2021 is our 12th growing season.
The hybrid varietals we grow are all considered "Super Cold Hardy" - designed to withstand temperatures up to -30 below Fahrenheit.
Our grapes are sold to local Wineries, with occasional sales to winemakers or jelly makers. We are proud of the constantly improving quality of local wines which are available in this region.
In 2019 we planted a new grape variety, a new release from the University of Minnesota, the Itasca grape. It is a white grape and has the promise of making a wine which might be able to be oaked. We will expand our plantings if it does well on our site.
In 2021 we planted new red variety named Verona. While we love the Marquette, it seems to be struggling with some dieback, presumably from vascular damage. We know this is a common issue and have replanted the damaged vines for the past couple of seasons. With Verona, we'll explore the possibility of a vine which is more likely to meet our winemaker's and our production needs.
We also grow a few experimental table grapes - Swenson Seedless, Concord and Elmer Swenson's 5-7-35 which we have named Sunset.
The hybrid varietals we grow are all considered "Super Cold Hardy" - designed to withstand temperatures up to -30 below Fahrenheit.
Our grapes are sold to local Wineries, with occasional sales to winemakers or jelly makers. We are proud of the constantly improving quality of local wines which are available in this region.
In 2019 we planted a new grape variety, a new release from the University of Minnesota, the Itasca grape. It is a white grape and has the promise of making a wine which might be able to be oaked. We will expand our plantings if it does well on our site.
In 2021 we planted new red variety named Verona. While we love the Marquette, it seems to be struggling with some dieback, presumably from vascular damage. We know this is a common issue and have replanted the damaged vines for the past couple of seasons. With Verona, we'll explore the possibility of a vine which is more likely to meet our winemaker's and our production needs.
We also grow a few experimental table grapes - Swenson Seedless, Concord and Elmer Swenson's 5-7-35 which we have named Sunset.
Marquette
MARQUETTE : Developed by the University of Minnesota's grape breeding program - a red wine grape with Pinot Noir as the Grandparent. This vine is very vigorous on our site and is an upright grower trellised on VSP. Clusters are small and fairly tight and ripen in mid to late September. Wine is medium bodied and complex and often exhibits tannins.
Brianna
BRIANNA: White wine variety which is an Elmer Swenson hybrid. This vine is also very vigorous in our vineyard and is trellised on a VSP system. Smallish, rather tight clusters which ripen early in September. This grape makes a very nice semi-sweet table wine with a honey-apricot-peach taste.
Itasca
ITASCA: Another white variety from the University of Minnesota. The grape has low acidity and high sugar levels coupled with high resistance to pests and common diseases. Wines are medium-bodied with a beautiful golden hue and aromas and flavors include apple, quince, melon, citrus, pear, goosebrry, starftuit, honey and mineral.
Frontenac Blanc
FRONTENAC BLANC – Another release from the University of Minnesota. This is a white grape variety which is a new color mutation of Frontenac. Frontenac Blanc produces a true white wine similar to Chardonnay or Riesling. These are our newest vines, planted in 2014 and are generally ready to harvest in late September.
