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Vernon Reporter: Aronia Berries of Viroqua: A Story of Roots, Wellness, and Community

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The Berry

Aronia Berries

How much should I drink?

We typically recommend starting with 3 ounces of Aronia berry juice per day. Aronia is extremely nutrient-dense, rich in polyphenols, and contains beneficial fiber, so it’s best to introduce it gradually if your body is not accustomed to it. Please note, this suggested intake aligns with general best practices and may vary based on individual health needs. We encourage you to consult with a healthcare professional if you have any concerns or specific health conditions.

How long will it stay fresh after opening?

Once opened, it will stay fresh for at least two weeks if kept refrigerated.

Should I refrigerate your Aronia Berry juice?

Yes, please refrigerate the juice after opening. Before opening, it is shelf-stable and does not require refrigeration.

What makes your handcrafted Aronia Berry juice unique?

Our juice is truly unique because of the land and location where it is grown—it’s all about the terroir. This special character comes from our unique soil, climate, and the care we take with every step of the process. From berry to bottle, our juice is handled in its absolute full-strength glory, with no preservatives or additives—just pure Aronia. Our farming practices, including foliar feeding, probiotics, and other natural inputs, ensure healthy, robust berries with unparalleled flavor.

Family-owned and crafted, our juice boasts a superior taste that offers a hint of sweetness to balance the naturally bold tannins. The result is an incredibly unique mouthfeel that will make you a fan for life.

Where do the aronia berries grow?

Our Aronia berries are grown in rich, fertile soils that benefit from the unique terroir of our region in Viroqua, Wisconsin, right on our family farms (and with trusted farm partners). We use only Midwest grown, family-farmer cultivated berries. And always will.

This area’s distinct combination of climate, soil composition, and sustainable farming practices creates ideal conditions for cultivating high-quality Aronia berries. We carefully manage every step—from nurturing the plants with natural inputs like probiotics and foliar feeding to harvesting at peak ripeness—to ensure that our berries offer exceptional taste and health benefits.

Are the berries organic?

Our Aronia berry juice is not certified organic, but we go beyond standard practices to ensure exceptional quality and safety. We control every step of the process—from growing to bottling—and adhere to sustainable, environmentally-friendly methods. Since our families also drink this juice, we are deeply committed to its purity and integrity. In many ways, this dedication makes our practices “beyond organic.”

Trust is at the heart of everything we do. We take great pride in earning the confidence of our customers by delivering a product we wholeheartedly stand behind, ensuring transparency, quality, and care at every step.

Where is the juice processed?

Our juice is processed right on the farm, beginning with a commercial-grade cleaning line to thoroughly prepare the berries. After cleaning, the berries are placed into bins and either refrigerated or frozen, enhancing their flavor and preserving quality. Our juicing process continues at the Viroqua Food Enterprise Center, located nearby. There, our dedicated team handles every step of the process—from pressing and bottling to labeling—ensuring maximum quality control. We utilize flash pasteurization to guarantee a pure product while preserving its nutrients. This operation is part of a cooperative partnership with other regional berry growers. To complete the journey, our own trucks handle distribution, and we also maintain a retail presence as a partner at the Viroqua Public Market. Our commitment to end-to-end processing highlights our dedication to quality and community-focused production .

Normal to have particulates in the juice?

Definitely. There may be particulates in our juice, and we recommend shaking it vigorously before drinking!

Our Aronia berry juice is handcrafted and cold-pressed, much like the juicing process you might use at home. We allow for a small amount of fine particulates, which are typically not very noticeable.

Additionally, Aronia juice can sometimes form a syrup-like consistency—this is completely normal and not unhealthy! In fact, it often contains many of the juice's beneficial elements. Enjoy the full craft experience!

The company

Viroqua Aronia Co

Who is behind Viroqua Aronia Co.?

Our enterprise is proudly founded and led by a passionate team dedicated to leaving a positive, lasting impact. Viroqua Aronia Company is solely owned by a team of three, all calling Viroqua home.

Craig Solverson, is our founding fifth-generation Viroqua farmer and driving force behind our mission - the steadfast pioneer behind our journey, navigating the immense challenges and weighty considerations of cultivating Aronia—a resilient perennial plant. With a deep understanding of the intricate components needed for success, he persevered through every obstacle. Craig’s unwavering dedication and vision carried us through, leading to the creation of a thriving company that finally brings this extraordinary berry to the world.

Dr. Tony Macasaet, a decorated Emergency Physician and Medical Director and fanatic Localpreneur, co-founder of the beloved Viroqua Public Market, brings a lifetime commitment to health, wellness and community building to our work.

Jody Kliscz’s diverse background as a US Army National Guard veteran, former agent with child protective services, and a dynamic female entrepreneur brings a unique and powerful perspective to our team. Managing several small businesses, running a farm and horse rescue, experience launching numerous restaurants under her family's brand and boasting an impressive network of statewide business connections, Jody’s multifaceted expertise is invaluable.

Together, our small team is fully committed to faithfully juicing the OG ultra berry—Aronia—and sharing its powerful benefits with the world. Through this beverage, we hope to foster ecstatic belonging for all that regularly drinketh.

Fun facts: Craig and Tony both grew up in Viroqua—on the very same street! Additionally, Tony and Jody are also founding members of a weekly improv healing jam session, called The Seedy Peeps.. Our roots run deep, and so does our dedication to culinary creativity and community!

Are there opportunities to invest in Viroqua Aronia Co. and its cooperative initiatives?

We appreciate your interest in investing and see tremendous value in collaborating with those who align with our vision for sustainable growth, community wellness, and regenerative agriculture. As we continue to expand, our focus is on building a thriving ecosystem centered around Aronia berry products and fostering a cooperative spirit in the Driftless Region and beyond.

We invite you to consider joining us through the Seedy Peeps Cooperative, a purpose-based trust organization designed to create lasting impact through collective investment. By participating in the Seedy Peeps, you become part of a network dedicated to collaboration, innovation, and mutual aid among like-minded partners. This approach goes beyond traditional investment—it’s about purpose-driven growth, ecological stewardship, and strengthening communities through shared values and long-term vision.

Together, we can cultivate a regenerative future where sustainable farming and innovative products flourish, while fostering meaningful relationships within a supportive cooperative network. If this resonates with your investment goals and values, we would be delighted to discuss how we can collaborate to create lasting, positive change.

Need more Aronia Berry Growers?

Absolutely! As we scale, we are actively exploring partnerships with more Aronia berry growers. Our highest vision is to build a cooperative network of like-minded family farmers dedicated to cultivating Aronia—a crop with the potential to become a defining cash crop of the Driftless Region. We believe that together, we can create a thriving, resilient community rooted in regenerative agriculture and mutual support.

If you have land and are interested in growing Aronia, we would love to connect and discuss opportunities. Additionally, we are nurturing a parallel cooperative effort known as the “Seedy Peeps,” focused on ecstatic networking, collaboration, mutual aid, and finding solutions together with a long-term vision. The Seedy Peeps is a community where innovation and support go hand-in-hand, fostering a spirit of collective growth and purpose. Reach out and join us in this exciting journey of shared prosperity and sustainable development.

The Place

Viroqua

What is the Driftless Region ?

The Driftless Region, with Viroqua at its heart, is a geological gem untouched by glaciers during the last Ice Age, resulting in its unique landscape of rolling hills, deep valleys, limestone outcroppings, and spring-fed streams. This area, unlike much of the Midwest, has not been flattened by glacial movement, preserving its rich biodiversity and fertile soil. For Viroqua Aronia Co., being situated in the Driftless Region is not just a geographical advantage; it defines our company’s essence. The pristine environment and exceptional growing conditions foster nutrient-rich Aronia berries, enhancing their superior flavor and health benefits. Our commitment to regenerative farming practices thrives in harmony with this diverse ecosystem, reflecting our values of sustainability, wellness, and deep-rooted community connection. The Driftless Region’s unmatched beauty and natural abundance inspire everything we do, making our products as extraordinary as the place they come from.