September 23, 2016

Remembering the Governor, Last Harvest this Sunday, Music Sat & Sunday, Grape Stomp in 1 Week

September 23, 2016/ Millner Heritage

Good Morning:

I just saw a photo on my Face Book account mentioning that it has been 3 years since Little Iza the wine won the Governors cup. Little Iza our granddaughter has also grow up quite a lot in the last 3 years. Shortly after we won the cup I was giving Iza a ride home, she turned to me and said, "You know Papo, there are a lot of people that like my wine." This also reminds me of the story of Jon took the Governor's Cup with him on Wholesale route and unloading at home, the cup gone, and question of what to do. Later he found the cup on the shelf in Iza's bedroom. She had carried it up there, well it did have her name on it. Well, happy Anniversary Little Iza the wine, still good as ever. Click below for large images.

Harvest is still on for this Sunday

This is a note to all registered to harvest this Sunday, Sept 25th. We know that we have probable rain coming Saturday night, in spite of this we are going to proceed with the harvest on Sunday. Plan for the grass to be very wet, you might want to wear waterproof footwear. Larson Catering is doing our meal, so you'll have a hot meal at the end.

Live Music this Sat and Sunday.

Our music this weekend Sept. 24th & 25th is Prairiegrass Band. Playing Minnesota Bluegrass they are always an upbeat band.

The Rockin Stompin Grape Stomp is just 1 week away.

Our Oct. 1 & 2nd gape stomp will be here fast. With all this rain now, the forecasts I have found are showing good weather. Again don't miss the food this year, Sweet William's Food will be making Flat Top Burgers with lots of onions, Chicken Sandwiches, Deluxe Nachos, Brats, and additional sides. Try it, you'll like it. His website is at http://www.sweetwilliamsfood.com/

Also remember that Ed & Rose Borman of Kimball are bringing their Prairie Percherons for rides through the vineyard. Their horses are really big.

Below is the flyer with all the activities.

Lastly, your day wouldn't be complete without a visit by Sister Mary Clarice. She still is a tough old nun.

Thank you for your time.

Don Millner & Family

September 16, 2016

Last Chance Harvest Party, Rockin Stompin Grape Stomp, Music Sat. & Sunday

September 16, 2016/ Millner Heritage

Good Morning: 9/16/16

It sure has been raining enough the last two days, not real big accumulation just kind of crappy weather. With the weather some of our harvest days have changed.

Our next harvest is this Sunday Sept. 18th, we have two spots open for volunteer. The second date I have open is Sunday Sept. 25th, we have seven spots open. Hopefully we don't get rain again, this stops a harvest because the rain water dilutes the juice in the grapes. No one like watered down wine. If all goes well we will be done with harvest for the year on the 25th. If you'd be a harvest volunteer, give me a call at 320-237-1958 or email to donmillner@gmail.com with your return phone number and number of volunteers. All crew spots are on a first call basis, I have to call back to confirm that you are booked. Thank you

The Grape Stomp in coming soon.

Oct. 1 & 2 will be here shortly. I like to tell you a little about our food vendor this year. Sweet William's Food will be cooking this year. Bill has be a frequent vendor at Lake George near downtown St. Cloud. His menu will include: Flat Top Burgers with lots of onions, Chicken Sandwiches, Deluxe Nachos, Brats, and additional sides. Try it, you'll like it. His website is at http://www.sweetwilliamsfood.com/

I have two videos for you below. The first is the finish on a 2015 stomp and the second is this year's radio ad with all photos from the 2015 stomp.

Live Music Sat. & Sunday

Sept. 17 & 18th.

Our musician coming this weekend is Guy Stedemer. He is a long time performer noted for guitar finger picking. Prone to Country Music and more. Originally from Granite Falls I look forward to performance.

Thank you for your time.

Don Millner and Family

September 09, 2016

Short Notice Harvest this Sunday, Hungarian Harvest Fest with Grape Stomp Saturday!

September 09, 2016/ Millner Heritage

Good Morning: Friday 9/9/16

Today is a short newsletter, I have a broken mower deck to fix. It is good to have an old stick welder to be able to do some repairs myself and I have to get going.

Harvest Parties

We are a little in a pinch due to weather this week with all the rain. We were really flooded this week with rain that our harvest for today has had to be moved to this Sunday, Sept. 11. We had a full crew scheduled today, eight of them can't make it for Sunday. One door closes, another door opens, if you are only available on weekends, this can be the opportunity for you. Please give us a call at 320-282-7348. After approx. 8 to 12 pm harvest, then wine & dine to your heart's content and take two bottles/person of Millner Heritage wine home with you. It's really a good deal. Below is a video from a 2013 harvest party that really says it all.

The Hungarians are Coming.

The Hungarian Harvest Fest is this Saturday, Sept 10th. Don't miss this FREE entry event. Do come hungry for the Hungarians because they have authentic Hungarian food to satisfy you hunger, almost a tongue twister to say. Also don't miss the ethnic dancing, games, and Grape Stomping.

Music This Sunday, Sept. 12th

Playing 2 - 5
Terry Nelson playing Country.

Thank you for your time and have a wonderful weekend.

Don Millner and Family at Millner Heritage Winery

September 01, 2016

Harvest Parties, Hungarians are coming, Jon having fun with Attila the Fun.

September 01, 2016/ Millner Heritage

Good morning: 5:30 am

I went to bed in time last night, so woke up at 5 am. I am supposed to be retired and sleeping in, well I guess I'm not that retired. I've been busy this week doing a few projects that have been procrastinated, not neglected. First, completed the floor trim on the new bar. I find it a good feeling to be able to take rough wood, cut it to dimension, thickness plane it, add a routed edge, stain & varnish, and abracadabra our bar has custom floor trim. The word abracadabra used by magicians according to Google, "The word Abracadabra may derive from an Aramaic phrase meaning "I create as I speak." Regardless, the finished oak always looks beautiful to the eye.

The second project was to setup our new keg cooler for behind the second bar. It can hold up to eleven 1/6th barrel kegs with eight tappers. Eventually this bar will house all the ciders, currently at three labels, more already in the planning. Another thing possible is to also do wine by keg. When pouring wine by the bottle, any Sunday left overs are not good by Thursday. With kegged wine, you can say it is good to the last drop. To read more on this click on the photo below.

Time for a Harvest Party

Mary is still working on calling from our harvest list. To get on a crew you need to call her at 320-282-7348. You can email to me at donmillner@gmail.com but Mary still need to then make contact to you via phone before you are on a crew.

The dates with openings are: On Monday Sept. 19th we have 20 spaces open, a nice time to make a three day weekend. and on Sept. 20th 6 spaces open. A last minute change, due to slow ripening this Tuesday's harvest is being moved to Friday Sept. 9th. If you can make the date, give us a call. Thank you

Hungarian Harvest Festival

With Free Grape Stomping!

Remember Sept 10, the Hungarian Harvest Festival will be here soon. Don't miss the fact that this also includes Grape Stomping! To see the details click here for flyer link. And don't miss the authentic Hungarian foods.

Live Music Sat. and Sunday Sept. 3rd & 4th

Playing 2 - 5 each day : Verlyn's Four Wheel Drive 1 Man Band playing a variety including old country.

"Attila the Fun's Fruit Bubbly for the Ages"

Yesterday Jon and a small crew finished bottling and kegging the last of this years vintage of "Attila the Fun's Fruit Bubbly for the Ages". Atilla is made from 85% Catawba grape and 15% apple. Technically it is a wine, but made in a cider style with a light carbonation. The Catawba grape is a very old American grape. From 1825 to 1850, it was the most widely planted grape in the United States. Major John Adlum is credited with creating this grape crossing Vitis labrusca and Vitis vinifera. Vitis vinifera is the family of grapes including the common European grapes. Vitis labrusca is the wild grape native to Northeastern United States, this is also the genetics that that gives the concord grape its strong grape flavor. Elmer Swenson, the grape breeder responsible for the hybrid we are growing, also used Vitis labrusca as part of his breeding stock. I think Attila the Fun is really good very cold and on a hot day. To read more about the Catawba Grape click on Major John Adlum photo below.

Remember that our "Rockin Stompin Grape Stomp" is on Oct. 1 and 2nd. I have live music booked both days, all day long. The details coming very soon.

Thank you for your time.

Don Millner

August 26, 2016

Keep Calm & Drink Wine, 8 Medals at ICCWC, Harvest Dates Set!

August 26, 2016/ Millner Heritage

Good Morning

I am starting with the slogan, " Keep Calm and Drink Wine!" This came from a young guy named Ben, his parent like our wine and also work at the winery. Ben just loves to color and he actually is quite good also with a camera. In times of busyness as we seem to have now, I think he has the right suggestion. I have his 4 pages he just did this week below. If you'd like to see his other informative drawings click on

Ben 1, Ben 2, Ben 3

ICCWC Wine Competition

Last weekend the International Cold Climate Wine Competition (ICCWC) released their results for this year's competition. We go 8 medals, a new high medal count for us. I think Jon wrote a nice comment on facebook, " We took 8 medals! Felt good about this. Most we've taken before has been 7. So, 8's a record! I thought this showed a good consistent strong overall line up. And even in very different styles. Dry wines, sweet wines, ciders. So, I felt good about this. Come out and enjoy them before they're gone!"

Harvest is Now!

Yesterday we did our first harvest of the season. Our group picked 2 1/4 tons of mostly Brianna grapes (makes Schnickelfritz wine) and Valiant ( makes Nordsuss wine). We had a very good group and even got done early.

This morning Mary and Jon haggled out the remainder of the harvest schedule. Mary is working on calling from our harvest list right now as I am typing. To get on a crew you need to call her at 320-282-7348. You can email to me at donmillner@gmail.com but Mary still need to then make contact to you via phone before you are on a crew.

The dates are Sept. 6th, a Tuesday; Sept. 16th, a Friday; Sept. 19th, a Monday; and Sept 20th, a Tuesday.

Hungarian Harvest Festival

Remember Sept 10, the Hungarian Harvest Festival will be here soon. Don't miss the fact that this also includes Grape Stomping! To see the details click here for flyer link.

Live Music Sat. & Sunday Sept. 27 &28

Our music this weekend it the "Derelict Trio". They play Saturday and Sunday 2 - 5 pm. The Derelict Trio includes Mark Downing (guitar, harmonica, vocals), Steve Hornstein (guitar, bass, vocals), and Danielle “Dirty D” Olson (horns and vocals). The music they play flows from the intersection of blues, jazz and folk music.

August 18, 2016

Wine, Women, and Song!

August 18, 2016/ Millner Heritage

The title on this post is intended to catch you attention. The wine, our grapes are ripening very fast this year. I think it is running 1 - 2 weeks ahead of normal. Our first harvest is coming on the 25th of this month and we've already received delivery of MN grown grapes for 900 gallons of wine.

On the women part, according to Wine Institute women "Women make up 52 percent of the adult population and purchase 57 percent of the wine consumed in the United States." I suspect that in MN it maybe is greater than 57%, possible 75. Nevertheless, women are an important part of our business.

Remember Sept 10, the Hungarian Harvest Festival will be here soon. Don't miss the fact that this also includes Grape Stomping!

**Click this Image to get to the MN Hungarian web site.**

Harvest Volunteers

Soon the grape harvest will be upon us. If you'd like to be a harvest volunteer, it's the best job at the winery, send your name, number of volunteer in your group, best phone number, and the days of the week available. Send to donmillner@gmail.com with the subject line "2016 Harvest". When the grapes are ready to harvest, we then call from this list to schedule you. If you are not familiar, it involves harvesting the grapes in the vineyard for about 4 hours starting about 8 am, then a very nice meal and all the wine you'd like to drink, plus we'll send wine home with you. It is a very fun job and an excellent experience.

Remember last week's trivia? " I THINK THIS IS A GOOD TIME TO GIVE AWAY A BOTTLE OF WINE. ON THE ATTILA LABEL, WHAT PERSON THAT I AM RELATED TO APPEARS IN MY MIND TO BE THE FACE OF Attila?"

The correct answer is Jon Millner, our son, and the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. The lucky winner of a free bottle of wine is Jeremy Cates. Congratulation.

Thank you for your time today and I'd like to close with not my picture of the week, instead my video of the week. Last week I was out biking and came across some field work that reminded me of my previous life on the farm. This is a wonderful time of the year.

Thanks again. Don Millner and family

August 10, 2016

Attila the Fun has Arrived, Hungarian Harvest Festival Coming!

August 10, 2016/ Millner Heritage

Good Morning:

4 am and I awoke from a good sleep too early in the day, thought I'd write a little. The summer is passing fast. Last week Mary and I went with two of our friends sailing in the Apostle Islands. We were 4 days on a 35 ft. new boat. This was clearly the fanciest boat we have been on, in the end they still required wind to sail. We had more problem of calm with a little wild ride on the Tuesday morning squall. The squall morning we were anchored with about six other boat in a well protected bay, but when the storm came the wind direction changed and we caught waves from the open lake with 30 mph wind. The anchor held, but the boat bobbed like a wild bronco up and down plus sideways, I almost got sea sick. From top to bottom we had about a 4 ft. swing, first choppy waves and later just swells. It was a little scary as a new experience, it tested your faith in the anchor, and reminded you of God. Click on the photos to see more.

"Attila the Fun's Fruit Bubbly for the Ages" has arrived. It is another cider style, similar to "MN Crisp" and "Sechs in a Bottle". The difference in it is the Catawba grape blended with our standard 5-apple blend. Catawba is an old American grape, Click here to read more. Attila is semi-sweet with a slight carbonation, in the same 22 ounce bottle as our other ciders. I tested it last evening and found it very thirst quenching on a hot day with the bottle really cold. Try it you'll like it.

I think this is a good time to give away a bottle of wine. On the Attila label, what person that I am related to appears in my mind to be the face of Attila. Send your answers to donmillner@gmail.com with the subject line, "An Apple Doesn't Fall Far from the Tree".

Harvest Volunteers

In other news, our building addition is still on our minds. We are waiting on the paperwork with the county to break-ground. The hoops to move our service road is slowing it down. But I bet that in 20 yrs. the slowness now won't matter.

Jon and Family are touring the Black Hills this week. Iza is looking forward to seeing Mount Rushmore.

Music of the week playing Sat. and Sunday 2 - 5 is: Charlie Roth:
Americana, Folk, Blues, Country, Celtic, Charlie Roth is a unique blend
of all these
genres. What Charlie is best at is telling a story with
his rich baritone vocal, acoustic guitar, rack
harmonica, and foot
percussion. http://www.charlierothmusic.com/

It's time for me to get a little sleep before dawn. Thank you for reading and being a part of our winery. God bless you and see you soon.

Thanks

Don Millner and Family

July 29, 2016

Millner Heritage News in the News.

July 29, 2016/ Millner Heritage

Good Morning: 7/29/16

Those of you my age can relate, those younger will some day relate to a senior moment I had this week. We were coming home from a friends house, I was tired, I don't like much driving at night anymore. Coming through Litchfield I reached to find the adjustment to dim down my dash and speedometer lighting. After fiddling our a little I got it. Shortly I noticed how close the cars behind me were on my bumper. I was in a 40 mph zone, I was going the speed limit. One car event passed on my right in a by-pass lane. My car seemed to be traveling so slowly, I began to think that the speedometer was failing. Here I realized that in reaching for the dimmer switch, I had touched the button and moved my speedometer from mph to kilometers per hour. Da, Senior Moment!

A little over a week ago a reporter and cameraman came to the winery from WJON radio, out of St. Cloud. They were doing a wine story and asked us to participate. We enjoy participating. Below is the video, I think they did a very nice job. Thanks WJON.

**Saturday, 12 PM -- 5 PM**

**The Shops at West End**
**Saint Louis Park, MN**

**Come find out more at the Summer Wine Festival and Market put on by the Minnesota Grape Growers Association by tasting your way through 20+ wineries and cideries.**
**As a unique feature for Twin Cities wine events, those in attendance can purchase up to 6 bottles of wine, directly from the winery and 2 full glasses of wine.**
**Winemakers and grape growers will be on hand to tell you all about the growing wine scene.**

Don't miss this event sponsored by the Minnesota Grape Growers Association (MGGA) I believe Jon will be working at this event, while I am at the winery.

Today we are in preparation for this week's wedding particularly special to our family. One of my high school classmates daughter is getting married at our winery. Their kids and our kids did a lot of growing up together making it special for us. I am delivering the bride to the ceremony with the tour trolley, this make me feel special. It will be a very special Saturday.

Music at Millner Heritage this week.

Saturday, Jul 30 and Sunday August 1st

Duke Zecco Playing 2 - 5 pm.

Enjoy live music by Duke Zecco 50's, 60's, 70's on his 12 sting guitar. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8patLi84hE

It is time for me to go back to work. Thank you for your time, without your support a winery is can't exist. Thank you! Don Millner and Family.

July 21, 2016

The Best News is Our News!

July 21, 2016/ Millner Heritage

Good Afternoon:

It is a hot one, all day today I have been in air-conditioning doing winery wedding coordinating and event planning. Did get a little noon nap, good for an old guy. The humidity we don't need, this heat is really good grape growing weather. We suffer when we are in the vineyard at this temperature, the grapes are saying "Bring on the Heat!"

Tuesday morning Mary and I went our fishing, we got some little sunfish. We were able to eat them all in one meal, tasted really good. Tasted like shrimp and were about the same size. The only surprise of the morning, Mary was pulling in a sunfish and it pulled the line out of her reel, dove under the boat. When she worked it back and I was ready with the landing net, deep in the water I saw another big fish pulling on her sunny. It released and just a bit-up little sunfish came into the boat. Northern pike also get hungry.

**Click on above photo to get the details.**
**And don't miss "Millner Heritage Winery!"**

Saturday, 12 PM -- 5 PM

The Shops at West End

Saint Louis Park, MN

Come find out more at the Summer Wine Festival and Market put on by the Minnesota Grape Growers Association by tasting your way through 20+ wineries and cideries.
As a unique feature for Twin Cities wine events, those in attendance can purchase up to 6 bottles of wine, directly from the winery and 2 full glasses of wine.
Winemakers and grape growers will be on hand to tell you all about the growing wine scene.
Numerous food vendors will be on hand as well.

Millner Weinhaus Parties

Do you like to party? Would you like to have a very personal wine tasting? Would you like to have an in-house wine party? Welcome to Millner Weinhaus Parties. We have a staff member who will come to you home to give you free wine tasting. It functions through internet sales with the wine delivered to you. A minimum of 8 guests and 5 to 7 labels will be poured. Just as with a Tupperware party, the host receives additional free benefits from Millner Heritage. To reserve call Tanya at 612-581-4670.

Come and enjoy our live music this weekend Sat and Sunday July 23rd and 24th. Each day playing from 2 - 5 pm.

Jerry Ostensoe, "The Lawrence Welk of the Blues!" "His songs blend country, folk and blues as easily as wildflowers make their own bouquet" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kx6Isgw_Ns0

The above link is interesting including a public television interview with Jerry. He has really lived his life with folk and the blues music. Enjoy!

See you next week. Thank you for your time and have a safe week.

Don Millner and family

July 15, 2016

Millner Heritage Winery

July 15, 2016/ Millner Heritage

Good Morning: 7:15 am, July 15, 2016

I just was watching the morning news, it is really sad what happened in France. Our prayers are with the French people. Two years ago we had a Frenchman working at the winery, this makes it feel a little more personal.

Tomorrow is the Hog Roast day we have been talking and writing about for quite some time. If you are a last minute person, I do have a few spots open that I can still take some reservations. Call immediately to 320-237-1958 my cell. Tonight Ben, the roaster guy, will be at the winery all night. I told him I might come down if I can't sleep. He said that after mid-night even the mosquito go to bed.

!!!!Don't miss our 4-piece Total Country band playing Saturday noon to 4 pm and as a two piece on Sunday 2 - 5 pm.!!!!

I had a walk with Jon through the vineyard on Tuesday, we were inspecting the grapes. Yes, as I have said a thousand time, grape growing is farming. In-spite of damage from the late spring frost, the grapes of flourishing but with some problems. Due to all the rain some berries are being lost to a fungus called Black Rot. We have sprayed for it, yet damage will occur. Also we found some hail damage on the berries. The berries hit by the hail are split open and will be lost, worst it also makes an entry point for more fungal growth. On the positive side, we are lucky we weren't hit with the tornado that slammed into Watkins, only 11 miles away.

Last Friday and Saturday I went to the Millner Reunion at Pierz, MN. We do this every 3 years, it was a very good visit for all. In my dad's family they had nine siblings, so we grew up having many cousins. At age 64 I am part of the younger cousins, so time does march on. Aunt Marceline Millner is the last survivor of my dad's siblings. It was really nice to see she make it to the reunion, she turned 98 last spring. Her mind and spirit are still of a younger person.

Late yesterday Chrissy from WJON radio stopped in to do a video interview. Being radio station, they will use the sound track on air and the sound and video goes onto their website. It was fun for us, doing more than just an interview, Jon did some of his tour skits and of course I instigated a few of the winery songs.