About Vernon Vineyards
Vernon Vineyards consists of 75 gorgeous acres in Wisconsin's scenic driftless region and encompasses the Vernon Vineyards Winery and Tasting Room, as well as the Pedretti Family Vineyard just 7 miles northwest of Viroqua, and 23 miles southeast of La Crosse. The vineyard flows over 20 rolling acres right beside the patio and shaded deck of the friendly tasting room. The area's most unique and scenic venue, Pedretti's Party Barn, is also located at Vernon Vineyards and is a popular wedding, exhibition and corporate event venue.
Named one of the biggest and best wineries in Wisconsin
- The 10 Best Wineries in Wisconsin - in Best of Wisconsin, Powered by Americantowns Media
- 13 Picture Perfect Wisconsin Wineries You’ll Want to Visit - ONLYINYOURSTATE
- Largest Wisconsin Wineries - Milwaukee Business Journal, 2016 & 2017
- Best Wedding Venue Nominee - La Crosse Tribune's Best of the Best
- Best Vineyard within 50 miles of La Crosse nominee - Explore LaCrosse
- Multiple People's Choice Awards
- First & Largest Winery in Vernon County, Wisconsin
History
The Pedretti Family Vineyard was established in 2002 when John J Pedretti planted a few thousand grape vines on 39 ridge-top acres seven miles northwest of Viroqua in Wisconsin's Driftless Area. (Town of Jefferson, Vernon County)
Just a couple of miles away Bob Starks and Loren Cade opened the first winery in Vernon County on Irish Ridge (Dahl Road) in the summer of 2006 and named it Vernon Vineyards. In 2012, John J Pedretti purchased the retail and winery portions of Vernon Vineyards and relocated his newly acquired retail venture to an all new Tasting Room at S3426 Peterson Lane, right next to his vineyard and Pedretti's Party Barn, at the intersection of County Road Y and Peterson Lane. The purchase included the inventory, naming rights, "recipes," and logo of the original corporation.
Over the years, there have been several expansions of the Pedretti Family Vineyards as newly developed cold-climate grapes from the University of Minnesota were added. In 2015, John purchased 35 adjoining acres from his father (John S. Pedretti), which included additiona vineyard acreage, two barns, a house, and Pedretti's Party Barn. The old Party Barn had been converted from a dairy barn to a three-season event venue and hosted its first wedding in 1998. It was opened to the public in 2000. Hundreds of weddings, reunions and other celebrations took place there over the 18 years that ensued.
A new Pedretti's Party Barn replaced the old barn in 2016. It is a four-season venue with climate control, self-contained restrooms, a furnished kitchen, a large loft with a projection screen, movable serving bars, and other attractive features. It integrates rustic decor with up-to-date amenities and safety features, The spacious new structure measures 144 x 45 feet and comfortably seats 300 dinner guests, in addition to ample program or activity space.
The vineyard and venues continue to grow and develop. In 2016, thousands of grape vines were added--in full view from the Tasting Room and its covered deck, the sunny patio, and from Pedretti's Party Barn with its large patio. A Cook Shanty was added, the parking lot was expanded, a paved ceremony platform was added, the corn cribs from the original barn were relocated to the entrance of the new barn, and landscaping continued.
Work is being completed that will convert the former "tobacco shed" into a processing plant so the actually wine-making can take place on site at the new Vernon Vineyards location.
For more information or to make an event reservation at Pedretti's Party Barn, please call Deanna at 608-632-7042 or email us at Pedrettis.PartyBarn@gmail.com.
We look forward to your visit! Cheers!