Lewis Station Winery, Distillery & Kitchen — Attraction in Lake Mills

I have been to Lewis Station Winery twice, for their cooking and wine-pairing classes. Each of these times, I have enjoyed their food and wine, which I found original and tasteful. However, yesterday, while he was cooking and teaching us delicious recipes, chef Jason Dunn ended up making a comment that ruined my evening.

He went into a story that I had heard him say before, about him visiting Calais, in France, and facing a very rude waiter, who mocked American cuisine. He mentioned that he had responded to the waiter that French cuisine would not use so much sauce if local ingredients were as good as American ingredients. Chef Dunn then explained that, after the waiter had started cursing at him in French, he had responded to him that – had Americans not come to save French people during WWII – this waiter would be cursing at him in German. Fair game, I would say, although some would argue that history shows similar and earlier displays of solidarity from the French to Americans (ie, the American War of Independence). Chef Dunn then decided to say to the laughing crowd that, although he had always hoped to meet with a French person that would make him forget this unfortunate experience, he had never met a French man or woman who wasn’t a small and stinky person. More laughs occurred.

Problem: I am French. Second problem: although he didn’t remember me, I had met chef Dunn before during a cooking class and mentioned to him that I was French. Incidentally, it was after I had told him this that he first recounted his bad experience in Calais, although he had then abstained from his last blanket statement.

After his story, one of my (mortified) American friends decided to speak to one of the owners of the winery. The chef later came to me to tell me that he had the outmost respect for French people. I appreciated the words, but his actions said otherwise. He also said he had enjoyed studying French while in culinary school, which is besides the point.

So, let me say this: I truly apologize in the name of my countrymen and women for the bad experience chef Dunn has had in Calais some 20 or 30 years ago. France, like America and any other country, has good and bad people. Some of them work in the service industry and most definitely should not. Every time I have seen or heard a French waiter or bartender be rude to a foreign customer, I am proud to say that I have spoken up. After all, regardless of where they come from, customers are the lifeblood of a restaurant or a bar.

With that in mind, I have worked in sales and customer service all my life. I also happen to work in the hospitality industry. I would never take the risk of alienating a client and going into a xenophobic remark to get laughs from other customers.

So, if you like tasty wine, you should go to Lewis Station Winery. If you like tasty food, you should go to Lewis Station Winery. I, however, will not be returning to Lewis Station Winery, because I believe that – especially after a recent presidential campaign that pinned people against each other – using nationalism as a sales pitch is profoundly...

I recently had my first visit to the winery on Friday 8-23 for lunch with my daughter and grandbabies. My first impression was fantastic. The gal that took our order very friendly and accommodating. The food was fantastic. However we had a wait staff that was less than pleasant. I was trying to exit the building to grab a seat on the patio with my two infant grandchildren and she flung the door open for herself and let it slam in my face. She then brought plastic plates and silverware and rudely advised us that the table we were sitting at would not hold our food. We grabbed another side table to help with the situation. We were at the only table that provided a bit of shade for myself pregnant daughter and the babies Instead of working with us she tried to cram the plates on the table to make a point they did not fit. I ask her to place them on the side table I had brought over by myself and she slammed them down...

This is truly a hidden treasure in Wisconsin. Great wines that could compete with any in the country.

A terrific variety of wines. Everything from full bodied reds, a wonderful collection of blends and a unique selection of sweet wines. Lewis Station has not one but four Cabernets, each distinctively different with special tasting nootes. My favorite is the J. Henry bourbon barrel aged Cabernet. Personally I have not been dissappointed by any of their wine. My wife tends to like wines more on the sweet side. Role Lake Symphony, Aztalanzin Red, and especially their ice wine Knickerbocker.

Everytime we stop in I feel like we discover something new. My wife fell in love with a seasonal special Christmas Blush and I discovered their Old...