About

A STORY OF LOVE & WINE

We're Melanie & Joe Cihlar, owners of Rolling Forks Vineyards. This winery has been a dream of ours since 2007 when we first started dating. After moving, getting married and having three boys, we get to make it a reality.

Join us as we celebrate the love of good wine and great company amidst the beautiful rolling hills of Lake Minnewaska at our winery set to open Summer 2020.

The Start

We first met through an online dating service while we were both living and working in the Twin Cities in 2007. We had been talking a lot, and as Minnesota weather should have it, and on the day of our first date, a horrible snow storm came through. Joe had put in a lot of effort into planning the night, so against my sister's better judgment, I white-knuckled it from Elk River to Blaine to meet him.

We had a lot in common - we both grew up on a farm and each had a strong work ethic. We had a really great time and Joe called me later that night to make sure I made it home. That's how I knew he was worth a second date.

At that time, Joe was making wine in his basement and entering it into amateur winemaker competitions at the Minnesota State Fair. Over the years, he's won 5 awards, including two 2nd place titles. I joined him in his wine making and it became one of our favorite things to do as a couple - plan our next wine varietal.

Serendipitously, cold hardy grape varieties were really making progress in Minnesota. (Up until this point, the cold Midwest winters didn't allow for a long enough growing season.) In 2008, we planted around 50 University of Minnesota cold hardy grape vines in the back yard of Joe's East Bethel house, and that’s when our love of growing grapes really turned into a passion.

The Move

Shortly after we started dating in 2007, Joe took me out to the farm his uncle owned, located just south of Glenwood, Minnesota. He pointed over across the property line and said, if he could own any property it would be that one - a field of rolling hills and a breathtaking view of Lake Minnewaska.

Two years later, as we discussed plans for marriage and family, we decided to to move back to Pope County where Joe had grown up. But, we needed to find a place to live first. Joe began asking people if they were either willing to sell or if they knew of anyone that would.

Joe proposed and we were engaged in April. Three months later, by God's grace, the property that Joe has always dreamed about went up for sale. This was that field, that same land Joe had always wanted to own. All of the stars had aligned for us and we closed on our new home in December of 2009.

The Farm

We purchased this farm because of its undulating hills and its promising potential to grow grapes. It was always our intention to plant and harvest grapes and eventually open a winery.

We LOVE this farm. The views are absolutely breathtaking. The sunsets are unforgettable. There’s nothing like a summer night atop of our hills overlooking Lake Minnewaska. We’d even like to say that the views are better than Mount Lookout! :)

We have poured our blood, sweat, and many tears over this land, cleaning up fence lines, establishing three vineyards, planting acres and ACRES of grass, moving buildings, tearing down old ones, and building new.

We have made this place our own and we are so proud of what we have accomplished! This has been our true labor of love, which we've done together.

The Grapes

We planted our first vineyard in 2010 and we currently own and manage 14 acres of cold hardy grapes. The vineyards are planted using GPS guidance and all have underground drip irrigation.

In previous years, we've sold our grapes to commercial wineries from Fargo, North Dakota to St. Peter, Minnesota and everywhere in between - since 2013.

The Family

In 2012 we welcomed our first son Henry, with Vincent joining us in 2014, and Oliver in 2016. (Yes, this mom is outnumbered!)

Our three boys are super high energy and love to be helpers on the farm and in the vineyard. The Cihlar boys take weekly rides out to the vineyard to check on the vines status and make sure things stay on track. They help us pick rock, ride in the tractor with Joe, and have really enjoyed following the fruit through verasion – especially tasting the grapes as they progresses to harvest. They’ve even been known to hide clusters of grapes in their pockets for me to find in the laundry!

The best part is being able to have them help with the grape harvest. Their favorite part is when they get to taste the juice during crush.

Along with our three boys, both sets of our parents and other family members have contributed to the planting, growing and harvesting of our vineyards.

Rolling Forks Vineyards

We established roots in Pope County, Minnesota in 2009 with the intent to grow grapes and make wine. As the winery dream became a reality, we were steadfast in our desire to provide a place that not only produces fantastic wines, but a space where our friends, neighbors and guests could share special moments together, while enjoying the picturesque views of Lake Minnewaska.

We want your visit to Rolling Forks Vineyards to be an experience to enjoy in every season. Join us at our winery and tasting room NOW OPEN!

FOLLOW THE PROGRESS

ABOUT OUR NAME

Our name comes from nearby Rolling Forks Township in Pope County. Rolling Forks Township is located just south of our vineyards and winery, and was named for its position among rolling prairies and smoothly sculpted hills, near the Chippewa River.

Rolling Forks Vineyards is located in Glenwood Township but is also positioned among rolling prairies and smoothly sculpted hills, with breathtaking views overlooking Lake Minnewaska.

You can read more about it here in a previous blog post.

OUR WINES

At Rolling Forks Vineyards, we will offer several distinctive wines that pair well with good company and long evenings - all made to be savored.

Most are semi-sweet and each with the right balance of body, complexity and smooth finish.

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