Chankaska Creek Ranch & Winery

| |

take me to chankaska creek copy

My husband and I became fans of visiting wineries (and cideries) while we lived in Virginia last summer…so this past weekend we were thrilled to find a lovely winery near us here in Minnesota! Chankaska Creek Ranch and Winery is located near St. Peter, MN, and is just minutes from Hwy 169, for you local folks! 🙂

Processed with VSCOcam with c1 preset Processed with VSCOcam with g3 preset Processed with VSCOcam with c1 preset Processed with VSCOcam with c1 preset

I first heard of the Chankaska Creek Ranch & Winery on a highway billboard, actually!  Bjorn and I found ourselves with a couple extra hours in the area, and the weather was just so fall-crisp and golden-bright, so we decided to spend our time at this cold-climate winery, tasting wines and wandering the grounds. We really loved our afternoon at Chankaska Creek and we definitely plan to visit again!!

IMG_0313

Processed with VSCOcam with c1 preset

Processed with VSCOcam with c1 preset

IMG_0310

^^ What was especially fun was the fact that for $7 each, we each got 5 “chips.” We could “buy” one sample of any wine on their (extensive) menu for 1 chip. This was great because it meant we really could customize our tasting experience, instead of just being handed a set list of the tasting wines. Also a plus: the wine was some of the best we’ve ever had! Here’s to cold-climate wineries! 🙂 ^^

Processed with VSCOcam with g3 preset

^^ 60-some degrees in late October means that Minnesotans would prefer to sit outside!! 🙂 ^^

Processed with VSCOcam with c1 preset Processed with VSCOcam with f2 preset

After our wine tasting, we spent a while strolling the grounds behind this beautiful building. The trees were lush and dripping in jewel tones, and only a couple other people were out on the paths, which really made the experience feel that much more classy (less touristy) and peaceful.

Processed with VSCOcam with g3 preset

Processed with VSCOcam with g3 preset

Processed with VSCOcam with c1 preset

Processed with VSCOcam with c1 preset

^^ There were even sheep grazing amongst the vines in the vineyard – an idyllic fall scene if I ever saw one. 🙂 ^^

Processed with VSCOcam with c1 preset

Processed with VSCOcam with g3 preset

Processed with VSCOcam with c1 preset

This winery has hours throughout the winter as well and we heard that there is live music some times, and even outdoor bonfires on others! Also, they’ve got a great-sounding menu complete with pizzas from their wood fire grill. We really look forward to going back. Who wants to come with us? 🙂

best-love-hannah-bee-jgp

[ Psst – Like the {TAKE ME TO} travel series? Find all of our past adventures HERE. Want to stay up-to-date on new posts? Follow Just Bee on Bloglovin’ and on Instagram! ]

3 Comments

  3. Wow, this looks gorgeous! We don’t have any wineries where I live but I remember visiting a few over the years with my parents in BC and I just LOVED them (even though I don’t like wine), I’d love to go out and visit some this summer.
    It looks like such a beautiful time of year to visit.

Comments are closed.