WILLOW BROOKE VINEYARD

welcome to our vineyard

Craft in the bluffs of Red Wing is our passion and our purpose of Willow Brooke Vineyards boutique-scale production. After hand harvesting at their prime, our grapes go through a “custom crush” processing - the initial crush, quality evaluation, stainless and oak barrel fermentation, blending, filtering and bottling.

We at Willow Brooke tip our hat to Alexis Bailly Vineyard, Minnesota’s first vineyard realizing the unthinkable - that world class wines could be produced in a cold climate. Willow Brooke is honored to be among approximately 65 wineries in Minnesota and 200 commercial vineyards.

Our Wines

Frontenac Gris (Sweet white)

This University of Minnesota variety is full bodied and has an enticing straw color. Subtle spice and citrus aromas are complemented nicely by rich peach and pear flavors on the palate. ($18)

Prairie star (dry white)

Smell the aroma of a white floral essence in this light witted semi-dry wine. Enjoy the buttery flavors of melon and apricot on the palate along with a citrus finish - like a dry sense of humor. A Prairie Star indeed. ($18)

Rosé

This bright, semi-sweet, rube rose wine is created using a wonderful blend of grapes. It has a raspberry aroma and flavors of strawberry, a little tart plum and cranberry. Our rose is delicious on its own or with lighter appetizers, meals and desserts. ($18)

MARQUETTE

Marquette is the latest in a series of new grape varieties from the University of Minnesota. Descended from the noble Pinot Noir, Marquette is a complex wine combining aromas of spice, cherry and blackberry with hints of vanilla and smoke from lengthy aging in American oak barrels. (OUT OF STOCK)

Frontenac (sweet red)

This young, light body Frontenac wine has a bright color and a refreshing semi-sweet finish. Subtle cherry and blackberry aromas and flavors make it a good pairing for pizza or burgers. ($18)

red blend (dry red)

This dry medium body blend has aromas of rich leather and dry leaves derived from combining Frontenac, Marquette and Foch grapes. Black currant and tart cherry flavors complement the good tannin structure of the wine. ($18)

Our wines are available for curbside pickup at the winery by appointment only. ​Contact: Beccah at 952-917-9396

Let willow brooke farm customize your wine labels!

Customize wine served at your wedding, or have fun with your guest book and have everyone sign anniversary wine bottles (see picture to the left).

Willow Brooke Farm is open to your ideas and inspiration!

Our grapes

We have been consulting with Andrew Horton and Annie from University of Minnesota Wine Research Program. The wine grape breeding program began in the mid 70’s and today is recognized as one of the top wine research programs in the country, with the goal of developing high quality, cold-hardy, and disease resistant grape cultivars.

Willow Brooke grape varieties have been planted over the years, starting in 2002 until the most recent plant in 2016. We currently grow seven different varieties of grapes, including Blue Bell, Foch, Frontenac, Frontenac Gris, La Crescent, Marquette and Prairie Star.

How does each grape variety complete different wines you ask? From black pepper and spice to light notes of citrus, each grape packs its own punch and often times compliments other grapes to create sophisticated blends.

  • Blue Bell - Our featured table grape also best used for making juice or jelly. Blue Bell grapes ripen the earliest, are strong at resisting diseases and often provide a Concord-like flavor.

  • Foch - A Foch grape makes a deeply colored wine with earthy characteristics as well as some jam-like, dark-fruit flavors.

  • Frontenac - One of our dark grapes can be found in either red or rose wines and brings bold flavors of cherry or plum.

  • Frontenac Gris - This grape is the perfect match for most popular white wine. The grapes themselves are vigorous, very disease resistant and hold a distinct peach flavor.

  • La Crescent - The sweetness of this grape may fool you, but they are very cold hardy and carry flavors of apricot, citrus and tropical fruits.

  • Marquette - As one of our most renowned grapes, the Marquette best suits our inaugural red wine by providing complex notes of cherry, berry, black pepper and spice.

  • Prairie Star - Another of our white grapes provides a good balance of sweetness and acidity to any wine and makes flavorful juices.