In September for two years now, my husband and I have attended some fun events at the Crofut Family Winery near Jordan, MN.  It’s a beautiful setting and strolling the grounds I see inspiring things I can paint...  There’s a colorful assortment of chickens and ducks and a beautiful red barn which I’ve already completed a painting of in fact.

The painting will be part of my “On the Farm” Lang Calendar for 2013 line-up.  Wild Wings has already made that image available as a personalized canvas print as well. I’ve just started a painting featuring some of their chickens as well, so watch for that.

I can’t forget to mention “King Turkelot” their huge adorable turkey who’s name speaks for the great sense of humor of vintner Don Crofut. Sadly, King Turkelot passed away last week. It was always fun to see him strutting around in with their chickens, ducks and goats. He truly acted like a king... and whenever Don would gobble to him, he’d gobble back! I think he’s going to be missed!

So back to the Crofut Winery & Vineyard! I can honestly say that making time to visit them for some of their fun Autumn Events is definitely worth your time! My husband, an avid home winemaker himself, got me started last fall when we showed up with 30 or so volunteers to pick grapes. It was really fun and they rewarded us with a nice lunch, unlimited wine with lunch, some grapes to take home . Plus each volunteer gets to pick out a bottle of wine to take home.

We each use a special tool and the grape clumps fall into lugs. When full, they’re hauled to the row ends where a skid loader picks them up so there’s no heavy lifting for us pickers. They really need and depend on volunteers each year to help bring in the harvest and it’s quite fun!  We picked this year as well with some 50 people. Lunch, wine, nice people.... how can you go wrong!

Don and Kathy Crofut are very friendly and hard working. Their wine is wonderful! They have a lovely store/gift shop with a wine bar for tastings. The grounds are beautiful and decorated nicely for Fall. 

Crofuts also have many fun events each weekend in September. This year we participated in the activities on a Saturday evening including “Unbridled Chocolate” with a real chocolatier! We also had the German supper. Later when it was dark, they lit “Vine Man”... a 30 foot man made of last year’s vines and we all gathered and watched it burn.

I’ve posted a few photos here to give you an idea....

Be sure to check out Crofut’s website and mark you calendar for next September or get on their mailing list and see if you too don’t enjoy the festivities.