Wollersheim Winery and Distillery

Wollersheim Winery and Distillery is located on the opposite side of the bluff from where a communal, night-time Bald Eagle roost is located. Called Sugar Loaf, this roost is used traditionally by eagles to sleep at night in perhaps a slightly warmer micro-climate. The bluffs can certainly block cold winds. The roost is also vegetated by mature oak trees that offer open perches for big birds to easily alight in. It is also possible that gathered eagles can find out new feeding locations from other eagles using the roost. It is often possible to see eagles returning to their night roost in the later afternoon with full crops of food. If we humans can see such signs of foraging success, eagle-eyed compatriots can certainly do the same. Eagle use of this roost is most prevalent in cold conditions when eagle distribution has shifted up river.

A significant portion of land that eagles use during winter along the Lower Wisconsin River is privately owned. Proper management is needed to maintain eagle habitat and it is difficult for land-owners to provide management without assistance. The local community of Sauk Prairie contributes funds that help manage eagle habitat and your visitation to the Sauk Prairie community can help businesses who then contribute to eagles – that is eco-tourism at its best! Specifically, in addition to managing their own property to benefit eagles, Wollersheim Winery and Distillery donates a portion of proceeds from their sale of Eagle Red Wine to eagle conservation each year. Make sure that you visit the winery itself to observe the excellent human winter habitat after you have checked out the good eagle habitat in the surrounding environs!