Tasting Stillwater Without Going Downtown

Wine and beer connoisseurs, foodies and music lovers have an opportunity to savor Stillwater from a fresh perspective.

Saint Croix Vineyards, Lift Bridge Brewery and Eventus are hosting a brand new summer event, Taste of Stillwater, on Saturday, July 9 at Saint Croix Vineyards. From 11 a.m. until 7 p.m., organizers offer the chance to enjoy wine and beer tastings, food from local restaurants, vendors and live entertainment.

Amanda Jamison and David Regan, producers of the event, designed Taste of Stillwater as an opportunity to showcase the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the St. Croix Valley.

Jamison and Regan are co-owners of the Mahtomedi-based event-planning company, Eventus. The firm specializes in corporate and social events, festivals and weddings.

“We thought it’d be beautiful to have [Taste of Stillwater] at a vineyard,” Jamison said. “People will experience the spirit of Stillwater even though it’s not downtown.”

The standard ticket for Taste of Stillwater, which costs $20 online or $25 at the gate, includes one tasting flight of Saint Croix Vineyard wine, one tasting flight of Lift Bridge Brewery beers and food tastings from many local restaurants such as Fresh Fields Bakery & Cafe, Aamodt’s Apple Farm and The Hanger Room. Wine, beer and food will also be available for purchase. A total of 38 vendors are scheduled to participate.

The main venue, Saint Croix Vineyard, is described as one of Minnesota’s largest and best known. The 2011 San Francisco International Wine Competition recognized two Saint Croix wines with silver awards. The featured brewery, Lift Bridge Beer Company, is a relatively new establishment featuring the creations of five brewing partners. Select varieties of Lift Bridge beer are available at bars, restaurants and liquor stores throughout Minnesota.

While the organizers planned Taste of Stillwater to give visitors a chance to taste local wines and beers, the event will also offer wine and beer fans a unique opportunity to see the process behind production of their favorite drinks.

Saint Croix Vineyards and Lift Bridge Brewery tours are included in the cost of each ticket, so visitors will be able to experience fermentation from behind the scenes.

“This is a great event for people who love to see how wine and beer are made,” Jamison said. Shuttles will be on site to drive attendees between the locations.

Described as a showcase for mouth-watering food and drinks, Taste of Stillwater will also feature local music throughout the day at its main stage. Scheduled bands include acoustic rockers Cedar Avenue, jazz-pop singer Alison Scott, blues band Groove Hawks and dance band High & Mighty.

Attendees must be at least 21 and are encouraged to purchase their tickets early online. 2,000 tickets are available for tasting, and as of Thursday afternoon, more than 1,300 had been sold. General admission tickets, which don’t include the tastings, will be available at the door, Jamison said.

Saturday’s weather forecast calls for heat with a chance of scattered showers. Regardless of the weather, Jamison is enthusiastic.

“It’s going to be fantastic,” she said.