In The News
Article in the Journal Sentinel | July 18, 2025
Waterford Wine & Spirits Adds Cozy New Wine Bar on Farwell Avenue
The East Side just got a little more delicious with the opening of Waterford Wine & Spirits’ new 16-seat wine bar, offering rare by-the-glass pours like Barolo and Bordeaux, a $10 corkage option, curated snacks, and a neighborhood vibe perfect for sipping, chatting, and exploring exceptional wine.
Article in Urban Milwaukee | July 18, 2025
Farwell Wine Bar Opens Inside Waterford Wine & Spirits on Milwaukee’s East Side
Waterford Wine & Spirits has added a permanent wine bar to its East Side shop, offering guests a cozy new space to sip, explore, and connect over hand-selected wines. The Farwell Wine Bar opens July 18 with a rotating glass list, curated flights, and bottle service—plus snacks from Village Cheese Shop and exclusive events on the way.
Video with Live it Up! | July 16, 2025
Pat Talks About Summer Wines with Lee Acker
Pat Miller of Waterford Wine & Spirits joins Lee Acker to share refreshing summer wine picks, food pairings, and tips for making the most of warm-weather sipping.
Article in the OnMilwaukee | July 16, 2025
Now Pouring: Waterford Opens Farwell Wine Bar on Milwaukee’s East Side
Waterford Wine & Spirits is opening its newest venture, the Farwell Wine Bar, on Friday, July 18. This elevated yet welcoming space offers rotating wines by the glass, curated tasting flights, corkage options, and a full calendar of events, all designed to spark discovery, conversation, and community.
Podcast on the Weathlyist | July 11, 2025
Wealthyist Podcast: Fine Wine, Smart Collecting & Building Relationships
In this episode of Wealthyist, Ben Christiansen of Waterford Wine & Spirits dives into the world of rare wine, shifting industry trends, and how thoughtful guidance—not just transactions—creates lifelong wine lovers and collectors.
Article in the Fabulous Wisconsin | June 23, 2025
Meet Jason & Natasha Wedl: The Husband-Wife Duo Elevating Wisconsin’s Wine Scene
Together, Jason and Natasha Wedl have helped shape Waterford Wine & Spirits into one of Wisconsin’s most welcoming and inspired wine destinations. Their passion, creativity, and dedication have built a space where community and exceptional wine experiences thrive.
Article in the Fabulous Wisconsin | May 22, 2025
Summer in France Festival Returns to Milwaukee
Waterford Wine & Spirits’ second-annual Summer in France festival brings over 75 French wines to Milwaukee on June 7, with exclusive VIP access to rare rosés and whites from iconic regions.
Article in the Fabulous Wisconsin | May 20, 2025
Fabulous People: Natasha Wedl of Waterford Wine & Spirits
Meet Natasha Wedl, marketing manager at Waterford Wine & Spirits and former entrepreneur, who brings creativity, resilience, and a love for community to everything she does, from curating events to raising her son and growing her garden.
Video on the Live it Up! | May 06, 2025
Sipping into Summer: Rosé Fest Preview with Pat Miller, Lee Acker & Pam Klein
Pat Miller joins Lee Acker and Pam Klein to chat about Waterford’s upcoming Rosé Fest, highlighting top picks, food pairings, and why this sunny celebration of pink wine is a summer must.
Article in the Green Bay Press Gazette | April 10, 2025
Waterford Weighs In on Tariffs and the Future of Wine Prices
As new global tariffs shake up the alcohol industry, Waterford Wine & Spirits’ Kim Burie shares how the store is preparing to maintain its wide selection without raising prices, at least for now. With a strong inventory and a pivot toward domestic wines, Waterford is bracing for uncertainty while ensuring customers can still find something special on the shelf.
Video on the WMTV | April 3, 2025
Waterford Hosts First-Ever Midwest Spirits Celebration in Madison
Fitchburg's Waterford Wine & Spirits is shaking things up with its first Midwest Spirits Celebration on April 12, showcasing farm-to-bottle producers from across the region. From locally grown grain to handcrafted pours, this event is a must for spirit lovers.
Article in the Lake Country Tribune | March 16, 2025
Waterford Wine & Spirits Brings Charm and Community to Downtown Delafield
With a cozy wine bar, warm hospitality, and thoughtfully curated events, Waterford Wine & Spirits in Delafield offers a relaxed yet refined experience that keeps guests coming back, glass in hand.
Video on Live it Up! | November 12, 2024
Thanksgiving Wine Picks with Pat Miller, Lee Acker & Pam Klein
Get ready for the holiday table with expert wine tips from Pat Miller, Lee Acker, and Pam Klein. From classic pairings to unexpected favorites, they share the perfect bottles to make your Thanksgiving meal shine.
Article in the Green Bay Press Gazette | September 23, 2024
More Than a Bottle: The Waterford Wine & Spirits Experience
Founded in 2005, Waterford Wine & Spirits offers a curated selection of global wines and spirits, expert guidance, and immersive events, from tastings to private gatherings, across its four Wisconsin locations.
Video on the Live it Up! | September 10, 2024
Orchard Pointe Remodel & Summer Sips with Pat Miller and Lee Acker
Wine & Spirits’ Orchard Pointe location, and sample a few standout beverages along the way.
Video on the Live it Up! | July 23, 2024
Pat Miller on His Journey Into the Wonderful World of Wine
Pat Miller shares how he first fell in love with wine—and how that passion eventually led him to discover Waterford Wine & Spirits. From early tastings to meaningful connections, it's a story of curiosity, community, and finding the right bottle at the right time.
Video on the Live it Up! | May 21, 2024
Exploring the Elegance of White Burgundy with Waterford Wine & Spirits
In this engaging conversation, Lee Acker sits down with a Waterford Wine & Spirits expert to unpack the allure of White Burgundy, highlighting its complexity, food pairings, and why it's a benchmark for Chardonnay lovers worldwide.
Video on Live it Up! | April 23, 2024
Ben Christiansen on Starting Waterford Wine & Sampling Sparkling Wines
Founder Ben Christiansen shares the story behind launching Waterford Wine & Spirits and opens a few bottles of bubbly to highlight what makes sparkling wines so celebratory, versatile, and approachable.
Podcast on Uncorked | April 23, 2024
Behind the Bottle: Ben Christiansen Talks Wine, Business, and the Art of Curation
In this episode of At The Bar with Hansen Reynolds, Ben Christiansen of Waterford Wine & Spirits shares the real story behind his 19-year journey as a wine entrepreneur. From inventory headaches to hidden wine gems, it’s an honest, insightful look at what it takes to build a business—and a cellar—you love.
Article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | September 20, 2023
Waterford Hosts Rare Bordeaux Grand Cru Classé Tasting
In a remarkable showcase of wine curation, Waterford Wine & Spirits presented 56 Bordeaux Grand Cru Classé wines from the 2012 vintage—an event hailed as “absolutely rare” by industry experts and a testament to the shop’s deep-rooted passion for Bordeaux and the Milwaukee wine community.
Video from the Fitchburg Chamber of Commerce | May 8, 2023
Ribbon Cutting: Waterford Wine & Spirits Opens in Fitchburg
Celebrate the official ribbon cutting of Waterford Wine & Spirits’ newest location in Fitchburg! Founder Ben Christiansen shares his excitement about expanding to the Madison area, bringing curated wines, spirited events, and a deep love of wine education to a new community.
Article in the Wisconsin State Journal | March 2, 2023
New Owner of Former Steve's Liquor in Fitchburg Upping the Ante
Waterford Wine & Spirits has taken over the former Steve’s Liquor in Fitchburg, bringing a fresh focus on curated selections, engaging events, and elevated service in beer, wine, and spirits, raising the bar for what a neighborhood shop can be.
Article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | January 4, 2023
Waterford Wine & Spirits Expands Near Madison While Staying True to Its Roots
From stay-at-home dad to founder of a four-location wine business, Ben Christiansen blends deep wine knowledge with educational flair, offering thoughtful tastings, longform newsletters, and a mission to make wine approachable, no matter the budget.
Article in the Green Bay Press-Gazette | November 22, 2021
Waterford Wine & Spirits Expands to Bellevue with Third Location
Taking over the former Nala’s Cheese and Wine space, Waterford Wine & Spirits brings its curated, educational approach to Bellevue, offering 2,000 wines, a renovated tasting lounge, and a commitment to making fine wine both exciting and accessible.
Article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | March 18, 2018
Delafield Hosts Spanish Wine Tasting Featuring Rioja
Waterford Wine & Spirits will lead an exploration of Spain’s finest wines at I.d. restaurant in the Delafield Hotel, including a standout 1994 Urbina Gran Reserva Rioja, along with Albariño, Priorat, Ribera del Duero, and more.
Conversation with OnMilwaukee | April 25, 2014
Chef Talk: Wisconsin Foodie's Kyle Cherek chats with Ben Christiansen
In this interview, Ben Christiansen shares how Waterford Wine is built on more than just bottles—it's about creating meaningful experiences, honest hospitality, and bringing real joy to the table through wine.
Article in OnMilwaukee | June 11, 2012
How Passion, Personality, & a 660-Square-Foot Storefront Built Waterford Wine
With just 660 square feet and no advertising budget, Ben Christiansen built Waterford Wine on passion, knowledge, and personal connection, offering tastings, storytelling, and standout service that helped him thrive among retail giants.
Article in Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | November 14, 2009
Wine Sales Hold Strong in 2009, Even as the Economy Falters
During the 2009 recession, wine lovers in Milwaukee didn’t stop sipping; they just spent smarter. Waterford Wine’s Ben Christiansen called it “a great time to be buying wine,” with high-end bottles more accessible than ever and cult labels finally hitting local shelves.