American Wine Project, driven by the passion and vision of Winemaker Erin Rasmussen — a Wisconsin native with winemaking experience from California to New Zealand — began in an experimental vineyard block at a large California winery. Confronted with the potential of the Upper Midwest hybrid grapes she was tasting — grapes she knew could be grown in her homeland — she asked herself a bold question: What if the overlooked and often frowned-upon grape varieties of the Upper Midwest could produce truly beautiful, complex wines? Prompted by this experience, Erin returned home to Wisconsin determined to prove they could.

Working with cold-hardy varieties developed in northwest Wisconsin and Minnesota, American Wine Project embraces low-intervention, traditional techniques while prioritizing biodiversity and minimal vineyard inputs.

100% LaCrosse from Possum Ridge Vineyard, near La Farge, WI and Sugar River Family Farm, outside of Mount Horeb, WI. Barrel fermented and aged on lees for over two years. LaCrosse features minerally saline qualities. Coupled with a creamy mouthfeel and citrusy flavors, we feel this wine is connected to styles found in NE France (Savoie, Jura, etc).