Traveling Crofut Wine Bottle

Kansas Winter in Minnesota

2012-01-26T19:40:00.000-08:00

Yes it is feeling like Kansas here...more than ever before, Dorothy! The Crofut vineyard has moved from a 4A to a 4B temperature zone in the new USDA plant hardiness map.
Learn more.

gonna be in a calendar!

2011-09-29T08:32:00.000-07:00

The 2013 Lang Calendar will feature farm scenes and one of its pictures was created by local artist Rollie Brandt (www.rolliebrandt.com) and features the barn at the Crofut Vineyward.

We're hoping Rollie's artwork will be selected for the calendar cover as well -- she's an incredible talent! We'll post some of her other work here and on our website in the future. Congratulations, Rollie -- we're proud to be included in your portfolio!

Thanks to my harvesters!

2011-09-20T12:33:00.001-07:00

Hey everyone, thank you SO MUCH for showing up to help harvest the grapes this weekend. After all the work of the successful Grape Stomp the week before, it was daunting to look out in the field and see so many grapes all ripening at the Exact. Same. Time. (Can you say 'panic'?)

We picked, crushed and processed 26 tons of grapes in 72 hours this weekend. Not only were all the grapes at their peak of ripeness, but the sugar content was exceptionally high and the acidity was low. We can look forward to yet another batch of award-winning Minnesota wine next year!

Where to start with the personal thanks? Dale K (the garden guy) helped spread the word on his show and blog that we needed harvesters. Barb Hunt's crew turned out, as did Hans and the "Jeffs" with their crews.... thanks to John, Don, Dave and April... I apologize for all the wonderful people whose names I'm omitting just now. This year has been a wild ride and we couldn't have done it without you.

On behalf of the Crofut Family Winery, thanks to everyone who has helped make this such a terrific year (after a rocky start). We hope you'll join us this Saturday night for our year-end bonfire and celebration. Check our website for details!

Grape Update

2011-07-21T09:16:00.001-07:00

It was all humidity, all hot in the vineyard this past week. Remind me not to pray too hard for summer. This past week brought back memories of growing up in Oklahoma. Drenching humidity, rain, storms the likes you have never seen.

The vines are just lapping this weather up. They love it. Grapes grow just like corn; sit still for a while and they actually look like they are growing before your eyes.

If we have another 2 weeks of this heat and humidity, the crop should come in right on time. Three weeks and we might even be ahead of schedule. With the humidity, our challenge is to keep the mildew out. Thankfully the windy conditions (albeit from the south) keep it in abeyance.

We now have music in the vineyard on Saturday afternoons. Check out the music schedule, bring a picnic (or purchase an Organic Valley cheese and cracker tray at the winery). Yes, on a hot day, you can watch the vines grow...if you squint real hard.

Check out my Purple Viking and MinneSNOWta sangria recipes on our Crofutland recipe blog. They're made using our new series of Northwoods wines, and provide a refreshing end to a long, hot Minnesota workday.

See you in the vineyard!
Don

July in the Vineyard

2011-06-29T15:22:00.001-07:00

Things are heating up in the vineyard! We've got a full roster of fun activities at the vineyard every weekend, so stop on by. After hours, we're busy bottling next year's offerings. Tonight we'll finish the rose' and start on the Northwoods Red. Hopefully we'll get that finished on Saturday morning.

Last year we were open on the 4th of July for the Corvette Club, but this year we'll be closed. We need a day to recuperate from the weekend!

-Don

Rain, Rain, Go Away...

2011-06-20T14:17:00.000-07:00

It rained on our National Picnic Day celebration. In fact, we've had one Saturday without rain over the past eight weeks.

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. This weekend we're planning a Rain Day. Come sit under our shelter and enjoy a glass of wine as you watch the cool summer rain. Tom Wavra will be playing guitar on Saturday from 2-5pm. We have dinner events in the vineyard on Friday and Sunday.

So stop worrying about the rain, and come enjoy the vineyard greenery this weekend. Even if it ends up being bright and sunny, we'll still manage to have some fun... somehow.

2011 Wine Selection

2011-06-02T13:19:00.001-07:00

Someone asked me if we're introducing any new wines this year. Since every one of our current wines has won a national award, we decided to stick with our winning line-up. We might fine-tune the grape blend in our Northwoods Red, but that's it.

The wine is tasting really good this year! That extra year of seasoning has smoothed them out. We also had a terrific growing season last year so we're really excited about where we're going.

-Don

Comment to Share (from Richard)

2011-06-02T07:42:00.001-07:00

Went to the National Restaurant Show and the Wine, Spirits & Beer Show in Chicago this past weekend. Met an Italian wine maker that barely spoke English and was extremely proud of his wine. He opened a bottle up and said we would never taste anything like it. As soon as we sipped the wine Molly and I looked at each other and said "frontanac".

I'm not kidding you. His wine was Exactly like your frontenac. The bouquet, the taste, the balance.. I grabbed his card and info because I wanted to find which grape he was using.

(This note is from Richard Dollarhide. He and Molly are our chefs for the Friday night Prix Fixe next Friday and the Fun with Wine event on Sunday, June 26. Hope to see you in the vineyard!)
-Don

Spring is coming... at a crawl

2011-03-08T09:10:00.000-08:00

Big news! We're hoping to re-open the vineyard for the season the weekend of April 16, weather permitting. Little things like parking areas still being buried under snow may delay the opening.

January 2010 was mild enough that we were pruning in the vineyard. This year we're hoping to get in for the first time this coming weekend. (If you're interested in helping, call Don!)

That puts us behind on the vineyard maintenance, but we've got a good layer of moisture to kick off the season this year. Last year's grapes are going to make some awesome wines and we're really looking forward to what's to come once the snow melts. Come visit us in the vineyard this April!

Year-End Harvest Bonfire

2010-11-10T12:01:00.000-08:00

Our Black Friday Sale runs Nov. 26-28 this year. We'll have 15% off on all wine and gift items. Don't miss it!

Our thanks to Marshal for videotaping a record of our year-end harvest bonfire and posting it on YouTube... we think. It was a fantastic year and a really fun way to end it with family and friends.

To all of our Crofut Winery fans and customers, thanks for your support and continued business. Have a great holiday season!
-Don

Vineman - Sunset Bonfire

2010-10-18T12:14:00.000-07:00

Tom Wavra entertained with his acoustical guitar at our Sunset Bonfire on October 16. We then burned our "vine man" and all the other dead vines from the vineyard. The ashes will serve as fertilizer for next year's vines. What a perfect October night!

Great Weekend

2010-10-12T07:14:00.001-07:00

What a great weekend, with the Art Crawl in the vineyard, the Ladies Tailgate Party, and weather in the 80s. The Art Crawl was a huge success and I wish only the best for all the fantastic artists we had the honor of showcasing this past weekend. A HUGE thanks to Rick Thake and his wife Theresa for bringing the Rube Cube to our Ladies Tailgate party. The beast gets an amazing 6 gallons a mile!

One final thinks to Richard and Molly Dollarhide for all their work on the Fun with Wine series this summer. You guys are great.

The best part? We're not done yet! Join us this coming Saturday for a bonfire in the vineyard, or check out the annual Sips of History event Oct. 21-23, 2010.

For more details, or to see a great montage of pics from this past weekend, check out the Events page on the website. We'll see you in the vineyard!

Pics, Harvest and Weekend Plans

2010-09-22T14:05:00.000-07:00

If you were in the vineyard for the Grape Stomp or the Unbridled Chocolate weekend, check www.crofutwinery.com for links to photo galleries from those events. We always welcome new photos, so don't hesitate to send us yours to post, too!

We're cancelling tomorrow's grape harvest since the rain is predicted to last thru the morning. We got a lot done on Tuesday and Wednesday, though. Between harvest and all the vineyard events these past two weeks, Don is wiped out and sleeping in. He'll be back in the vineyard picking grapes this Saturday morning, weather permitting, and we hope you'll join us at 8:30 am.

There's lots more to do this weekend in Scott County, including:

- Scott County's annual City to Country tour takes place this Saturday, Sept. 25 from 11am to 4 pm. Find out more.

- The Pure Country Alpacas Farm is having a boutique and craft festival on both Saturday and Sunday. Visit www.purecountryalpacas.com for details.

- Glewwe's Castle Brewery Open House takes place on Sunday, Sept. 26. There will be music and root beer samples, as well as demonstrations on apple pressing, soda making, bottling and more. Find out more.

This weekend is a great time to visit Scott County. We'll see you in the vineyard!

Harvest 2010 (First Day)

2010-09-07T07:01:00.000-07:00

Ahhh vineyard after first day of harvest. The grape is ON.

Patty Wagon

2010-09-07T06:59:00.001-07:00

Patty and her "Patty Wagon" took us for a ride in around and thru the vineyard!
Love great friends and holiday weekends.
-Don

MN State Fair Wine Competition

2010-08-26T11:07:00.000-07:00

The Minnesota State Fair provides the time and place for the annual International Cold Climate Wine Competition. This year the Crofut Family Vineyard brought home two silver medals for our Frontenac Rosé and Prairie Blanc wines, plus two bronzes for our Essence du Nord and La Crescent.

We'd really like to rock this competition since it takes place in our own backyard. However, the ICCWC judges seem to consistently favor the sweeter wines, and that's not where our own preference lies. I guess we'll just have to console ourselves with the 59 new medals we've brought home in the past two years.

Congratulations to the Crofut Family Vineyard and all the other 2010 ICCWC winners!

August 2010: Indy International Wine Competition

2010-08-17T09:40:00.000-07:00

We won a boatload of medals in 2009, but haven't entered many contests in 2010 because the weather didn't cooperate with competition deadlines. (Fluctuating temperatures during shipment can affect the color and aroma of wine, if not the taste.) We did send some to Indiana for this summer's Indy competition, though. The results are:
Prairie Blanc 2008, SILVER
Frontenac Rose` 2008, BRONZE
Frontenac Red 2008, BRONZE
Essence du Nord 2008, BRONZE

Be sure to swing by the vineyard to pick up a few bottles of our award-winning wines for your dinner tonight!

Augusting in August

2010-08-06T10:32:00.000-07:00

Veraison (augusting or turning) is in full force. Thanks to Marshal (from Cities 97) and Carol from coming out to the vineyard and hanging with us.

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 with (er... harvesting) grapes.

Vineyard Growing Update

2010-08-06T09:58:00.000-07:00

The grapes are about two weeks ahead of schedule and filling out nicely. They love this heat and I don't complain about it, either ...after piling on 3 layers in January.

The Frontenac Red is a hit. I have never heard so many visitors just gush bout the juciness and the balance of this wine. Come and try some at the tasting room!

We've been busy serving at many summer festivals, but now we're hunkering down and preparing for our own Grape Stomp Festival, Sept. 11-12. Registrations for stage stomping opens online this Saturday morning at 8 am. Even if you don't sign up to get covered in grape juice, mark your calendars. We're looking forward to seeing you at the Stomp!

Weekend Survivors

2010-07-12T12:39:00.000-07:00

Yes we survived Basilica and Prior Lake Blues/Jazz Festival the same weekend. Chester Bay, VV Brown and of course Weezer and BNL were hot!

Menus are posted online for our weekly Friday Prixe Fix and July 25's Fun with Wine event. Everything look luscious in the vineyard. Come check it out!

Pictures: Above-Basilica Block Party tent; Below-BT from the CITIES 97 morning show poses with Cathy and Don from the vineyard.

Vettes in the Vineyard

2010-07-12T09:43:00.000-07:00

The Corvette Club met in the vineyard for an Independence Day celebration. Great food, great wine, great weather, and great company. The 'vettes looked like thoroughbreds being stabled as they parked in the vineyard.

It was a kick to read all the vanity license plates, too. What a fun day!

Check out the video here.

City Pages Raves about Savor MN

2010-06-29T11:17:00.000-07:00

April 2010: City Pages writer McKenzie Martin gave high marks to the first-annual Savor Minnesota event at Canterbury Park, which featured the best of Minnesota wine, food, and beer. She singled out the Crofut Vineyard and our Frontenac Gris in particular. Thanks to all our fans!

For more details, check out her blog entry.

Traveling Wine Bottle Goes to New England

2010-06-24T08:05:00.000-07:00

Don traveled to the ancestral homeland of the Crofuts and hung with cousin Alan (aka Chef Alan of Unbridled Chocolates) last weekend. We had family visits, wandered all over New Hampshire/Vermont, and walked where our ancestors walked, lived and still live. It was my first opportunity to see Crofut Tavern, where Ethan Allen, Remember Baker and some Crofuts met to forge the beginnings of the state of Vermont!

We also visited Walpole Valley Winery and Vineyard and shared the passion of the grape with Virginia, its owner. What nice wines and the view at sunset was breathtaking.

We collected pollen from some of the wild grapes on the banks of the Battenkill river in Vermont just in front of Sidney Crofut's house he built a 100 years ago in Arlington, Vermont.

On Sunday nite, I crossed some of the pollen of the Battenkill grapes with some of my test vines in the front vineyard. Sure am hopeful in five or six years we may have a Crofut grape cross from the pollen we collected. All in all, a memorable trip. (Thanks Cuz!)

See you in the vineyard!
Don

<< Cousin Alan Crofut (of Unbridled Chocolates) stands in front of Crofut Tavern, where the American patriots met to discuss their options during the Revolutionary War.

>> Sidney Crofut built his home over 100 years ago in Arlington, Vermont. He also planted the grapes a long time ago and great-grandson Jamie rebuilt the arbor several years ago. Crofut Pond is over the hill. Norman Rockwell painted Sidney as a youth skating on the Battenkill River (on the green next to the chapel).

<< Crofut Perch - this granite slab juts out of the water in front of the Sidney Crofut home and has become part of our family lore.

Sun Shades...

2010-06-01T20:57:00.000-07:00

Ooops, I forgot to add a photo of the sun shades.

I was so excited about the straw bale gardening that I forgot to add a photo of the shades. That and the frost; worrying about the hail...

Actually, I think it is so very, very beautiful in a modern architectural kind of zen.

Here it is, the first photo of the shady deck. The floral will follow. Mark (Sailers Greenhouse) I will be back to empty the back greenhouse on Friday.

The deck is ready for you to come and enjoy a view over the vineyard...and the Crofut Family will be there mowing, trimming, tieing, training, watering and ...you know...for us, we get the ultimate back tan.

Great grapes are not just grown, they are nurtured with passion. We think the passion of grape growing shows in our wines.

55 medals in the past 2 years may give a little credence from a little vineyard in Minnesota.

We work really hard, and we think it shows in our wines. It truly is our passion. My boys don't think so most of the time, but they will.... they are teenagers. The soil, the grapes and the passion will show fruit.

See you in the vineyard...with a glass of wine.

Don

Sun shades & Straw bale gardening?

2010-06-01T20:22:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,
C and the Crofut crew planted the garden to be used for this year's Fun with Wine and Friday Fix Prixe events over the Memorial Day weekend.
It is our the annual planting event (big thanks to Peggy & Mark Sailer (Sailer's Greenhouse) for the heirloom vegetables.

Guess what.... we now have 2,400 square feet of shade and the straw bale garden will have absolutely no weeds. Yes, no bending over to weed or harvest. Most importantly... it's all organic!

Sun Shades.
It has only been about 10 years since I thought I needed more shade. Working in the vineyard gives a great tan, but most of us Minnesotans just want to chill on the deck each summer, overlook the vineyard, drink copious amounts of wine and listen to great music.
THINK WINE & Music!

The shade is now here and the music is whatever you want it to be, so bring your ipod or cd and we can plug it in for you.

The Straw bale garden.
Who'd a thought that you can grow really great veggies and herbs in a straw bale. We have the garden really cooking...literally. When we planted the vegetables on Saturday morning, the straw bales were over 80 degrees at 9 in the morning. Straw bales as they decompose create heat and allow the veggies and herbs to uptake the vital nutrients to grow very healthy.

Best thing is: remember, no more weeding and never bend to harvest. I am just thinking of ways to create a symbiotic microclimate to grow grapes. Seriously, it will not work as the grape roots grow over 10 feet deep if you have the topsoil. But we will have the most incredible heirloom veggies (the hawaian tomatoes can grow to 2 pounds) will be great each Friday or Sunday. Fresh harvested and freshly prepped by the best chefs/caterers in the upper midwest. Do not miss out.

Hmmm, photos of the sun shades and the strawbale garden will be on the website soon, and most importantly, do not miss the opportunity to come visit and learn something new. Let's "grow" each day. Great wisdom from my grandpa and dad. Want to learn more about straw gardening? We have great information on straw bale gardening at the winery/vineyard while you get to chill in the shade....drinking wine!

It is going to be a great summer, I will be in the vineyard, but yell at me and I will come in to share the passion of the grape on the deck with you!
don

Travel a "Green" Route

2010-05-11T16:56:00.000-07:00

Are you living a "greener" life these days? GreenRoutes.org gives you a way to incorporate your values into your travels.

Green Routes can help you find green businesses that are rooted in their communities; places to eat where the food is not only fresh from a family farm, but where you might bump into the farmers who grew it; places to have fun while helping to ensure that our natural and cultural resources will be around for many generations to come. It makes it easy to find fun and rich experiences and places.

Take time to explore the back roads and learn about a region from the people who live and work there. Crofut Winery is proud to be recommended by GreenRoutes.org.

Vineyard Growing Update

2010-05-11T13:16:00.000-07:00

The early warm spring gave us a quick boost to the growing season. By May 8 the vines had budded out over 2 inches. There was a frost alert for Saturday, May 9 but we sneaked by at 34 degrees that night. Whew!

If the weather continues warm, expect an early harvest! Bloom should be 2 weeks early, so come out the weekend before and the weekend of Memorial Day & smell the subtle perfume of the grapes blooming.

Red wines are taking the oak slow, so expect all of the red wines to be ready by July 4th. River Valley white and Crow's Nest white will be ready to go in June. We'll look forward to seeing you in the vineyard!
-Farmer Don

Shh! Book your group event now

2010-04-20T11:57:00.000-07:00

When it comes to planning your private event, the Crofut Vineyard is one of the best-kept secrets in the metro area. The word is getting out, though, and we are booking quite briskly this year.

Don't wait to book your spot! Whether you want an agricultural education as the backdrop to your event or just plain FUN, the vineyard is the right place to be.

We can host up to 30 people during indoor and off-season events, but our outdoor seating (canopy optional) can accommodate up to 100 people. For prices and available dates, call 952-492-3227.

March in the Vineyard

2010-03-09T07:57:00.001-08:00

What's March been like in the vineyard so far? It's a swamp! We'd hoped to re-open for the season in mid April, but there's just too much wet out there. We're holding off our big season opener until Saturday, April 24.

The grapes love 2010 so far - lots of snow and moisture followed by an early thaw. Unfortunately, we weren't able to enter a couple wine tasting contests this February because the temps were too cold to risk it. Our wines can stand toe-to-toe with any warm-climate wine, but not if our bottle gets a bad case of freezer burn on the road to the judge's palate.

We might not enter as many contests this year, but that doesn't mean we can't match last year's medal count. We've got another great vintage coming up. Come visit the vineyard this April and give them a try!

-Don

Winter Work in the Vineyard

2010-02-09T10:47:00.000-08:00

The winery is closed to the public until April 17th, but this is one of our busiest times of the year.

Winter in the cellar is challenging, space is tight. Something always else needs to be cleaned, scrubbed and sanitized. The racking and fining of the wine creates the opportunity to taste, and to imagine what the wines will be when they pass from the adolescent stage in their life.

Due to the long growing season and warm September, the 2009 wines have a muscular concentration of fruit. The Frontenac technically (sugar/acids/ph) is the best we have ever grown, and it fermented for 20 days on the skin to pull as much flavor and tannin as possible. It is impressive in the silkiness at this stage of development. Also, we will be introducing our Marquette (limited supply) this summer, and from initial barrel tastings, it is robust and spicy. It reminds me of a young Gigonda or Vaqueras at this stage of development.

And then there's the winter work in the vineyard. There is an old saying, "the best fertilizer is the owner's footsteps", and in Minnesota, you may just catch us in snowshoes!

Last month we started pruning the vineyard, and in addition to some sore muscles, we also have to guard against snow burn... yes snow burn. The glare off the snow WILL give you a tan. It is actually quite amusing to dig around for the suntan lotion before you head out into the snow.

If I could claim a soul-deep connection to the vineyard, I would also claim that in winter, the vineyard has a different soul. In all other seasons, the vineyard is about the grapes. There are no grapes present in winter, and that stillness pulls deeply on the subconscious. That deep unrelenting quiet, at times... a pulse of the collectiveness can be felt.

We're looking forward to spring, but the vineyard brings us joy in all seasons. What a great workplace!

Traveling Wine Bottle goes to Hawaii

2010-02-09T10:42:00.000-08:00

The traveling wine bottle was in Hawaii from January. You never know where that wine bottle will show up!

Send us your photo and story of the traveling wine bottle. Now the incentive...we will provide a bottle of Crofut Family wines for your submission.

January 2010

2010-01-20T07:56:00.000-08:00

Took some cool pics of the vineyard covered in hoarfrost on a cold winter morning. Hope you enjoy!
-Don

PS> The vineyard is now closed for the season. See you in April when we reopen!

Vineyard hours

2009-12-10T09:19:00.001-08:00

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

2009-11-30T11:21:00.001-08:00

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...)

2009-10-20T14:20:00.001-07:00

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

2009-10-15T09:56:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-10-15T09:05:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-13T09:44:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-10T17:49:00.001-07:00

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

Our biggest harvest ever!

2009-10-06T04:57:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-09-24T10:53:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-24T10:50:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-18T10:54:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-15T14:11:00.001-07:00

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

2009-09-01T11:41:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-27T10:54:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-24T09:36:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-19T07:16:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-17T13:07:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-08-17T12:41:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-21T11:44:00.001-07:00

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

2009-07-12T12:26:00.000-07:00

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...

2009-06-24T08:20:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-06-12T05:17:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-12T04:27:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-05-27T14:16:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-26T07:11:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-19T12:44:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-04-16T11:01:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-04-13T09:10:00.000-07:00

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

2009-02-17T11:43:00.000-08:00

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

Don't miss our Black Friday Sale!

2008-11-17T13:09:00.000-08:00

Join us for our one-of-a-kind Wine Sale on Friday, Nov. 28 from 11 am to 7 pm, Saturday, Nov. 29 from 10 am to 6 pm, and Sunday, Nov. 30 from noon to 6 pm.

You'll receive 15% off award-winning Crofut wine and 10% all all gift items including our 100% Belgian chocolates. We'll have people on hand to help you assemble custom gift baskets, too.
You must bring this page in to receive your discounts. Offer expires 11/30/08.

Sunday Sunset

2008-10-23T09:28:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone, this is Don.
I was out working in the vineyard this past Sunday night and the sky was going crazy. It was gorgeous! I grabbed the camera and snapped a few shots. Hopefully the folks coming for the vineyard dinners will get to enjoy a few sunsets like this, too!

Frog on the Blog

2008-10-16T10:56:00.001-07:00

I just came across this old photo from BB (Before Blog). We came across a little frog in the vineyard, clinging tightly to a cluster of grapes. He stuck around long enough for a few photos before he hopped away unharmed.

Thanks to the 10/11 Harvesters!

2008-10-16T08:25:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who showed up on Saturday, October 11 for our final harvest event. It was a gorgeous day. We had a lot of volunteers and a lot of fun.

A special thanks to Mary Pearson for taking some gorgeous photos of the event. I'm sticking a few photos below, but you can click on the Picasa link in the Title to see more, larger photos of the day. Thanks to all our hard workers -- hope you enjoyed the day as much as we did!
-Don

Harvest is COOKING!

2008-10-06T09:28:00.000-07:00

Things are really cooking at the winery. Harvest is moving quite nicely (Big thanks for all the friends and family helping out). Just one more week of harvesting, crushing, pressing and introducing the marriage of yeast and juice. From that marriage and honeymoon will blossom our new 2008 vintage wines in a few weeks.
Want to pick? Email us and tell us you want to participate. Get ready for Don's cooking on the 11th of October! You pick. Don preps 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.

Last Sunday we were also pleased to have clan Dollarhide in to visit and enjoy the fine fall day. We even got them to stay still long enough for the one photo!

Art in the Vineyard

2008-10-06T09:22:00.001-07:00

It was a great time last Sunday when Tammy and the Waseca Artist Guild came in to "paint" the vineyard...and Lucky the goat too! Tammy and the Waseca artists group were with us on Sunday and their watercolor paintings in the vineyard were quite special. I can't wait to see some of the finished products. If you want to come and paint in the vineyard ...or just paint the goat, please let us know.

Here are some photos of guild members "painting the vineyard."

What an amazing September!

2008-09-19T06:46:00.000-07:00

Twist Productions needed a barn to shoot their commercial for Sygenta/NK soybeans. They found ours and spent the last 3 days setting the barn up for a shoot. Lucky the goat and King Turkalot (the turkey) were so excited to have all the attention.

Look for the Syngenta soybeans national commercial this winter and spring. It was filmed in Crofutland! They even used the winery for the interior shot. Commerical to go out nationally this winter/spring.

Julie and Clan Welch

2008-09-17T09:43:00.000-07:00

Family vineyard yields State Fair ribbons

Here's a story that came out yesterday in the Prior Lake American.

Julie is a friend of ours and comes out to help us in a little of everything in the vineyard and winery. I am so glad that she did so well in the State Fair amateur wine competition this year. They are north of us about 6 miles on Marschall road.

Congratulations, Julie! Your dad was the nicest caring man. I know he would be proud of what you are doing. He was so excited to start of your vineyard. May you carry on and inspire others, too!

Campbell Mithun commercial week of Sept. 15

2008-09-16T07:23:00.000-07:00

This is going to be an exciting week! Campbell Mithun will be filming a national commercial on Thursday in the vineyard!

The commercial features our big red bard and Syngenta/NK soybeans. We'll have a tech and lighting crew here on Tuesday after 2 pm. They'll start setting up on Wednesday and be filming on Wednesday and Thursday am.

It sounds like the weather is going to cooperate for them, too. Watch for our barn in the soybean ads next spring.

Maybe we should ask Richard for a recipe pairing wine and soybeans... Either way, be sure to check out the CrofutLand recipe blog!

Vonore, Tennessee

2008-09-10T13:08:00.000-07:00

Ruth and Kevin Bourlard live in Shakopee and have helped with harvest and bottling in the past. Kevin helped us cook a wonderful leg of lamb at last year's harvest. Kevin's parents live in Vonore, Tennessee. They took the wine back from MN and served at their 4th of July dinner. Obviously the wine was a hit: they liked it so much they took a traveling wine bottle photo or two and sent them to Kevin to give to us.

Photo 1: Uncle Carl, Sally, Kevin's Dad, Sally's Bill, and Uncle Bill sit down to enjoy their 4th of July meal with some Crofut wine.

Photo 2: Carol Ann poses with Mollie (age 9) and her Crofut St. Croix Red (ageless!)

Photo 3: Kevin's dad is a double-fisted Crofut Winery fan!

Noted at the Slow Food Convention

2008-09-05T09:17:00.001-07:00

My cousin Alan saw the article and photos of the US Slow Food Nation in San Francisco that were published in the City Pages blog yesterday. We were invited to participate in the inaugural event and although we were not there in body, we were there in spirit...but our wines were participants in savoring the fresh sea air of August. It is always heartening to see so many local merchants getting their due on the national stage!

Your Reach Is Far

2008-09-04T14:06:00.001-07:00

Thanks to Tara for submitting a photo of our vineyard in the "Photo of the Day" section of the Atlanta Journal Constitution way down in Georgia. Yet another friend noticed it there, and faxed a copy of it to us. Thank you, Gary!

Grape Stomps t-shirts are in!

2008-09-04T14:04:00.000-07:00

Take part in the Grape Stomp this weekend, and this is the t-shirt you'll get. Hope to see you there!

Volunteers Wanted for September Grape Harvest

2008-08-22T13:47:00.000-07:00

Veraison (augusting or turning) is in full force. The grapes are turning black, blue and lighter shades of green. Ripening has started, and harvesting will start in September....with the cool spring and late bloom, we will have a late harvest and lots of activity in the last 2 weeks of September and the first week in October.

Email us tell us you want to participate. Get ready for Don's cooking in September! You pick, Don preps 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.

Harvest is THE best time of the year, and the food is hearty! Email us & let us know which Saturday morning you want to help make world class wine! We might even see another balloon over the vineyard one fine Saturday morning.

Outstanding in the Field Aug. 15

2008-08-22T09:49:00.001-07:00

A big thanks to Chef's Scott and Lenny! We were able to participate in the "Outstanding in the Field" Dinner Series at Cedar Summit Farms this past weekend in New Prague.

A fabulous evening of food and wine on a table made for 180 persons! The full moon paired with our dessert wine was the exclamation point for the entire day! Here is a glimpse of the table.

Chef Lenny from Heartland (St Paul) and Chef Scott from Corner Table (Mnpls) had some incredible food. Their website is http://www.outstandinginthefield.com/.

Mini Family Reunion Feedback

2008-08-22T09:42:00.000-07:00

Hi Don!

Thanks for the invite to your family winery. My family met there for a mini family reunion on the 9th. It was a lot of fun for our whole family. Most adults did the wine tasting while the kids and I played outside. We had a picnic lunch in the area with the tables and chairs.

After we ate the kids played some more, enjoyed watching the farm animals and finished the time there with a walk in the vineyard.
Attached are two pictures - one of me and the kids (my daughter on the tire swing with my nieces in the background) and one of the walk thru the vineyard (my mother in law, sister in law, nieces and my daughter).

We're hoping to make the trip an annual event since there was something for everyone and we all enjoyed it. Oh, and the wine was good too. : ) Each family bought a bottle of which two were drank there and one was brought home. We also enjoyed the chocolate.

Thanks again!

Patty M.
Eagan, MN

VINEYARD UPDATE: THE HEAT IS ON!

2008-08-05T08:28:00.000-07:00

Veraison (augusting or turning) has started and the grapes are turning black, blue and lighter shades of green. Ripening has started, and harvesting will start in September.

Want to pick?
Email us at info@crofutwinery.com to tell us you want to participate.

Get ready for Don's cooking in September!
You pick, Don preps family foods, and you enjoy family food and wine after a MN morning harvest. Harvest is THE best time of the year, and the food is hearty! Email us at info@crofutwinery.com & let us know which Saturday morning you want to help make world class wine!

2008 Indy Wine Competition

2008-07-25T08:20:00.000-07:00

We've won so many awards this year that it's beginning to seem repetitive to keep reporting them. Check our website for our awards list.

The Indy Wine Competition is the BIG one, and we brought home two silver awards this year!

The Indy International brought in nearly 3,200 wines from 15 countries. The 75 judges liked last year's crop of sweet Minnesota whites. Both our 2007 LaCrescent table wine and our 2007 Frontenac Gris (Essence du Nord) dessert wines took silver.

It's our second crop of wines EVER, and we're bringing home silver awards competing against the big guys. We're aiming higher, and hope you'll stay with us for the ride!

Don't Miss the Crofutland Recipe Blog!

2008-07-25T08:15:00.000-07:00

Visit the Crofutland Recipe Blog, where Chef Richard Dollarhide regularly shares some of his favorite recipes with his friends at the Crofut Family Vineyard.

It's a delicious read. Check it out!

Have you checked our Crofutland Recipe blog?

2008-07-25T08:05:00.000-07:00

Be sure to check out our Crofutland Blog, where Chef Richard Dollarhide regularly shares some of his favorite recipes with his friends at the Crofut Family Vineyard.

It's a delicious read!

New Prague Red Hat Ladies

2008-07-01T13:57:00.001-07:00

We hosted the New Prague Red Hat Ladies in for a picnic on Sat the 21st of June. What a great time!

If you're as much fun as these ladies, you're welcome at the vineyard any time!

blooms in the vineyard

2008-07-01T13:48:00.000-07:00

It's June in the vineyard, and the grape vines are blooming. Just think, each of these pretty little blossoms will grow up to be a yummy grape!

A friend once said that men are like grapes... if you stomp them, press them, strain them and age them, eventually you might be able to enjoy a nice meal with them. These are my little boys!

FRONTENAC ARRIVES! Crofut Family Winery Events

2008-06-23T09:31:00.000-07:00

NEW WINES FOR 2008! We have 3 new wines and 2 are ready for your tasting pleasure. Frontenac Gris. Many have waited, it is now ready to share. Essence du Nord, our sweet Frontenac Gris wine.

READY TO HAVE --"FUN WITH WINE?"
Hang with Chef Molly Dollarhide on Summer Sunday afternoons at Crofut Family Winery!

Chef Molly creates food to pair with Crofut Family Wines; YOU have a fun afternoon! Let her show you how easy it can be to pair food with wine! We had so much fun at the last one, and the tent actually stayed up!
CALL TO RESERVE NOW as Space is Limited. $25 per person, and YES, we bring the WINE! Why do we do this? We want you to learn about Food & Wine, and have FUN! Bring a friend, they will learn something!
RSVP HERE FOR RESERVATIONS: Crofut email
Chef Molly's Fun with Wine21646 Langford Ave S. (MN Hwy 13)
Summer Schedule:
June 29, July 6, July 20
August 3, August 17
952-492-3227
Check in at 1:45 PM
2:00-Until Chef Molly is Finished

Dinner "IN" the Vineyard ...YES!
Sunset at the Crofut Family Vineyard is simply beautiful. Chefs Richard and Molly will make our vineyard sunset unforgettable.
The 2008 Vineyard Season will be special. Dine in the vineyard. Share world class food and wine grown from vines that surround you. Share a sunset with your beloved. Make a memory in a unique setting never before experienced in Minnesota.
Gaze longingly; sip the concentrated sunshine of rich land and crisp skies; smell the sweetness of growing grapes as you dine; and linger under the red and orange skies of a vineyard sunset.

Chefs Richard and Molly create pairings to capture the moment. You etch in your memory, the moment when time will stand still.
The ultimate Minnesota vineyard sunset.
Crofut Family Dinner in the Vineyard21646 Langford Ave S. (MN Hwy 13)Jordan, Minnesota 55352

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED
Limited to 25 Couples $125 per person
Apertifs at 6:00 pm, Catered Dinner promptly served at 6:30 pm
Dessert & Essence du Nord with Sunset
July 13th and August 10th
RSVP HERE FOR RESERVATIONS: Crofut email

International Eastern Wine Competition

2008-05-30T14:43:00.000-07:00

We brought home another two Bronze medals from a field of over 2,200 wines at the 32nd International Eastern Wine Competition.

Crofut Winery earned a Bronze award for our Frontenac Rose' and one for our brand new Frontenac Gris 2007. Bronze medals require a unanimous panel vote for bronze, we're pleased with our standings. Vineyard & Winery Management magazine lists the competition results online.

Tasters Guild Wine Competition

2008-05-10T14:34:00.000-07:00

We rock! Five submitted wines, four medals!

I'm really excited about the Frontenac Gris' Silver. We're a small fish and I entered the Gris in a big-pond category. We still scored second place! Give us time... our rankings are only going to get better and better...

Frontenac Rose' 07 Bronze
Prairie Blanc 06 Silver
River Valley White 06 Silver
Frontenac Gris 07 Silver
5 submitted, 4 medals.

Diane's birthday bash

2008-05-10T14:31:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, our family friend Lady Diane Sullivan turned 29 for the 21st time. She drove her 1967 Camaro out to the vineyard as family and friends joined in saluting her chronological advancement. We had a wonderful time with Diane, her family and friends. It was a beautiful spring day for a birthday party.

We're gonna have a billboard ad, too!

2008-05-05T14:44:00.000-07:00

We met with a big distributor last week -- they're spreading the word about Crofut wine and our popularity continues to grow. Take a look at the billboard we'll be putting up soon. We are SO stoked for summer!

-Don

Watch for our ad in the Star Tribune!

2008-05-05T14:36:00.001-07:00

Vineyard Events this Summer - Sneak Preview

2008-04-28T12:06:00.000-07:00

Vineyard Opens on Memorial Day

2008-04-28T12:05:00.001-07:00

Vineyard Update

2008-04-10T09:42:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder that we'll open for the season on Memorial Day weekend. We also bottled the Gris and the rose' so things are moving forward!

-Don

April Fool's Day in 2008

2008-04-10T09:36:00.000-07:00

For all the kids in Minnesota who got woke up by parents bearing snow shovels on April Fool's Day -- it was no joke! Going in to plow out the vineyard driveway early in the morning, we were greeted by a gorgeous wintry scene. Soon, the snow will melt, the leaves will turn green and the grapes will burst forth but for now...

Val and Gary Brown in Akumel, QR Mexico

2008-04-05T16:00:00.000-07:00

Don here is a picture of Gary and I last week in Akumal, Mexico. As you can see it was a little breezy that day, my hair is standing on end!
We brought a bottle of your wine with us and wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed sipping it down there on our penthouse balcony over looking the bay. We were down there for 5 weeks and just returned this Tuesday. Sounds like we missed all the cold weather in February-shucks we were in the 80's and sun everyday. Sorry we missed all that---LOL.
Val and Gary Brown

Check out our latest ad!

2008-03-17T07:32:00.000-07:00

St. Croix on the Rocks

2008-03-17T07:21:00.000-07:00

Here's a shot of a travelling wine bottle along the North Shore in Minnesota. A beautiful place, for those of you who haven't had the chance to enjoy the scenery around Lutsen!

Travelling Wine Bottle in Australia

2008-03-17T07:16:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Ann for this photo of Crow's Nest White in the harbor of Sydney, Australia. Ann’s son Andy lives in there and claims this is as far as a bottle can travel from Jordan without leaving the planet.

Want to post on this blog?

2007-09-20T09:25:00.001-07:00

Send an email to don@crofutwinery.com and I'll gladly email back an invite with the permissions to post online. Or you can just send me the info you want to post. Either way, we're thrilled to hear from you!
-Don and everyone at the vineyard

Harvest, the crush is on.

2007-09-20T09:13:00.000-07:00

Don was in Paris this summer. There's definite competition to Crofut wines here, but MN grapes still taste darned good under the Eiffel Tower!

A long hot summer, followed by a deluge of water at the beginning of September leads to a bountiful grape harvest. A big THANKS to all the friends who have came out to participate and share.
We served food & wine to thank our helpers (the elk meat went over well). Helpers also got to take a bottle of Crofut wine home to sooth the tired back.

During the harvest we saved several daring tree frogs who enjoyed a ride from the vineyard to ...almost the crusher. We will make sure at Grape Stomp '07 these happy little guys do not end up at the bottom of the barrel...so to speak. The Grape Stomp takes place September 29-30. It's going to be a lot of fun -- hope you come join us!

Traveling Crofut Wine Bottle...hmmmm

2007-06-14T12:31:00.000-07:00

Wonder why we named the blog the traveling Crofut Wine Bottle? Here is why.
I have some friends leaving on trips this last week, and they had to have a bottle...or two of wine for their trips, and wanted to send a photo of them on the beach with the Crofut wine. So, when you travel, take a bottle of wine and send a photo back and tell us where you have been. Hope to see a photo of happy people and a bottle from Iceland, or even the south island of new Zealand one of these days!