History Mystery Tasting Tour in Kenosha

You’re not going to be sampling French-style wines, but this is the kind of tasting tour you just can’t get in Europe.

From 2 to 5 p.m. November 6, 2010, you can wander Kenosha County, Wisconsin, in search of everything apple. This bus tour, leaving from the History Center (map), 220 51st Place, Kenosha, Wisconsin, takes you to Aeppeltreow Winery (map) in Burlington, Wisconsin. The cost of $35 per person includes the wine tasting.

On the half hour bus ride from the Kenosha History Center to the wine tasting, Don Jensen will tell some of his stories about yesteryear in the county.

As it happens, Aeppeltreow is the only winery in Kenosha County, and it produces fruit wines (yes, cider is a fruit wine made from apples). And, if you are into fruit brandies, for a modest additional fee, paid at the winery, you can sample the harder stuff. The winery specializes in Wisconsin grown and produced artisan cider, brandy and specialty spirits. They make champagne-method sparkling cider and perry, both standard and flavored draft ciders, table ciders, apple and pear wines and an aperitif-style pommeau.

Then, you’ll head to the adjoining Brightonwoods Orchard, where you will learn about apple history in Kenosha County, about new and traditional orchards and have an opportunity to sample some unfamiliar apples such as the new Zestar (said to be even better than the newly popular Honey Crisp). The orchard focuses on “uncommon” varieties of apples, heirloom fruit that’s seldom grown commercially.

Aeppeltreow is Old English both for “apple tree” and “the truth of the apple”. It’s pronounced either “apple tree” or “apple true”.

WHAT: History Mystery Tasting Tour
WHEN: November 6, 2010
WHERE: Kenosha County, Wisconsin

(Photo courtesy of Aeppeltreow Winery)