In September of 1862, Anton Dreps and his wife, Josephine, purchased the 80-acre farm that now houses our restaurant and winery. The property included a log cabin, which Anton largely incorporated into his brick farmhouse in 1881. For over a century, members of the Dreps family continued to farm this land. In 1891, the farm expanded to include what is now the Pine Hills Country Club and Golf Course. In 1984, “Dreps Acres” was designated a Sheboygan County Landmark and still retains its original Kohler address.

      In 2011, Bob and Connie, along with Matt and Heidi Moeller, purchased this stunning property. They opened the restaurant in June of 2012, followed by the winery and patio in April of 2014. In September of 2018, they completed renovations on The Granary, opening it to the public.

     Like many farmers of the time, the Dreps’ relied on teams of horses to cultivate the land. However, there was one horse that stood out as a favorite — a blind Percheron draft horse named Birdy. When our owners uncovered this remarkable story in the Sheboygan County Historical archives, they felt inspired to name the property The Blind Horse Restaurant & Winery in tribute to Birdy. In the fall of 2018, Bob and Connie made a bold decision to honor Birdy in a very special way — by bringing her front and center, literally. Our front lawn now proudly displays a breathtaking sculpture dedicated to Birdy. This life-sized Percheron draft horse is crafted from old fuel oil tanks, standing seven feet tall and ten feet long. Artist Carl Vanderheyden meticulously created this stunning work of art. Surrounded by lights, Birdy is visible day or night — the perfect centerpiece for our property.

     Today, the history of this land is alive at every turn. From the original 138-year-old hand-hewn log beams in the Winery to the carefully preserved features of the Granary, the rich history of this property remains deeply embedded in its fabric. Our tribute to Birdy continues throughout, with wines named in her honor. Birdy’s Red is our signature sweet red wine, Birdy’s White was the first wine we blended with Wisconsin-grown grapes, and Flirty Birdy is our sweet rosé.

               We invite you to explore the photo gallery below and enjoy the history of our one-of-a-kind Kohler property. The black-and-white photographs displayed on the walls of our restaurant offer a glimpse into the past that still resonates today.