PICK & SIP. Connell's Family Orchard has generations-deep roots in the Chippewa Valley. Known for its family-friendly atmosphere and activities, its new addition for the 2026 season is for the adults – Connell's Family Orchard's own line of wines.

For the first time in its 168 years of operations, Chippewa Falls' Connell’s Family Orchard is dipping into the vino scene by rolling out its own line of wines. A new use for the longtime area orchard’s apples, three wine varieties were debuted in August: apple, apple raspberry and spiced apple.

The new offering is one the Connell family – now owned and managed by the sixth generation, brothers Rick and Steve Connell – doesn’t want longtime orchard-goers to mistake for a wholly new direction. The family doesn’t plan on moving away from its family-friendly emphasis, or becoming a winery, Steve said.

“We try to add something (new) every year,” Steve said in a recent phone call, while working in the pole shed. “We’ve been talking about (making wine) for quite a few years and just pulled the trigger on this idea last year.”

Last winter, after the busy fall season, the Connell family had their apples pressed into cider and began to experiment with wine recipes, making several tweaks before landing on the three varieties now available exclusively at Connell’s Family Orchard.

Steve said all three wines are on the sweet side and they may eventually add a dry variety. Right now, there’s no clear favorite from patrons, though Steve personally prefers the apple wine.

Connell's Family Orchard's wine pricing

• Bottle: $17 each OR three bottles for $45
• Glass: $6
• Flight: $10

Once the leaves start turning and fall mums bring bursts of autumnal color to the orchard’s retail store, the family predicts the spiced apple variety will spike in popularity.

“A neighbor guy came over and he was tasting (the wines) and he says, ‘I bet this would be really good in the late fall and winter time’ and that got me thinking,” Steve said. “I wonder if it’ll be like the pumpkin spice thing, where it’s just better on a cooler day.”

After a good growing season – Steve said minimal frost and no major storms this year helped with that – “everything looks good,” he added.

Right now, folks are welcome to the orchard for berry picking and to purchase other produce available.

“Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve been open for raspberry picking and the raspberries are just phenomenal right now,” Steve said. “Our fall crop is just starting, so peak picking is typically Labor Day and then all of September.”

"I've drank more wine in the last month than I have in my life," Steve Connell quipped. The family-operated orchard in Chippewa Falls emphasizes its family-friendly atmosphere, with no plans to become a winery. Still, its newest addition – three wine varieties made with its apples – will be a sweet sip for 21-plus visitors this fall.

Fresh produce and goods currently available at Connell's Family Orchard:

• U-pick raspberries: $3.95/lb. 
• Cabbage: $0.79/lb.
• Sweet corn: $5/dozen
• Tomatoes: $1.25/lb. or 25 lb. for $25
• Onions: $1/lb. 
• Cantaloupe: $2
• Eggs: $4/dozen 

With all that said, a taste of fall is now available by the bottle, glass or flight at this Chippewa Falls orchard. (I bet it’ll pair well with the homemade apple dumplings and other baked goods Connell’s famously serves… I’ll report back later.)

Connell's Family Orchard (19372 County Highway OO, Chippewa Falls) is currently open daily (9am-5pm) and provides updates and announcements through its Facebook page.