Seven Hawks grows grapes on the hills outside Fountain City, with vineyard vines overlooking the Mississippi River – nearly 18,000 of them. They are actually one of the largest vineyards in the Midwest. They are also in one of the more picturesque towns along the Mississippi, nestled between towering bluffs and the great river in a little town of less than 900 residents.
Seven Hawks Vineyards’ Tasting Room and Wine Bar is located along Highway 95 in Fountain City, a block up (literally, given the landscape) from Highway 35 and the Great River Road. The classic old building dates back to the 1870s and includes two suites above the bar available for lodging as part of their Hawks View Cottages and Lodges, which include additional cottages on a bluff on the edge of town.
All of the wines in Seven Hawks’ lineup come from their locally-grown grapes. Some of their major wines include reds like their Hunters Blend, Marquette Reserve, Frontenac Reserve, Frontier Red, Ardella’s Rose. White wines include their Smiling Moon, which garnered a gold medal; Prairie Star, La Crescent Reserve, Ridgetop Apple, and some dessert wines round out their main offerings. They even have an ice wine called Sleeping River, made with winter harvest grapes. Many of the grapes are hybrid varieties and some were developed with help from the University of Minnesota.
Seven Hawks is part of the Great River Road Wine Trail. Their Tasting Room & Wine Bar is within a block of the Monarch Public House and historic Fountain City Brewing Company, and also close to the Rock in the House and Elmer’s Auto Museum.
Wine samples are free; of course, you’re welcome to buy some bottles before you leave! Hours are 11am-6pm Monday through Thursday, 11am-7pm Friday and Saturday, and Noon-6pm on Sunday.
Address:
17 North Street (Highway 95)
Fountain City, WI
(608) 687-9463
Website
