BEST WINE SELECTION (BAR, RESTAURANT, OR WINERY)

1. Bemis Bluff Winery

2. Infinity Beverages Winery & Distillery

3. Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse

Once again, Bemis Bluff Winery (E2960 Hageness Road, Eleva) demonstrates it has the area’s best wine selection. Enjoy the scenery while sipping fruit wines, or better yet, a wine slushy on a hot July afternoon. (Is it summer yet?) With award-winning wines, Infinity Beverages (3460 Mall Drive, Eau Claire) offers vinos to satiate any palate, from their Riesling and Moscato blend, Desire, to their Syrah and Pinot Noir blend, Solace. Although they’re not a winery, Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse (4751 Owen Ayres Court, Eau Claire) serves the perfect wine to pair with your meal. –Stephanie Nesja

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BEST WINE SELECTION (RETAIL)

1. Woodman’s Markets

2. Bemis Bluff Winery

3. The Coffee Grounds

With more than 3,000 wines in stock, Woodman’s Markets (2855 Woodman Drive, Altoona) is the go-to retailer for Chippewa Valley oenophiles (that’s the fancy way to say “wine connoisseurs”). Whatever your taste or budget – from Dom Perignon to Barefoot — Woodman’s is sure to have something you’ll enjoy. Local winemaker Bemis Bluff Winery (E2960 Hageness Road, Eleva), makes a wide range of fruit wines, including sweets and semi-sweets all the way to dry varieties (and don’t forget the wine slushies). The Coffee Grounds (4212 Southtowne Drive, Eau Claire) offers far more than roasted beans: From whites to reds to Wine of the Month Club selections, this Eau Claire retailer has the fruit of the vine well-covered, too. –Tom Giffey

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BEST WINEMAKER

1. River Bend Winery & Distillery

2. Infinity Beverages Winery & Distillery

3. Bemis Bluff Winery

Wisconsinites are more than just fans of brandy Old Fashioneds. This year’s Best Winemaker selections prove we’re also a bunch of wine lovin’ ... well, wine-os! River Bend Vineyard & Winery (10439 33rd Ave., Chippewa Falls) returns to first place, and their 10 years of competition with over 50 medals prove their wine is worth it. Infinity Beverages Winery & Distillery (3460 Mall Drive, Eau Claire) has rightfully earned a spot on the list, with a lounge-style tasting room and variety of wine and cocktails to boot. Bemis Bluff Winery (E2960 Hageness Road, Eleva) remains a favorite, with fanciful fruit wines that tantalize the palate. And we can’t forget to give an honorable mention to one of our personal favorites, Autumn Harvest Winery & Orchard (19947 County Hwy. J, Chippewa Falls) coming in for a very close fourth place! — Stephanie Nesja