Northern viticulture on a family estate since 1993.
With nearly 30 years of cold climate grape growing, Trout Brook Vineyard has experience that only time, assiduity, and logging data can achieve.
Today three generations of the Betker family at Trout Brook Vineyard proudly partner with notable producers of wine and spirit. In an ever shifting production landscape, the family looks forward to partnerships and projects yet to come.
At Trout Brook Vineyard, the Betker family believes that a healthy vine is the foundation for vigorous fruit and delicious wine. Through integrated pest management and a nutrient feeding program, the family cultivates resilient vines able to fend off pests and disease without depending on pesticides. Grapes are sold to local wineries and distilleries in Minnesota and Wisconsin that have turned the fruits of Trout Brook’s labor into award winning wines and spirits
Knowing our purpose
Our family commitment to growing grapes goes far beyond production farming. Viticulture is a way of life and in many ways a metaphor for our lives and our purpose on this planet.
As grape growers our whole year and all our efforts culminate at the end of the growing season. Working toward harvest and minding the estate throughout the year, we grow intimately aware of each shift of every season.
We aim to work with the plants and to be responsible stewards of the vineyard and surrounding landscape. We take heart of this stewardship entrusted to us.
Growing grapes within this wider community teaches us to tread lightly. A vineyard is more than mere farm. It is a relationship with the land that inspires a better world for the families that work it, those who visit, and all who share time in this paradise.
The health of the vineyards and the bounty of superior grapes come harvest is but our reward and that for those who put it to good use in their own creation.
“A pastoral backdrop in any season, Trout Brook Vineyard is a welcomed escape from city life and an inspiring example of sustainable viticulture. Since the early 1990s Trout Brook has taught so much to so many whether it be early pruning, late Spring canopy management, Summer cluster thinning, or the ultimate harvest to which we look forward all year.
Growing cold hardy Sabrevois, Prairie Star, Frontenac, Frontenac Gris, Saint Croix, La Crescent, Edelweiss, Louise Swenson and Marquette for wine making and also Blue Bells as table grapes, Trout Brook Vineyard supplies the finest wineries, distilleries and food coöperatives in the area. Looking to buy grapes for your winery? Local grapes for the produce department of your local green grocers? To try your hand at pruning or harvesting for a season? Trout Brook Vineyard welcomes you!”
— Nicholas Livingston
Come to know Trout Brook Vineyard
All are welcome at Trout Brook Vineyard. Sign up to receive word of scheduled opportunities to volunteer, to attend festivals, picnics and dinners, to embark on outing activities, and to learn the arts involved in growing and maintaining cold hardy vineyards through organized classes and workshops.
Be the first to know about happenings on the farm by signing up for our email newsletter and keep an eye on our Events Calendar to take part in each season at Trout Brook.
We would love to meet you and share time.