FISH CREEK - One of Door County s patriarchs of the fruit orchard, wine making and agri-tourism scene has died.
Bob Lautenbach, 72, turned a Fish Creek family farm into the year-round tourist destination now known as Orchard Country Winery and Market more than 45 years ago. His death was announced Tuesday morning on the Orchard Country Facebook page, less than a week before the farm plans to open for the public pick-your-own-cherries season Lautenbach helped popularize on the peninsula. He lived his life full of passion, worked really hard, and had a fire in his belly, an entrepreneurial spirit, a goofiness, and a humble heart, the post on the Facebook page said, in part. He was always willing to lend a hand or offer some wisdom . he loved all those that worked with him (not for him) . and he loved sharing his passion for the cherry and wine industry. We know he touched so many lives over the years.
You won’t find Spirits of Norway Vineyard, 22200 Six Mile Road, Town of Norway, if you’re not looking. Tucked alongside fields in Racine County, the small vineyard and winery is on a dead-end road next door to the home of its owners.
When Randy Larson found this land, he knew he wanted to do something agricultural. He also loves wine. In 2012, he planted his first wine grapes. It started as a hobby, but in 2016 he started selling wines with Wisconsin-grown grapes. Today, he and Cindee Henrichs have 2.5 acres and produce around 2,500 cases each year with their grapes and other varieties imported from Europe and Chile.