Eat, drink and be merry: Wine

By: Brandon Bretl

Posted: 9/10/08

After graduating from UW-Whitewater with a double major in Biology and Chemistry, Wendy Staller went to the University of California-Davis for graduate studies in wine. Many undergraduate students consider this subject as if it were listed in the undergraduate course manual as a mandatory general education credit, right next to beer pong, whiskey shots, and passing out. However, the more scholarly study of wine and wine making is known as enology, originating from the Greek word "oinos" meaning "wine."

Now Staller and her husband, Joe Staller, operate Staller Winery in Delavan, Wis., seven miles south of Whitewater, on county highway A.

Joe Staller, while also a UW-Whitewater double majoring in Biology and Chemistry, started brewing his own beer. A professor got wind of his ethanol operation and offered him an internship at Randy's Restaurant and Microbrewery. His assignment was to develop a new type of beer and adapt it to larger brewing specifications. His ultimate success landed him a job as Randy's primary brewer, a position he held for a little less than four years.

From here Joe Staller got a job at Botham Winery in Barneveld, Wis.

But Joe says his wife Wendy is the real wine maker in the family. The Stallers bought the farm they now operate their winery on while still in college, planting the first vines seven years ago.

Staller Estates Vineyard and Winery offers six varieties of wine. Three others are due to come soon.

One variety, "Estate Reserve," is completely sold out. Not surprising seeing as since 2003, Staller grape wines have won twenty-three international awards.

The Staller Winery and Store is open from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. everyday. There is a tasting room, and Joe says tours are offered to small groups. The hours change during the winter, and updated information is available on their Web site, www.stallerestate.com.

Staller Estate will be present at the Taste of Whitewater, September 12 and 13, along with Weggy Winery.

Weggy Winery, in Muscoda, Wis., features over fifteen acres of grapevines, and over twenty acres of fruit trees including peaches, Asian pears, currants blueberries, raspberries, sweet cherries, and apples, all of which they make wine with. For more information on their wines and vineyard tours check out www.weggywinery.com.