Enjoy a visit to Southern Minnesota wineries

from SCENE JULY 2023

cool & chic

By ASHLEY HANLEY Guest Contributor

hen you think of wine, California, France or Italy normally come to mind. But right here in Southern Minnesota, grapes have been planted, stomped and bottled for some of the finest wines in the country.

One of the most popular wineries across the region is Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery and Distillery, located right outside of Kasota between Mankato and St. Peter.

Chankaska officially opened to the public in 2012. Since then, it’s grown into an awardwinning brand, which has become very popular in this cold-climate region.

Kelsey Long is the Marketing Manager for Chankaska.

“We have about 15 acres of vines that we source our grapes from, we also buy grapes from local growers around the area, allowing us to produce more. We also import a small percentage of grapes from California and Washington State for the varietals that we can’t grow here,” Long added. “All the wine we make is made on the property! If we import grapes, we will import the grape or the juice, and do all the processing in our cellar on the production floor. “

Long said there’s been a collaborative plan to help Minnesota wineries thrive.

“The University of Minnesota has done a

Wfantastic job with its cold-climate program. With the release of the Marquette grape in 2006 which has been easy to work with and grow in this climate, Minnesota wineries have really become a force to be reckoned with. We can still use grapes like Cabernet and Merlot, and blend them with cold-climate grapes like Marquette and Frontenac, to make amazing wines,” Long said.

When it comes to Chankaska wines, Long said there are several things that make them stand out from the crowd.

“We set our quality standards very high from the initial planting of the vines to the winemaking and bottling process. Our products are made from local sources and we have provided our production team with the most advanced tools to produce a high-quality product,” Long said.

But Long said it is the ground and scenery of the Ranch that is the real show-stopper for many patrons.

“We have over 25 acres of vines, walking trails, sculpture strolls, and native flowers and plants. With multiple sites for ceremonies and receptions, live music every Friday and Saturday night, along with complimentary s’mores around the bonfire, you are going to keep wanting to come back.”

Chankaska has also seen significant growth through the last decade.

“We started as a winery making wines and quickly ventured into becoming a small-batch distillery and distilling spirits and making Kreme’s, one of our most popular products. We have released a new food menu this summer that pairs perfectly with our wine offerings. While specializing in wood-fired pizzas, we have come to offer new items such as Seoul Tacos, Granola, specialized desserts, and more,” Long said.

They also host many entertainment events, concerts and parties throughout the year. This summer, Long said, they are excited to focus on weddings and helping to create special memories with couples and their family and friends.

“Chankaska is a beautiful place to bring friends and family, spend an afternoon or evening walking around the grounds and listen to live music. We now offer a brunch menu available from 11-3 pm Friday-Sunday, and a special Bloody Mary Flight, featuring all different spirits, from 11-2 pm Friday – Sunday. Make sure to stop out and visit us this summer, and grab a glass of wine or signature cocktail from the spirits bar as you stroll our grounds and see everything we have to offer,” Long said.

Another beautiful winery is Indian Island, located just outside Janesville.

Founded in 2010, this winery is a family-run business, owned by Ray and Lisa Winter in partnership with son Tom, daughter Angie, and daughter-in-law Angela.

Their winery has a rich history that connects the past to the present.

“Our winery was built on a site once used by Native Americans as a summer hunting camp,” Ray Winter said. “Teeming with wildlife, the land was once nearly 100 percent surrounded by water. Throughout past years, many artifacts have been found, keeping us intrigued by the history of these grounds.”

The vineyard currently covers over 14 acres with over 6,000 vines. They have 17 different varieties and are adding more every year.

The grapes include cold hardy varieties such as Frontenac, La Crescent, Marquette, St. Croix, Brianna and many others.

“We offer wine, beer, wine slushies, wine cocktails, many food options and live music,” Winter said. “We have a large selection of very good wines. Our wines are made from all Minnesota grown wines, locally grown. We have large indoor and outdoor space, the best live music around and you can see beautiful sun ets from our large outdoor patios. We have about 30 employees and are always adding new events and special things to do . There is no better place to enjoy great wine, music and food in a totally relaxed venue. All are welcome,” Winter added. 

Ashley Hanley is a wife and mom of three young kids in North Mankato. When she’s not handing out snacks or kissing boo-boos, you can find her cheering on her favorite Minnesota sports teams. She is a firm believer they will win a championship in her lifetime.