Winery Tour Premiers June 9

Rosy reds, blushing pinks, sparkling whites…Door County’s grape harvest provides a bounty of tantalizing wines. What better way to visit a selection of the peninsula’s finest wineries than aboard one of Door County’s signature red trolleys. Premiering June 9, the Door County Trolley will offer day trips to four boutique wineries. The tours, Monday through Friday, will continue through mid-October.

“There is a growing appreciation of fine wine and the quality of Door County’s wineries is excellent,” said Door County Trolley owner A.J. Frank. “Our tours will feature something different at each winery, a VIP ‘behind the cellar door’ tour.”

Tours begin at 10 am when guests are greeted at Orchard Country Winery & Market in Fish Creek. Featuring award-winning fruit wines, the fourth-generation orchard and winery recently unveiled a new blend in a collectible lighthouse-shaped bottle. Featuring a Kathy Glasnap painting on the label, the Riesling grape and Door County Montmorency cherry wine honors the Town of Gibraltar and Pottawatomie Lighthouse Sesquicentennials.

The second winery on the tour is Simon Creek Winery, located on a quiet pond in rural Carlsville. The historic 30-acre property located at the 45 North parallel is ideal for growing grapes. The recipients of two 2008 Silver Medals at this year’s American Wine Society Competition, the Lawry family will feature red wines when visitors stop by for a tasting.

Located in the old Carlsville School House, Door Peninsula Winery features over 50 award-winning wines. The county’s original winery, selections include more than 50 wines – some that sparkle, others that tease. But whites will be the wine of choice at the third stop on the tour.

The final winery on the tour, Red Oak Winery, is family owned and operated. Established in 2003, the award-winning Sturgeon Bay winery has most recently received a bronze medal in the 2008 Florida State Fair International Wine competition. Port and dessert wines will be featured when guests visit as they conclude their day trip of the wineries.

In addition to hosted tastings at each of the featured wineries, tour guests will be treated to a gourmet chef-prepared luncheon at the historic Inn at Cedar Crossing in downtown Sturgeon Bay. The menu will also include a “paired” wine.

For specific tour information including reservations call 920.868.1100 or visit http://www.doorcountytrolley.com.