In the early 1840's, Hungarian immigrant Agoston Haraszthy acquired acreage on the Wisconsin River near present day Sauk Prairie, started a brick yard, riverboat and ferry business, laid out the village now known as Sauk City, and planted a vineyard on the southern slopes. His European vines could not withstand Wisconsin winters, and in 1849 he departed for California, where he later became known as the "Father of California viticulture." In 1856, fourth generation German winemaker Peter Kehl acquired Haraszthy's grape acreage and planted more winter-tolerant vines. Kehl's limestone home was erected in 1858, and the winery was built during the Civil War. His son Jacob Kehl continued the operation until 1899. The slopes then returned to their native condition and remained in limited farm use until 1972, when Robert and JoAnn Wollersheim purchased the property and restored it to a working family winery. Its continuing success was enhanced in 1984, when Philippe Coquard arrived from the Beaujolais region of France and became winemaker. With his family background and knowledge of winemaking, Philippe and his wife Julie, the oldest of the Wollersheim children, continue the legacy of making distinctive regional wine. On the slopes of Sugarloaf Bluff, the winery carries on this tradition into future generations.