The Lautenbach Family

Lautenbach family door county cherry picking

Bill and Ruth Lautenbach purchased the family farm in 1955 and raised 3 children along with caring for 75 milking cows and acres of cherry orchard. Plantings of the Montmorency cherry tree continued through the years and Ruth’s mother, Viola Lisch would travel from Depere on the Greyhound bus to help out during the fruit harvest season.

bob working in the orchardThe eldest son Robert (Bob) Lautenbach and his family took over the farm in the mid 70’s and established a roadside market in 1975. The dairy barn was restored and became the working winery in 1985. The current owner, Bob Lautenbach, was introduced to the farming lifestyle by his grandparents and parents. door county grape harvest

Things have expanded greatly since then, and the portion of the Lautenbach family that owns and operates Orchard Country is now composed of Bob and daughters Carrie (Lautenbach) Viste and Erin Lautenbach, who are involved in all of the decision-making that affects the business.  Bob's sister Laurel travels from Milwaukee to help out in the busy market, just like Grandma Lisch used to.

Bob and grand daughter in vineyardBob is especially involved in the farming side of the business, determining how to best tend the vast variety of fruits grown on the property, most recently, grapes. These newly established grape varietals have found their way into Orchard Country’s first estate-grown grape wines. 

Audrey Grace and Nathan John, named after the newest edition of Lautenbach's, making them the 5th generation to be involved in the business.  Lauren Elizabeth-the third grandchild's wine was released this Spring on Lauren's 3rd birthday.