 Welcome to the October 2008 edition of Authentic Traveler -
the official newsletter of Green Routes.
Great Minnesota Winery and Vineyard Tours
I know it sounds a bit like an oxymoron, but the truth is that there are some really great wines being produced here in Minnesota. This is thanks
to some new varieties being developed at the University of Minnesota
and some older varieties that were developed by local viticulture superhero Elmer Swenson. With over 20 wineries statewide, we will take you
on a quick tour of four of our Green Routes Destination favorites.
Fall is a great time to tour these wineries as they are right in the middle of their harvest and beginning to process grapes into wine.
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Destination Spotlights - Great Minnesota Vineyards
This fall take a Saturday and go for a visit to one of these wonderful Green Routes vineyards. The winemakers are a wealth of information and can explain to you the magic of turning grapes into wines.
Morgan Creek Vineyards
New Ulm
Set in a beautiful valley outside of New Ulm Minnesota, Morgan Creek has the look and feel of a Mosel region winery and vineyard. Morgan creek produces a wide variety of wines from German style semi sweet wines like Riesling and Gerverter... Geschtaltermine... Gesterminger... Gewurztraminer! (that is hard to spell as it is to say.) To the well balanced, garnet cast and dry powerhouse-St Johns Red. Wine drinkers will easily find something to suit their taste.
Plus, there are always fun events to attend throughout the summer and fall. From cheese tastings to jazz night and they have an outdoor wood-fired pizza oven.
Click Here for more info>>
Crofut Family Winery & Vineyard
Jordan
The grapes at Crofut have only been in the ground since 2003, but already they are producing some beautiful wines. Their wines have won multiple awards at competitions that range from the Minnesota State Fair to highly prestigious competitions across the country. Crofut frequently has family friendly events at the vineyard. They welcome people to come out to help hand harvest the grapes, but call ahead to see if they are still harvesting. Annual grape stomps at the vineyard make for a fun and interesting weekend trip just south of Minneapolis.
Click Here for more info >>
Fieldstone Vineyard
Morgan
Charlie Quast likes to joke that they have been producing wines since the turn of the century. This century of course! Joking aside, the farm really has been in the family for over a century and with the wonderful wines they produce, this family farm will continue to share their wines with us for another century. Fieldstone also produces two fruit based wines. One from local strawberries and the other from apples. The mantra may be that good wine is only made from grapes (and has to be minerally, dry as dust and have hints of old shoe, green pepper and toasted black walnut), but we Minnesotans have a secret - shhh... we like sweet wine! And these fruit wines are perfect examples.
Click Here for more info >>
Alexis Bailly Vineyard
Hastings
Alexis Bailly is the oldest winery in Minnesota. The first vintage was released in 1978 and was produced with 100% Minnesota grown grapes. Back then, very few wine grapes had been developed for Minnesota's sub zero winters and so Don Bailly, founder of the winery, chose his varieties based on flavor profiles. He adopted the slogan: "Where the grapes can suffer." Those suffering grapes have continued, under the skilled hand of winemaker Nan Bailly, to be blended with new varieties from the University of Minnesota to produce world class wines.
A beautiful farm and tasting room await guests this fall in Hastings. Make sure you taste the dessert wine Ratafia and the Voyageur, which has grapes from those early plantings of Old World varieties blended to perfection with promising new varieties.
Click Here for more info >>
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Students from Minneapolis College of Art and Design take trip to White Earth - Journeys region!
Last month a group of six MCAD students traveled to White Earth to discover the "community of a plate" at the Minwanjige Cafe. They arrived at 1:00 for a late lunch of wild rice and bison soup, fresh salad and fresh home-baked bread. They then discussed the different ingredients that came together to make the plate of food and which of the ingredients' producers they would like to interview.
The whole idea of the trip was to explore how a small community comes together on a plate to feed a much larger community. After a quick discussion about Native Harvest and the origins of the Cafe they headed off to the Sahkahtay Center to see first hand how wild rice (Mahnoomin) is harvested and processed with host Bill Paulson. Bill invited the students out in canoes to see exactly how real wild rice is hand harvested. They were equally impressed by Bill's knowledge and openness in sharing with them about how important Manoomin is to his people.
The students stayed at the Ice Cracking Lodge and had a nice bonfire that evening. In the morning it was back to Minwanjige for breakfast - easily the best wild rice porridge and maple butter in the Universe! After breakfast the students visited a beautiful bison ranch in the area. These imposing creatures actually came over to the fence like golden retrievers when they were beckoned by a few friendly whistles. And owner Steve Roberts was eager to explain how important local and healthy food was to his family and the economics of his area.
The students will be pulling together stories and photographs of the people who contributed the food they ate for a gallery exhibit at the end of the year.
Thank you Journeys destinations for your hospitality. And thanks to Minnesota Campus Compact who supported this work through a Campus-Community Collaboration grant.
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Green Routes - In the News
Green Routes. Excerpt from Minnesota Monthly:
In 2004, a number of local organizations launched Green Routes, a statewide green tourism initiative in Minnesota. Green tourism emphasizes the natural and cultural resources of a given area, showcasing locally grown food, locally made products, environmentally friendly inns and B&Bs, cultural attractions, and outdoor recreation that minimally affects the environment (hiking, biking, canoeing, birding).
"[The idea was that] Green Routes would become a way for travelers to plan itineraries and select destinations that would support their values and allow them to support like-minded businesses with their travel dollars," explains Jan Joannides, executive director of Renewing the Countryside, the parent organization of Green Routes. Renewing the Countryside works to strengthen rural areas by championing and supporting those who rejuvenate the countryside through sustainable and innovative initiatives, businesses, and projects.
Read more HERE >>
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Green Routes Travel Tips
Tips for "Winery Tours"
1). Eat a good breakfast. Although at a tasting you will probably only be served a couple ounces at a time, it can catch up with you on an empty stomach.
2). Expect that the winery could have a small fee for wine tastings.
3). Ask a lot of questions. This is a great opportunity to learn about varietals you may never have heard of before. Don't be embarrassed that you don't know a Foch from a Frontenac.
4). Check out other guides to winery tours (let them know that Green Routes sent you and suggest the join!). Here are a couple...
Minnesota River Wine and Beer Trail CLICK HERE>>
Three Rivers CLICK HERE>>
5). Make room in the trunk of your car! The holidays are right around the corner and you will definitely find some wonderful wines to share with family. Or bring these wines to parties, where you can say "try this here - it was made in Minnesota - dontcha know." And don't forget to bring your Green Routes map or check the website to find other places to stop along the way!
6). Take your friends along. Winery tours are always more fun when you travel with good friends.
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Did you take the Green Routes Travel Pledge?
If you answered yes to this question, you may soon be hearing from one of our talented U of M interns. We are ready to distribute new (2009) Minnesota Cooks calendars to those of you who have visited 5 or more Green Routes destinations in the past year or so.
Remember when you visit a Green Routes destinations to tell them you saw them on Green Routes!
Thanks!
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SHOP WHOLE FOODS ON OCT 29 TO SUPPORT GREEN ROUTES!!
Renewing
the Countryside is the recipient of Whole Foods' Community Support Day
Wed, Oct. 29 and will receive a portion of the sales for the day at
both the Minneapolis and St. Paul stores. Mark your calendar
to shop at either of the stores on the 29th for an easy way to support
Renewing the Countryside by just buying groceries! We'll be at both
stores sampling foods from the MN Homegrown Cookbook and will have some drawings for prizes. The Minneapolis store will feature MN Homegrown Cookbook chefs for three special events - each requiring registration for attendance - check out our Events sidebar of this newsletter for more details on how to register today!
P.S. We're also looking for volunteers to help
us staff the tables in each store for shifts of 3 hours each. This
will be a fun, interactive event and your help would be greatly
appreciated! If you have questions about this event or want to sign up
to volunteer, contact Margaret at margaret@rtcinfo.org or 612.871.1541. |
Happy travels,
- Brett, Christy, Jan, Jonathan, Lindsay, and Margaret
Contact Information
Phone: 612.871.1541
Email: info@greenroutes.org
Website: www.greenroutes.org
www.renewingthecountryside.org
Green Routes
2637 27th Avenue South, Suite 229
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55406
Authentic Traveler © 2008, Renewing the Countryside
Individual Donations are Vital to Renewing the Countryside's Work.
Your donation to Renewing the Countryside is tax deductable and will help us to continue our work to promote vibrant rural communities. Thank you.
CLICK HERE TO DONATE >>
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EVENTS WITH A
GREEN TWIST
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When you visit these places, don't forget to tell them you heard about them through the Green Routes newsletter!
King Corn / Film showing
Oct. 10 at 6:30 p.m.
Treaty Site History Center
St. Peter, MN
507.934.2160
Renewing the Countryside is one of the sponsors of the showing of this
critically acclaimed film. Come meet us AND meet the filmmaker!
Click Here for info >>
Harvey and Man of La Mancha
Now! - Oct. 25
Commonweal Theatre
Lanesboro MN
800.657.7025
Click Here for info >>
Lonnie Knight
October 10 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Amazing Grace Café and Bakery
218.723.0075
Click Here for info >>
Cosmic Pit Orchestra - Improvisational Cello
October 11 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Amazing Grace Café and Bakery
218.723.0075
Click Here for info >>
Custom Pumpkin Carving
Mill City Farmers Market
Sat, Oct 11 8:00-1:00
Mill City Farmers Market
Minneapolis, MN
612.341.7580
Click Here for info >>
Grape Harvest
Oct. 11
Crofut Winery
Volunteers Wanted - check website for more details or to sign up
Click Here for info >>
New Roots Duo in Concert
Sat, Oct 11, 7:30pm
Crossings at Carnegie
Zumbrota, MN
$14 advance, $16 door
Click Here for info>>
Lake Superior: The Weather Maker
Sat, Oct. 11, 10:00am
Sugarloaf Cove
Schroeder, MN
Click Here for info>>
Chick Jam - Open Jam for Women & Girls
October 12 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Amazing Grace Café and Bakery
218.723.0075
Click Here for info >>
Fall Fling
Sat & Sun, Oct 18 & 19
Wadena Indoor Flea and Craft Market
Wadena, MN
Click Here for info>>
Tin Cups to Glittering Goblets special Winery Tours
Oct. 18 & 19 10:00, 2:00, and 4:00
For more information visit their website
Click Here for info >>
"Fun with Wine" with Chef Molly Dollarhide
Sun, Oct. 19 and Nov. 2
Crofut Winery
Call to reserve as space is Limited - $25 per person
Click Here for info >>
Movie at The Playground: What's your Point, Honey?
Benefit for LifeHouse - Co-sponsored by ASTCCC.
Friday, October 24 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 25 3:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 25 7:00 p.m.
218.724.6811
Click Here for info >>
Kevin Kling with Simone Perrin
Sat, Oct 25 - 7:30pm
Crossings at Carnegie
Zumbrota, MN
507.732.7616
Click Here for info >>
Jim Ouska and Jane Aleckson in Concert
Sat, Oct 25, 7:30pm
New York Mills Regional Cultural Center
New York Mills, MN
Click Here for info>>
Oktober Fest - German/Russian Cuisine & Beer Tasting Event
Sat, Oct 25
The Depot
Wadena, MN
Click Here for info >>
Limited Seating. Call 218.632.5999 for reservations.
5% for Renewing the Countryside at Whole Foods Markets
October 29
Shop
at Whole foods in Minneapolis and St Paul and 5% of sales will be
donated to Renewing the Countryside to support our efforts to promote
local foods and healthy rural communities.
Special Events at the Whole Foods Minneapolis Store-
1:00 - 2:00 Kids Cooking Demo with Chef Bill Baskin of the Red Stag Supper Club - FREE!
6:00 - 7:00 Cooking Class with Chef Marshall Paulsen of the Birchwood Cafe - $20
7:30 - 8:30 Cooking Class with Chef Scott Pampuch of the Corner Table - $20
Advance reservation required - call Whole Foods - 612-927-8141 to reserve your spot today.
Click Here for info >>
Jazz Night with the Jim McGuire Jazz Trio
Sat, Nov 1 6:30-9:00 pm
Cover Charge $2
Morgan Creek Vineyards
New Ulm, MN
(507) 947-3547
Click Here for info >>
Holiday Open House
Sat, Nov. 1
PasTime Antiques
Long Prairie, MN
320-732-4800
Click Here for info >>
Alexis Bailly Vineyard Fall Open House
Nov. 1&2 11:00am-5:30pm
$10 Wine Tasting
Alexis Bailly Vineyard
Hastings, MN
651.437.1413
Click Here for info >>
Minnesota Young Authors One-Act Play Festival
Wed, Nov 5 - 7pm
Crossings at Carnegie
Zumbrota, MN
507.732.7616
Click Here for info >>
Have an event you think would be good for the Authentic Traveler? Send it to us at margaret@rtcinfo.org. |
| www.greenroutes.org stats for September
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In September there were
5467 visitors
to Green Routes and
32,596 pages viewed.
These were the 10 most viewed:
- Journey Inn, an eco-retreat
- Maplelag
- At Sara's Table Chester Creek Cafe
- Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge
- Whiteley Creek Homestead B&B
- Giese Bed & Breakfast
- Cross Lake Recreation Area
- Amazing Grace Cafe and Bakery
- Audubon Center of the North Woods
- Black Pine Beach Resort
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Would you like to advertise your business to over 3000 people each month who are interested in Authentic Travel?
Contact us at info@greenroutes.org |
Suggest a place that you think would be a great Green Routes destination and we will send you a Green Routes pin.
Click here>>
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