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Interestingly enough, Minneapolis lies at the same latitude (45 degrees north) as the Bordeaux wine region in France.

Just as in Bordeaux, summers in southern Minnesota are sunny, warm, and with ample rainfall. The Land o' Lakes also has an abundance of good vineyard sites, near rolling hills and bluffs that hug miles of lake shoreline.

Unlike Europe, however, Minnesota's early autumn frosts also mean a shorter growing season. Therefore, choosing grapes that can be harvested early while withstanding harsher Minnesota winters has always been a challenge.

Today, the Marechal Foch, Frontenac, Frontenac Gris, and a dozen other hybrid varieties are helping to make Minnesota wine a rising star in the Midwest. Meanwhile, researchers at the University of Minnesota's Horticultural Research Center have made extensive studies into new cold-hardy wine grape varieties.

Minnesota officially boasts two AVAs (American Viticultural Areas). These include Alexandria Lakes in the central-western Douglas County, and the Upper Mississippi River Valley AVA which the state shares with northeast Iowa, northwest Illinois, and southwest Wisconsin.

Wine tourism has also taken off in the state with Minnesota's first designated Three Rivers wine trail comprised of five wineries in the St. Croix, Mississippi and Cannon River Valleys.

Learn more about how winegrowers have defied the odds to produce quality wines enjoyed at Minnesota at winery tours, events, tastings and festivals throughout the year...

More information about Minnesota wineries around the Web:

Minnesota Grape Growers Association - Besides the directory of vineyards and wineries, check out the discussion forum, cold climate varietal matrix, and extensive resources to learn more about grape growing and winemaking.

Explore Minnesota - Minnesota Vineyards & Wineries - The Minnesota tourism directory with a good list of wineries and tours, plus tool around the rest of the site for related attractions, hotels and restaurants.