‘Escape’ from everyday, discover exciting Minnesota wines at

The winery’s schedule includes food trucks and performers to compliment its guests experience. (Photo courtesy of Vintage Escapes Winery)

‘Escape’ from everyday, discover exciting Minnesota wines at Vintage Escapes Winery

By BRIDGET KRANZ

Ashley and Dan Reller created Vintage Escapes as a place to come together, share a moment and discover the range of Minnesota wines. Ten miles west of Faribault, the vineyard is situated on 32 acres off Dodd Road. The couple has decorated the property with vintage-inspired decor, from a classic truck —complete with wine barrels in the bed -- to interior finishes created by Dan and his father.

They bought the property in 2015, prepared the land and planted their first crop two years later. Vintage Escapes, opened in 2019, is a family-operated business run by Ashley and Dan, a military veteran. The pair loved touring wineries, tasting different wines and learning more about the winemaking process. When their son, River, was born in 2014, it was the spark they needed to finally turn their passion into their life’s work.

Opening the winery was a leap of faith. Not only was Vintage Escapes a business the couple started from scratch, wine-making itself is fairly new in Minnesota. It began to gain popularity in the 1970s, and since then the University of Minnesota has been working to develop several cold hardy grapes.

“There are more and more grapes coming out that not only survive in Minnesota, but make good wine,” said Ashley, who leads the winemaking while Dan manages the tasting room and the business.”

Some of the most successful Minnesota grapes are Frontenac, Itasca and Marquette — the three varieties grown at Vintage Escapes.

Something for everybody, made on site Vintage Es-

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