There are a plethora of places to stop in for a drink along the Wisconsin Great River Road. Featured below are some of my local favories, but there are always more to add. What these three have in common, though, are great outdoor seating areas that, depending on the weather, make for a perfect spot to take in the beauty of their surroundings. Combining sipping with sightseeing (but not at the same time!) is a fun way to spend a day exploring this small slice of the Driftless Area.

Township 23 Distillery

This fairly new distillery, which opened in December 2022, was an exciting addition to our area. While Wisconsin is known as the land of beer, our region was lacking in really good, craft cocktails – until Township Distillery 23 came on the scene! Their “field to glass” drinks are some of the best I’ve ever had – and they change up their menu seasonally so there’s always something deliciously new to try. The tasting room is in the style of a barn and situated directly below the bluffs; in the summer and fall, the views from the outdoor patio are spectacular. The inside environment is just as great, and everyone who works there is super friendly. Township 23 Distillery is a must-stop along the Wisconsin Great River Road.

Villa Bellezza

A slice of Italy in the middle of rural Wisconsin, Villa Bellezza is truly a remarkable sight along the Great River Road. The entire complex – which includes a winery, restaurant, and event center – is styled after an Italian village. They grow and harvest their own grapes to create exclusive white, red, rose, and sparkling wines. My go-to choice is the Cotes du Pepin White, which is a dry wine with flora and citrus aromas. But you can’t go wrong with any of their selections, especially when you’re sitting outside on the piazza. In November and December they host an Outdoor Christmas market featuring mulled wine – a personal favorite! You can order wine by the glass or by the bottle to enjoy onsite, or purchase bottles to-go or ship.

Maiden Rock Winery & Cidery

Located up in the bluffs of Stockholm, Wisconsin, this family-owned business offers ciders and wine made from fresh, local ingredients. Driving through the gates, you pass by the orchards from which they harvest their fruit – and in the fall, you can pick your own apples. They offer an on-site tasting of their products, and/or you can purchase 4-packs of ciders and bottles of wine to take home. The Honeycrisp Hard is probably their most famous cider, and many Wisconsin and Minnesota bars actually have it in stock. Inside the tasting room is a small store selling jams, cheese, and some baked goods – but the best part of this place is sitting outside on a picnic table with a cider flight!