The Triumph of Midwest Wine: How Cold-Climate Hybrids Earned A Seat at the Table
To the casual drinker browsing retail shelves or perusing a restaurant list, wine competition medals and scoring stickers can often feel like an alphabet soup of hyperbole. Best of Class. Double Gold. 96 Points. Triple Gold. It is easy to wonder: What do these shiny foils actually mean?
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News, Articles, And Stories
Welcome to the Rolling Forks Vineyards blog—your guide to the ultimate Minnesota wine experience in the heart of the Glacial Ridge region. From the science behind our cold-hardy grapes to seasonal recipes and live events overlooking Lake Minnewaska, we’re sharing our passion for family, farming, and award-winning wine.
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A Retrospective of Rolling Forks’ Best New Wines Released from Central Minnesota
The secret behind our award-winning wines lies in our passion for winemaking. Our skilled team is committed to harnessing the unique characteristics of Minnesota’s cold-climate grapes, crafting wines that truly embody the spirit of the region. The combination of traditional techniques and innovative practices ensures that each wine we produce is of the highest quality, offering a distinct flavor profile that sets us apart from other vineyards.
Demystifying the Cellar: What Exactly is a Wine Club, and Why Join Rolling Forks?
The Waska Wine Club holds the key to the vault. Many of our most anticipated and limited-quantity wines are first allocated to club members—meaning sometimes, the public never even sees them. When you join the club, you guarantee you are always the first to taste, the first to own.
The Unexpected Red Wine Pairing You Didn’t Know You Needed
If your wine adventures stop at Napa and Tuscany, you’re missing out on the most intriguing and resilient trend in the industry: the rise of cold-climate reds. Specifically, we’re talking about a bold, high-acid champion born in the heart of the Midwest, and its perfect culinary companion—a creamy, savory, and wonderfully unpretentious dish known as Tater Tot Hotdish (TTHD).
Buttery or Bright? White Wine’s Style Spectrum Explained
Forget what you know about white wine extremes. In Minnesota, the chill of the Upper Midwest creates a third style: the beautifully bright and zesty cold-climate wine. We’re diving into the difference between buttery oaked Chardonnay and the crisp, high-acid superstars like La Crescent and Brianna that thrive right here at Rolling Forks Vineyards. Discover why our region is rewriting the white wine rulebook!
Your Perfect Wine Pairing for a Minnesota Autumn (with Recipe!)
As the seasons change, find the perfect wine to match. We’re celebrating our award-winning Delicato Rosé, an innovative dry, oaked expression. Dive into its unique story and get our best food pairing recommendation, complete with a full recipe.
Small but Mighty: A Minnesota Winery’s Winning Streak
Five of the winery’s wines were featured in the Wine Enthusiast Buying Guide, with scores ranging from 88 to 91 points. The highest honors were awarded to the 2023 Allegro, which received an “Excellent” rating of 91 points, and the 2021 Melodia, which also earned an “Excellent” rating of 90 points. Three additional wines—the 2023 Lady Slipper La Crescent (89 points), the 2022 Frontenac Blanc Reserve (88 points), and the 2022 Rolling Red Marquette (88 points)—were all rated “Very Good.”
In addition to the critical acclaim from Wine Enthusiast, Rolling Forks Vineyards secured an impressive twelve medals at the recent International Cold Climate Wine Competition. The event, dedicated to recognizing the finest wines made from cold-hardy grapes, awarded the winery three coveted Double Gold medals, two of which were also named “Best of Class.”
