{"id":1326,"date":"2016-07-28T16:00:09","date_gmt":"2016-07-28T21:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/daytripper28.com\/?p=1326"},"modified":"2023-09-25T16:21:04","modified_gmt":"2023-09-25T21:21:04","slug":"history-and-wine-at-cannon-river-winery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/daytripper28.com\/history-and-wine-at-cannon-river-winery\/","title":{"rendered":"Summer Night at Cannon River Winery"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Traveling through Cannon Falls you will notice many historical buildings. In their downtown alone, 29 buildings are on the National Register of Historical Places. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just because it\u2019s rooted in history, don\u2019t expect things to be quiet. Just follow the music to Mill Street and you\u2019ll find a welcoming party for you at Cannon River Winery<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Wine<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The History of the Cannon River Winery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since the Winery is part of the historic district, the owners, John and Maureen Maloney have taken a great deal of effort to preserve a lot of the original building details. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The event space upstairs has the natural wood floors that served as the town’s Dance Hall in the 1920s. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They\u2019ve kept the original limestone walls and exposed brick. During the summer, you will often find a band playing downstairs keeping the tradition alive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

History doesn\u2019t stop there. Cannon River Winery was one of the first Wineries to produce in Minnesota. Their vineyard is a few miles away.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Vineyard
Photo courtesy of Cannon River Winery<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

What to do at Cannon River Winery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Cannon River Winery has blended History with a fun wine experience. It\u2019s for this reason that my husband and I wanted to visit the winery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Tasting Room<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You can sample 15-20 different wines that are produced on-site. Cannon River Winery\u2019s most popular varieties are St. Pepin and the GoGo. Their wines appeal to those with a sweeter pallet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What I loved about Cannon River Winery was that they offer a traditional tasting of 1oz pours along with wine flights. The flight gives you three 2oz pours. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the novice drinker, this could be a riskier purchase. For someone who knows what they are looking for, it was a great way to get a little more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Often time\u2019s my husband and I will go to a winery, and their tastings offer more tastings we wanted to try in the first place. We\u2019ve learned to ask for two of one type, instead of suffering through wine we knew we didn\u2019t want in the first place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Atmosphere Music<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The atmosphere at Cannon River Winery was my favorite part. With the downtown setting, surrounded steel barrels and aging wine, I was right at home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was a beautiful night, so the staff had the doors rolled up, allowing the breeze to come right in. They also had patio seating outside. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the part that brought everything together was the live band. Most weekends the Winery has different bands scheduled to play<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take Part in the process<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

What makes the Cannon River Winery unique is that they let guest take part in the Fall Harvest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meeting at the Vineyard a few miles away, guests can take part and help pick the grapes. After the picking is done, everyone heads back for a tasting and dinner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You are also invited back in the spring to sample the wines from the grapes you picked.  The vineyard is not open to the public unless you are renting it out for a wedding and other special events.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Cannon<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Visit the Cannon River Vineyard<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Want to get a firsthand look at where the beautiful wine is made? You can plan a visit to the vineyard during their Fall Harvest Fest. Heppening every year they offer teh chance to help pick the grapes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You’ll get to taste the grapes fresh off the vine and even sample the finished product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you are done picking, get rewarded with an expertly crafted meal.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other Things to Know<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cost<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Wine tastings cost, $1.25 per 1oz poor, or $6 for a glass. A flight will set you back $7.50. Their price average for most wine tastings in Minnesota. If you have a MN Passport, your tasting is free. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reserve a tableside tasting. You’ll get a reserved table, with 10 two-ounce pours brought to your table. Their dedicated staff member will guide you through the history of their wines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting there<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cannon River Winery is located at 421 Mill Street West, in Cannon Falls MN. From the Twin Cities, head south on 52 to the Cannon Falls exit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Turn Left on Main Street then another Left on 4th street. Turn left on Mill Street. There is a large parking lot next to the winery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can you bring kids?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Officially, yes. But I don\u2019t think there was much for the kids to drink. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We opted to leave the kids home on this adventure and do a date night. The venue was busy with little room to let the kids wiggle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where to Buy Cannon River Wines?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you have ever had any wine at the State Fair Grandstand, you\u2019ve already had a sample of their wines. It is one of the Top 5 Reasons to Visit the MN State Fair<\/a>!\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They can also be purchased in over 350 different liquor stores and restaurants in the state.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Cannon<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n


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Other Things to Do Around Cannon River Winery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Other Attractions to Visit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Take a stroll downtown and visit shops that line Main Street. But my favorite part about Downtown Cannon Falls is the waterfall that goes through the center of town. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are looking for something more adventurous, you can also Kayak, Canoe or Float down the river in a tube with Cannon Falls Canoe and Bike. They also rent Bikes for those wanting to hit the Cannon Valley Bike Trail<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Want to know more about Wine? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I first went to wineries, I knew nothing about what I was sampling and the process. But then I picked up a book called Wine Folly<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It opened my eyes to the wine industry and gave me the confidence to ask more questions on my visits, I\u2019m now excited to try out the different blends and can have meaningful conversations with the servers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want a boost in confidence, consider picking up a copy of that book.