One of the stories gaining considerable attention this week covered the groundbreaking of the Dennis Drummond Wine Company just south of Brainerd.
The winery on Thiesse Road is the brainchild of Dennis and Jody Drummond,
The plans call for a center ballroom with wedding patio with a barrel room and wine making on one side and a bistro and bistro bar on the other. There will be space devoted to wine tasting, a commercial kitchen and cask storage.
Jody Drummond said they'll be planting show grapes around the winery to provide the ambiance but won't be growing grapes there for their winemaking, at least for now. They'll be buying grapes for the effort with 51 percent from Minnesota and 49 percent grown outside of the state.
Some wineries have vineyards but not all are physically connected, Drummond said.
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There is a challenge when it comes to growing grapes in the region, from a late frost nipping the buds to deep winter temperatures of 30 below that can kill off entire vineyards.
Drummond said they do have additional options to increase the acreage they own in the area so there could be opportunities in the future to grow grapes locally.
Minnesota Grown does list a number of vineyards in the state. Moultons Orchard & Vineyard in St. Joseph has Marquette and Frontenac grapes. Brambling Rows Berry Farm, Brainerd, lists grapes, as well as a blueberries, heirloom tomatoes, raspberries and strawberries. Johnsdale Orchard in Onamia reports mainly apples but also expanding into grapes. But the vast majority of Minnesota Grown vineyards are farther south of the lakes area.
The grand opening for Dennis Drummond Wine Company is expected to be April 1, 2017, but they'll be making wine first with wine production beginning this year. The winery will join an ever expanding list of craft beer and brewery options in the lakes area.
