Raise a glass to celebrate Minnesota’s thriving wine industry: More than a thousand people are expected at Shakopee’s Canterbury Park Saturday, April 16, for a rare opportunity to taste everything Minnesota wineries have to offer – as well as samples from dozens of craft breweries and food producers – all in a single afternoon. The seventh-annual Savor Minnesota, sponsored by Minnesota Grown,and Minnesota Farm Winery Association is the only event offering a one-stop opportunity to sample the best wine, beer and food from local producers. Admission includes a four-hour tasting featuring wines from nearly 20 Minnesota vineyards, nibbles from more than 20 food producers – including everything from cheese to chocolate – and beer from several local breweries. Doors open at noon; wine and beer will be served between 1 and 5 p.m. Admission is $45 at the door, $40 in advance (tax not included) via www.SavorMN.com or in person at Northern Vineyards Winery in Stillwater. Tickets are limited to the first 1,200 people. All attendees must be at least 21. Parking is free. Savor Minnesota attendees receive a wine glass, reusable shopping bag and booklet of the event with a list of the items available for sampling, space to take notes on each exhibitor and more than $100 in discounts from participating exhibitors. In addition to sampling food and drink from dozens of local producers, attendees will be able to purchase up to six bottles of wine from Minnesota wineries as they exit the show area. Wine novices and wine enthusiasts alike will enjoy tasting everything Minnesota wineries have to offer, and anyone who enjoys locally produced food and drink will appreciate the variety of offerings at the event.
“It’s a fun, once-a-year opportunity for Minnesotans to experience phenomenal local wine, food and beer they may have heard about but haven’t had a chance to taste, all in one spot,” says Robin Partch, winemaker at Northern Vineyards Winery and Savor Minnesota’s founder. “As one of the first winemakers in the state, I’m proud that Minnesota is becoming an established wine-growing area, with more wineries than ever producing internationally award-winning wines. The Savor Minnesota event brings them all together for a rare chance to try exceptional wines that are produced right here, in our own backyard.”
Proceeds are used to fund scholarships at the University of Minnesota – which began breeding cold-hardy grapes in 1908 – and for the Minnesota Grape Growers’ annual Cold Climate Conference.
