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There are certain things I associate with Minnesota, the state where I spent my first 18 years: Dairy Queen, hotdish, corn dogs fresh at the Minnesota State Fair, etc., but wine, eh….not so much. Imagine my surprise when a Minnesota vineyard was featured in Food & Wine. With its 45 national awards I knew Alexis Bailly Vineyard was worth a visit, but was still a bit skeptical. Could Minnesota wines really compare with those from California, Oregon, or Washington, not to mention those from parts abroad? There was only one way to find out: to stop by for a tasting.
My boyfriend and I decided to do just that on our second to last day in Minnesota. We drove down to Hastings, Minnesota after a morning of boating on the St. Croix River with my uncle and father.
As we drove Hastings looked, as suspected, like an unlikely place for a winery. The landscape was typical of what I expected from my home state: orderly subdivisions with near-identical houses, rows of golden corn, and towering grain silos. It was the kind of area where you would least expect to find a winery, but as the country road turned from pavement to dirt we spotted it on the left hand side. Seeing vines of grapes perched against wooden fences seemed almost surreal since just moments ago we’d been admiring typical farm land.
Inside their rustic winery we sampled their full selection of 9 wines for only $5, a fantastic deal considering how generous the pours were. It was so fun to try wine there because the atmosphere was unpretentious and casual. I never felt like I had to drop wine jargon to be accepted. Of those I sampled my two favorites were their Rose Noir and their Hastings Reserve, a port wine. The Rose Noir, a new wine for the vineyard, was surprisingly yummy for a blush wine. It was quite fruity, tasting distinctly to me like a strawberry-banana smoothie, without being overly sweet. It seemed like a perfect laid back summer drinking wine and I also imagine it would make some fantastic Sangria. The Hastings Reserve was equally delicious. Lately I’ve been really into port wine and this bottle did not disappoint. It was not as complex as a nice Tawny Port, but still had a lush caramel flavor and warmth. I purchased both bottles, which thankfully survived the ride back to Boston in my suitcase. My only regret was that we were both drained from boating and didn’t take the time to wander the grounds. Since they hadn’t yet hit their busy season the property was serene and quiet, making it the perfect place for a walk.
So did I get over my skepticism? Yes. The wines were fantastic and the grounds surprisingly beautiful. I’m hoping for a return visit the next time I’m back visiting family, but in the meantime I have my two souvenir bottles to remind me of our lovely visit.
My boyfriend and I decided to do just that on our second to last day in Minnesota. We drove down to Hastings, Minnesota after a morning of boating on the St. Croix River with my uncle and father.
As we drove Hastings looked, as suspected, like an unlikely place for a winery. The landscape was typical of what I expected from my home state: orderly subdivisions with near-identical houses, rows of golden corn, and towering grain silos. It was the kind of area where you would least expect to find a winery, but as the country road turned from pavement to dirt we spotted it on the left hand side. Seeing vines of grapes perched against wooden fences seemed almost surreal since just moments ago we’d been admiring typical farm land.
Inside their rustic winery we sampled their full selection of 9 wines for only $5, a fantastic deal considering how generous the pours were. It was so fun to try wine there because the atmosphere was unpretentious and casual. I never felt like I had to drop wine jargon to be accepted. Of those I sampled my two favorites were their Rose Noir and their Hastings Reserve, a port wine. The Rose Noir, a new wine for the vineyard, was surprisingly yummy for a blush wine. It was quite fruity, tasting distinctly to me like a strawberry-banana smoothie, without being overly sweet. It seemed like a perfect laid back summer drinking wine and I also imagine it would make some fantastic Sangria. The Hastings Reserve was equally delicious. Lately I’ve been really into port wine and this bottle did not disappoint. It was not as complex as a nice Tawny Port, but still had a lush caramel flavor and warmth. I purchased both bottles, which thankfully survived the ride back to Boston in my suitcase. My only regret was that we were both drained from boating and didn’t take the time to wander the grounds. Since they hadn’t yet hit their busy season the property was serene and quiet, making it the perfect place for a walk.
So did I get over my skepticism? Yes. The wines were fantastic and the grounds surprisingly beautiful. I’m hoping for a return visit the next time I’m back visiting family, but in the meantime I have my two souvenir bottles to remind me of our lovely visit.
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Glad you enjoyed the wine.
Regarding the salt in my coffee cake, this is what I responded on my blog,
I hardly cook with salt, but I do try to add at least a pinch when baking because I think it brings out the other flavors. I just kind of forgot this time and didn’t notice a difference. Usually if I am making something just for fun or to try something healthier, I leave it out. If I am making something for others, I will usually add it.
I just found your blog and had to comment on this post. I am from MN as well (although I now live in AZ.) I have visited the Alexis Bailey vineyard and thought it was great. My husband and I are total winos, and like to explore any local wineries, wherever we travel.
(Oh, and I grew up boating on the St. Croix every Sunday in the summer.) So fun to read some familiar stuff.