I always get excited when the wine tasting deal for Chateau St. Croix comes up on LivingSocial, and I usually make it worth the trip by bringing home a couple bottles of their dessert wine - the bordeaux. Are the other wines particularly outstanding? In a national context: no, but in the context of trying to grow grapes in Minnesota: yes. And the customer services has always been top notch, and I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of smoked salmon I got for one of my purchased tasting plates. Win! Everytime I've been, it's always been a memorable lady date with my best friends :)
My husband and I took his motorcycle and rode to Chateaux St.Croix. St.Croix Falls is very scenic so it was a nice ride. We had purchased a Groupon to use at the winery. Driving up the Chateaux looks very imposing with statues out in front. Inside the décor was very nice and there were several rooms off that I'm guessing are used for receptions.We made our way to the bar and pulled out our Groupon. The fellow helping us seemed to have an attitude. He rattled off the routine and poured us a sample then wandered off. We waited to get another sample. After we had finished all but one sample we were told that we could go get a cheese sampler platter (part of the Groupon) and sit at a table. Had we known this we could have had our cheese while we were sampling the other wines.We weren't impressed with any of the wines. We did see people purchasing the "Cheese Head White". I'm guessing because it has a plastic chunk of cheese on the top of the bottle. We actually didn't purchase any of their wines.If it wouldn't have been for the pretty scenery we would have been very disappointed. We've visited many wineries across the country and this was probably the least friendly.
Stopped by the winery as it was recommended on Trip Advisory and at a local tourist info place. It was later in the day around 4pm, we just missed last tour by 15 minutes, no idea if there was a cost for the tour but the gal (later learned owner) we spoke with stated that the tour would last another 20-25 min and didn't think jumping in with the group now was a very good idea. After stating that we had never been to the winery, she explained the cost for wine tasting/sampling, sounded good, my husband and I were thinking since we're here and have missed the tour we could still sample some wine. We paid our money, received our tokens and the owner stated that the winery hosted had a wedding last weekend and her desk was a mess so she was handing us over to the gal behind the counter. Note, that the gal behind the counter was super nice, took our pic-NO COMPLAINTS, she was super very nice. Since we missed the tour thought maybe the owner could tell us something about the wine we were tasting, the difference in the grapes, from one wine to the next, nope, she had a desk to tend to that was obviously more important than two of us. Basically, we sampled 6 shots of wine and left within 30 minutes. The wine was good, but maybe I would have made a purchase if someone could have given us 15-30 mintues of her time to share something about the winery. Very disappointed. Please note we are not fancy/dancy people and I believe in writing fair reviews. Sorry, not impressed with how we were treated.
same owners as paradise landing. inconsistent. not a good value. there is a new winery and visitor center 'Winehaven' just 20 miles or so west on Highway 8 (MN) and if they keep up with the display put on at the grand opening, count on this being the winery to be at.
Nice ambience... $6 for 5 tastings. My favorite was the Cheesehead White... $16 per bottle. They have more reds than white so this is probably better for red-wine lovers. In addition, the red wines are generally $25+ per bottle, so budget accordingly.
The wines we tasted were very limited-6 to taste and 2 were rose and 3 were dry to semi-dry and 1 port. Used to tasting more wines of different levels from sweet to dry. The cheese/cracker plate was very limited on the cheese, not saying what we were tasting(we like that), and were on paper plates. They were busy, and the first lady that poured our first wine walked away and did not describe the wine to us...then another lady took over for her (thank goodness) it was better after that. Like I said the building is incredible but the winery experience lacks significantly from the other 35 midwest wineries I've visited.
So, it was a great day for a road trip and we have visited the Chateau before, but not at the fall festival. I have to say that it was pretty average, the upside is that we did not have to pay for parking, but the wine was just so/so, and expensive, and the craft offerings were pretty standard fare. It was also disappointing to see that they charge for a tour of the place, which at a slow pace would only take ten minutes or so, and besides, isn't the goal of a business to get more business, not charge for a way to average tour.Anyway, if you are looking for a better experience and are in the Hayward, WI visit the Cranberry Fest in Stone Lake, WI on October 2, no I'm not affiliated with it, it is just a way better value.On the upside, the views outside the Chateau are great, oh and the music was good too, nice to sit and listen
The vineyard is AWESOME...Built in the rolling hills of St. Croix Falls, Wi. a castle setting in the country! Good wine, good people...what more can I say!
By far one of the best places to taste a variety of wine. I love their take on winemaking. I thought their staff was very knowledgable.
Our annual visit for the fall festival today. Purchased a Groupon for wine tasting, cheese/crackers and truffles. Sat outside(enjoying a bottle of wine with our cheese/crackers and truffles) and listened to the band playing(awesome) and enjoyed the afternoon...Another GREAT fall festival the Chateau St. Croix!