About Door Peninsula Winery
Door Peninsula Winery has been making wine in Carlsville, nine miles north of Sturgeon Bay on Highway 42, since 1974, when Mark Fehls and Tom Alberts opened it in a two-room schoolhouse built in 1868 that had served the town for nearly a century. The winery is best known for its fruit wines, made from fruit grown locally and around the country, such as Cherry Zing! and a cherry mimosa, but it also makes grape wines such as a dry Petite Pearl and a semi-sweet Brianna, plus blends, ciders and meads.
Tastings are free every day at two tasting bars, with more than 70 wines, ciders and meads to choose from and no reservation needed. Free 25-minute tours leave on the hour from 10 to 4 and cover the winery and Door County Distillery, which shares the building and makes vodka, gin, whisky, brandy, rum and bitters. An $18 upgrade adds a glass of wine, a spirits tasting, a shot glass and chocolate-covered cherries. At the distillery bar, samples are $2 each, and cocktails are served in the Barrel Lounge or on the patio in warm weather.
From May through October, the outdoor Wine and Cocktail Garden sells flights and light snacks, and dogs are welcome there, though not inside the main building. The shop stocks cherry products, mustards, dips and oils and balsamics. Private tours for groups of six or more are $28 per person, and groups of 15 or more should call ahead.
Island Lavender is about 35 minutes north up the peninsula. Stop here on the drive up, then continue to the lavender fields.
What to do
- Taste from more than 70 wines, ciders and meads for free
- Take a free 25-minute winery and distillery tour, on the hour 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Sample Door County Distillery spirits at $2 each
- Order a flight in the Wine and Cocktail Garden, May–October
- Shop for Door County cherry products and wine
Season, hours and prices
- Season
- Open daily year-round; outdoor Wine and Cocktail Garden May through October
- Hours
- Posted on their website (2026): winery Sunday–Thursday 9 a.m.–6 p.m., Friday–Saturday 9 a.m.–7 p.m.; garden (May–October) Sunday, Monday and Thursday 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Friday–Saturday 11 a.m.–7 p.m., closed Tuesday–Wednesday; distillery 9 a.m.–5 p.m. daily in winter
- Admission
- Free tastings and tours; tour upgrade $18; private group tours $28 per person; spirit samples $2 each (as posted on their website)
Good to know
- Age
- 21 or older to taste or drink alcohol
- Dogs
- Allowed in the outdoor Wine and Cocktail Garden only (service animals inside)
- Reservations
- Walk-in (private tours for 6+ booked ahead; groups of 15+ call ahead)
Tips for your visit
- Tours do not include the vineyard
- Groups of 15 or more should call ahead
- Leave dogs in the garden area; they cannot go inside the building
- Plan a designated driver before you head out
Pair it with a lavender farm
Island Lavender · about 35 minutes away
Island Lavender is about 35 minutes north; make this your first stop on the way up the peninsula.
Getting there
Questions
Are tastings free?
Yes. Wine tastings are free every day, first come, first served.
Are tours free?
Yes. Free 25-minute tours run on the hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; an $18 upgrade adds a glass of wine and a spirits tasting.
Can I bring my dog?
Dogs are welcome in the outdoor Wine and Cocktail Garden but not inside.
Is there a distillery?
Yes. Door County Distillery shares the building and makes vodka, gin, whisky, brandy, rum and bitters.
🗺️ Part of the guide Things to Do Near the Lavender Farms of Door County, Wisconsin
Checked in October 2026 against the business’s own website and local tourism pages. Hours and seasons change, so check with them before you go. How we check listings · Is this your business? Claim it free
