Great River Vineyard

Great Grapes John and Barb Marshall, owners and operators of Great River Vineyard, are proving that Minnesota is a great place to grow grapes. Their seven and a half acres of vineyards, across the road from Lake Pepin, near Lake City, Minnesota, produces around four or five tons of grapes a year. That translates into more than 600 gallons of grape juice and more jams and jellies than you can imagine.

The success of Great River Vineyard is due to a combination of scientific research, an Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) loan and a lot of hard work by Barb and John. As a young man John became fascinated with growing grapes while assisting his father in planting a vineyard in St. Paul. While studying at the University of Minnesota, John discovered that in the 1850’s settlers from the East brought Concord and Delaware grapes along with them to the Midwest. To ensure the grape’s survival in Minnesota’s harsh winters, the early grape growers buried the vines in trenches to prevent them from freezing.

Hybridize and Thrive

The University of Minnesota, around the turn of the century, also took an interest in the prospect of growing grapes in the area. Through extensive research, hybrids were developed that could stand the winter and still produce sweet and tasty grapes.

Although John and Barb have been growing grapes for over 20 years, it was not until 1993 and an AURI loan, that they began to press their first grapes. The AURI encouraged them to install USDA-approved equipment at the vineyard, complete with a crusher, juice pump, press and gravity bottler. The first grapes were pressed in 1994.

As the secretary for the Minnesota Grape Growers Association, John has fought for more funds for research on grapes. A hybridization program currently underway at the University of Minnesota, seems promising, and the University recently approved funding for a full-time enologist (winemaker) as well as the establishment of an experimental winery on campus.

Marketing Success

Great River Vineyard sells their products directly to consumers and also markets their juice at Twin Cities co-ops and the Rochester farmers market. Orders can be placed directly with Great River Vineyard, or better yet, a visit to the vineyard can yield an exciting day and the many great tastes the various grapes offer. “People come and just walk around the place and look,” Barb said. “We just love that.”

As interest in the Marshall’s locally grown and produced:

* grape juice,
* grape jam and jellies and
* wine blossoms,

it is John’s and Barb’s hope that more people will realize the economic viability of growing grapes. In the meantime, they will continue to produce their fantastic juice, jams and jellies, and wines. The first grapes are ready in late August and the grape juice season continues through early October, and John and Barb are eagerly awaiting another plentiful harvest from their well tended vines.