News & Events
Trout Springs Winery Attains Green Master Level Status in Sustainability
Nov. 11, 2021 ... We are thrilled to share this amazing and important news with you: The Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council has recognized our sustainability efforts within its Green Masters Program. We are the only winery in Wisconsin to achieve Green Master status.
From the press release: "Trout Springs Winery remains the “Gold Standard” for sustainability and carbon reduction footprint in the state of Wisconsin (a whopping 68%). Being sustainable is not just a catch phrase; they live it every day and implement actions instead of just words."
Read the entire press release here.
Nov. 11, 2021 ... We are thrilled to share this amazing and important news with you: The Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council has recognized our sustainability efforts within its Green Masters Program. We are the only winery in Wisconsin to achieve Green Master status.
From the press release: "Trout Springs Winery remains the “Gold Standard” for sustainability and carbon reduction footprint in the state of Wisconsin (a whopping 68%). Being sustainable is not just a catch phrase; they live it every day and implement actions instead of just words."
Read the entire press release here.
Sept. 13, 2021 ... Hear co-owner Steve DeBaker on Wisconsin Public Radio (here) discuss how The Wisconsin Ledge was established and how the Federal Government officially identified the region as a prime grape-producing location known as an American Viticultural Area.
Retired Rambler Archives
Dec. 20, 2022 ... Interested in Spelunking? Steve is joined by Maribel Caves Historian Gary Soule who tells viewers how they can explore and tour wild caves in the area (watch here).
Nov. 15, 2022 ... Glaciers, Grapes, and Gales Steve shows how the glaciers shaped Wisconsin and created the Wisconsin Ledge wine region while Kevin Cullen from the Wisconsin Maritime Museum tells how Lake Michigan creates its own micro-climate, which can lead to hurricane-strength winds (watch here).
Oct. 18, 2022 ... Grape Harvest Wrap-up: Local Wineries are in it Together
Steve is joined by Jim Ploetz from Duck Creek Winery in Denmark to talk about this year's grape harvest, wine, and other local wine byproducts (watch here).
Sept. 20, 2022 ... The Park That Needs No Introduction: Peninsula State Park
Steve highlights perhaps the gem of the Wisconsin state park system (watch here).
Aug. 16, 2022 ... Happy 10th Birthday Wisconsin Ledge! Trout Springs Winery is the birthplace of the Wisconsin Ledge AVA. After seven years of Steve's hard work, the Federal Government in 2012 officially designated the Wisconsin Ledge as a prime grape-producing location known as an American Viticultural Area (AVA)--just like Napa Valley. Read more in the story on the home page and watch the video here.
July 19, 2022 ... Whitefish Anyone? Steve Visits Susie Q Fish Co. in Two Rivers
Special thanks to owners Peter and Paul LeClair along with Captain John Kulpa and First Mate Ken for a day of fishing (1,200 pounds of whitefish!) and showcasing Susie Q. They embody the entrepreneurial spirit of a five-generation business on Lake Michigan. Watch here.
June 22, 2022 ... Explore the Wisconsin Ledge with a New interactive Map: Steve and Sustainable Tourism & Heritage Strategist Susan Kennedy unveil the new Wisconsin Ledge Rambler map (watch here). Find points of interest, cultural centers, shops, restaurants, hiking spots, and all the great places the Ledge has to offer. Access the map at wiledge.org.
May 18, 2022 ... The Importance of Native Plants : Would you like to include native plants specific to Northeastern Wisconsin in your landscape? Joining Steve is Justin Kroening from Stone Silo Prairie Gardens in De Pere. Watch here to learn how to work with native plants.
April 19, 2022 ... A Place Where You Can Make an Earthquake?! : Imagine a place where you can walk through a mine tunnel, shoot off a quarry blast, and yes, make an earthquake. Don Mikulic, Curator of the Weis Earth Science Museum on the Oshkosh Fox Cities Campus in Menasha, joins Steve (watch here).
March 15, 2022 ... Artisan Goat Cheeses & Milk: Learn about the award-winning products at La Clare Family Creamery in Malone. It's a great place to tour, shop, and dine. Find out more here.
Feb. 15, 2022 ... Caves and Maple Syrup!?: Steve introduces viewers to a place that has both--and more: the Ledge View Nature Center south of Chilton. (Save the date for Maple Syrup Sunday on March 20.) Find out more here.
Jan. 18, 2022 ... Winter Fun in Kewaunee County: Steve highlights the appropriately named Winter Park and another County gem – the Bruemmer Park & Zoo right across the street. Watch the episode here.
Dec. 21, 2021 ... Documenting The Ledge: Filmmaker Dan Larson, who has produced a number of documentaries that help preserve and promote the Wisconsin Ledge (some of which have aired on PBS Wisconsin), joins Steve on this month's episode here.
Nov. 16, 2021 ... Venison Without the Hunt: Not a hunter but like the taste of venison? Dr. Sam Vinessi from Eaton Highland Red Deer Farm joins Steve with details here.
Oct. 19, 2021 ... Harvest Time: Get a closeup look at the winery and hear why the Wisconsin Ledge is such a great place to make wine here.
Sept. 21, 2021 ... Bees Please: Steve and beekeeper Garry Sydow talk about the importance of bees to our agriculture, wine included. Find out more here.
Aug. 17, 2021 ... Monument Dedication and Celebration Day: Please join us at Way-Morr Park on Saturday, August 21, at 10 am for the historic dedication of the Wisconsin Ledge AVA Monument. Celebrate all day at the winery after the dedication. Find out more here.
July 20, 2021 ... Point Beach State Forest: More than 2,900 acres of natural forest land, bordered on the east by almost 6 miles of sand dunes and beach on Lake Michigan. Point Beach includes hiking, camping even a lighthouse. That's not all, find out more from Steve here.
June 15, 2021 ... The Ridges: One Amazing Sanctuary: This month Steve introduces us to The Ridges in Baileys Harbor, the most biologically diverse ecosystem in Wisconsin. Home to many unique plants including about 25 different orchids. Watch here.
May 18, 2021 ... Vines and Fine Wines: Steve talks about two of his favorite subjects: vineyards and the Wisconsin Ledge (and why it's a great grape-growing region). Watch here.
April 20, 2021 ... Alvar? What's That? Steve gives us the scoop on one of the Earth's rarest ecosystems, and one such environmental area just happens to be in Northeast Wisconsin: the Red Banks Alvar (watch here).
March 16, 2021 ... BAT FAN: Steve and Jerry Theys from Wildlife of Wisconsin discuss the importance of bats and show how to build a bat house to help protect the bat population in Wisconsin (watch here).
Feb. 16, 2021 ... Wonderful Waterfalls
When things thaw and the beauty runs once again (watch here).
Dec. 20, 2022 ... Interested in Spelunking? Steve is joined by Maribel Caves Historian Gary Soule who tells viewers how they can explore and tour wild caves in the area (watch here).
Nov. 15, 2022 ... Glaciers, Grapes, and Gales Steve shows how the glaciers shaped Wisconsin and created the Wisconsin Ledge wine region while Kevin Cullen from the Wisconsin Maritime Museum tells how Lake Michigan creates its own micro-climate, which can lead to hurricane-strength winds (watch here).
Oct. 18, 2022 ... Grape Harvest Wrap-up: Local Wineries are in it Together
Steve is joined by Jim Ploetz from Duck Creek Winery in Denmark to talk about this year's grape harvest, wine, and other local wine byproducts (watch here).
Sept. 20, 2022 ... The Park That Needs No Introduction: Peninsula State Park
Steve highlights perhaps the gem of the Wisconsin state park system (watch here).
Aug. 16, 2022 ... Happy 10th Birthday Wisconsin Ledge! Trout Springs Winery is the birthplace of the Wisconsin Ledge AVA. After seven years of Steve's hard work, the Federal Government in 2012 officially designated the Wisconsin Ledge as a prime grape-producing location known as an American Viticultural Area (AVA)--just like Napa Valley. Read more in the story on the home page and watch the video here.
July 19, 2022 ... Whitefish Anyone? Steve Visits Susie Q Fish Co. in Two Rivers
Special thanks to owners Peter and Paul LeClair along with Captain John Kulpa and First Mate Ken for a day of fishing (1,200 pounds of whitefish!) and showcasing Susie Q. They embody the entrepreneurial spirit of a five-generation business on Lake Michigan. Watch here.
June 22, 2022 ... Explore the Wisconsin Ledge with a New interactive Map: Steve and Sustainable Tourism & Heritage Strategist Susan Kennedy unveil the new Wisconsin Ledge Rambler map (watch here). Find points of interest, cultural centers, shops, restaurants, hiking spots, and all the great places the Ledge has to offer. Access the map at wiledge.org.
May 18, 2022 ... The Importance of Native Plants : Would you like to include native plants specific to Northeastern Wisconsin in your landscape? Joining Steve is Justin Kroening from Stone Silo Prairie Gardens in De Pere. Watch here to learn how to work with native plants.
April 19, 2022 ... A Place Where You Can Make an Earthquake?! : Imagine a place where you can walk through a mine tunnel, shoot off a quarry blast, and yes, make an earthquake. Don Mikulic, Curator of the Weis Earth Science Museum on the Oshkosh Fox Cities Campus in Menasha, joins Steve (watch here).
March 15, 2022 ... Artisan Goat Cheeses & Milk: Learn about the award-winning products at La Clare Family Creamery in Malone. It's a great place to tour, shop, and dine. Find out more here.
Feb. 15, 2022 ... Caves and Maple Syrup!?: Steve introduces viewers to a place that has both--and more: the Ledge View Nature Center south of Chilton. (Save the date for Maple Syrup Sunday on March 20.) Find out more here.
Jan. 18, 2022 ... Winter Fun in Kewaunee County: Steve highlights the appropriately named Winter Park and another County gem – the Bruemmer Park & Zoo right across the street. Watch the episode here.
Dec. 21, 2021 ... Documenting The Ledge: Filmmaker Dan Larson, who has produced a number of documentaries that help preserve and promote the Wisconsin Ledge (some of which have aired on PBS Wisconsin), joins Steve on this month's episode here.
Nov. 16, 2021 ... Venison Without the Hunt: Not a hunter but like the taste of venison? Dr. Sam Vinessi from Eaton Highland Red Deer Farm joins Steve with details here.
Oct. 19, 2021 ... Harvest Time: Get a closeup look at the winery and hear why the Wisconsin Ledge is such a great place to make wine here.
Sept. 21, 2021 ... Bees Please: Steve and beekeeper Garry Sydow talk about the importance of bees to our agriculture, wine included. Find out more here.
Aug. 17, 2021 ... Monument Dedication and Celebration Day: Please join us at Way-Morr Park on Saturday, August 21, at 10 am for the historic dedication of the Wisconsin Ledge AVA Monument. Celebrate all day at the winery after the dedication. Find out more here.
July 20, 2021 ... Point Beach State Forest: More than 2,900 acres of natural forest land, bordered on the east by almost 6 miles of sand dunes and beach on Lake Michigan. Point Beach includes hiking, camping even a lighthouse. That's not all, find out more from Steve here.
June 15, 2021 ... The Ridges: One Amazing Sanctuary: This month Steve introduces us to The Ridges in Baileys Harbor, the most biologically diverse ecosystem in Wisconsin. Home to many unique plants including about 25 different orchids. Watch here.
May 18, 2021 ... Vines and Fine Wines: Steve talks about two of his favorite subjects: vineyards and the Wisconsin Ledge (and why it's a great grape-growing region). Watch here.
April 20, 2021 ... Alvar? What's That? Steve gives us the scoop on one of the Earth's rarest ecosystems, and one such environmental area just happens to be in Northeast Wisconsin: the Red Banks Alvar (watch here).
March 16, 2021 ... BAT FAN: Steve and Jerry Theys from Wildlife of Wisconsin discuss the importance of bats and show how to build a bat house to help protect the bat population in Wisconsin (watch here).
Feb. 16, 2021 ... Wonderful Waterfalls
When things thaw and the beauty runs once again (watch here).
