Wine in Minnesota has come a long way, in large part due to the work of Ashley and Aaron Schram, owners and founders of Waconia’s Schram Vineyards.
“On my first date with Aaron, he said he wanted to start a winery,” Ashley says. “I wasn’t sure how seriously to take him.”
The longer they dated, Ashley discovered how passionate Aaron is about making wine. She realized that being in a relationship with Aaron meant a lifestyle that goes with creating wine. The Schrams spent a long time building the business, from buying the land and growing the grapes to opening the winery, all while starting their family.
The Schrams’ professional backgrounds have helped them build the winery from the ground up. Ashley has experience with communications and event planning; Aaron’s background is in project management. All of these skills have been critical in navigating and managing a winery.
“A winery is extremely complex,” Ashley says. “Not only are we growing the product on-site, but we are also manufacturing, packaging, and selling it all at the same location. It is one of the very few businesses that has farming, manufacturing, retail, and events all in one place.”
And, of course, in Minnesota, the winery doesn’t stop in the winter. Schram has events year-round.
In February, you can bring your sweetheart to Schram for some exciting events. On February 10, there will be vendors from 2-5pm, a couples’ wine and cheese class in the evening, and live music. On February 14, enjoy special flights and tapas featuring shareable plates and specially selected wines. Pianist Elsa Lee will perform.
No sweetheart? Take your gal pals to Schram for some rom-com trivia on February 9. Want to wind down with wine? What could be better than candlelight yoga with wine and dessert on February 13?
There’s always something new at Schram to try. It’s a beautiful setting to enjoy a glass of wine and listen to some music. In the winter, enjoy the wine in a beautiful building that feels rustic and cozy. The food they serve is carefully chosen to be paired with their wines.
“The beauty of the menu we’ve created is that most of our dishes are shareable and designed for a couple or small group to indulge in together,” Ashley says. “Paired alongside our suggested wines, it encourages discussion and comparing notes on the different flavors and which food and wine pairing is everyone’s favorite.”
If you’re unsure what wine you like or if wine intimidates you, Ashley suggests that you just start trying them to see what you like. Reserve your spot at a wine tasting at Schram (available most Saturdays), where you can try different wines ranging from whites to reds and dry to semi-sweet.
“If you like wine a lot, you can pair it with anything to eat,” Ashley says. “But sometimes, when you find the perfect wine to pair with a food, it can change the whole dining experience.”
She suggests the pairing of their bacon-wrapped dates with their Cabernet Franc.
“All the sweet and salty flavors of the dish get smoothed out with the wine,” Ashley says.
A good rule of thumb for pairing wine with food is that the wine should be more acidic than the food, according to Ashley.
“Minnesota wines tend to be very food-friendly for this reason,” she says. “Our cold-hardy grapes tend to be more acidic in nature. The wine should match the flavor intensity of the food or sauce it’s served with.”
Love to try new wines? Coming in spring are a few new reds and a new sparkling wine. Join Schram’s wine club to get the latest wines and have a chance to socialize with fellow wine lovers.
Check out all Schram’s events, sign up for a tasting, and join the club at schramvineyards.com.
When you find the perfect wine to pair with a food, it can change the whole dining experience.
Minnesota wines tend to be very food-friendly.
