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| About Us |
A venue for vinifera, the Captain's Walk Winery offers premium grape wine tasting in
a light-hearted manner. Partake in a laid back experience that usurps the snobbery
out of wine while enjoying a unique tasting education. The pre-civil war building has
been updated carefully to recapture 150 years of character. Plaster crown molding,
the original fireplace and hardwood floors complement openings that offer viewing of
the production room and cellars. Captain's Walk Winery crafts classic wines with New
World style. The duo of modern winemaking practices and ripe fruit from some of the
finest wine growing regions of the United States create a true uniqueness of
"varietal character". These are big wines from small batches that are
loaded with flavor and fun to drink! First there were two brothers, then there were two
brothers...Aric and Brad Schmiling entered into the world of wine at ages 8 and 6
when their parents purchased von Stiehl Winery. In 2007, they created Captain's
Walk Winery with a goal of creating a boutique winery with small high quality
batches. Steering clear of wine snobs, the brothers assembled a crew that is
knowledgeable, but fun. Things fell into place nicely when they hired brothers, PJ and
Jim. The Koehlers offer a vast amount of wine knowledge without being stuffy about
it. Speaking of knowledge, please read on to find out more about the brothers and the
brothers.
a light-hearted manner. Partake in a laid back experience that usurps the snobbery
out of wine while enjoying a unique tasting education. The pre-civil war building has
been updated carefully to recapture 150 years of character. Plaster crown molding,
the original fireplace and hardwood floors complement openings that offer viewing of
the production room and cellars. Captain's Walk Winery crafts classic wines with New
World style. The duo of modern winemaking practices and ripe fruit from some of the
finest wine growing regions of the United States create a true uniqueness of
"varietal character". These are big wines from small batches that are
loaded with flavor and fun to drink! First there were two brothers, then there were two
brothers...Aric and Brad Schmiling entered into the world of wine at ages 8 and 6
when their parents purchased von Stiehl Winery. In 2007, they created Captain's
Walk Winery with a goal of creating a boutique winery with small high quality
batches. Steering clear of wine snobs, the brothers assembled a crew that is
knowledgeable, but fun. Things fell into place nicely when they hired brothers, PJ and
Jim. The Koehlers offer a vast amount of wine knowledge without being stuffy about
it. Speaking of knowledge, please read on to find out more about the brothers and the
brothers.
Aric Schmiling – Winemaker & Co-Owner
In 1995, Aric graduated from the University of Green Bay with a degree in
marketing and chemistry, then went on to graduate school at Michigan State
University for enology and viticulture, which is the study of winemaking and grape
growing. He brought back the knowledge to produce many vinifera varieties as well
as French and American hybrids. Aric is not only the winemaker and president of
the company, but also a Parrot Head with hobbies including duck and deer hunting,
moving things with his skid steer, and finishing his house. He and his wife, Jamie,
have two girls: Karina and Ava.
Brad Schmiling - Marketing and Co-Owner
Brad graduated from the University of Wisconsin Green Bay with a Bachelor of
Science in Performing Arts Engineering and Design in 1997. After working in
Madison at Electronic Theater Controls, he discovered that life on the road was not
for him. He then worked for a sales company in St. Louis. Shortly after moving back
to Wisconsin in 1999, Dr. Stiehl suggested to Brad that theatre and wineries weren't
that different: “When it comes to wine, it's all about romance and putting on a show,”
Doc said. After that piece of advice, Brad reentered the family wine business with a
showbiz-style focus on event development and branding. He is the vice president of
the corporation, and his role in the winery is “to run the business”.
Aric and Brad's "Aha Moment"!
In 1995, Aric graduated from the University of Green Bay with a degree in
marketing and chemistry, then went on to graduate school at Michigan State
University for enology and viticulture, which is the study of winemaking and grape
growing. He brought back the knowledge to produce many vinifera varieties as well
as French and American hybrids. Aric is not only the winemaker and president of
the company, but also a Parrot Head with hobbies including duck and deer hunting,
moving things with his skid steer, and finishing his house. He and his wife, Jamie,
have two girls: Karina and Ava.
Brad Schmiling - Marketing and Co-Owner
Brad graduated from the University of Wisconsin Green Bay with a Bachelor of
Science in Performing Arts Engineering and Design in 1997. After working in
Madison at Electronic Theater Controls, he discovered that life on the road was not
for him. He then worked for a sales company in St. Louis. Shortly after moving back
to Wisconsin in 1999, Dr. Stiehl suggested to Brad that theatre and wineries weren't
that different: “When it comes to wine, it's all about romance and putting on a show,”
Doc said. After that piece of advice, Brad reentered the family wine business with a
showbiz-style focus on event development and branding. He is the vice president of
the corporation, and his role in the winery is “to run the business”.
Aric and Brad's "Aha Moment"!
PJ Koehler - Assistant Winemaker and General Manager
Paul J. Koehler (aka PJ) graduated from the University of Wisconsin Green Bay in
December of 1998 with a B.S. in Human Nutrition and Food Sciences. PJ developed a
passion and understanding of the fine wines of the world while growing up and
working in the family wine and spirits business. He later completed his Wine
Connoisseurs Certification from the Wine Spectator School. After completing college,
he found employment in several technical fields such as Quality Assurance,
Microbiology and R & D roles for local food and consumer foods companies. Missing the
excitement and feeling that he was not utilizing his family-acquired craft skills, he
went back to wine. In 2005, after having sampled some fantastic wines from von
Stiehl Winery at a charity wine tasting event, he decided to send them a resume. He
was later hired and due to the complex nature of the business, they put him to work in
various areas of the company. Some of his roles included assisting with winemaking
under the guidance of Winemaker Aric Schmiling, while also managing the tasting
room, wholesale sales, and off-site tasting events for von Stiehl. In 2006, he helped
with the production of what were to become the wines for the yet-to-be-opened
Captain's Walk Winery. In 2007, to further his education, he enrolled in UC Davis'
Winemaking Certification program. In his free time, he enjoys maintaining a small
vineyard named after his daughter Marilyn and gardening in his orchard, vegetable
patch, and greenhouse. He also enjoys making and serving unique culinary creations
as well as action sports such as rollerblading, mountain biking, and snowboarding.
Jim Koehler - Winery Manager
In early 2007, Jim and his brother, PJ, became managers of Captain's Walk Winery.
Their father, Paul, was a wine buyer and educator for Farah Liquor Stores in the
Green Bay area for many years, so Jim and PJ grew up with fine wine and food at the
dinner table. As young adults, Jim and his brothers developed a strong work ethic
while working as stock boys at Valley Liquor Store in DePere under their father's
supervision. Jim eventually became the manager of Valley Liquor, which had
become a fine wine destination, and worked with his father until the store closed in
early 2007. While attending Georgetown University for two years Jim experienced
the cosmopolitan culture of Washington, D.C. There he worked for Marriott campus
catering, and built a solid foundation in the hospitality business. He furthered his
passion of dance and theatre at University of Wisconsin Green Bay and Stevens Point.
In 1998, he graduated from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College with an Associate
Degree in Physical Therapy. Jim serves his country as a 20+ year veteran in the US
Army Reserve. His passions, in addition to wine include food, history, arts,
cross-cultural relations, and travel. Jim and his wife, Michele, have two daughters,
Teresa and Sonia.
Paul J. Koehler (aka PJ) graduated from the University of Wisconsin Green Bay in
December of 1998 with a B.S. in Human Nutrition and Food Sciences. PJ developed a
passion and understanding of the fine wines of the world while growing up and
working in the family wine and spirits business. He later completed his Wine
Connoisseurs Certification from the Wine Spectator School. After completing college,
he found employment in several technical fields such as Quality Assurance,
Microbiology and R & D roles for local food and consumer foods companies. Missing the
excitement and feeling that he was not utilizing his family-acquired craft skills, he
went back to wine. In 2005, after having sampled some fantastic wines from von
Stiehl Winery at a charity wine tasting event, he decided to send them a resume. He
was later hired and due to the complex nature of the business, they put him to work in
various areas of the company. Some of his roles included assisting with winemaking
under the guidance of Winemaker Aric Schmiling, while also managing the tasting
room, wholesale sales, and off-site tasting events for von Stiehl. In 2006, he helped
with the production of what were to become the wines for the yet-to-be-opened
Captain's Walk Winery. In 2007, to further his education, he enrolled in UC Davis'
Winemaking Certification program. In his free time, he enjoys maintaining a small
vineyard named after his daughter Marilyn and gardening in his orchard, vegetable
patch, and greenhouse. He also enjoys making and serving unique culinary creations
as well as action sports such as rollerblading, mountain biking, and snowboarding.
Jim Koehler - Winery Manager
In early 2007, Jim and his brother, PJ, became managers of Captain's Walk Winery.
Their father, Paul, was a wine buyer and educator for Farah Liquor Stores in the
Green Bay area for many years, so Jim and PJ grew up with fine wine and food at the
dinner table. As young adults, Jim and his brothers developed a strong work ethic
while working as stock boys at Valley Liquor Store in DePere under their father's
supervision. Jim eventually became the manager of Valley Liquor, which had
become a fine wine destination, and worked with his father until the store closed in
early 2007. While attending Georgetown University for two years Jim experienced
the cosmopolitan culture of Washington, D.C. There he worked for Marriott campus
catering, and built a solid foundation in the hospitality business. He furthered his
passion of dance and theatre at University of Wisconsin Green Bay and Stevens Point.
In 1998, he graduated from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College with an Associate
Degree in Physical Therapy. Jim serves his country as a 20+ year veteran in the US
Army Reserve. His passions, in addition to wine include food, history, arts,
cross-cultural relations, and travel. Jim and his wife, Michele, have two daughters,
Teresa and Sonia.
| From left to right, Jim Koehler, PJ Koehler, and Jocelyn Grueneberg |
