Minnesota Winery Visits: Chankaska Creek

Minnesota and Wisconsin Winery Visits – a Series
Seeing where the grapes grow and the wine is made has always been important to my understanding of wine. It’s a way to connect the place with the wine in the glass. During our annual time in Minnesota (typically spring and summer) I’ll be visiting wineries to better understand our hybrid grapes and the resulting wines. I hope some of these posts will help you’ll find a location for your next day trip or winery visit!

Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery and Distillery
Chankaska Creek Ranch was formed in 2008 with the purchase of the Chankaska Creek Ranch property. Owners X and X had a vision and desire to grow grapes, make wine, and create a welcoming place to visit. Visits range from tasting wine, to weekends on the patio with wine and food to hosting gatherings large and small. Chankaska Creek is located in Kasota in south central Minnesota. About an hour southwest from Minneapolis, it’s just outside the town of St. Peter.

Vineyards and Grapes
Chankaska Creek has 15 acres planted to grapes. These grapes include Marquette, Itasca, Frontenac blanc, gris and noir, as well as other hybrids. The challenges to growing grapes in Minnesota include our harsh winters, spring frosts, and humidity. Humidity brings more bugs and mildew. Japanese beetles are a threat as are robins. Once the grapes start to ripen, netting is used to defend against the robins. Hybrid grapes are part of the solution, as they are hardy to our winters and are bred to be more resistant to diseases. Vineyard Manager, Josh Huberty, explains they use integrated pest management. Instead of trying to eliminate all pests from the vineyard, they let nature proceed until the pest is making an economic impact. Then they respond with the appropriate defense, requiring fewer passes with insecticides, lower overall insecticide use, and less cost. Constant vigilance is required!

Winery and Wines
Chankaska Creek’s production is around 12,000 cases annually. Winemaker, John Couchot, comes from a background in brewing and winemaking in Oregon. He’s excited to work with hybrid grapes. He says they have great potential for making fine wines and there is still so much to learn about best vinification practices. Chankaska winemaking also includes traditional method sparkling wines, a style our high acid grapes are well suited for. The day I visited, they were disgorging a batch of sparkling wines. Nothing fancy in the setup, but they got the job done!

Tasting Room, Public and Private Event Spaces
The tasting room at Chankaska Creek Winery is a warm, inviting space year-round. You can sample a flight of wines or enjoy a glass. They have a nice menu of small plates and pizzas. In warmer weather, there are plenty of beautiful outdoor spaces. On weekends they often have live music and a bonfire in the evenings, complete with marshmallows! There are reservable event spaces ranging from a set of picnic tables for a family event up to large weddings, rain (or snow!) or shine. While spirits aren’t my main interest, I was impressed with their commitment to a column still for production and a complete, separate spirits tasting room. Something for everyone!

The Wines
Disclosure: I received the Itasca and Reserve La Crescent wines as samples. No other compensation was involved, I travelled on my own to the winery and Kelsey Long was kind enough to set up my interviews and tour.

Chankaska Wines Reserve La Crescent 2023 Minnesota AVA (sample, $29 at the winery) 13.9% abv
The La Crescent grape has Muscat of Hamburg as one of its’ parents, along with Vitis riparia. It typically has high acidity and intense aromas, useful for sweet wines.
Eye: Medium gold color
Nose: Medium plus intensity aromas of honeysuckle, ripe peach, apricot, mango,
Mouth: Dry, medium acidity, full body with rich texture, medium alcohol, pronounced flavor intensity, medium plus finish. The flavors follow the aromas with the addition of a spicy potpourri component, some vanilla, butterscotch. While dry, the wine is very rich and fruity.

Chankaska Wines Itasca 2023 (sample, $34 at the winery) 13.9%abv
Read the University of Minnesota description of Itasca. Also, check my post on Chankaska Creek Itasca at dinner
Eye: Medium gold
Nose: Medium aromas of ripe pear, red apple, a hint of fennel, crême brulée.
Mouth: Dry, medium plus acidity, medium plus body with rich texture, medium alcohol, medium plus flavor intensity, medium finish.
Observations: An excellent transition for Vitis vinifera drinkers coming to hybrid wines. Unique aromas and flavors, but a familiarity to the dry character, acidity and texture. The wine paired nicely with our dinner of cilantro lime salmon and rice.

Equinoce Extra Dry Sparkling Wine ($34 at the winery) 12% abv
Traditional method sparkling wine made from Frontenac Gris and Frontenac Blanc cold-hearty hybrid grapes
Eye: pale gold color
Nose: Medium plus intensity aromas of pear and apple, very fresh.
Mouth: While noted as extra dry, this wine finishes dry. Nice medium plus acidity with medium body, medium alcohol, medium finish. Medium plus intensity flavors similar to the aromas, very fresh tasting.
Observations: This wine paired beautifully with oysters we shucked at home, a treat!