River Bend Winery & Distillery sits on 33rd Avenue in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, where the Chippewa River winds through rolling farmland about an hour east of Minneapolis. Founded by the Schuh family, this operation combines Old World winemaking traditions with newer craft distilling ventures, creating spirits alongside their established wine portfolio. The facility occupies a purpose-built space that houses both fermentation tanks for wine production and copper stills for their growing spirits program. You’ll find everything from traditional grape wines to fruit wines made with Wisconsin-grown ingredients, plus a selection of craft spirits that showcase local grain and botanical sources. The operation reflects the agricultural richness of the Chippewa Valley, where family farms still dot the landscape and seasonal ingredients drive much of what ends up in bottles. River Bend represents the kind of diversified approach that’s become common among Wisconsin’s craft beverage producers, where winemakers expand into distilling to maximize their facility’s potential year-round. The Chippewa Falls location puts them in the heart of Wisconsin’s emerging craft spirits corridor, where small producers are building on the state’s brewing heritage to create distinctive spirits. The family’s commitment to using regional ingredients means their products taste distinctly of place, whether that’s Wisconsin-grown grapes in their wines or locally-sourced grains in their spirits.