Maple River Winery Blog

Maple River Winery Expands

2010-04-23T08:13:00.003-05:00

Maple River Distillery launched from historic downtown Casselton, North Dakota this holiday season by selling out of almost all of its production!! The Rhubarb Vodka, Rhubarb Cordial, and the Wild Plum Cordial have been the best sellers. I like mixing the Rhubarb Vodka with Lemonade. It goes great with the sunshine. My wife enjoys the Rhubarb Cordial chilled or poured over strawberries. Yum. I think the best would be chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream with Rhubarb Cordial or Wild Plum Cordial drizzled over it.

The Maple River Distillery has become another tourist destination in historic downtown Casselton, North Dakota. Casselton is 15 minutes west of Fargo on I-94. Tasting room hours for the Maple River Winery and the Maple River Distillery continue to be year around Monday-Saturday from 10am to 5pm. Drop by and say hi!!

Maple River Winery on the road!!!

2009-10-15T09:13:00.002-05:00

We have a very busy road this holiday season. This weekend begins our travels outside of the winery showcasing our wines throughout the state.
This weekend we have booths at 2 different events in Fargo. Friday and Saturday will find us at the Big One Arts and Craft Show at the Fargo Civic Center. Saturday will find us at the Fargodome for the Women's Showcase. Many thanks to our crew covering both of these shows for us so we can focus on getting product ready for the Maple River Distillery which will be open early November. North Dakota fruit everywhere!!

We will post the rest of our schedule here as we get closer. This year we will be attending the most shows ever in our 7 year history. Excited? absolutely!

World Record Fire Truck Parade Update

2009-08-08T21:50:00.004-05:00

In 1 week we will know if we had enough entries to break the world record for the most fire trucks ever in a parade. We have been receiving a lot more phone calls than we expected to this date. We were hoping to be around 50% and have 25% of them the week of the parade and then 25% the day of the parade. We are cautiously optimistic since we are sitting at over 120 entries, but know we need more. It would be terrible if a couple had to cancel and we wound up 1 or 2 short. We know there are trucks coming from near Rochester, Minnesota to north and west of Minot, North Dakota. What we don't know is how many are going to show up the day of the parade. One of the magazine writers called them "drive-ups" instead of "walk-ups". Information regarding the fire truck parade can be found on www.casscountysummerfest.com. Information will be posted on there regarding where the best spots will be in Casselton to view this historic event.

Words can't express the appreciation for everyone who has helped so far in the planning process. In 1 week, we will know how great this is. Will there be 160? 200? 300? We hope everyone has a safe trip to and from Casselton and enjoy this historical moment.

Very busy Saturday at the Maple River Winery

2009-07-11T22:01:00.003-05:00

We went to Cool Beans today to get the California Burger special for everyone working today. Someone made the comment it was fairly quiet so far on Saturday morning. It didn't last. Before we could finish our burgers several groups came into the winery's tasting room/Pride of Dakota gift shop. Chokecherry Jelly and Lilac Wine were the big winners today. It is surprising how each day of the week a different wine is the most popular. This is fun because we have been guessing each morning as to which will be the most popular wine of the day.

On a side note, strawberries have started coming in. They smell sooooo good and they taste even better. You can't beat locally grown strawberries.

Up next, nanking cherries and apricots. yum.

Fire Truck Parade Time

2009-06-04T05:08:00.002-05:00

Growing up, I always enjoyed watching fire trucks in parades. So many different designs, colors, and purposes as well as from so many different communities. In Casselton, we would always see our local communities like Arthur, Leonard, Buffalo to mention a few. In 2004, for our 125th anniversary, fire departments came from Wahpeton, Hillsboro, and Valley City. This year, we have a committee dedicated to putting on the largest fire truck parade in the world. The current record is held in Switzerland with 159 fire trucks that paraded through there. It has been a learning experience finding out all of the different criteria needed to ensure compliance for the world record attempt. On August 15, 2009, we'll attempt to make history in our little community nestled along I-94 just a little west of Fargo. Maybe you'll drop by and visit that day too!!

2009 Penny Sale in the record books

2009-04-27T15:32:00.002-05:00

Our annual penny sale wrapped up last week. It was by far the busiest penny sale promotion we have ever had. We always look forward to the penny sale because after the sale we will be spending many hours outside. This year we have many projects. We have some rhubarb growers adding more plants to their farms. We have new fruits being planted in and around Casselton. This fall will be very, very exciting if mother nature cooperates. We have more pears, plums, strawberries, and chokecherries lined up than ever before. Here's to a great 2009 growing season!!

Friday the 13th, 2009

2009-02-13T09:54:00.003-06:00

Friday the 13th seems to always scare people. Today is no exception. However, my wife and I are looking at this date today in 2009 and thinking we didn't plan too good 10 years ago. Today is our 10th anniversary. It seems like just yesterday that we were married. So many memories of that day/night and especially the trip to Nebraska to get married. Who would have thought it would take over 3 days to travel 10 hours? We tried to leave early enough on Wednesday morning to make it to our rehearsal on Friday night, but we didn't make it on time. Must have been the high volume traffic in southwest Nebraska or something. Anyways, it is hard to believe 10 years have went by so fast!!! We have a nice house on a quiet street in Casselton, North Dakota, which is a suburb of Fargo, North Dakota. We have 3 wonderful daughters, Katie (7), Sarah (4), and Melody ( 2 1/2 months). We also own Maple River Winery in historic downtown Casselton. If that isn't enough, my wife, Susan, is a Library Media Specialist at Kennedy Elementary School in Fargo. Needless to say, on Friday evenings when the girls go to bed, we crash. Tonight will be no exception.

3 Chicago concerts in 3 days

2008-08-11T08:31:00.002-05:00

Friday 8/8/08 my wife and I enjoyed Chicago in concert at the Sioux Empire Fair in Sioux Falls. We were standing in the 2nd row in the general admission right in front of the speakers. Awesome!

Saturday 8/9/08 we drove 3-4 hours southwest to Grand Island Nebraska to enjoy Chicago in the Heartland Events Center. A sellout crowd, we happened to overhear 2 people say their seats were double sold. We offered to give up our seats to sit in some obstructed view seats next to the stage. Of course they accepted and we were able to enjoy the concert from right next to the stage. Awesome!

Sunday 8/10/08 we drove 2 plus hours northeast to Norfolk, Nebraska to enjoy Chicago outdoors at the Divots Conference Center. A massive crowd, but we got there as soon as doors opened. My wife went up to the VIP area with our VIP tickets and secured 4 seats in the front row right in the center. The Smoke Ring was the local band the opened for them and they were great. They were all having a great time. Enjoying the show from the front row was great. The weather was perfect and the music was great. After the concert we were able to take the lawn chairs home that were provided to us for sitting. Didn't use mine at all. Another great Chicago concert.

We hope to be able to do this again someday. A big special thank you to our grandparents for watching our kids while we were on this little "jaunt".

Chicago Live in Concert in Sioux Falls

2008-08-08T23:13:00.003-05:00

88 degrees on 8-8-08 at 8 pm when Chicago took the stage tonight. What a concert. At 7pm, there was maybe a couple of hundred people in attendance...by 8pm, well over 10,000. I will be posting photos from the concert on our facebook account. Drop by and check them out.

Tomorrow night, Grand Island, Nebraska.

8-8-08

2008-08-07T15:14:00.003-05:00

My wife and I are getting ready to be music groupies for the weekend. On Friday 8-8-08, I am flying down to Lincoln, Nebraska to meet up with her. She and the girls are vacationing at Susan's parents place in southwest Nebraska. We will drive from Lincoln, Neb. to Sioux Falls, SD for the Chicago concert on 8-8-08. The following day, we will drive from Sioux Falls, SD to Grand Island, Neb for the Chicago concert on 8-9-08. The following day, we will drive from Grand Island, Neb. to Norfolk, Neb. for the Chicago concert on 8-10-08. At that concert, we do have VIP tickets. I think 3 concerts in 3 nights can classify us as groupies. I was not able to talk her into the August 7, 2008 concert in Fort Dodge, IA for 4 concerts in 4 nights. I am very excited that she was willing to enjoy 3 concerts. I think the word is eccentric, but am not sure. Anyone else going to any of those concerts? We'll see you there!!

On a side note. It will be a sad day tomorrow. 20 years ago tomorrow was when the first night baseball game occurred at Wrigley Field. I still have a sign in my sports room that says No Lights at Wrigley Field. I guess if the Cubs win the World Series this year, I can relax a little, but 20 years of lights haven't brought a World Series Championship yet....

Strawberry Wine is fermenting away!!

2008-07-20T21:50:00.002-05:00

2008 is going down as one of the best strawberry harvests in North Dakota ever. We have received over 1000 pounds of strawberries from all over eastern North Dakota. The whole winery has an overwhelming strawberry aroma that is just plain AWESOME!!!! I can hardly wait to enjoy a bottle of our strawberry wine from this year. We are going to bring in extra strawberries this year so we have enough strawberry wine for next summer. We enjoy the smiling faces as people try the Prairie Strawberry Wine. Try some today!!

Lilac Harvest is now complete

2008-06-09T21:17:00.003-05:00

We just finished our lilac harvest today. Lavender, violet, and purple lilacs are all fermenting away at our winery in their respective containers. We hope to have lilac wine ready for Labor Day weekend. One of our rhubarb farmers brought in rhubarb and decided to enjoy the aroma. His advice....wow.....what an aroma. The characteristics will be great to enjoy. Lilac aromas during the winter will help make our winter more bearable. Have you ever heard of or made lilac wine? If you have, let us know at greg@mapleriverwinery.com. We look forward to hearing from you. Lilac wine is an old time wine that was made out on the farm. It truly is a delicacy for the masses.

The Can Pile is saved

2008-05-30T20:35:00.003-05:00

Despite many, many roadblocks, the committee that set a goal of saving the world famous Casselton Can Pile from a May 29th, 2008 demolition date succeeded yesterday. As the metal plate was slid underneath the can pile being held by a very large crane and beams inserted in the can pile for support, the onlookers gazed in amazement. As the final push from the payloader pushed on the metal plate, smoke erupted throughout the can pile very similar to a house or building collapsing. A wicked noise of settling cans and erupting smoke rattled all of the teary eyed onlookers. After a few oil cans settled, the can pile was completely on the metal plate. From there, the can pile was lifted up by the crane onto the awaiting flat bed semi-truck for the move along the evacuation route to safety. While this is a temporary location, a non-profit corporation has been set up to start raising funds for the restoration and preservation of the world famous Casselton Can Pile as well as finding a permanent home for it to be the Midwest's most unique tourist attraction. Please consider making a donation to help the project along at http:www.casseltoncanpile.com.

Dandelion Harvest underway

2008-05-25T07:36:00.003-05:00

With our gorgeous sunshine comes bright yellow flowers all over the area. These dandelions are what we pick to make our popular dandelion wine. A wonderful unique wine is a great entertaining wine. To get there however, we need thousands of dandelion flowers. We just use the little yellow flower when we produce the wine so you can see how labor intensive production is. We estimate close to 100 yellow flowers in each half bottles of wine. What does the wine taste like? I like to describe our dandelion wine as a semi-sweet white wine that tastes like a cross between a light chardonnay and corn on the cob. We expect this wine to be our top seller on our website again this year. The novelty is growing. It is the perfect conversation piece when entertaining friends, family, and business acquaintances.

Save the Casselton Can Pile

2008-05-10T21:45:00.003-05:00

We have been working with a tremendous committee throughout rural Cass County in an effort to save North Dakota's most unique tourist attraction, the Can Pile. Some people say it is being evicted on May 29th, some people say it is being torn down. We have been receiving phone calls day and night from all over the United States asking how they can help save the Can Pile. We have another meeting set for May 15th to establish the how-to's to saving a can pile. It has never been attempted before....anywhere in the world. We are making history. After last Thursday night's meeting, I think we might even have someone that is going to write a book about it.

For those of you in Internet land....you can learn more about our struggles and the history of the Casselton Can Pile at www.casseltoncanpile.com. Maybe even leave a donation.

Green Bay Packers

2008-01-20T21:33:00.000-06:00

My wife and I were watching the Green Bay Packers play the New York Football Giants on the frozen tundra tonight. As the game concluded, we both wondered: "Was that the last pass of Brett Favre's career?". I can only imagine the tens of thousands of tailgaters partying around the stadium. I know for a fact several bottles of Maple River Wine were in attendance. What a great game. Too bad both teams couldn't have went to the Superbowl. How many days until Spring Training? Oh yes, the temp here today started at -23. Not a mosquito in our entire neighborhood.

Christmas Shopping Complete

2007-12-19T20:00:00.001-06:00

December 19th and my Christmas Shopping is complete! All but 1 item was purchased either from a North Dakota company or at a Pride of Dakota Holiday Showcase. I can't say what that was so my wife won't figure out what she is getting.

This holiday season I have heard a lot more people say that they are buying local items for their loved ones. There are so many great North Dakota products out there. Almost something for everyone. From the wonderful Raspberry Vinegar that is made by Patrie's Raspberries in Bowdon, ND to the North Dakota dirt soap made by Pure Pleasures in Fredonia, ND, everything goes with a bottle of Maple River Wine.

If you get a chance, check out either the Pride of Dakota website at www.prideofdakota.nd.gov or our website www.northdakotawinery.com has many of the top unique and fun items from our North Dakota friends. Know of any other good products? Let us know!!

Fargo Pride of Dakota Holiday Showcase

2007-11-20T18:03:00.001-06:00

Wow is all I can say. The Pride of Dakota Holiday Showcase in Fargo was unbelieveable. We had so many people come up to us and enjoy our wine. It seemed like Rhubarb, Bumble Bee Red, and Chokecherry were our top 3 wines. This was by far our biggest show. Bismarck usually is the largest of the 4 showcases. I am looking forward to it next weekend. We'll have 4 people working in our booth.

As I finish typing this, I am enjoying the smell of fermentation. Pear wine is something everyone is looking forward to. Words can't describe the wonderful aroma. Something you have to experience yourself.

Minot Pride of Dakota Showcase

2007-11-12T16:59:00.000-06:00

Our family had a great time in Minot. My wife and I worked our booth at the Minot Showcase while our babysitter took care of our two girls (lots of swimming I would imagine). This was by far the busiest shows in Minot since we started in 2003. We had such a great day on Saturday, I had to drive to Bismarck to meet up with a couple of friends that met us with a van load of wine for Sunday. If Minot is any indication, I would imagine the Fargo and Bismarck show will be great as well! We have really noticed a lot of people promoting local products, whether it would be wine, crafts, sweets, or that famous soup that I can't stop eating. Remember, there is a coupon on our website for the Fargo and Bismarck showcase. You can print it out and bring a friend for free. We have heard a lot of our customers that have taken advantage of it. They are also commenting on the great reusable bags they are getting at the showcases. If you come to the show, make sure to thank the Pride of Dakota staff for the great job they are doing. It seems like when there is a problem they are always in the line of fire, but when things go great, they are usually overlooked.

Our topseller for the weekend: Rhubarb wine by a mile with Chokecherry and Bumble Bee Red tying for 2nd place. What will Fargo and Bismarck be like?

Grand Forks Pride of Dakota Showcase

2007-11-05T09:18:00.000-06:00

It is that time of year again for our Holiday Showcases that we participate in. The North Dakota Agriculture Department has a terrific program called Pride of Dakota, which features products produced here in North Dakota. In November and December, there are 4 holiday showcases: Grand Forks, Minot, Fargo, and Bismarck. This weekend, we had a booth at the Grand Forks Holiday Showcase. Since our winery is only about an hour away from Grand Forks, we have many, many customers there. They stop by and sample our new wines and inform us how they enjoy going to their local retailer or visiting the winery. One thing we noticed this year was that a lot of comments were made regarding wanting to ship our Bumble Bee Red or our Prairie Strawberry to their relatives in California or other states. Our holiday website ordering has also picked up dramatically in the past couple of weeks. My wife also just redesigned our front page....I guess it is my turn to work on the other pages.

Casselton Regional Tourism Committee

2007-10-17T11:20:00.001-05:00

Yesterday we had our first official meeting of the Casselton Regional Tourism Committee. I was nominated for and accepted the position of chairperson of this committee. We have many positive thinking members. I think we will have a great time promoting the Casselton area. We have many ideas and will share some here in the future. Does your community have a tourism committee? We are a small, growing community in eastern ND of around 2,000 people. More information is available at www.casselton.com. Watch for tourist related activities. I think we will have a busy winter planning activities.....even with Chokecherries.

North Dakota Nanking Cherries

2007-10-14T21:21:00.000-05:00

When I walked into the winery today, I smelled the wonderful aroma of Nanking Cherries fermenting. These cherries came from throughout North Dakota, including Lisbon, Mayville, Valley City, Wheatland, and Oakes just to name a few. I look forward to this wine coming out, but am saddened when it sells out so fast.

Tomorrow we have more rhubarb wine to bottle and clean up from our very successful booth at the Women's Showcase that was held on Saturday at the Fargodome. I would expect over 5,000 women attended the show. haven't heard a number yet, but we went through a lot of wine!!! I think Saturday was the first show where rhubarb was not the most popular wine. This time our Bumble Bee Red wine with honey and red grapes was honored as being the favorite of women attending the show.

It is the middle of October and still no sign of a killer freeze. We have 2 small strawberries on our plant in our front yard right now. They are white. I do not know if there is enough energy for them to finish. If they do, Sarah will get one and Katie will get the other one.

Pumpkin, Pumpkin, who's got the pumpkin?

2007-10-10T16:17:00.000-05:00

Our pumpkin grower e-mailed today to let me know the pumpkins are coming in on Saturday. We'll plan on cutting them up next week and then start making more pumpkin wine....hard to believe one of our most popular. In fact, last November, it was our most popular wine at the tasting room. We expect this November to be even better for Pumpkin wine. I envision a big plate of turkey smothered in gravy with stuffing and cranberries on the side with a big, big glass of pumpkin wine. Yum.....only 43 days until Thanksgiving!

Winter is back in our area

2007-10-09T07:50:00.000-05:00

It was tough to listen to the radio this morning. October 9th and they are talking about 1-3 inches of snow in Northwestern Minnesota over night. It is safe to say winter is coming fast. That means our wine season is kicking in. Our apricots have been fermenting wonderfully the last couple of days at the winery. We have been fortunate to get a good quantity of apricots this year. It seems mother nature was very helpful this year. Not only did we get apricots in, but we also had people bring in North Dakota pears. I can hardly wait to enjoy a glass of North Dakota pear wine.

Pumpkins are the last thing to come in this year. I expect them to start coming in on Monday, weather permitting, of course.

Welcome to our little part of the blogosphere

2007-10-08T16:34:00.000-05:00

It seems I always have all kinds of ideas about things to do here in Casselton and across rural North Dakota, but I don't like to write them down. My wife and I decided to start this blog to talk about ideas, news, and various items across rural North Dakota. Don't worry, we are also going to talk about our winery, tasting room, gift shop, web site, business neighbors as well as off the wall kind of stuff you can only find here.

The first question I have been thinking about is this.....how many Maple Rivers are there across the United States? If you live near a Maple River or in a Maple River Valley, tell us about it!!