Alexis Bailly Vineyard
Although the weather had turned a little chilly last Saturday, we kept our plans and headed to Hastings, MN to the Alexis Bailly Vineyard. We were there for their Fall Open House in celebration of their fall harvest of their Nouveau Foch wine. We arrived mid-afternoon and were surprised to see rows and rows of cars parked all along the border of the vineyards. We found a spot a good distance away and set out in anticipation of what was to come. The main building is an open barn-like structure with high ceilings and wooden rafters. With beautiful wooden wine barrels throughout, it truly has a rustic feel. The room was packed, but the mood was light and festive and the line to the tasting bar moved quickly.
For a $10 tasting fee we received etched Alexis Bailly tasting glasses and had free reign to taste any and all of their ten wines ranging from light whites to rich reds to sweet dessert wines. They also had strategically placed platters of delicious cheeses throughout the room for nibbling. As for the wines, we did enjoy the Nouveau Foch and Isis, their Ice Wine. The other wines weren’t particularly special to us, although it did seem as though others were enjoying them. As for the cheeses, they were fantastic!
After our tasting, we moved outside where they have a beautiful outdoor patio and lawn with art structures throughout that is perfect for picnicking and playing bocce ball on their courts. They are ready for any type of picnic you desire with their large Harvest Table, plenty of large rocks for sitting and an expansive lawn to spread a blanket. We hadn’t thought ahead like other couples we saw lounging and eating, but we quickly added this picnic spot to our list of summer activities next year. It would be beautiful on a warm summer night. But if you can’t wait that long, they do have winter hours and a yummy sounding event coming up – The Annual Wine and Chocolate Tasting – on November 22nd. Wine and chocolate…sounds perfect!
Alexis Bailly Vineyard
18200 Kirby Avenue
Hastings, MN
651.437.1413
Tags: wine
