Suick Lure Company continues to land the lunkers
Eau Claire middle schooler is state’s queen Civics Bee
October 20, 2025
CEDARBURG – For fans and devoted patrons of Kohler’s The Blind Horse Restaurant and Winery, Owners Bob and Connie Moeller have given them another reason to gather and raise a toast.
Earlier this month, The Blind Horse opened a second location in Cedarburg – about 40 minutes from its flagship location in Kohler.
The Moellers said the new space, known as The Blind Horse Cellar, will provide the same Napa Valley-inspired experience customers have grown to love in Kohler, but on a more intimate scale.
The couple said opening The Blind Horse Cellar was nearly two full years in the making.
“Expanding the brand was made possible, in part, because of 2023 Wisconsin Act 73, which authorized eligible producers [manufacturers, rectifiers, wineries and breweries] to make full-service retail sales at their production premises and up to three off-site retail outlets,” Bob Moeller said.
Moeller said before the change, if they made wine at the winery in Kohler and wanted it on the menu for the restaurant, they needed to sell the wine to a broker, who then sold the wine to the restaurant – under the same ownership as the winery – and just 40-50 feet away.
“Knowing the legislation was likely to pass and having a desire to expand to another tourism destination, Connie and I purchased the property in Cedarburg in November 2023, six months or so before the law went into effect May 1, 2024,” he said.
Moeller said he recognizes that women are a driving force in the wine business in the United States, and through his travels, he observed the most female foot traffic of any Wisconsin municipality in Cedarburg.
Though there were other wine-related businesses, he said they thought they could bring a unique spin to it with the cellar concept.
“It was just 40 miles south of us [in Kohler], and I’d go there with my wife…,” he said. “It seemed like this place was perfect. It’s a tourist destination, and when we found that piece of property right on the river, right in the historic district, we thought, ‘this is perfect.’ If we got an opportunity, we were going to fill out that application as soon as it became available because we had already made up our mind that’s where we were going.”
Combining flavor-forward fare with rich history
The building now home to The Blind Horse Cellar, Moeller said, dates back to the 1840s.
Located at W63N674 Washington Ave., Moeller said the tasting room’s design elements celebrate the historic character and integrity of the property, blending rustic and refined elements with a nod to its sister location in Kohler and the rich history of Cedarburg.
Moeller said Steve Peskie of Distinctive Design Studio and Jos. Schmitt Construction, led by owner Steve Schmitt, renovated and restored the building and outdoor spaces.
“Among the 1,800 square feet of the cellar space, patrons will find restored rustic exposed brick, gold foil detail on the ceiling, horse-themed decor and curated art collection, vintage oil lanterns and the largest bar in Cedarburg,” he said.
Moeller said returning and new patrons will be able to enjoy outdoor seating and live entertainment on the patio for 2026, just as visitors do at the Kohler location.
However, instead of entrees for meal options, Moeller said The Blind Horse Cellar will offer more small plates to complement its plethora of wine options.
“Our approach to the menu was to offer options not available elsewhere,” he said. “We looked at the market around there and saw what was being sold and said, ‘You know, everything here has to be unique, something different and [it should be] elevated a little bit.’”
Moeller said several Kohler staff members have shifted to the Cedarburg location, helping the sister site have a smooth debut.
He said opening team members include the Moellers, Chris Varah (managing director), John Philipp (Cedarburg tasting room manager), Robert Brown (chef), Patrick Regenwether (winemaker) and another 20-plus staff members, servers and winetenders.
Providing a sip, nosh for patrons
Moeller said The Blind Horse Cellar has plans to showcase the entire portfolio of Blind Horse Wines with more than 20 vintages, including many award-winning selections and winery favorites like Super Tuscan, Black Gypsy, Roan Rider, Peach Chardonnay and Flirty Birdy.
He said it will also feature the most recent releases of its bourbon series wines – Bourbon Barrel Zin and Bourbon Barrel Cab, which were aged in J. Henry & Sons Bourbon Casks.
“Non-alcoholic beverages will also be available for purchase,” he said. “There will also be a selection of chef-curated foods to enjoy while imbibing and sampling wine.”
Lighter menu items, Moeller said, include choices like lobster cargot, blistered shishito peppers, red beet muhammara, tuna tartare and a shrimp ceviche, while it also currently features flatbreads and paninis and a build-your-own blini option – complete with Calabasas and Osetra caviar.
Connie said seeing their dreams come to fruition through their original Kohler location and the expansion of their brand to Cedarburg is something they’re thrilled about.
“Since we started this project, we’ve met a lot of great people in the area, in Cedarburg and the surrounding areas,” she said. “I think it’s going to really be a place to have a good glass of wine, great food and meet new people.”
Taking a full-bodied look toward the future
The Moellers, who are originally from Michigan, said they have been married for 54 years, and through their experiences and shared memories of travel, have developed a love for the tourism industry and the many towns that support it.
“The Blind Horse has been keeping a pulse on real estate opportunities in Wisconsin’s top tourist cities such as Cedarburg, Lake Geneva and De Pere,” Moeller said. “The quaint environs, spectacular high-traffic location and the historically unique building were key elements in selecting this building [in Cedarburg] as the framework to create the first satellite Blind Horse location.”
Moeller said the Cedarburg property will likely become the template for additional Blind Horse properties in other Wisconsin travel towns.
Though it’s a lot to have on their plate, the couple said they relish the opportunity to do new and different things in the hospitality industry.
Connie said it’s a lesson her dad bestowed upon them while they were in business together.
“Bob and I learned a lot from my father,” she said. “He always said, ‘Don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t do it.’ I guess we took that advice and ran with it.”
Moeller said he knows Cedarburg is a coveted destination for wine enthusiasts, and they’re excited to join the vibrant, charming and travel-worthy downtown district.
“We have already received a warm welcome from the town and look forward to being one of the must-stop locales for visitors and residents alike, with an inspired wine-tasting experience and eclectic gathering place,” he said.
