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.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
March in the Vineyard
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
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
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Winter Work in the Vineyard
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!
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
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.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
January 2010
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!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
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
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
Monday, November 30, 2009
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!
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