fall
in #MNwine Country
grape stomp other events
September
October
Fr Sa Su
Fr Sa Su
8
1
2
6
9
10
13
Sovereign Estates (Waconia, MN) p.7 Chateau St Croix (St Croix Falls, WI) p.7 Saint Croix Vineyards (Stillwater, MN) p.7 Richwood Winery p.8 Round Lake p.8 p.7 Glacial Ridge p.8
15
16
Dancing Dragonfly (St Croix Falls, WI) p.9
22
8
14
15
Chateau St Croix (St Croix Falls, WI) Oktober Wine Fest p.10 Schram (Waconia MN) Harvest BonďŹ re p.11
17
20
21
22
Saint Croix Vineyards (Stillwater, MN) German Wine Festival p.12
Carlos Creek (Alexandria, MN) p.9 Millner Heritage p.9
7
North Folk p.10 Millner Heritage (Kimball, MN) p.8
Sovereign Estates Harvest Dinner p.10
23
24
Chateau St Croix (St Croix Falls, WI) Fall Harvest Festival p.10
27
27
29 Crow River Pumpkin Fest p.12
Flower Valley (Red Wing, MN) Donkeys Deliver Wine Tastings! p.10 Crow River p.12
29
30 Flower Valley (Red Wing, MN) Donkeys Deliver Wine Tastings! p.9
1
November 11-12
Holiday Harvest Great River Road Wine Trail www.greatriverroadwinetrail.com
We’re not afraid of a little hard work. HOW ABOUT YOU?
HARVEST HELPERS NEEDED
WEEKENDS IN SEPT & OCT
Many vineyards hand-harvest their grapes — which as you can imagine, is not only time-sensitive to make sure they get harvested at the peak of ripeness, but time-consuming to hand pick acres of grapes. Several vineyards have programs for “harvest help”, looking for volunteers to pick grapes — each location handles harvest differently, but typically involves a few hours of grape picking in exchange for a hearty farm lunch, and fabulous wine, of course! Some vineyards may also provide donations to qualifying charity organizations who volunteer, a fantastic way to get out and help two causes at once. Check with each location for details!
VOLUNTEER & help these vineyards with harvest!
Flower Valley Vineyard Red Wing, MN
Saturdays Sept 9 thru Oct 7 9a-1p
Spend a few hours of harvesting grapes in the vineyard, followed by a hearty farm lunch on us, as our thanks to you!
To sign up, visit flowervalleyvineyard.com
VOLUNTEER and help these vineyards with their harvest!
Spirit Creek Vineyard
Millner Heritage
West Sweden, WI
Sept 16-17, 23-24, 30-Oct 1 We provide food and beverage for all helpers. We have 3 lakes that touch the property and hiking trails for the adventurer. Lots of wildlife to enjoy during your visit and fresh country air! Camping is available if desired. Lodging available in Siren, Luck, Grantsburg or just stay for the day.
contact michael-jahnke@msn.com
Kimball, MN
After the fieldwork then comes the party. A good meal and to drink whatever wine you'd like, plus we send to bottles of wine home per person. It is a fun real world event, these grapes do make our wine.
contact cherilaughton@gmail.com
with the subject line "harvest". Include your name, phone number, number of people in your group, and the days of the week you can be available.
Four Daughters Vineyard Spring Valley, MN
After an amazing morning of picking grapes, lunch and wine will be provided to the volunteers! September 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, and October 7 (tentative). To sign up, call: (507) 346-7300
VOLUNTEER
Round Lake Vineyards Round Lake, MN
Event help needed! September 9 - Grape Stomp October 8 - 5k To help, call: 507-945-1100
Gratitude
by Lauren Voigt Founder, MN Uncorked
starts with feeling your own thankfulness — put it in action! During harvest season, many wineries across the state are inviting you help them with harvest! The question I’ve received — why would I go work on someone’s farm, for free? For me, the answer is obvious: it makes a difference to someone. And hey, I like spending a crisp morning with sun rising over the vines, in good company of like-minded volunteers. The atmosphere creates a wonderful sense of community. According to Nan Bailly, of Alexis Bailly Vineyard in Hastings, they have a “loyal crew of friends, family and customers who come out every year” to harvest, to folks that just thought it sounded like a good time. Missy Parks who helped on harvest crew at Flower Valley Vineyard in Red Wing just moved to Minnesota from Vermont prior to harvest last September. After seeing a vineyard in a magazine she was compelled to help with harvest, since working downtown she “looks for opportunities to get out of the city on the weekends”. Being an experienced grape picker is not a prerequisite, either: “I’ve picked blueberries before in Vermont!” Parks exclaimed, “but that’s about it”.
The grapes I picked (along with several thousand pounds picked in total) made it all the way from the vine through crusher, and were fermenting by the time my head hit the pillow that night. I can’t wait to stop back next season for a glass of Marechal Foch — after all, I had a hand in it. Literally!
ADMISSION harvest events! the following harvest events are admission based (not free/volunteer based)
Next Chapter Winery New Prague, MN
Wine, Music, Pizza, and Grape Stomping--what could be better?! This adventure includes a monogrammed wine glass, 2 glasses of your choice, vineyard management talk and tour, harvesting (includes as many sugary grapes as you'd like to munch on), a Burrito Buffet (Chipotle Style), live music, wine-making demonstration, free chair massage by Finish Line Wellness, and finally, the grape stomp! Adults: $29.99 Children: $17.99
www.nextchapterwinery.com
Cannon River Winery Cannon Falls, MN
Be a Part of our Harvest CReW by Registering Today for the Fall Harvest Experience! Includes shuttled transportation to and from the Winery and Vineyard, an educational, hands-on harvesting experience and a tasting of our wines to pair with a delicious catered meal with breath taking Vineyard as your backdrop. When you return to the winery, you will have the chance to get an up close and personal demonstration of the de-stemming process as well as coupons to use on Winery purchases. $25/person
www.cannonriverwinery.com
grape stomps
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MINNESOTAUNCORKED.COM
Sovereign Estate \\ Waconia, MN
SEPT 8-10
Harvest Festival - Grape Stomping - Live Music - Vineyard Tours - Barbecue
sovereignestatewine.com
Chateau St Croix \\ St Croix Falls, WI
SEPT 9-10
Stomp grapes the old fashioned way and release your inner Lucy! Competitions for adults and kids at 12, 2 & 4. Free tours at noon both days.
chateaustcroix.com
Saint Croix Vineyards \\ Stillwater, MN Come stomp grapes the old fashioned way! Free tours! Grape Stomps! Live music each day!
scvwines.com
SEPT 9-10
grape stomps
Richwood Winery \\ Callaway, MN
MNUNCORKED
MINNESOTAUNCORKED.COM
SEPT 9
richwoodwinery.com
Round Lake Vineyards \\ Round Lake, MN
SEPT 9
roundlakevineyards.com
Glacial Ridge Winery \\ Spicer, MN glacialridgewinery.com
SEPT 9
grape stomps
MNUNCORKED
Carlos Creek \\ Alexandria, MN
MINNESOTAUNCORKED.COM
SEPT 15-17
www.ccwgrapestomp.com Come experience our Grape Stomp and Fall Festival held annually the second weekend after Labor Day. The three day festival is packed with excitement including 12 bands on 4 stages, over 150 food, juried art and marketplace vendors, a man cave featuring Schell's Brewery, wine tasting, and of course Grape Stomping!! Each day has a special theme with costume and grape stomping competitions. Drink tickets are used for all alcoholic beverages and once purchased, tickets are valid for any festival day. Sunday is "Deal Day" with specials on wine and merchandise throughout the festival. FREE Shuttles run from the Douglas County Fairgrounds and many Alexandria hotels, plus there’s plenty of on-site parking.
Millner Heritage \\ Kiimball MN
SEPT 16
millnerheritage.com
OCT 7-8
SEPT 16 Hungarian Festival and Grape Stomp Besides the Hungarian foods and culture we will again be grape stopping. OCT 7-8
Rockin Stompin Grape Stomp We will again this year have two bands of music, grape stomping both days, and as always wine tasting.
Dancing Dragonfly \\ St Croix Falls, WI dancingdragonflywinery.com Ccelebrate the natural beauty of the St. Croix Valley at our fifth annual Food and Wine Festival. Enjoy the good fun of a grape stomp, fantastic food, wine tasting, shopping at artisan booths, and live music throughout the weekend.
SEPT 16-17
other fall events
MNUNCORKED
Sovereign Estate \\ Waconia, MN
MINNESOTAUNCORKED.COM
SEPT 17
sovereignestatewine.com White & Wine Harvest Dinner
A lovely afternoon of Music and Wine. Guests are asked to dress in all white attire. $55 per person Incredible Spread Crostini Appetizer, Hearts of Palm and Radish Salad, Talon Crest Chicken, Jasmine Rice Roasted Cauliflower and Fennel, Vanilla Ice Cream with Pizzelle Cookies
Flower Valley Vineyard \\ Red Wing, MN flowervalleyvineyard.com
SEPT 23-24
Our resident donkey duo (Shrek, and Donkey) helping us out by serving up tastings around the vineyard. Curious? Stop by and see what its all about!
Chateau Saint Croix \\ St Croix Falls, WI
SEPT 23-24
chateaustcroix.com
OCT 14-15
Fall Harvest Festival
September 23rd & 24th 11-6 With all the hard work during harvest, we need time to celebrate the fruits of this years labor. Visit our vendor booths, listen to live music, and enjoy local food vendors. Free tours at 11:30 & 2:30; Live music from 11-6.
Oktober Wine Fest
October 14th & 15th 11-6 This is the perfect time of year to celebrate the German tradition of Federweisser. Federweisser is a fermenting white wine from the 2017 harvest, it is semi-seet and refreshing. Free sample with a paid tasting. Live music from 1-4. Free tours at noon, both days. Food trucks from 12-6.Hammerschlagen both days!
other fall events
MNUNCORKED
North Folk \\ Harris, MN
MINNESOTAUNCORKED.COM
OCT 7
www.northfolkwinery.com Oktoberfest
Noon - 4 PM A celebration of harvest and fall colors! Live entertainment by The Chiemelewski Funtime Polka Band and the Above Average Tuba Quartet. German fare served all day, picnic style with North Folk Winery award winning wine and craft beer. This is a FREE event and a great activity for the whole family.
Schram \\ Waconia, MN
OCT 14
schramvineyards.com Annual Harvest Bonfire
3-10pm Concert in the Vineyard Food Trucks S'mores Bar Cigar Bar 2016 Bonfire Wine Release Campfires with Bonfire in the Vineyard lit at dusk
Saint Croix Vineyards \\ Stillwater, MN SCVwines.com German Wine Festival 12pm until 5pm
Saint Croix Vineyards welcomes you to stop by for our German Wine Festival. With every wine tasting, we are including a taste of our 'Federweisser' wine from the 2017 harvest. 'Federweisser' wine is not fully fermented nor finished, but is slightly sweet and quite refreshing. This unique wine is served in wineries throughout Germany at this time of year. Live music by the Jolly Huntsmen Polka Band from 1:00pm-4:00pm
OCT 21-22
other fall events
MINNESOTAUNCORKED.COM
MNUNCORKED
Crow River \\ Hutchinson, MN
SEPT 23
crowriverwinery.com
OCT 29 Oct 29 / Pumpkin Fest 11a-p
Sept 23 / GRAPE STOMP!
A family-friendly event with pumpkin chucking, live music, corn maze and more!
Minnesota Uncorked™ has quickly gained a following for its mission to encourage exploration of Minnesota through wine-related experiences. I currently reachver 5,500 local wine lovers monthly with a broad range of wine, food, and travel related topics. Do you have news to share? A product or service that may be of interest to our audience? It doesn’t have to be about wine so long as I can tie it back loosely (and I’m pretty creative at that). There’s no cost to having an article on MN Uncorked - its FREE, and I’d love to talk about how I can cover your brand in exchange for event tickets, product samples, or..?! send me your pitch at, news@mnuncorked.com Sponsors / Advertising — as low as $30! news@mnuncorked.com
cheers! lauren voigt
FOUNDER // lauren@mnuncorked.com
MNUNCORKED
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