Help Us Celebrate Wisconsin Winery, Door 44
Following up our debut featured winery, Captain’s Walk, Virtue Coffee & Valor Wine has been proud to pour the delicious wines of the iconic Door 44 from Wisconsin’s own Sturgeon Bay. Named for the 44th latitude on which they grow their grapes, this winery and vineyard is known for exposing the badger state to the unique joys of midwestern wine. Virtue & Valor has been thrilled to welcome them to our South Milwaukee bistro setting.
What is Door 44?
Door 44 dates back to 2005 when husband and wife team, Steve Johnson & Maria Marino, began growing grapes outside of Green Bay. They eventually opened their current state-of-the-art Door 44 location in 2019.
Their facility and vineyards in Sturgeon Bay have become a destination unto themselves for those vacationing in Door County. It’s a place to stop in and stay awhile no matter if your trip is focused on wine tasting or not. You can grab a flight and have a wine-knowledgeable employee walk you through it, learning a ton about northern-grown wines as you go. You’re sure to walk away with more knowledge and a bottle or two!
The Wines of Door 44
One of the most exciting aspects of Door 44 is the impressive variety of the wine offerings. They produce a wide selection of reds, whites, & rosés and a curated selection of sparkling & ice wines.
Some noteworthy examples include
- Marquette, a red that pairs well with dishes that feature earthy flavors, such as goat cheese. This wine contains notes of black cherry, plum, and raspberry with a medium body.
- White Door, a white wine that pairs well with light dishes including chicken & fish. This wine contains notes of tropical fruits and citrus with a light body and a dry crispness.
- Petite Rosé, a rosé that pairs well with savory dishes and/or sauces. This wine contains notes of pomegranate, tart cherry, and watermelon with a creamy finish.
How do wines like these pair with the dishes at Virtue & Valor? Exceptionally well, that’s how! For something like the Marquette, we recommend a charcuterie board as the plum notes will make the olives pop right off the board and provide brightness to the meats and cheeses. Dishes like our chicken caesar salad and wrap are always friends to wines like White Door. And for the Petite Rosé, consider our popular duck wontons to complement this refreshingly complex wine. Please note that our menu items are subject to change as we are always experimenting with new offerings. If we don’t have what you’re looking for, just ask us for our current recommended pairings!
What Makes Door 44 Special?
When we were choosing our second ever featured winery, we wanted a winery that has been influential to Wisconsin wine culture. Door 44 perfect meets that criteria. The winery and tasting room have greatly contributed to making Wisconsin-grown wines accessible to those visiting Door County, and now Green Bay with their Parallel 44 winery. They have been providing education about Wisconsin-grown wines, helping more and more people to recognize and appreciate their unique features.
Additionally, they have introduced Wisconsin to entirely new grape varietals for winemaking. Steve and Maria were two of the first to make wine out of such grapes as Petite Pearl, Frontenac Blanc, and Verona. In the years since they began, the two have truly made their mark on the Midwestern wine scene.
Your Local Wine Getaway
While you can and absolutely should make your way up to Sturgeon Bay to spend time at the impressive winery and tour the vineyards, we know not everyday is a get-out-of-town day. So, in the meantime, come enjoy and learn about Door 44’s wines at Virtue & Valor, your go-to spot for Wisconsin wine, specialty coffees, and excellent food. A visit here is a little getaway from your daily responsibilities and stressors. Who doesn’t need a little reprieve with a glass of wine?
Stop into Valor Wine in South Milwaukee to try a glass or a flight and don’t forget to ask for food pairing recs! We can’t wait to greet you for your little getaway.
