Wine grapes shipped to Minnesota

Why Minnesota winemakers buy California fruit

Minnesota's own grape industry is built on the University of Minnesota's cold-hardy breeding program, which is why local fruit means Marquette and Frontenac rather than Cabernet. Twin Cities winemakers who want a varietally correct California red order from us every fall. Four days in transit puts frozen must at the top of the list, with fresh fruit available on a coordinated early-week pick.

Locally, Minnesota plantings run to marquette, frontenac, la crescent, and itasca. That is a different palette from what we grow — our fruit comes off Lodi, Napa, Sonoma, Paso Robles, and Sierra Foothills blocks, so you can make a varietally correct Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, or Petite Sirah without waiting on a vineyard that will never ripen it.

Fresh or frozen for Minnesota?

Planning a Minnesota order

• Order early. Fresh fruit is allocated against actual pick dates between September and November. Reserve by late summer for the varieties you want.
• Watch the calendar, not the clock. Picks shift with Brix and weather, so your firm ship date is confirmed by email roughly ten days out.
• Group up. Minneapolis clubs and co-ops routinely consolidate into one freight shipment, which spreads the flat freight charge across everyone.
• Have your cellar ready. Fermenters sanitized, yeast and nutrients on hand, and cold space cleared before the truck arrives — especially on a 4-day lane.

Minnesota shipping questions