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June 10, 2024
MARSHFIELD – Hop & Grape, a winery and craft beer establishment at 205 W. Upham St. in Marshfield, has wrapped up its first year in business – with much more success anticipated for the future.
“We’re satisfied with how things have gone the first year,” Co-Owner Scott Gebelein said. “Any business is going to have its ups and downs, but overall, we’re happy with where we’re at. In the future, we’d love to see Hop & Grape in different locations in other cities. We’ve done some preliminary looks at that.”
A long time coming
Hop & Grape, Gebelein said, has been a long time coming.
“My wife, Sharon, and I have been thinking about opening something like Hop & Grape for quite a few years,” he said. “Once our three children went off to college, Sharon and I had more time to tour breweries and wineries – we enjoy the atmosphere of places like that… it’s more laid back than a typical tavern or bar.”
Gebelein said Hop & Grape doesn’t produce any of its craft beers or wines on-site – it’s all sourced from other manufacturers.
“We found there aren’t many establishments who offer craft beer and wine at the same location to the level we do,” he said. “That’s how the idea was born. We wanted to create a relaxing atmosphere where you can enjoy a craft beer or glass of wine with a wider selection.”
Gebelein said Hop & Grape almost came to fruition in 2020.
“We had a place to lease right before COVID-19 hit, but that fell through,” he said. “We were talking to the architect the Tuesday before the world shut down.”
Once things calmed down, Gebelein said, the process started again, coming to fruition last May.
Gebelein said the current location – near Festival Foods and the Hampton Inn & Suites – is in an ideal spot.
“We wanted to be on the north side of Marshfield – it was important to us,” he said. “We’re in a place a bit off Main Street, and there is a hotel nearby – it made sense in quite a few ways. We’re currently leasing the space.”
Wisconsin-based products
Gebelein said Hop & Grape strives to use as many Wisconsin-based products as possible.
“The wine is predominantly Wisconsin wine,” he said. “All of the wineries we visited, we met the owners, etc. I’d estimate 90% of the wines we have are produced in Wisconsin.”
On the craft beer side of things, Gebelein said, much of it is sourced from all over the world, “but I’d guess 50% of what we have in-house is Wisconsin-based.”
Door County wines, Gebelein, who grew up in nearby Stratford, said, are also available.
“That’s important to Sharon and me,” he said. “We have unique flavors and beers. Whatever we do, we want to be a bit different to give the community access to something that might be harder for them to reach in Marshfield or the surrounding areas.”
Gebelein said the unique flavors of wines and beers have been well received thus far.
“In the year we’ve been open, I think we’ve cycled about 275 different craft beers,” he said. “We turn over the beer list often. There’s a good chance if you come here on a Wednesday and then return a few days later, there will be different beers… We have 20 craft beer taps available.”
It’s more than a tasting room
Though Hop & Grape is known for its selection of craft beers and wines, Gebelein said it offers more than that – such as trivia nights, music events, a book club, etc.
“Our trivia is popular,” he said. “During summer, it’s a bit sporadic, but during fall, winter and spring, we have it twice a month – every other Wednesday. The place will be, for the most part, full.”
The book club, which Gebelein said was Sharon’s idea, is also popular.
“One of our guests comes in to run that,” he said. “It’s something different we can offer. We’re also beginning a ‘Mug Club.’ We keep it fresh and unique so people come in to see what’s next.”
Hop & Grape hours are 4-11 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 3-11 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday.
Hop & Grape is currently closed on Sunday until Labor Day.
The establishment is also closed Monday and Tuesday year-round.
For more information on Hop & Grape, visit its Facebook page.
