybe you haven’t. Technically speaking, this simple tasty drink consists of tea, fermentable sugar, a colony of bacteria and yeast working together, and whatever kind of natural flavors one so desires. For ex-Engineer Jake Haneman, and now owner of BootleggerContinue Reading
So, what’s your story? Where were you born? How long have you been here in the Driftless, What keeps you here? Bree and Eric (The B and E of B&E’s Trees) were both born in the Driftless. Although Eric left for college and then a job, the long-term goal, fromContinue Reading
By Keewaydin Farms – If you would have told me I would become a farmer when I was younger (or even live in the country for that matter), I would have laughed in your face. My father can confirm this. Born in Driftless dairy country, I couldn’t wait to driftContinue Reading
Toppling Goliath Talking with Sarah Hedlund – Marketing Director of Toppling Goliath So, what’s your story? How long have you been here in the Driftless, Were you born in the Driftless, What keeps you here in the Driftless? I grew up in southeast Iowa, went to the Minneapolis College ofContinue Reading
By Jenn Peitscher – Keep going, it’s not what you might be expecting to hear from a rule-following almost 40 year old. And we found out from our “Never Have I Ever” game that I may not be as much of a rule follower as I thought, but I’m veryContinue Reading
By Rick Pedersen – “Ahoy me hearties” and gather round while I spin the tail of Skeleton Crew Brew. It’s a hideaway containing the most excellent ale, a buccaneer can get his hands on, along with as many fine wines a lad or lass dares to ever dream of drinking.Continue Reading