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MN Connection: Alexis Bailly

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Alexis Bailly, 
Hastings, Minnesota

THE CONNECTION:
Minnesota’s original winery, Alexis Bailly Vineyards has been growing cold hardy grapes in Hastings since 1973 when David Bailly planted the first vineyard in Minnesota in that pioneering spirit that marks our northern lot. The tasting room opened in 1978 with the celebratory release of the first wines ever produced commercially of 100% Minnesota grown grapes. Today, Nan Bailly represents the second generation of the family and continues this proud heritage of making wines in the world’s most difficult climate – “Where the grapes can suffer.” After years tending vineyards that many believed would surely fail, Alexis Bailly not only proved the wines can be delicious but that cool climate grape varieties are as hardy as the people who settled the North Star State.

Alexis Bailly not only proved the wines can be delicious, but that cool climate grape varieties are as hardy as the people who settled the North Star State.

memberimageTHE PRACTICE:
From this once-unlikely grape growing location in the Hiawatha Valley of the Upper Mississippi come the nationally acclaimed wines of Alexis Bailly Vineyard. Bucking the conventional thinking that no wine grape could withstand Minnesota winters, Minneapolis attorney David A. Bailly bought a 20-acre field of winter rye in Hastings in 1973 and planted it with French grapes. He took to heart the French philosophy that vines under stress produce the best fruit. What better way to stress them than our winters?

14141609_1116908165023404_1221752500722131503_nTHE WINES:
His passion and his palate for fine wine meant he would not be content to just produce a wine from Minnesota, it had to be a Minnesota wine of exceptional quality. Grape varieties, therefore, were chosen not for their hardiness, but for their flavor and the superiority of the wine they produce. To survive sub-zero temperatures each vine had to be buried in the ground at the end of the season. Backbreaking work that it is, it nonetheless made his job as a winemaker easier by providing him with the quality grapes he sought. In 1978, Bailly opened the doors to the winery he designed and constructed from Minnesota limestone and white knotty pine. It also marked the release of Alexis Bailly Vineyard’s first vintage, 1977, produced exclusively from Minnesota-grown grapes. David Bailly died in 1990. His daughter, Nan, continues his legacy as the master winemaker, producing wines that have won over 45 national awards.

THE OFFERINGS:
COUNTRY RED | COUNTRY WHITE | ROSÉ NOIR | RATAFIA CHOCOLATE PORT | GOLDEN GRIS | HASTINGS RESERVE FRONTENAC | SEYVAL BLANC | SOLARIS | VOYAGEUR

Alexis Bailly Vineyards on a Sunday afternoon: does life get any better?

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We are in the middle of summer in Minnesota. The excitement of the first blossoms of Spring are long behind us, the anticipation of the State Fair is in the air. Some days are sticky to the point of New Orleans dreams at night (very fitting considering the focus of this post).

Weekends start to take a lazy air in Minnesota in August, as we take our last sip of the warmth and enjoy what we will surely miss in six months.

These beautiful Sundays of July and August can be easily enhanced. A little wine and a little jazz goes a long way, and our own Alexis Bailly Vineyards in Hastings combines them every Sunday in the summer with Jazz in the Vineyard sponsored by KBEM 88.5 fm. 

For as many wine lovers as the Twin Cities boast, it’s surprising to discover just how few have made the 35 minute drive to the oldest winery the state. Open to the public on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, Alexis Bailly has an ‘open picnic’ policy — bring your own chairs, blankets, food, and more and kick back to enjoy the grounds. All of this is free, and of course it’s good form to head into the winery to buy some beverages. Who says you can’t buy wine on Sundays in Minnesota? A change to the state retail laws (about 15 years ago) allows for Minnesota wines to be sold from Minnesota wineries on Sunday!

If you forget your picnic blanket, cheese, cutting boards, or stemware have no fear. All are available at the winery.

The Doug Little Quartet was playing yesterday. Due to some rain in the forecast, the first set was held in the winemaking facility under the tasting room. With wine in the air, bistro tables throughout, and Little playing classic jazz on his 1946 Parisian saxophone, you could suddenly imagine you’re in Paris. Seriously. (Except for the guy next to me with the Nascar t-shirt.)

Here is a video of part of the performance, along with some photos that will hopefully cause you to make some new plans for your summer weekends. Take a look at the full schedule of Sunday Jazz in the Vineyard as well as Doug Little’s website. Support local music and local wine!

We’ll be following up soon with an interview with Nan about the current state of Minnesota wine and what she has planned for the future. For now, enjoy the video and pictures!