When Matt and Kristin Boegner first contacted Friede & Associates to discuss their plans for a new multipurpose building, we never would have guessed that the project would result in Balanced Rock Winery, one of Wisconsin’s premier wineries, restaurants and event spaces. Located on the south side of Baraboo, Wisconsin on the doorstep of Devils Lake State Park, the new 6,000-square-foot building includes a beautiful tasting area, retail space, outdoor seating, grape crushing pad, and events stage.

Guests are invited to enjoy a beverage in their tasting room,  bask in the sunshine on the outdoor patio, or enjoy local musicians performing throughout the year.

What once began as a corn and soybean field and a driving range for the adjacent Baraboo Country Club, the location is perfect for the Boegner’s wine-making venture. Formerly owned by the City of Baraboo, the 23-acre site provided ideal soil, sun exposure and temperatures for growing grapes. 

While negotiating with the City for the purchase of the property, Matt Boegner contacted Friede & Associates to develop the project. Due to the extensive site work required to transform a portion of the property’s hillside into a level job site, our team enlisted the help of General Engineering, headquartered in Portage, Wisconsin. General Engineering’s expertise enabled our team to create a civil engineering plan that met both the initial construction plans as well as future options for expansion. The site includes space for the development of seven acres for growing wine grapes.  

Utilizing flexible and economical ladder frame wood wall systems that would be constructed off-site, was one example of the cost-saving techniques used on this project.

We also partnered with architectural designer Blake Hebert of Hebert Design in Madison, Wisconsin to help the Boegners visualize the future of Balanced Rock Winery, all while keeping the project on budget. Though the Boegners had originally expected to construct a building with limited finishes, our team was able to work with them to explore value engineering ideas to maximize their budget and deliver a project that quickly became a local favorite. Utilizing flexible and economical ladder frame wood wall systems that would be constructed off-site, was one example of the cost-saving techniques used on this project.

Our team also assisted the Boegners with the municipal approval process, which ultimately resulted in a bright red offset building façade with brick wainscoting and exterior wood trim accents. The outdoor patio was developed to include timber trim and Edison lighting. During this time, the need for a small support building was recognized, was included in the development plans, and was designed to match the main facility’s appearance. 

With plans in place and the approvals secure, construction and site work began in November 2018. Despite challenges with poor soils and cold temperatures, which were alleviated with grade adjustments and alternative soil material, the Friede team was able to place site concrete in December 2018.

Due to snowy conditions, it was decided that interior concrete pours would be completed in the spring of the following year when the weather warmed. With the concrete wall foundations complete, the exterior walls and roof trusses were installed by mid-December. By the end of January, the building was entirely enclosed and its distinctive red and white exterior was in place. In anticipation of a Summer 2019 completion date, the Boegners jumpstarted their marketing efforts through Facebook and their website, complete with daily project updates and job site drone footage.

In April and May, interior finishes were installed, including a concrete bar top in the tasting room, complete with a lighted wine barrel façade, a custom hanging bottle light fixture, and a distinctive red-tiled back bar, which has become the unofficial backdrop for the introduction of Balanced Rocks new wines. The exterior concrete, wood accents, and landscaping were completed by Memorial Day and, following a week of job site clean-up, Balanced Rock Winery officially opened on June 1, 2019. 

When people refer to “wine country,” they usually mean Napa Valley, California. Today, thanks to boutique wineries like Balanced Rock, Wisconsin is quickly becoming known as the Midwest destination for wine lovers. With more than 200 wineries in the state and nearly 1,500 acres devoted to growing grapes, there’s no sign of the industry slowing down. Friede & Associates would like to raise a glass to Balanced Rock Winery for the opportunity to collaborate on their unique and beautiful project.

This project was recognized by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Wisconsin as a 2019 Project of Distinction.

About Friede & Associates:

When you select Friede & Associates, you are buying more than our quality-assured construction services. You also get the performance and reliability of some of the top suppliers and subcontractors in the area. While other contractors may be cutting quality to remain competitive on price, Friede is forging relationships with members of the project team to bring you the best value and highest quality for your investment.