WHO WE ARE

The Loooong Background History: The idea of growing grapes and making wine here in Wisconsin started back in 2006. I (John Engstrom) had finished my undergrad degree in Food Science and wanted to get an edge on other Food Scientists by attending the CIA (Culinary Institute of America - Greystone) in Napa Valley for a Culinary Arts Certificate instead of a Masters Degree. Cooking food sounded much more appealing to me than spending additional years in school writing papers. I successfully completed the 9 month certificate program but found myself very intrigued with the wine industry that surrounded us and took a job as a Intern at a nearby boutique winery named Elyse. I had never made wine or pruned a vine before, however I had a science background and was willing and able to learn. I turned out to be "the intern that wouldn't leave" and spent nearly 2 years at Elyse learning everything I could about the wine industry. My wife (Kristin) and I decided that we needed to be back in the Midwest closer to family and moved back to St. Paul, MN. I spent a couple years using my Food Science Degree and Culinary Arts skills working in research and development all the while thinking to myself I bet I could grow grapes and make wine here in the Midwest. Land was more reasonable in La Crosse versus the Twin Cities area and we found a piece of land on Hwy 33 that would be a great spot for vines of my own. We moved to La Crosse, built a house and planted our first vines in 2011 with the help of many friends and family. The first vineyard was comprised of La Crescent, Frontenac, St. Pepin and La Crosse varieties. Two years (and almost 2 kids) later we planted another vineyard of the relatively new and up and coming variety, Petite Pearl. In total we have about 2 acres of grapes. For years we have sold the grapes to several of the local wineries and I made small 5 gallon Carboy batches of wine to give away to friends and family and to also continue to experiment, my favorite thing to do. I kept good notes in a composition notebook, which is why it is now part of the label. After many years of saying I should make my own wine and try to sell it, I did just that in 2023 with our Petite Pearl grapes, which is officially for sale and it tastes great!

 

The story doesn't just involve wine. It involves people and a community of the most kind and wonderful people that have shown up for us here in the vineyard.  We might just be the luckiest to have the most helpful and generous family and friends on this planet and they have played a huge part in making this a successful operation, especially during harvest time. The love and support of this community has carried us through each busy growing season and harvest, and all the ups and downs in between, including a global pandemic. 

 

A million thanks to all those who have helped us a long the way, whether that be snipping a cluster of grapes or cheering us on from afar.

Your support means the world and keeps us going.