5 minute read
Chankaska Creek Ranch Winery & Distillery offers wine, spirits and
from MADE-IN SoMinn 2021
by Kate Noet
LACOL
GNINNIW DRAWA
Chankaska Creek Ranch Winery & Distillery has distilled Kremes and spirits — gin, rye, vodka and whiskey — for about six years. (Photo courtesy of Chankaska Creek Ranch Winery & Distillery)
By JANE MOORE
Raise a glass to Kent and Jane Schwickert, proprietors of Chankaska Creek Ranch Winery & Distillery in Kasota! The entrepreneurial couple first planted vines on the 25-acre property in 2009 and opened the doors to Chankaska’s tasting room in 2012. Their labor has produced enticing fruit over the past decade. “Initially, our business plan was to provide a great experience with wine, appetizers and wood-fired pizzas for people to enjoy,” said Jane, Chankaska’s general manager.
“Then we started distribution to local retailers and liquor stores, and around 2015-16 we decided to distill spirits.”
My, how they’ve grown. Today, Chankaska’s award-winning wines, spirits and Kremes are distributed in Minnesota and nationally, and a spacious event center graces the property to accommodate large events yearround.
“We can host weddings for up to 350 guests, or concerts for between 400 and 500 people,” said Jane.
Whether you’re a party of one or a dozen, Chankaska has an experience for you.
“We have tables for one to 12 people, and we have several smaller spaces for events of 50 people or less,” said Jane. “We can accommodate just about any event here.”
Namely, family reunions, bridal showers, bachelorette parties, anniversary celebrations, private tastings, political gatherings, class reunions, fundraisers
and weddings; all are among the broad range of events Chankaska expertly hosts.
“We have a great team of employees,” said Jane, mentioning Chankaska’s 15 full-time staff plus many additional part-time workers.
“Some have been with us since the
IF YOU GO
1179 East Pearl St., Kasota 507-931-0089 chankaskawines.com
Hours: Noon-9 p.m. — Monday-Saturday Noon-7 p.m. — Sunday
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company wholesale clients across the country — and beyond. One of their largest wholesale customers is supermarket chain Hy-Vee (although their candies aren’t carried at the Owatonna location — you’ll have to stop by the Curly Girlz store for your fix in town). For individual customers, the shop offers convenient online and in-person ordering. In addition to homemade candies and chocolates, Trenda also packages and sells her unique sweetener blend for those looking to make sugar-free desserts at home.
“We sell the sweetener online and at our retail location. It comes in both powder and granulated form,” said Trenda. “People who are looking to cut back on their sugar intake will buy it and use it for baking at home. Nobody notices the difference. I use it often for crisps, pies, even jams. You really don’t notice that it’s not sugar.”
For her innovation in the world of sugar-free sweets, Trenda was named Minnesota’s 2020 Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration. While finding her niche — and setting Curly Girlz apart with an innovative sweetener blend — Trenda has also made a difference in the lives of countless people who either need to or choose to reduce their sugar intake.
“Our focus has really been on creating a healthier option for consumers to enjoy. We wanted to make candies that weren’t full of sugar, that people could enjoy as part of a healthier lifestyle,” said Trenda. “I hear from a lot of families with type 1 or 2 diabetes, or other illnesses where they have difficulty breaking down sugar. It means a lot to be able to buy a bag of sugar-free candy and give it to their kids’ teacher. Now, when the class is getting a treat, their child has a safe and healthy way to participate.” beginning, while others have been here several years; their experience is a real asset. Chankaska is a great place to work.”
Located about a mile south of St. Peter and a few miles north of Mankato, Chankaska is easily accessible and thus a popular site for area residents.
But it’s also a destination for guests from the Twin Cities, Rochester, New Ulm and beyond, all of whom are drawn by Chankaska’s relaxing ambience coupled with delicious food and an increasing variety of terrific wine and spirits.
“We have four regional sales managers working to distribute our North Forest Kremes and Ranch Road Spirits in the Dakotas, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri and Kentucky,” said Jane.
She recommends Chankaska’s spirit-based cream product — North Forest Kreme — available in walnut, maple bourbon pecan, pumpkin, peppermint and huckleberry vanilla flavors.
“It goes well in coffee, too,” she said.
Autumn is a beautiful season to visit Chankaska, Jane suggests.
“Harvest is going on,” said Jane, “And there’s usually nice fall weather. It’s a great time to enjoy our wines and spirits.”
On a beautiful day, enjoy a bite, a glass of something tasty and the company of fiends on Chankaska’s outdoor patio. (Photo courtesy of Chankaska Creek Ranch Winery & Distillery)
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3 Sugar-free? Yes, please! Curly Girlz Candy makes healthier sweets that everyone can enjoy 4 Chankaska Creek Ranch Winery & Distillery offers wine, spirits and food in a relaxing rural setting 6 Big Dream Organics is southern Minn’s go-to-source for CBD 7 From farm to fork, Schmidt’s has — and does — it all 9 ‘Escape’ from everyday, discover exciting Minnesota wines at
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REGIONAL PRESIDENT: RANDY RICKMAN REGIONAL GENERAL MANAGER: CHAD HJELLMING REGIONAL MANAGING EDITOR: SUZANNE ROOK REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF SALES: TOM KELLING DESIGN LAYOUT: KATE TOWNSEND-NOET ADVERTISING: JORDAN ANDREAS, AMBER CASTERTON, KATHLEEN DAVIES, VICTORIA DAVIS, JENNIFER FLOWERS, CRYSTAL HOBART, BRITNEY MARR, TIM MART, MARK NELSON, DEANNA WALTERS
