Minnesota wine growing like grapes on a vine

The Land of 10,000 Lakes is known for water, winter and -- possibly one day -- wine.

That's the hope of wineries from Waconia to Hastings, as two television station look into the blooming business.

KARE 11 profiles Aaron and Ashley Schram, who are about to uncorked nine new varieties in July for a taste test some five years after the first planted grapes.

Schram is one of three vineyards within a seven mile a radius in what some have dubbed "Waconia Wine Country.," the station says.

The first Minnesota winery opened up in 1977. Today there are 43 wineries statewide and it just keeps growing, according to data from the Minnesota Grape Growers Association.

WCCO-TV, meanwhile, take a look the Alexis Bailly Vineyard in Hastings, where Nan Bailly has been growing grapes for 40 years.

Minnesota is a tough proposition for the delicate grape. “I would say three out of five years I lose a significant portion of my crop,” Nan tells the station.

But there are grapes that can handle the climate. The U of M develops grapes for the region, with varieties like Marquette grapes, which have thrived.