Winter at Chankaska

Photo by Chankaska Creek Ranch and Wine

Winters in Minnesota are cold. The type of cold that makes you want to hunker down inside for the next few months. Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery & Distillery, located in Kasota, MN, will try something different this year. Chankaska is in the Southern Minnesota River Valley, only a short drive south of the cities, and specializes in award-winning wines, spirits, nationally known Kremes, and their breathtaking grounds.

Photo by Kelsey Long

To celebrate the chilly temperatures and active lifestyles Minnesotans are known for, Chankaska will be celebrating their Winter at Chankaska event, running through March. The kickoff event for this was lighting the holiday lights where the grounds, walking trails, bridges, and the forest were lit up at night on Saturday, November 26^th. The lights will remain lit up for guests to enjoy until the end of the season.

As guests walk around the property and enjoy warm drinks, sparkling lights, and live music, they can also bring their own ice skates and skate on Chankaska’s ice rink. Lit up by lights around the grounds, this magical addition to Winter at Chankaska welcomes all ages. Grab your ice skates and enjoy a skate around the man-made rink, then warm up inside with a Hot Toddy or spiked hot chocolate in the spirit’s bar.

Another way Chankaska is attracting people to the area this year is by offering snowshoeing and cross-country skiing around the grounds. Guests are encouraged to bring their own snowshoes or cross-country skis and enjoy the trails around the grounds. A waiver can be signed at the Tasting Bar and guests are welcome to enjoy the trails anytime during business hours.

Photo by Malwitz Photography

Looking for warmer ways to enjoy the winter ambiance of the Southern Minnesota River Valley? Attend the many events that Chankaska offers throughout the winter, located in the newly built Event Center. In January, tickets can be purchased for a Comedy Show that will be taking place and other events such as a murder mystery show, dueling pianos, cocktail classes, and fitness classes that are offered throughout the year. All schedules of Chankaska’s events can be found on their Event Page.

For those who enjoy live music, Chankaska is a premiere event location for many performing acts. Performers such as GB Leighton, Kat Perkins, Michael Shynes, Mick Sterling, and Mary Jane Alm, have performed at various concerts and music events at the unWINEd Music Series. Chankaska’s unWINEd Music Series offers free live music every Friday and Saturday night, either inside or outside, depending on the weather.

If you’re a fan of wine, Chankaksa also offers specials and exciting new wines through their wine club, the WINE CIRCLE. Every January, April, July, and October, new wines are released to club members and Chankaska throws a pickup party to celebrate. The next Wine Circle Party is on January 29^th and members can enjoy new wines, exclusive sneak peeks, wine samples paired with food samples, games, activities, and more discounts at the parties!

As you start to make your winter plans, don’t forget to include Chankaska’s many outdoor and indoor events and options on your list! More information can be found on their website, chankaskawines.com.