Freshly mowed grass cut an outline into a former farm field near Brainerd to represent a sprouting business in a wine company, bistro and event center for 300.
For Dennis and Jody Drummond, it's the fruition of a long-held dream. Seven years ago, the couple stood in the same farm field dotted with large, round hay bales to announce their plans to build on the dream and open a winery.
On a sunny Tuesday afternoon, surrounded by friends and supporters, the Drummonds broke ground for their Dennis Drummond Wine Company.
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 credited Sheila Haverkamp, Brainerd Lakes Area Economic Development Corporation executive director with giving the couple the idea of putting down their roots for the project here. Jody Drummond and Haverkamp started talking at a social event. Haverkamp asked more about the Drummonds and learned about their backgrounds in wine.
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"She said Brainerd needs a winery," Jody Drummond recalled, adding that's how it started.
Dennis Emslie Drummond had more than 30 years in winemaking experience, mostly in California (Napa and Sonoma) with time also in Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and New Zealand.
He coordinated Central Lakes College's viticulture program on grape growing and winemaking. He also has a masters in enology from the University of California, Davis.
Haverkamp noted so many people came forward to support the Drummonds in their quest and said she looks forward to seeing what happens next.
The Drummonds thanked the people in their "dream team" who helped them bring the vision to the point of construction, including Jesse Hopkins their architect with HHR and Matt Davis, CEO of Fortress Built, their general contractor among many others.
"I think it's going to be hugely successful," Davis said.
Hopkins said like fine cuisine, it takes starting with the right ingredients and this project has the recipe for great success.
The facility has taken a strong environmental approach with a state-of-the-art septic treatment center and stormwater management plan and plans for solar power in the future. Chris Pence, land services supervisor with Crow Wing County, said the Drummonds went above and beyond what they had to do to ensure environmental protections.
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"They've done a really nice job of that," Pence said, adding from a land use perspective this is one of the types of projects the county is looking for in the lakes area. "They should be commended for all the environmental work they've done."
Pence said it's neat to see a project like this come together.
The small group gathered in the open field Tuesday were surrounded by green fields and trees in the distance. The Drummonds took ceremonial shovelfuls of turf exposing black earth beneath the thick mantle of grass near the spot where the front door will go.
Jody Drummond offered a special thanks to friends and family who supported them along the journey saying they'd be giving thanks daily for this opportunity. Drummond said her father gave them the land for the project seven years ago. He died last July.
Jody Drummond said the plan has come full circle, evolving into what it is today and creating a place that will provide memories for others in the future for weddings and special events. She said they are already taking bookings for weddings.
Mike McConkey, commercial banking officer with Wells Fargo Bank in Brainerd, said he came to know Jody Drummond through Rotary.
"This project would not have happened without these two people," McConkey said of the Drummonds. "If you could pick the two perfect people to do this project, they are it.
"It's a dream but they are jumping off a pretty large cliff and hopefully the parachute will engage."
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McConkey said the Drummonds put together a great team. "We know they will be successful."
The group joined hands in a prayer and blessing at the site. Jody Drummond thanked those gathered for helping with the dream.
"I can't wait to walk in the front door," Hopkins said.
The grand opening is expected to be April 1, 2017, but they'll be making wine first with wine production beginning this year. There are already plans for a bacon fest on July 16, 2017.
RENEE RICHARDSON, associate editor, may be reached at 218-855-5852 or renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com . Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Dispatchbizbuzz .
