Visit Rubber Ducky & Discover Northleaf Wines
Our Heritage
Northleaf’s winemaking heritage meets Rubber Ducky’s playful spirit in a bold new chapter. Rooted in history, built on resilience, and driven by community, we honor the past while pouring the future. Visit us to learn more!
20+ Years of Wine in the Making
Discover your next favorite wine with the help of our expert pourers. From bold, dry reds to sweet sippers and easy-drinking patio pounders, our lineup spans the full spectrum, offering something for every taste, mood, and moment.
Coming Soon | June 2025
Coming Soon | June 2025
Step Back in TIme to the 1880s
Just steps from Northleaf Winery, The Duckery Lounge is your new go-to for bold cocktails, wine flights, and unforgettable vibes. Kids by day with craft sodas and wild milkshakes. Adults by night with themed bartenders, live music, and creative pours.
About Us
Our Story
175 Years of History: Welcome to Wisconsin’s Most Historic Winery
Nestled in the heart of Milton, Wisconsin, Rubber Ducky Winery & Country Market operates inside one of the oldest commercial buildings in the state—the historic John Alexander Wheat Warehouse, built in 1850. With over 175 years of continuous use, reinvention, and purpose, this structure ranks among the eleven oldest still-functioning commercial buildings in Wisconsin, and one of the fifty oldest overall.
The story began in the summer of 1844, when John Alexander arrived from Roxburghshire, Scotland, with his wife and three sons. Just four years before Wisconsin became a state, he purchased land from Nathan Storrs (of Storr’s Lake fame) and began farming. By 1850, John had constructed this warehouse using lime mortar, an early form of cement developed by Joseph Goodrich, founder of the Milton House.
In its earliest days, the building served as a critical link in Wisconsin’s agricultural economy—local farmers, including John, transported their wheat all the way to Milwaukee to exchange for goods. Over time, the warehouse adapted to the changing times. By 1914, it became the Badger Garage and Machine Company, and later, in 1922, it housed Park Place Garage, where early Buicks and Overlands were sold.
A new chapter unfolded in 1947, when the Skelly and Davidson families repurposed the building into the Sunnyview Apple Orchard Warehouse. Apples were sorted, pressed, and sold here, and for decades afterward, locals continued to refer to the site as “the Orchard.” Though the orchard closed in 1991, its legacy lingered.
Recognizing its historical importance, the warehouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978 as part of the country’s largest collection of grout buildings. In 1994, it was donated to the Milton Historical Society to ensure its preservation.
In 2007, the Nordlof family acquired the building and invested in major structural restoration. The visible steel rods and black bolts are part of the innovative reinforcement system that now literally suspends the building from a protective steel skeleton. By February 2009, NorthLeaf Winery officially opened its doors, becoming the first winery in Milton.
In May 2025, Joelle and Jason—longtime fans of the winery—were honored to take the reins and begin a new era as owners. Their journey to this moment began in 2020 with a humble farm stand on the lawn of their home in Twin Lakes. That stand grew into a year-round country market, pizzeria, and wine bar rooted in community, creativity, and heart.
Rubber Ducky was born out of uncertain times and built on the belief that joy, resilience, and connection matter. The rubber duck, which became their symbol, stands for perseverance, innocence, and happiness. For Joelle and Jason, it also represents their motivation: their children. Just as this building has endured nearly two centuries of transformation, the duck reminds them to keep floating—no matter what.
Welcome to Rubber Ducky Winery & Country Market
Preserving the Past and Pouring the Future
Our Wines
Our wines are crafted using fruit sourced primarily from California, with additional selections from Chile, New York, and right here in Wisconsin. With a wide range of styles, we offer something for every palate—from Old World classics to bold New World favorites. Nearly all of the 36 wines currently available in our tasting room have earned multiple awards at international wine competitions. More importantly, they continue to win the hearts of the guests who visit us every day.
Our Partners
