In 2009, Saint Croix Vineyards held its first Wine Meets Art Festival, bringing together local artists, vendors and musicians for a small summer soirée. Seven years later, the festival has grown to include two days of live music, dozens of artists from Minnesota and Wisconsin, and, of course, plenty of locally made wine to sample.
“The St. Croix River Valley has a huge number of artists and art fanatics,” says Torre Wolf, Saint Croix Vineyard’s tasting room assistant manager. “We wanted to create an event that drew people from all over to share their love of wine and art.”
The festival, which runs July 30 and 31 this year, features artists who work in a variety of mediums, from printmaking, painting and photography to jewelry, metalwork and fiber art. In addition, locally produced goods like handmade bath products and natural skin care items will be available from a few well-chosen vendors. Top local acts will be performing live music on the deck.
Free tours of the winery will be offered at noon both days, giving visitors a behind-the-scenes look at Minnesota’s third oldest winery. Guests can enjoy wine tastings and wine by the glass for $6 per person. Wolf suggests sampling one of the vineyard’s new sparkling wines, a rotating selection of which will be on tap at the winery throughout the year.
Wine Meets Art Festival
All ages (must be 21 or older to drink); free. 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Saint Croix Vineyards.
