FEEL RIGHT AT HOME. The O'Neil Creek Winery (15369 82nd St., Bloomer) welcomes guests to its particularly homey venue in Chippewa County. The lower level of the house is host to its tasting room and gift shop while its yardage offers ample outdoor seating in the warmer months.

After retiring from the police force in 2007, local Joe Wynimko searched for a hobby – and found a passion for making wine. Nearly twenty years later, that hobby has turned into much more in the hills of northwestern Wisconsin. 

Sparked by his then newfound hobby, Joe built a house and planted an orchard in Bloomer – no vineyard for him! – officially creating O'Neil Creek Winery (15369 82nd St.). Today, the homey winery is going strong with 24 wines on the menu.

In addition to the 20 featured blends made from berries, rhubarb, plums, pumpkins, apples and more, Joe makes four fortified wines, perfect for those times you want to sip and savor a drink alongside a dessert. 

Over the years, Joe has made wines from a lot of different plants, including beets, carrots, garlic and onions (those last two are good for use while cooking, he said).

One notable blend, Summer Delight, is a dandelion wine made with California raisins, oranges and limes; partly inspired by Joe's mother, who made it to serve the big crews who helped on their farm. Another favorite is Strawberry Bliss; if you smell chocolate, you'll taste strawberries and vice versa.

Joe and Dorinda Wynimko, owners of O'Neil Creek Winery.

Joe and his wife, Dorinda, admit it's not always an easy life running a winery; it's a lot of hard manual work. Increasing costs, too, play into that. 

Despite it all, they each continue to love what they do.

The duo's favorite part of the winery-ownership journey has been the experience of meeting so many interesting people, including visitors from Russia, Europe and Africa, they shared. 

They've also met many travelers by acting as "Harvest Host": a offering which allows one camper to park and stay on-site at the Bloomer winery.

Nestled in the lower level of the house, the winery invites visitors inside like one would invite their friend or neighbor to their home. There, in the tasting room, guests can also browse Dorinda's boutique, stocking unique gifts and wine-related items. 

While regularly open throughout the warm weather seasons, O'Neil Creek Winery also welcomes wine-seeking visitors and artists to its "Wine Down Wednesday" events – where vino and music are paired together – slated for May 20, June 17, July 8 and Aug. 19, this year.

If you are out in search for the next wine bottle for a gathering with loved ones – or simply in need of a nearby oasis to wind down and indulge in a new sip – one does not have to look beyond Bloomer's O'Neil Creek Winery.

View O'Neil Creek Winery's (15369 82nd St., Bloomer) list of available wines and learn more online at oneilcreekwinery.com. Keep up with the local winery on Facebook.