Vineyard hours

Brrr! It's a cold week and looks like the vines are going to be under snow for the rest of the winter. The vineyard has turned into a sparkling winter wonderland.

We've extended our holiday wine sale through January 3. You can stop out to the vineyard any weekend this month -- including Dec. 26-27 and Jan. 2-3 -- to stock up. It's a concentrated taste of Minnesota sunshine to warm your winter. Happy holidays!

-Don

Habitat for Humanity Fundraiser Oct 2009

The vineyard was proud to host Sister Jean and her Habitat for Humanity Fundraiser in October 2009. We're honored to be a part of this cause. Thank you for your work, Sister Jean!

The Grapes Are In! (Harvest is Over...)

Thank you so much for the experience of harvesting the grapes. My daughter and I enjoyed ourselves and meeting the others also out harvesting.

We'll look forward to other opportunities to share with family and friends at your vineyard!

Sincerely,
Angie Macias

Garden Guy | Winery In Jordan

Garden Guy | Winery In Jordan
Published : Thursday, 15 Oct 2009, 10:24 AM CDT

JORDAN, Minn. - California has the Napa valley and France has Bordeaux, but Minnesota is making a name for itself in the wine industry.

This weekend is the peak of the grape harvest in Minnesota. Garden Guy Dale K. visited Crofut Winery in Jordan to check it out. Here's his report.

Another New Fan!

KSTP's "Digging the Dirt" host Dale "the Gardener" visited the vineyard this Tuesday morning. It was a cold day in the vineyard, but we had fun picking grapes.

Dale has a great gardening show on Saturday mornings. He just called and told me to check out his new blog entry on am1500.com.

http://www.am1500.com/blogs/The_last_harvest

Thanks for the kind words, Dale!

Don

WineGeekTV Visits the Vineyard

October 11, 2009: Jeff and Jeff from winegeektv.com visited the Crofut Family Winery during the Grapestomp last month. What did Jeff think of our wines?
"I can honestly say these far surpassed my expectations. How? They are balanced as almost any wine from anywhere in the world...." Read more of Jeff's review at winegeektv.com!

First Snowfall in the Vineyard

Took these photos early early on October 10, 2009. It's early early for snow, but there it is.

Our biggest harvest ever!

Due to the size of this year's harvest, we're extending our call for Saturday morning volunteer crews. Email & let us know if you can help with the late harvest La Crescent on Saturday morning Oct 17th.

We hope you can help! Send us an email at info@crofutwinery.com.

We begin at 8:30 am...lunch around 1 pm. We're making a warm sitdown meal and you can take a bottle of wine home as an additional thanks.
- Don

HELP WANTED: It's Harvest Time!

HARVEST IS HERE. Email us, and tell us you want to participate. Get ready for home cooking!

You pick. We prepare the food, and you enjoy family food and wine after a MN morning harvest. Take home a bottle of our wine and a full tummy after a morning of playing (er... harvesting) the grapes.

Email & let us know which Saturday (Sept 26, Oct 3 or Oct 10th) morning you want to help make world class wine! You might even see another balloon over the vineyard one fine Saturday morning. We begin at 8:30 am...lunch around 1 pm.

Grape Stomp Wrap-Up

Lots happened this weekend. We raised lots of canned goods for the Scott Carver Food shelf; Cities 97 morning crew BT and Lee (right) & the MN vineyard bus tour showed us their version of deep purple. Cousin Alan whipped up some Minnesota mousse, and we had fun times in sharing the grape.

We also showcased what we consider the best of wine, art, music, foods and fruits & vegetables in Scott county. View all our Grape Stomp photos.

A big thank you to everyone who helped create these great memories. Tell your friends and let's share the grape!

Remember, we are always Open SATURDAYS 11-6 and SUNDAYS 12-5 until the snow flies. Need to chill? Buy a bottle, & have a picnic in the vineyard too!

BACHELORETTE PARTY at the Grape Stomp

Good afternoon Don,
Here are a few pictures that I received from one of the cameras. I'm trying to round up the rest but I forwarded some to see if you could use any. We did see the one of us right at the beginning of the pics!!!
We TRULY thank you for allow us to visit your family vineyard and letting us participate in the GRAPE STOMP. It truly made my sisters party! That was a unique experience for all of us and we've been spreading the word about your place ever since. You have a beautiful Winery and farm with wonderful people working there. Thank you for squeezing us it at the last minute.!!!!! I don't know how I could ever repay you for what you did for us! We had so much fun and hope to be back next year.
I know a few people will be there to see you again this weekend because they had such a great time.

THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!!!!
Deanna N.
THE NAT BACHELORETTE PARTY

Cities 97 Interview on 9/16

Don's going to be on the RADIO at 7:30 am tomorrow chatting with the morning crew on Cities 97 about this weekend's Grape Stomp.
Last weekend's Stomp Festival was a big hit, with gorgeous weather and lots of fun & laughter. This Saturday the Cities 97 crew will be in the vineyard and on Sunday, Jeff from Wine Geek TV will be filming. So come out and join us for a great time!

2009 Grape Stomp photos now online. Click here!

VINEYARD UPDATE

WE NEED HEAT! The rain on the weekend of the 20th caught the vineyards up, and now we need heat. We are still running 2 weeks behind due to the cool and dry weather. As a farmer, yes, vineyards are farming, we need a long, warm, dry fall. Obviously, it will be a late harvest and ALL of the grapes will come in the last week of September & the first two weeks in October.


HARVEST IS QUICKLY APPROACHING. Email us, and tell us you want to participate. Get ready for home cooking in September! You pick. We prep family foods, and you enjoy family food and wine after a MN morning harvest. Take home a bottle of our wine and a full tummy after a morning of playing (er... harvesting) the grapes.

Email & let us know which Saturday (Sept 26, Oct 3 or Oct 10th) morning you want to help make world class wine! You might even see another balloon over the vineyard one fine Saturday morning.

2009 International Cold Climate Wine Competition

I was excited to take part in this competition, but there's been a dark cloud hanging over my head at the Minnesota State Fair. I get gold in FL, CA NY and anywhere but here. We earned six medals here, but no gold. Go figure.

Well, we're up to 34 medals this year and over 50 medals in the past 2 years. Here are our ICCWA results:

LaCrescent - SILVER
Frontenac Rose' - BRONZE
Prairie Red - BRONZE
Northwoods Red - BRONZE
Prairie Blanc - BRONZE
LaCrescent Dessert - BRONZE

Wedding in the Vineyard

Saturday, August 22, 2009
Amy and Tedd celebrated their love and married in a lovely outdoor ceremony in St. Peter, MN. They held their reception at the Crofut Winery. Tedd enjoyed the first dance with his wife, then joined his band and played the night away while guests danced and enjoyed the music!
Photos courtesy of Melisa Peters at www.melisapeters.com.

Traveling Wine Bottle on the lake

I was out on the lake last weekend and took this pic:) I thought you would enjoy it!

Jenna Robertson
Account Executive - KTCZ

<< Thanks, Jenna!

Loring Park Art Festival

The Loring Park Art Festival, voted into the "Top 100 Fine Art Festivals in the Nation" by Sunshine Artist (4 years in a row, but who's counting?), took place August 8 & 9 in Loring Park near downtown Minneapolis. Crofut Winery was proud to sponsor the "Toast the Ten: Whisky and Wine Tasting Event".

Check out photos from the event and make plans to attend with us next year!

VINEYARD UPDATE: THE HEAT IS ON!

Veraison (augusting or turning) is in full force. The rain of the weekend of August 7 was just at the right time and now the heat of this week is starting to allow the vines to catch up. We are still running about 2 weeks behind due to the cool and dry July weather. We will have a late harvest and lots of activity in the last week of September and the first two weeks in October.

GRAPE STOMP WEEKENDS, Sept 12-13 and Sept 19-20
Admission is only $5. Please bring your chairs and ID. Save $2 on admission when you bring 2 canned goods to be donated to the Scott-Carver CAP Food shelf.
Admission for children under 6 is free; ages 7-21 is $3.

Visit the Tasting tent and tastings are included in the admission. Under the BIG tent we will have lots of:
Antiques, Crafts, Artists who paint you, and on canvas;
Local fruits and vegetables, Homemade root beer, Great grilled foods & Sourdough bread with cheese inside; Wine and Gift items, and not to mention, our famous specialty chocolates.

Cities 97 Morning Crew BT and Lee will be stomping with us along with the Cities 97 Minnesota Vineyard bus tour on Saturday, Sept 12. You're not going to want to miss it!

Want to pick?
We welcome all volunteer grape pickers who show up on weekends in late September through early October. Email and tell us you want to participate. You pick, then enjoy a home-cooked meal and wine after a MN morning harvest. Take home a bottle of our wine and a full tummy after a morning of playing (er... harvesting) the grapes.

Fun Wine Weekend of July 09

Too much great food, too much fun and not enought wine! We would like to elaborate, buy clarity prevents us in Crofutland.
See more photos on Facebook.

If you haven't participated in an event in the vineyard, don't miss out! You can register online at www.crofutwinery.com.

Basilica Block Party - July 2009

Haven't taken many pics, having TOO much fun.
Imagine, Counting Crowes, Black Crows, Jayhawks and the Crofuts in the VIP tent. Who'd a thought.... it was avian weekend. Lot of birds flying around the Basilica. The weekend really took flight.

Love sharing the grape with great people and musicians. Thanks to all who joined us!
-Don

Indy International Wine competition results are in.....Biggest wine competition in the world...

Frontenac Rose`, 2008, SILVER
Frontenac Gris Ice Wine, Essence du Nord, 2007, SILVER
Prairie Blanc, 2007, SILVER
Prairie Red, 2006, BRONZE
LaCrescent, 2008, BRONZE
LaCrescent Ice Wine, 2007, BRONZE


Crofut Family wines from February-June of 2009 have been awarded a combined
25 medals in 4 months in national and international competitions.

About the Indy International Wine Competition.
The Indy International Wine Competition is the largest scientifically organized and independent wine competition in the United States, the world's largest wine market. More than 3,000 commercial entries from 12 countries and 39 US states will be evaluated by our distinguished 80 judges. Wine writers and winemakers, winegrowers and enologists, chefs and sommeliers, wine distributors, retailers and consumers meet every year in Indianapolis, the heart of America, a truly central place for your wines to be seen and recognized.

The Indiana State Fair Wine Competition began in 1973 as an Indiana-only event. The competition began admitting entries from across the world in 1992 under Richard Vine, Purdue University Enology Professor Christian Butzke took over the leadership of the competition in 2006.

“It is gratifying to see the Indy International’s continued success,” says Butzke, Chief Judge. “Wineries from all over the world value the medals they receive from this competition.”

The grapes are in bloom!

The rain was right on time and the BLOOM is ON.

Grapes in bloom look like fuzzy chia pets, but the delicate scent gently sweetens each breath in the vineyard. It is my favorite time to walk among the vines with a glass of wine.

A moment of subtle blending of the scent of blooming grapes, and the taste of the finished wine.

Come within the next two weeks and share the harmony and passion of the grape. There are lots of fun activities taking place, and the sights and scents are too sweet to miss. Come join us!

Don

Upcoming Events

Basilica Block Party July 10-12.
The Crofuts will be hanging with the other birds at the Basilica block Party as we will be pouring Crofut wines at the Cities 97 VIP tent. (Counting Crows, Black Crows and the Jayhawks are some of the bands scheduled). Who could have thought up and invited all of the "Crows" to share the grape on the same weekend in Minneapolis?

Taste of Savage
The Crofuts will be serving at Savage Community Park on Thursday June 25th from 7-9.
Be sure and get your tickets at Marketplace Liquors in Savage (Co Rd 42 and MN 13). $20. This event sells out quickly, so if you are planning to go, Get your tickets NOW. Rock on, Dan Patch Days!

"Tin Cups to Glittering Goblets"
Follow our trail and discover the living story of the growth of southern Minnesota in five vessels: Wine glass, Beer mug, Teacup, Punch cup, and Tin cup!
Follow this link for additional info:
http://mnriverwinebeerhistorytrail.com/

More Medals!

May 2009. The 33rd International Eastern Wine Competition awarded Crofut Winery with Bronze medals for our Frontenac Gris and Prairie Blanc, plus a Silver medal for our LaCrescent White.

Winning a medal in this competition is an exceptional honor since all judges must be in agreement. Medals require a unanimous panel vote, so any winning medals in the IEWC are worthy of note.

The Northwoods White is now for sale at the vineyard in a limited release. It's getting rave reviews, so stop in and get yours before the rush is on!

KS95 this morning & Next Fix Prixe menu

Here is the Fix Prixe menu for Fiday May 29th 5-7 pm.
Spring salad with wild blueberry/frontenac gris vinagrette
Al fresco artichoke/spring vegetable pizza
Rhubarb cake with vanilla bean fluff
(Sunset is complimentary)

The cost is $15 per person, and you can ensure your spot at the party by making your reservation online at crofutwinery.com.

Oh, heard we were on KS 95 this morning, they were talking about Minnesota
wines and a comment was made that Crofut wines in Jordan are awesome.

Nice start for the day!
Don

PS> Our inaugural Fix Prixe celebration was sold out! You can see pictures from the event on our Facebook page.

New online stuff

We've got a cool new link from the Taste section of the Star Tribune website! There's a rotating ad in the top right corner of the main Taste page. If you click it, it "rolls back" and shows a nifty ad for the Crofut Vineyard. Pretty cool!

Speaking of cool, we're now allowing people to buy wine online and register/pay for events online. Our customer base is growing and there's a limited supply of our best wines. Don't wait for a nice afternoon to swing by the vineyard -- secure your order today online!

Two days til 2009 Opening!

Only a few more days until we open for the 2009 season. Can't wait!

New this year in our gift shop is pottery and wood-turning by local artist John Chianelli. We just put the finishing touches on his display case in our tasting room. (Picture right: Don and artist John C.) We have the exclusive for John's limited-production fine art.

Did I mention that brother Alan's Unbridled Chocolates were recently listed by Yankee Magazine as one of the top five chocolate shops in New England? Our gift shop is the only place west of the Mississippi where you can buy these. Sure hope you'll come join us in the vineyard and check out all our treasures!

-Don Crofut

Boys (& Bottles) of Summer return!

The Crofut Winery is open to the public for summer starting Saturday, April 18th. Stop by and check out all our delicious new wines!

The vineyard has only been open to the public for two years, but ALL of our wines have won at least one national award. Just a note in the medals this spring; Feb was a good start: Gold Frontenac Red, Hilton Head WineFest; Bronze, Front Gris Nat'l Womens Wine, Santa Rosa Ca; 6 Medals at Finger Lakes, Geneva NY.

We've been invited to serve our wines at the Basilica Block Party Vip tent with Cities 97 on July 10-12. Rock on Lauren, Erick and Jenna!

More Cities 97 events with Crofut Family in Sept (Grape Stomp 09, Mn Wine Tour and Studio C...yes possibly in the vineyard. Hope Sheryl Crow will be hanging with the the Crow-foots in September.

February Awards

The 2009 Hilton Head Island Festival was held at the Hilton Oceanfront Resort & Spa in Hilton Head Island, SC, February 5 - 8, 2009. The International Wine Judging and Competition was specifically for table and sparkling wines available in commercial quantities.
Crofut Winery earned a Gold medal for our 2006 Frontenac and a Silver medal for our 2007 Essence du Nord. World class wines in Minnesota? You Betcha!


Speaking of cool awards, Unbridled Chocolates was recently listed as one of the five best chocolate shops in New England. Our gift shop is the only place you can buy these chocolates west of the Mississippi! You can check out the award at:
http://www.yankeemagazine.com/issues/2009-01/interact/10things/chocolates