Welcome to Autumn Harvest Winery Online!

For over 80 years, the John McIlquham family has been growing quality apples at their orchard 8 miles east of Chippewa Falls. Since 1924, when Grandpa Mac took on this adventure, we've always taken pride in providing quality produce to our neighbors.  John & Marykay McIlquham and their two children have continued the tradition by adding something new to the traditional orchard experience…wine and hard apple cider!

Established in 2004 as the Chippewa Valley's first winery, Autumn Harvest Winery produces 12 wines. All wines are produced and bottled by the McIlquhams, fermented in small batches from their orchard-grown apples, as well as from grapes and other fruits from around the region. This local winery has gained a great deal of attention with their quality wines, ranging from dry to semi-sweet selections. The tasting room and orchard store are open seasonally, May through October. Wines can be found at select local retailers in the Chippewa Valley.

Visitors to the tasting room and orchard can enjoy complimentary wine tasting during regular business hours, a wide selection of gourmet food samples, Wisconsin cheeses, fresh-picked apples and a gift shop. Enjoy a picnic lunch with a glass of wine on the outdoor patio, or even make a memorable afternoon of picking your own fresh Wisconsin apples when in season (mid-August thru October).

Steve Parry will be performing for our annual Fall Festival on Sept 11 & 12th, 2010, from 11am to 2pm each day.  If you missed Steve during our Customer Appreciation in July, don't miss him again! 

Steve is a singer/songwriter from Stillwater, MN.  His music is influenced by artists like John Denver, Kris Kristofferson, John Prine, Damien Rice, The Rolling Stones, Guy Clark, Zac Brown Band, Jerry Jeff Walker, Cat Stevens, and Gordon Lightfoot, to name just a few.

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Sept. 11th

2:30 to 5:30

New to our winery patio performances is Tim Brown.  Tim is a full-time high school English teacher from White Bear Lake, MN. He loves to perform the songs that he grew up listening to in the '60s and '70s. 

At his performances, you'll hear the music of artists like James Taylor, Cat Stevens, Simon and Garfunkel, Jim Croce, Gordon Lightfoot, Joni Mitchell, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, as well as some of his original songs.

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Sept. 12th

2:30 to 5:30

Also new to our patio is Brian Bethke.  Brian will be performing for our Fall Festival on Sunday, Sept 12, 2:30 to 5:30.  Capturing the vivid stories of his life in song, Brian Bethke has been playing music and living on his own since the age of 15. His folk/ Americana/ country style music conveys a powerful journey. His new album "The River" is available on his website:  www.brianbethke.com.

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Autumn Harvest Winery and John McIlquham Orchard will donate $1 from every bottle of wine sold that weekend plus the profits from wine-by-the-glass go directly to ECCT. 

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Monthly Tasting Room Specials:

Each month throughout the season, we will feature specials and/or events celebrating our 6th season. Here are just a few:

• AUGUST - FREE wine totes are back with the purchase of 6 bottles of wine.
• September - Register to win a Wisconsin Wine Enthusiast membership.
• october - End of the season sale on most gift items.

To learn more about other great Wisconsin-made wines or to become a Wisconsin Wine Enthusiast, visit the Wisconsin Winery Association website - www.wiswine.org