Four people standing in a vineyard during sunset, smiling at the camera. The group includes a man on the far left, a woman with a wide-brimmed hat next to him, another woman with curly hair beside her, and a man on the far right with glasses and a beard.

The History

If you spend an afternoon driving through the west side of Chippewa Falls, you might just happen upon a hidden gem: River Bend Winery & Distillery. Set on six acres of vineyard, we grow Brianna, Frontenac, and Frontenac Gris grapes and specialize in crafting high-quality wines using both local and American-grown fruit.

River Bend was founded in 2009 and quickly built a loyal following across Wisconsin thanks to its award-winning wines. In 2016, the winery expanded into distilling, using local crops to create a line of handcrafted spirits that stayed true to the same commitment to quality.

In 2022, the Antonson and Fleishauer families took ownership of River Bend, excited to carry on what has made this place so special. With backgrounds ranging from nonprofit leadership and education to the U.S. Marine Corps, and engineering, we come from different paths but share the same passion for what River Bend stands for: great wine and spirits, local roots, and a place where everyone feels at home.

We’re passionate about building community and creating space for people to slow down, connect, and make memories. We’re so glad you found us and we can’t wait to welcome you to River Bend Winery & Distillery.

“River Bend is such a warm and welcoming place! Their wine simply speaks for itself, and they have such kind employees! A must stop if you are in the area! From the inexperienced wine drinker, to the connoisseur, there is a great atmosphere with wonderful people to enjoy it with.”

— Preston Gunderson, Facebook user”