Top 5 Wisconsin Bike Trails Near Wineries and Cideries

Wisconsin has long been an agricultural state, and some of its best crops are turned into delicious wines and ciders. Trailside wineries and cideries offer a place to enjoy a glass of wine or cider, and perhaps a meal or snack. Many locations host musical groups or special events. If you’re bicycling on one of these Wisconsin trails, a winery or cidery is nearby!

#1 Mascoutin Valley State Trail: Ripon to Berlin

A sign for Vines and Rushes Winery appears on east central Wisconsin’s Mascoutin Valley State Trail about 3.5 miles north of Ripon. A spur trail leads to the winery. It is frequently used as a trailhead, as cyclists head out for a ride, and return for wine and a meal.

Vines and Rushes uses cold, hardy grapes that can survive Wisconsin’s frigid winters. A favorite wine is their Wiskonsan, a unique strawberry and grape blend. The winery building includes a restaurant and a small store, powered partly by solar panels on the roof. The restaurant features a wood-fired, Italian-made pizza oven, used to bake Neapolitan-style pizzas at high temperatures.

^{Wines and Rushes Winery is a popular stop on the Mascouten Valley State Trail.}

#2 Fox River State Trail: Greenleaf to De Pere

LedgeStone Vineyards and Winery is located in northeastern Wisconsin just north of Greenleaf, and immediately off the Fox River State Trail. In addition to wine tasting, a variety of classes and special events are offered. LedgeStone focuses on traditional wines from Wisconsin and West Coast grapes. The Marquette is a popular semi-sweet red wine. Their specialty food menu includes appetizers, flatbreads, and gourmet grilled cheese. And an expansive outdoor area is dotted with chair groupings, and firepits for cool summer nights.

#3 Three Eagle Trail: Three Lakes to Sundstein Road

This section of the Three Eagle Trail runs through Oneida County from Three Lakes to the Sundstein Road trailhead. Cyclists on the 8.4 mile route are treated to the scenery of Wisconsin’s northern forests. They also may want to partake in a visit to Three Lakes Winery. Open since 1972, the winery is housed in the historic 1880 depot of the old Chicago and Northwestern Railroad. Their specialty is cranberry wine, but they offer a large assortment of other fruit wines. Visit their tasting room for 6 free samples, and be sure to take home a bottle from their store.

^{LedgeStone Vineyards and Winery} ^{is right off the Fox River State Trail.}

#4 Fox River State Trail: De Pere to Green Bay

Captain’s Walk Winery is 2 blocks east of the Fox River State Trail in the northeastern Wisconsin city of Green Bay. A restored antebellum building on Crooks Street in the downtown area houses the winery’s tasting rooms. Wines are crafted with modern winemaking practices from fruit throughout the United States. Captain’s Walk also produces cider from Wisconsin apples. Cider offerings include Door County Cherry, Wisconsin Maple Brown Sugar, Bourbon Barrel Brown, and a Dragon Fruit Mimosa.

#5 Military Ridge State Trail: Blue Mounds to Riley

The 11-mile Military Ridge State Trail from Blue Mounds to Riley passes through Mount Horeb. Immediately to the south of the downtown trailhead is Brix Cider. Their ciders come from a variety of local orchards, including their own nearby. They claim to blend tradition and modern science in making their artisanal hard ciders. The tasting room features 12 taps regularly rotated with new ciders. Brix also serves farm-to-table food on their outdoor patio.