Stone's Throw Winery & Restaurant

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: May 28, 2012

I have read over and over about the snobbery of the staff at this winery, and this weekend, we found out what the problem really is at this winery. We visited all of the wineries in Door County this weekend and had a thoroughly enjoyable weekend. When comparing this winery to the others, I would say Stones Throw Winery was a higher end establishment. Their wines were pricier, and they did charge $5 for a tasting, which included a wine glass with their emblem engraved on it. We had a lovely young girl named Molly helping us to pick wines based on our taste preferences, and if it wasn't for her, we would not have bought any wine from this establishment. There was a very uncomfortable atmosphere during our entire 45 minute visit. There was a gentleman named Russell working behind the counter. As a visitor, we got the impression that he was either the owner or the manager. He continually berated the employees working there, asking why certain papers were laying around, why certain boxes and bottles were in the places they were and then ordering them to make sure this never happens again and what his expectations were. This seemed like conversation that would be better done prior to the winery opening or during a staff meeting, not during business hours. His demeanor was so uncomfortable for us, that had we not paid for our tasting session, we would have left. We felt so sorry for these girls working for him, that we even commented to several of them that we were sorry they were enduring such berating behavior. They remained silent and just shrugged. If you are looking for an enjoyable experience, this is not your establishment.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Feb 24, 2012

I stopped at Stone’s Throw over the last weekend. We had a long weekend planned and with the lack of snow in Door County, we decided to visit the local wineries. My girlfriend and I were really surprised by Stone’s Throw. The other wineries have a lot of sweet and fruit wine, but we like real wine. Stone’s Throws’ offerings of both red and white were outstanding. We enjoyed their wine and chocolate paring as well. Great place to visit and looking forward to returning.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Jan 07, 2011

Favorite Wine: cabernet sauvignons, zinfandels, red blends

Visited for the first time during a trip to door county after christmas. What a beautiful winery. Really comfortable to taste wine. The staff was knowledgeable and ready to help us choose interesting wines. The quality of the wines were outstanding. A must stop for all wine lovers or people wanting to learn more about good wine. We don't like fruit/sweet wine, so this was a godsend. Try the cabernets, zinfandels and some of the unique wines like charbono and petite sirah.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Nov 18, 2010

Favorite Wine: Reverve Merlot

I toured the winery in July 2010. The staff was very friendly and informative. The tour was conducted by the wine maker and was very thorough and informative. The wines produced were very good. I especially enjoyed the Reserve Merlot and the Pinot Noir. I would recommend this tour and tasting to anyone who enjoys good wine, good atmosphere, and quality information provided by very competent staff.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Aug 30, 2010

My wife and I made our annual trip to Door County and decided to visit the local wineries. We returned to Stone’s throw and were even more impressed than in previous years. Their tasting room is always nice and the staff is very knowledgeable. They asked what wines we drink and when we said Zins and Cabs, the gal was excited to show us some really good wines. Their wines are very high quality. Nice to see they keep expanding their selection and their quality is consistent and better in many cases. What a gem in the middle of Door County. We continued to Simon Creek and although it was a nice setting, the wine was mediocre at best. Overpriced for the quality. Not very exciting, similar to the staff. Not very engaging or excited to speak with us. We then went to door peninsula, a lot of fruit wine, which is not our thing. And then to Parallel 44, a new visit. Was hoping for a new destination to stop in the future, but no such luck. Small tasting room, wines very ordinary, many surprisingly sweet for the grapes used and staff very far from welcoming. I even asked about the grapes and the gal could not answer my questions. We will not stop next time. I think we will skip the “tour” and make it straight to Stone’s Throw. They continue to do it well.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Aug 17, 2010

Favorite Wine: pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon, red blends

My husband and I really enjoyed the wines and atmosphere at Stone’s Throw. It is like going to wine country in California, but even better because we can drive. True grape wine made of real quality. Not the typical fruit or sweet wine we found at other wineries. Their Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, red blends and the Cabernet were our favorites. We will be back again when we come up to door county in the fall. I was surprised to see this last review when I was getting ready to write about my experience at Stone’s Throw. It is obvious that “headlesswoman” is all about sweet wine. In fact, she says she enjoys semi sweet whites and sweet reds. Well, no wonder she doesn’t like Stone’s throw, she doesn’t understand “real” wine. There is plenty of sweet wine in door county, so she must be in heaven at other wineries. I don’t think stone’s throw makes a sweet red, rather traditional red and white wine. We enjoyed our visit and will recommend to others.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Aug 14, 2010

Favorite Wine: none

We had been to Stone's Throw several years ago when it first opened and had not been very impressed. The wines tasted vinegary and they didn't have very many. We went back again this year to try it again and although their selections of wines had improved, I was shocked at their prices and still felt like the wine was bitter and vinegary. As we left my husband commented that this was the kind of wine we are TOLD we should like. The truth is, we just didn't like it. Wine tasting was $5.00 a person and we got to keep the glass. Too bad we couldn't find any Stone's Throw wine to put in it. We won't go back again.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Aug 25, 2009

Favorite Wine: Petite Sirah and Zinfandel

My wife and I returned on our annual trip to door county. Tasted some new wines and they were great. They continue to produce really nice wines and are very informative during the tasting. We were not able to stay for the saturday night concert, but our friends said it was a blast. We will try to make it next year.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: May 20, 2009

As always, our visitors remain our No. 1 priority when it comes to ensuring those who walk in our doors have the best wine experience available. We've read over some of the negative comments and perceive this to be an opportunity to respond, apologize and do what we can to make sure no one leaves Stone's Throw Winery with a bad taste in their mouth, either from the wine or the service. I'm not sure when winesrus7 visited us last but I wanted to make sure they are aware of our renewed commitment to provide the best possible service for our guests. We continue to train our entire staff and improve every aspect of a visitor’s experience. Let me assure you this is not a one-time effort but an on-going process. Secondly, while we do import our grapes from California (which is not uncommon), all of our wine is made exclusively here on the premises. We encourage all of our visitors to contact us directly at 920.839.9660 with any comments or concerns. We sincerely hope you give us another chance.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: May 03, 2009

Visted the Winery and thought it was okay, however we were treated very badly and to find out it was by the owner. A rude snob to say the leaast. My wife and I are amatuers at this and he spoke down to us and walked away rudley. I will never visit here again, not will I recommend to any of my friends. And If you read this Mr. Owner, my wife and I apologize for not meeting your standards. Good Luck in the future and I HOPE YOU WAKE UP.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Apr 25, 2009

Grapes are not even grown at winery. How can they claim to be a Wisconsin winery when they bring in their grapes from California?

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Apr 17, 2009

Tour was educational and thorough. People were terrific and professional. Wines were four stars +. We know, study and consume a lot of wine and tour California every couple of years. So what's with the bad reviews?

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Feb 05, 2009

The negative reviews concerned us BUT OUR VISIT WAS WONDERFUL! The servers (Ginny and Kim) were polite and we took the informative touras barrelled wine was being bottled. We even offered to help out! No cherry wine, thank God, but the wines we enjoy: Cabernet, Riesling and a deep, dark Zin. What more can we say?

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Jan 21, 2009

Beautiful place with really good wine

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Dec 28, 2008

Favorite Wine: merlot

Of the Door County wineries we visited one December snowy afternoon, this was far and away the best. The wines exceeded our expectations for quality and selection and we we're treated as guests should be. I'd never thought that I would enjoy a Merlot, but they have an old vine Merlot that was wonderful; not inexpensive, but excellent.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Dec 11, 2008

Favorite Wine: zinfandel, riesling, cabernet sauvignon

My wife and I have toured wineries throughout not only the Midwest, but Napa and Sonoma several times over 10 years. Our 4 experiences at Stone’s Throw have always been first rate. The wines rival those of California and unlike the “experiences” of others (are these planted by competition?), we have had an enjoyable time, each time. This operation is about educating the consumer, so if you think that’s “snooty” or “snotty”, than by all means stay away. Incidentally, we’ve toured their production facilities twice. Be careful about forming a negative opinion before you visit.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Oct 13, 2008

My husband and I have visited Stones Throw twice now. We both tour many wineries in the US each year and rarely do we come across such snooty people. When we first walked in, we were greeted so cold that I refused to taste. If I don't like the vibe of a winery I won't buy their wine anyways, so why bother. The winemaker himself ignored us when asked a question, and seemed stand-offish. My husband tasted their wines and enjoyed them, but the lady behind the counter couldn't answer many common production questions. They also refused to show us their production facility which doesn't help when the rumor about them is that they do not ferment and bottle on site, rather ship in pre-bottled wines. This may be a common practice for a first year winery, but a sham for a winery that has been open as long as they have. The last time we came by this fall we were again treated poorly. Mind you, we don't look like trash off the streets, rather dressed nicely and had plenty of money to spend. I was surprised to see many of the people on this forum felt the same as we did. Perhaps Stones Throw needs to re-evaluate the way they operate their business!

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Oct 12, 2008

We stopped back. We gave this winery another try. I'm sorry, but our overall opinion has not changed. They were arrogant but not quite as snobby as before. The wine isn't anything special. Honest! It's expensive and really doesn't need to be. I think the entry from Whinesnob on 9/30 is the owner. People love Door County so they natually assume everything in Door County is wonderful and a lot of it is. I don't mind over paying for average or subpar quality but at least be nice to me while you're doing it. I'm sticking to my original comment to go to Simon Creek in Door County - you'll have a better time and the quality of wine is better.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Sep 30, 2008

Favorite Wine: Stone's Throw Gamba barreled Old Vine Zin

I totally disagree with most of the comments here. If your expecting a typical Door County winery (sweet cherry wines) that is not what you are going to get. Stones Throw specializes in high quality wines and the owner expects nothing else. He's not trying to compete with the typical Door county stuff, which is fine for most Wisconsinites. I came in for a visit with my wife over labor day weekend and was very impressed. I am in no way a "snooty" or "snobby" person and was wearing a baseball cap, t-shirt and shorts (my userID is more scarcastic than correct). They treated me with respect and recognized that I knew what I was looking for in a wine. The tasting was great and we even joined their wine club. I originally tasted their wine at Flannigan's wine review in Appleton and was shocked that it was a Wisconsin wine. This place is what it is, they are targeting the people in Door County that like "Quality" wine. If this is what you call "snooty" then you can get the sweet stuff at any of the other local "so-called" wineries.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Aug 29, 2008

Favorite Wine: zinfandel, primitivo

Great experience. I am always suprised to see such quality wine and winery in door county. Wide selection of wines, including Zinfandel, my favorite. Staff was very knowledgeable and friendly. Very fun and we will return. Recommend highly. Not sure of other comments below...my husband and I had a great time on our third visit.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Aug 14, 2008

What horrible service. Average wine, horrible people. I have been to several wineries, from California to Door County, Wi, and this is by far the worst experience I have had yet. Never have I felt so belittled at such an establishment.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Aug 11, 2008

These people are some of the rudest people I have ever met. The owner and his staff are total jerks! and very, very arrogant people. Their noses are so high up in the air and such snobs and add very snotty. At State Fair the owner yelled at us to "get out" because we were not drinking enough wine fast enough to sit a table and then kicked us out, I could not believe it. Never has my family been treated so terrible by any establishment and totally out of the blue. The people who worked for the owner were as terrible as the owner. I will never purchase Stone's Throw wine or attend anything event. And one more thing, the wine is nothing special, no better than any other cheap wine! The owner is really an ass and so full of himself.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Aug 01, 2008

These are VERY arrogant people. They are snobs. They are wine snobs. They are so very rude and snotty. They wine is average at best - it's nothing really special. The guy who runs it is really full of himself. Ask them if they have cherry wine and he'll tell you that they make pies from their cherries. What an ass - you make jelly from grapes! Want good Door County wine? Go to Simon Creek. Better wine - better people.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Jun 12, 2008

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Jun 19, 2007

Favorite Wine: Pinot Noir

Decent wines. A little pricy for the quality. Nice establishment. Not always open.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Apr 28, 2007

I wasn't too impressed with the staff's snooty attitude, nor with the nondescript Chardonnay.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Mar 24, 2007

Favorite Wine: Port

I toured this winery in the summer of 2006 with my girlfriend. Although the wine tasted great, the staff was very rude and treated us as if we'd never visited a winery before! Nonetheless, they have a good selection of wines and their port was amazing, especially with chocolate!